We may have been given complimentary copies for review purposes of one or more of any books and or other products mentioned below and/or complimentary access to any audio or visual media. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.
Books: If This Gets Out and Purrs of Wisdom
Today we are recommending if This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich. This book is about two members of a boy band who fall in love. Although they are quickly upfront about their relationship with their management team, it doesn't seem like the team will ever think it's the right time for them to come out and reveal the truth about themselves and their relationship. In fact, the team wants to manage everything about their lives and their images and not only theirs but those of their two bandmates as well. This book is a cautionary tale about the price of fame as well as an inspirational book on so many levels. It's about finding your true self and not being afraid to show it. It's about taking charge of your own life and not letting anybody else control you. Plus, the relationship between the two main protagonist's Ruben and Zach is just so sweet and adorable that you just can't help rooting for them. The book is full of great side characters as well including the other two bandmates, various members of the band's management team, and the boys' mothers. All in all, it's just a really engaging read.
Today we are recommending Purrs of Wisdom by Ingrid King. This book explores the relationship between cats and humans and how much they are alike. It is about the things we can learn from observing our cats including the benefits of stretching, how to live in the moment, how to be kind to yourself, and much more. Although much of the advice seems self-explanatory, these are not necessarily things we usually think about when observing our cats. Each chapter begins with a cute cat picture and a quote that points in the direction of that chapter's topic. This book will educate you, it will inspire you, and it will warm your hear especially if you are a cat lover.
Movies: Estella Scrooge
Today we are recommending Estella Scrooge. This new version of A Christmas Carol, much like the current Broadway production of Company, puts a gender spin on the classic story. Estella Scrooge is a hard-nosed businesswoman who thinks nothing of foreclosing on a hotel inhabited by a house full of people with nowhere else to go and on Christmas no less. The cast which is full of Broadway favorites includes recent Tony winners Lauren Patten and Danny Burstein in addition to Betsy Wolfe in the title role and more. It is full of brand-new songs that are a mix of over-the-top rocking songs and touching ballads.
The show pays great homage to Charle's Dickens's work not only A Christmas Carol but his other works as well through character names, lines of dialogue spoken by the characters and more. It is fun to try to catch all the references as you watch. Many of them are familiar to most people including characters named Pip and Tiny Tammy and others are more obscure and may not be recognizable except to avid Dickens readers including references to Sissy Jupe, a character from his novel Hard Times and Mr. Merdle from Little Dorrit.
The movie first aired last year and was made during the height of Covid before there were any vaccines. Accordingly, each actor's part was filmed separately. Despite that, it all blends together seamlessly albeit with a slight air of virtual reality. The acting is terrific and the actors' reactions to each other are extremely spot on especially considering they weren't even in the same room when the movie was filmed.
In addition to the usual ending of the story, this film adds a little bit extra to the story. However, even if you can predict how it's all going to end up, that doesn't take anything away from how enjoyable this new version of the classic tale is.
View the official trailer here
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The Director's Cut version of Estella Scrooge will be available for streaming through Streaming Musicals or Broadway on Demand throughout the holiday season. For a special code for our readers for 25% off the price of the purchase or rental see below:\
1. Click RENT or BUY
2. Enter your email
3. Choose a password
4. Click "I have a Promo Code" ENTER: SAYSMEMOM25
5. Rentals are available for 72 hours as you hit PLAY.
Purchases are available forever.
As you have the film, it will be in your library (dropdown menu on top right of screen)
ALSO: YOU MAY USE THIS CODE on BROADWAYONDEMAND.COM
And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.