I loved Twilight, the novel. I bought it because I was in that paranormal-stories phase that everyone seems to get afflicted with once in their lifetime. The story of a quiet, average teenage girl who fell in love with a hundred-plus year-old vampire? Dude, recipe for success if I've ever seen one. Though some parts of the book deserved my best eye-rolling action because of the too purple-ish prose that Stephanie Meyer, the author, used to describe the heroine's feelings, but I put it down to my jaded expectations of what a good "realistic" romance novel should be, if there's such a thing. Since the book is targeted for the Young Adults, I thought I should let it go and pretend that I was 14 again and flowery eyed and not "realistic".

The hero, ie the vampire Edward, is described as broody, mysterious, strong, and hot. I whole-heartedly agree with this stereotypical characteristics because vampires are supposed to be broody, mysterious, strong and hot. Has Buffy taught us nothing? Sidenote: I was thisclose to buying the whole seven seasons of the show's DVDs when I was in Hong Kong, but reason took over because I needed to use the money on essentials like souvenirs and stuff. Gah, now I'm regretting it already. Anyhoo, back to Twilight. So, because of the insane success of this book, and the other books in the series (which I disagree with because there's only so much purple prose for 14 year-olds I can take... I couldn't even finish the second book, see TBR section on the right-side of site), they're making this into a movie, and as all book-to-movies that has graced the silver screen before it, I think it will be a complete let-down from the book. I've avoided reading anything that is spoiler-ish about the movie, so I don't know who's in it, or the plotline which would certainly be different than the book, or seen any of the behind-the-scene pictures that's been popping up on the net every once in a while.

However, when I received this magazine cover in my inbox, I just couldn't help myself:

Lestat would not approve.

Isn't Edward supposed to be hot?? He's often described as "beautiful" by the heroine, but... this dude looks like a drug addict with unusual preoccupation for lipstick. And Bella, the heroine? She's super-cute! She's supposed to be average, at best. That's her whole persona, that she's average on the outside but in the inside she's like this rare exotic flower that only Edward could see and appreciate. Hollywood, FAIL.

If casting was up to me, these two would play Edward and Bella:

Taylor Kitsch as Edward, currently starring in Friday Night Lights as Tim Riggins. 

Sarah Hagan as Bella, played Amanda in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Hehehe. Sidenote: I was thisclose to buy the two seasons of Friday Night Lights DVDs too.

Also, that EW cover comparing Stephanie Meyer equivalent to JK Rowling? Just, NO.

Nnneewwwww ... and a bit, alarmingggg!

Oh yeah, you know I memorized all the words to the songs in the cartoon version! Being brought up by the tv has it pros, you know.

So. By the benevolence of the company, I got free tickets to watch the show with my colleagues. We had the RM150 (which was free, see benevolence) ticket so we had to sit at the upper level of the hall. Even though we were seated way up, I could see the production very clearly. Very impressed, I was. Besides, you know what they say, if you sit too close to the stage and the show loses it magic. Or something to that effect. Maybe the people who said that were the people that couldn't afford better seats. I wish I had the chance to test out the theory. S'kay, next time!

To be honest, I thought the stage was pretty small to accommodate a what is essentially a Broadway production. There was that one scene, where Gaston and his minions were drinking and dancing in the pub that looked horrendously awkward, which I suspect was because they had to change the choreography due to the small-ish size of the stage.

Since I remembered the lyrics and all, I realized that there were two times that the actors, Belle and Lumiere, forgot a line from the songs. Hah! If I were them, I would totally break down and cry off the stage. This is why I am not a performer. These guys were super professional, where a forgotten line or two did not faze them at all! They kept on singing and performing as if nothing happened. Of course, the songs that were composed especially for the Musical were nice as well, but because the cartoon ones' brought back happy nostalgic moments of the yesteryears, I will have to say that the cartoon songs are better than the Musical ones.

When Belle materialized with her yellow ball gown, everyone in the hall went 'Oooohhhhh', including me. It's not like we didn't see it coming, but... well, I guess we were so enraptured by the magic that everything became new again. Eventhough there were many kids watching the show, they were all on their best behaviour! Not a squeak out of 'em. Very impressive, and almost impossible, right?! Disney is really somethin'.

But dude, the merchandises... what a ripoff! RM30 for the playbill?? C'mon! Out of sheer principle, I did not purchase any, eventhough I really wanted one! A girl gotta stick to her principles. Except if there's a 70% sale. If it's free, than principles be damned. Hehehe.

Anyway, a really fun evening out with friends, I must say. Actually, the first real reason why I wanted to go to this show was because it was at KL Convention Centre, ie it's very near work and I don't have to worry about how to get there. Second reason was of course that I liked the story as a young 'un. Third reason was because it's free (actually we only found out that we don't have to pay, like, three weeks before, so I'm not as cheap as people might think hahah).

Can't wait to see what's the next Musical coming to town... please please please let it be Wicked! The book was awesome, and according to the reviews, so was the Musical. Or maybe I should just fly to New York to see it!

Please Science, let me make a lot of money this year or next in order for me to fulfil this very selfish request.