Well, I totally loved Jane Eyre. It'll always be number one in my list of favorite musicals. And it got me to loving the book better and finally got me totally obsessed. So here I'll explain my entire experience with it (starting from how I heard about it) and my thoughts. It's not horribly long since I only got to see it once =( but I'll be babbling and babbling.

Okay, the first time I heard about it was when I was in school. English class and we were just starting to read 'Jane Eyre' and from all the groans and stuff I heard, it didn't sound that much fun. Like one of those books that the school forces you to read but is always uninteresting.

Well, my mom somehow found out about this and she was all excited. So she went to the library and got one of the videos. The one with William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg. And I was forced to watch it. But it wasn't as bad as I really thought it would be. I thought it was totally sweet. AND, it had my favorite part of the proposal in it too (as does the musical, kind of), the part where Rochester says, "Say, Edward--give me my name--Edward--I will marry you." I love that part. So the movie made it more interesting to read. And when I finished, I had to admit that the book did have some good parts. But it still wasn't that interesting.

Moving on, my friend is a great singer and she knows everything there is to know about Broadway. So, she mentioned that Jane Eyre was a Broadway show. (This was in November/December, when the show first started!) Of course, she said that it was probably boring and things like that (she didn't like the book). Well, so now I knew about the musical, but didn't really wanna see it.

Onwards, an essay we had to write on Jane Eyre comparing the book and movie (the Hurt version we saw in school after finishing the book). I got a 'C' on it...but that's nothing interesting.

After that, I kinda forgot all about Jane Eyre until one day my mom mentioned some Broadway shows we could go see. This was in March/April now. One of the ones she mentioned was Jane Eyre and she talked about her co-worker going to see it and how it was really neat with the mansion and the fire (I didn't know that there was that carousel thing with the turntables so I thought that Thornfield was going to be a huge piece of scenary or something.) Well, like an idiot, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I told her that it probably would be boring and didn't want to see it. So we went to go see Les Miserables (which, BTW, is my second favorite musical). The funny thing is that after the performance, we were driving home and we passed the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. I saw the nice little sign for Jane Eyre and remarked that the Jane was too pretty (And Marla is seriously pretty). Funny how I remember this, isn't it?

And then I forgot all about it again until my dad came back home from the library one day with the Broadway soundtrack of Jane Eyre. This happened in the middle of May. He told me to give it a try, and so I reluctantly did. I totally fell in love with it. The very first time I popped it into the my CD player, I was engrossed. I listened to it over and over and over. I was well on my way into falling in love with it. So anyway, I burned a copy of it (not the greatest thing to do, but I needed to have a temporary copy of it until I could get to a CD store). Well, I finally got my own copy a few days later. I loved the haunting music and especially the voices of the singers. Marla Schaffel became my favorite singer. I love her voice. And James Barbour. I feel in love with his baritone. And his tenderness. It was kinda sexy too. ^_^

So anyway, I visited the official site, JaneEyreOnBroadway.com and visited all the nice links and everything. That was when I found out that the Tonys were going to be on the third of June and not only was Jane Eyre nominated for 5 Tonys, but among them were Best Actress, and even better, Best Musical. So of course, I had to watch them perform. And then I found out that they had tickets selling only to the 8th of July. Very bad. That meant I only had about 3 weeks to find time to see it. I was going on vacation the last week of June until mid-July. Well, I tried convincing my parents but they were kinda shaky on an answer.

Well, I watched the Tonys, hoping Jane Eyre would win a Tony. Of course, my hopes kinda got quenched when in the first hour, they had lost 3 times and The Producers had stolen almost every single one. Still, I was waiting anxiously to see them perform. Well, I was well beyond excited when the lady (I'm sorry, I don't remember her name) started introducing them. James came on first, and I was totally in love with him. He was so handsome... Anyway, then Marla, and I thought she was really pretty and loved her voice. Remember, I hadn't really seen them in pictures or anything yet save for their Playbill pics on the site. I had no idea they were speed singing 'Sirens' but I really couldn't tell the difference. Well, soon after came Best Actress. I seriously thought Marla was going to win. I mean, in the 42nd Street tap-dancing thing, I didn't see Christine Ebersole anywhere so I was like, "If she isn't even in the performance to promote their show, how good can she be?" (No offense!) And I saw all the other people perform, and although they were good, Marla was so much better. So imagine my surprise (and disappointment) when Christine Ebersole won. And my depressed mood when Jane Eyre lost out on Best Musical. So basically my highlight of watching the Tonys was to see 'Sirens'. I wasn't really impressed with anything else. (except 'The Rocky Horror Show'. I liked that.)

And Mel Brooks...oh God! I just wanted to kick him or something! Him and his show, winning award after award after award.

The next day, after being influenced by the commercials for visiting Broadway.com, I went. I watched all the videos. Read the interviews and everything. Saw the pictures and drooled over James Barbour, too.

The day after that, to my utter horror, a closing notice for June 10th. I begged my parents to go see it and they finally agreed. We were going on the 9th to see the matinee performance. Of course, I wanted to see the evening performance, too and the very last performance also, but sadly, I had to go somewhere else on Sunday, and my parents wouldn't let me go again to see the evening performance on the 9th after just seeing the matinee. Well, once was okay with me. Better than none, right?

On the 9th, we drove off to NYC. I was excited and kinda hyper. So anyway, my parents being cheap people, decided we would get tickets at the TKTS booth. The lines there are horribly long and I was afraid that when we finally got to the front, there would be no more tickets for Jane Eyre. That was my worst fear, and I was really nervous. Well, we ended up getting tickets. Row N, kinda far back, but with my glasses, all was good. After that, we had a few hours to kill. So we walked around, went to a few stores. Ate lunch (I was too excited to eat) and walked around more.

My parents were getting restless and decided, let's just go to the theatre now, and you can meet the people so we don't have to do all this after the show. There was me, complaining against that, because it's kinda rude to intrude on the people before the show. But my parents were stubborn. So we went to the theatre and there was another lady there, waiting for the stars to come too so I didn't feel that weird.

So I met a whole bunch of people. And they were all really nice. This was also my very first Stage Door experience. I had no idea you could do this, so I was kinda nervous too. They made me feel so much better. Anyways, the thing is, the stars don't really look like their Playbill pics so half I couldn't recognize. That was bad, but I was helped by the lady I was with. Of course, I realized who Marla was, and then who could not recognize James?

Marla was as totally cool as everyone had said she was. She kinda had to run inside so she wouldn't lose her contact before she got to sign my thing so I was disappointed for not getting to meet her. But then low and behold, she came back out in a few minutes. Posed and signed and everything for me. She's great.

James came in a cab, and the backstage crew joked around about him being a big star and that he should tip the cab guy more and stuff like that. Well anyway he was kinda in a hurry I think but he still signed my stuff, and posed with me too. He's such a great guy. And he is seriously 10x cuter in person.

After that, we went inside, because there was like 10 minutes left until the show started. But before going in, I got a Program book and the Broadway edition of Jane Eyre. I also wanted a T-shirt, but kinda had no more money.

Now the show. I loved the homey setting. People had talked about this, but I really had no idea what the hell they were saying. But now I know. It's so...intimate-like. And the chairs were comfortable. Obviously too comfortable because I think my Dad fell asleep. But that's beside the point.

I liked how they began, with the orchestra playing and Rochester's voice going "Jane.." Then Marla came out and the whole thing started. One thing I'm curious about is how Marla's wig fits. I've always wondered, but never found out. Moving on...Lowood. I liked how they walked 'round in circles during 'Children of God' and found their seats. Jayne Paterson's voice was great during 'Forgiveness'. Moving onwards...'The Graveyard' was good and ditto for 'Sweet Liberty'. Then came the lights and projections as Jane goes off to Thornfield. I was in total awe.

Mrs. Fairfax is great. Mary Stout plays her well, and I love the funny lines. And then came Adele. Andrea was totally cute. Then Mrs. Fairfax led Jane through Thornfield and we see Grace Poole. Nell makes a really great Grace. I like her so much better than the Grace in the Hurt version and she's got a really great accent.

After, meeting Rochester. I first thought they would actually have a horse, or show maybe just the head of a horse or something but nope. There's the sound of stamping hooves and a huge shadow thing of a horse with flashing lights. I thought this was better than the 'real' horse I was expecting and then much to my surprise, Rochester rolls out from under the screen. I thought this was totally cute. So Jane offers to help, and he's snarling and everything and then says something about witches not apologizing or something. So Jane goes, "Then I will keep silent." So she sits with her back to him and when he asks her a question, she justs looks at him a moment and then faces forward. It's so cute. So anyway, she finally helps him back to his horse and he goes, "Come here you stupid beast!" which I found funny.

Afterwards, the servants are getting things ready because of  Rochester's arrival and soon after, Jane finally sees him and finds out that he's the guy on the horse. Well, there's the classic part that I love, "You stare at me Miss Eyre. Do you think me handsome?" "No, sir." And of course, Rochester goes all cute and lifts his hair from him forehead. "Does my forehead displease you?" Something like that.

Anyway, moving on a lot...in a different scene, Rochester sings 'As Good As You' and everyone goes to bed. Bertha makes her first appearance (Sandy Binion played her when I went, and she made a good Bertha), and lights Rochester's bed on fire. Jane wakes and puts it out. Rochester takes her hand, and thanks her in such a tender way. Jane goes back to her room and starts singing 'Secret Soul' and soon Rochester joins in. Their first duet and it's beautiful.

Morning comes and Jane learns that the beautiful people are coming. And here's comes one of the cute parts that I like. The screen lifts and the rich people are in a triangle bobbing up and down and singing. ^_^ It's so funny and cute. I love it. I just don't remember the words, only something clippity-clop. Well, we meet Blanche and she sings 'The Finer Things'. Elizabeth DeGrazia has a great voice. And she acts the part of Blanche really well. Anyway, later on, there's waltzing, more singing and then Mason comes. He goes off with the other rich people to talk and Rochester is left with Jane. 'The Pledge' is so sweet. I love how they look at each other so tenderly, especially Rochester. Jane leaves soon after to go to bed and my favorite song, 'Sirens' starts. I was impressed with it during the Tonys but in the show, it was so much better.

Intermission. I was already well in love with the show by this time. And depressed that this was the first, and last time I would ever see it.

The second act starts with 'Things Beyond This Earth'. Then, Mason walks around with a lantern singing a song to the tune of 'Sirens'. Bertha comes and leads him away and he screams for help.
Jane walks out from somewhere and runs into Rochester. He allows her to come with him to help. Mason is in a bed bleeding and Jane mends his wound and he leaves. Then Rochester walks Jane back to her room and they start talking. Rochester makes her all jealous that it's kinda cute and then before he leaves, he pats her on the back (kinda like what guys do to greet each other) and leaves. Jane starts singing 'Painting Her Portrait'. This is the best song. Marla is so expressive that it makes you just wanna cry. It's great. After is 'In The Light Of The Virigin Morning' where Blanche and Jane sing. Their voices really harmonize nicely.

Robert comes in and says that there's a gypsy to read the fortunes of all the young ladies. The gypsy's fortunes upset the rich girls and they leave. Jane gets her fortune and the gypsy reveals herself to be Rochester. I give kudos to James Barbour for doing this so well. When I first heard the song, I had no idea it was him. I just thought they kinda let someone else sing and let him kinda add in. But nope, he sings it. He acts the gypsy really well too. He's the best. ^_^ Anyway, he reveals himself to be the gypsy and dances around and everything, it's so cute. He then asks Jane to take a walk with him in the garden.

They go in the garden and 'The Proposal' starts. Jane gets all distressed and everything (Marla does this really well) and Rochester is all tender and sweet. He sings with a lot of power but is so sincere. And at the end, they kiss and it's just the sweetest thing in the world. The rain starts and they run to save themselves from getting wet. They're both laughing and Rochester hugs Jane and they kiss again. Then they run off the stage laughing. I love this scence. James and Marla are great, and their chemistry is like...wow.

'Slip of a Girl' is done nicely by Mary. Somewhere near the beginning, Jane comes skipping in which was funny. I was not expecting that and loved it. I also loved the part where Adele goes, "Is it true mam'selle?" and Jane seriously screams, "Yes, it is!" and runs to Adele and twirls her around. After comes the wedding. Rochester looks all happy when he sees Jane but then starts getting really nervous. Of course, Mason interrupts the and Rochester takes everyone back to the house to meet 'his wife'.

So Bertha is raving like an animal and jumps onto Rochester (James must be really strong to have a lady jump on him 8 times a week!) and tries to bite him. Grace and Rochester manage to pull her off and restrain her. Rochester sings 'Wild Boy' and soon, somehow, everyone is gone and it's only Jane and Rochester. 'Sirens, Reprise'  was full of emotion that it almost made me cry but then when Jane leaves Rochester, I was in tears. There was so much emotion...it was impossible for anyone to not even feel a little touched.

Rochester sings 'Farewell, Good Angel' with a lot of emotion and at the end, he's on his knees, singing his heart out that I broke out in tears again. The fire scene, I have to admit was a bit odd. I mean, it was well done and everything, just it being in slow-motion kinda confused me.

So Jane is now wandering around, and begging. Another one of my favorite lines, "Never should you feel what I felt or dread to be the instrument of evil to what you love." Jane collapses and 'Rain' starts. St. John enters and helps Jane up and into the house. Mrs. Reed (Jane's aunt) is dying and Jane forgives her. Mrs. Reed dies and St. John and Jane get closer. St. John asks Jane to marry him and she's praying for guidance when she hears Rochester's voice. She abruptly leaves St. John and runs to Thornfield only to see that it's half gone. She sees Mrs. Fairfax who tells her what happened in the song 'Poor Master'.

Jane runs into the garden and sees Rochester. 'Brave Enough For Love" (the best finale song ever written) starts and it's so touching. I loved it. I'm not the kind of person who cries when it's happy, but if I were, I'd be bawling. The finale was so sweet and full of...love (that's probably not the best word to describe it but whatever). The show ended and up from my seat I jumped and started clapping. The stars came out to bow (in front of a standing ovation) and it was over. I like how they did the curtain call. It's cute. They all come out, and go back, but then Jane hides behind a tree and comes out and then Rochester comes out and so does the whole cast. They clap for the orchestra and then wave good-bye.

I really loved the show, and of course was wondered why so many people didn't like it. The music doesn't sound the same. Sure, there are some reprises but that's it. They're all different. Seriously, when does 'Perfectly Nice' sound like 'Sirens'? Or when does 'Sweet Liberty' sound like 'Secret Soul'? Or maybe I'm just picking the wrong songs to compare. I liked the turntable idea for creating images. It's a newer idea than just having cardboard/wood things moving about. Besides, it looks kinda realer.

And I thought the story was cut at the right parts. Because, (no offense) but the Lowood school part and the St. John parts were kinda long and boring after a while in the book. I loved how they put some of my favorite parts/quotes in it. Especially the 'Say my name' part. I love that part. And besides, they only had three hours to do the whole show, they had to cut some parts out. Although I seriously would not have minded sitting through a performance of the entire book. But I guess that wouldn't work for some people.

There was also some comments on not enough choreographing/dancing in some reveiws. Of course, no one just got up and started dancing in the book... Wouldn't it be weird to see Jane just stand up and dance for no reason at all? I can picture it now..."For I long for my liberty..." (add in a few tap-dancing steps) "For sweet liberty I pray." (more tap-dancing) Seriously, Jane is a calm girl. Rochester just isn't the type to start dancing either. No one else really is for that matter. And besides, there was the lovely waltzing (by Jayne Paterson!).

And another thing, Rochester was described in the book as a tall, atheletic guy with swift black hair. So I don't get why everyone's complaining about James Barbour's 'rock singer' (as they say it) hairdo when that's what Rochester's hair looked like.

Just one thing before I move on. Alanis Morrisette, you are the best. I owe a whole lot of gratitude to you. Because of your generous donation, Jane Eyre didn't have to close on May 20th and that allowed me to get to see it. Thank you so very much.

Okay, so I was totally obsessed with Jane Eyre after seeing it. So, I searched the web for anything I could find on it. I learned about the Toronto CD and (this is bad, but hey, it was the only way) downloaded all the songs from it and made my own CD. And although I love it a lot, I like the Broadway edition so much better.

Afterwards, I read the book again and enjoyed it much more than when I first read it. So now I like the book, I like the movies (I have all the versions except for the Hurt version which is somehow no more on Amazon.com) but most of all, I love the musical. Of course, this sucks because the musical is no more on Broadway. >.< Life just sucks like that, doesn't it?

Okay, the end.