Harry Potter the Musical?

"Boy wizard Harry Potter is taking to the stage in a musical based on the smash-hit books."

The article was published in The Sunday Mirror, a tabloid. More than likely it's a rumor, but it's fun to think about nonetheless.

My initial reaction: shock. I've let it sort of sink in now, but I'm still caught off guard. How does a hard core Harry Potter fan react to the idea of live theatre? First a theme park, now a musical? Harry Potter is taking over the world! I'm not sure how they're going to manage to get all seven books in one show. It seems like they should stick to one novel. Daniel Radcliff (the guy that plays Harry in the movies) is quoted as saying, "The plan is for spectacular flying scenes [like Wicked! (see photo)], live Quidditch and big showdowns with Voldemort." There are no current plans for the show to come to America, but when it does I'll be first in line. Robin and I joked that we should study abroad in London when for a semester. I can imagine the application now: "What's you're motivation for applying for our highly competitive study abroad program?" "Harry Potter the Musical!"

Click Harry Potter... the Musical to read the article yourself.

Yoshima Battles the Pink Robots

Yoshima Battles the Pink Robots is becoming a broadway musical. The albom, created by the band The Flaming Lips, is one of my all time favorites. Wayne Coyne, the lead singer, guitarist, and principle songwriter for the band said this:

"There's the real world and then there's this fantastical world. This girl, the Yoshimi character, is dying of something. And these two guys are battling to come visit her in the hospital. And as one of the boyfriends envisions trying to save the girl, he enters this other dimension where Yoshimi is this Japanese warrior and the pink robots are an incarnation of her disease. It's almost like the disease has to win in order for her soul to survive. Or something like that."

Both musicals and The Flaming Lips are always great so the combination is perfect. The plot sounds really interesting. I've had so much fun imagining what the costumes and props and all that will look like. Can't wait to see how it turns out (if I see it live). I suppose if it doesn't come to a town nearby (i.e. Nashville, Atlanta) I can always watch the YouTube Videos, but somehow I feel like that wouldn't be quite the same.

The New York Times Spoils Deathly Hallows

The New York Times, after recieving an early copy of the newest Harry Potter book, published a review revealing plot details. I managed to avoid the review until I accidently came across some quotes through google. I'm not going to give any details, but I was very upset and closed the window as soon as I realized what I was reading. Why couldn't they had just waited till the 21st? By then all the hard core fans would have been through with the book. JKR says:

"I am staggered that American newspapers have decided to publish purported spoilers in the form of reviews in complete disregard of the wishes of literally millions of readers, particularly children, who wanted to reach Harry’s final destination by themselves, in their own time. I am incredibly grateful to all those newspapers, booksellers and others who have chosen not to attempt to spoil Harry’s last adventure for fans."

Stephen King Mourns the End of HP

"When it comes to Harry, part of me — a fairly large part, actually — can hardly bear to say goodbye."

You and me both Stephen King! Entertainment Weekly published this very sad/funny/uplifting article written by Stephen King about his feelings about the end of the beloved Harry Potter series approaching so soon.

"No ending can be right, because it shouldn't be over at all."

Even though King is dissappointed Harry's story won't be able to continue on forever, he manages to wrap up his column reminding fans that there will always be other great stories.

"But there's comfort. There are always more good stories, and now and then there are great stories. They come along if you wait for them. And here's something I believe in my heart: No story can be great without closure. There must be closure, because it's the human condition. And since that's how it is, I'll be in line with my money in my hand on July 21. And, I must admit, sorrow in my heart."

HP Deluxe Edition Cover Art

Scholastic has released the cover art for the deluxe edition of the U.S. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This is my favorite cover art yet for the Harry Potter books. I wasn't planning on buying the deluxe edition, but these images look great. Too bad it's $65. Oh, and in case you haven't heard by now, there's going to be a Harry Potter theme park built. It's about time. Harry Potter is, like, the biggest money making thing of all time. As excited as I am about being able to visit Hogwarts, I feel like a theme park is potential overkill.

3-D Nail Art?

There was an article in The Tennessean (our newspaper) today about manicures and I just had to express my personal distaste for the new 3-D nail art technique. It looks disgusting. I was so appalled when I saw the picture I couldn't help but read the entire article.

I also wanted to tell the world about my official last day of school, which was today. It was short and boring, just like they are every year. The only cool part is now I can say I'm a senior. Some friends and I went to the park after our exam to celebrate. We played the Ha Ha Game. If you don't know what that is, here's a photo...

and here's another one.

The way the game works is everyone puts their head on another person's stomach and you go in a circle saying 'Ha.' The first person starts with just one 'Ha' and the second says 'Ha Ha' and the third 'Ha Ha Ha' and so on. The goal is to go around the circle as many times as the group can without anybody laughing. When you laugh you lose. It's a sort of lame game, but lots of fun.

I'm the one in the striped shirt. I'm laying on Robin's stomach, who's laying on Elaine, who's laying on Megan. Brandon took the first photo.

I also wanted to brag about having the coolest teacher ever. She bought all her students books as a end of the year gift with the extra class fees she took up last fall. I thought it was sweet. Thanks Mrs. Sniderman!

• A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
• How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen
• The Aeneid by Virgil
• The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

One last thing. I'm totally pumped about going to the premier of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, At World's End. Only two and a half more hours till show time.

Wow. I don't think I've ever talked about so many different topics all in one post. Normally I just focus on one single thing. Wierd.

The Cover Art is Here!!!

The last big Harry Potter news story is here! The cover art for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has arrived. It's so exciting. Not only are there pictures to go along with my future book, but there's also the summery on the inside cover. It's a little more information than I wanted this early, but whatever. I can't keep pretending it's never going to come out. I should be emotionally preparing myself for the end. I just can't believe this is all happening so fast. :-(

U.S. Edition

U.K. Children's Edition

U.K. Adult Edition

I'll probably post any other favorites I have from other countries cover art. They're all different, which personally I think is a lot of fun. I want it now, but then I never want it to be published either. This is so depressing.

I Think I'm Going to Cry (Deathly Hallows comes out July 2007)

EVERYONE PANIC! The end is near! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is going to be published on Saturday July 21st 2007. That's not even six months from now! I'm so upset. I don't want the Harry Potter era to end... ever. Please wait at least until next summer. One more year. Please. Please. Please. I'm not ready yet.

I'm glad I was born when I was. And the books were published when they were. I'm lucky to be a part of all this Harry Potter fun: release date parties at book stores, theorizing, and all the hype. I am so blessed to be able to grow up with these books. I can tell my kids (Harry Potter will be required reading in my future house) about how we all used to argue about weather Snape was good or evil and if Harry would end up marrying Ginny or Hermione. Really, the only people who get to experience this Harry Potter phenomena are those who are reading the books right now. It won't ever be the same after this summer. :-(

Here's the links to Jo's website or LeakyNews if you want to go check it out for yourself.

Ugh. This is all so dramatic.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Our good friend Jo just announced the title for book seven on her website.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Oh! I'm so excited!