In typical fangirl fashion, I’m crying while writing this. I’ve just managed to get over my sadness enough to start playing a new music album, an activity that has become a part of my daily routine. But I’ve been crying on and off for more than an hour. The reason for my tears? A musical production I’ll never see and my favorite Broadway performer who I’ve been waiting over 1800 days (or five years) to see again.
Today is June 18. Before 9 am, it marked one week out from June 25— the day I had tickets to see The Heart of Rock and Roll on Broadway. At approximately 9 am, it became the day The Heart of Rock and Roll posted their closing announcement for June 23—the last show before the one I had tickets to.
Ultimately, this closing news is not about me or my sadness. No matter how sad I am, the real loss here isn’t that I’m missing the show by one performance. The real loss here is that a whole company of hardworking, talented, creative people are losing their jobs. The real loss here is that an artistic work is losing its (literal) stage to share its narrative. The real loss here is the joy lost on Broadway that will happen upon the show’s closing. But, like when the Chicago Bulls traded Kirk Hinrich for a second time, certain instances will so greatly inspire me to write about my feelings that I simply cannot ignore the urge.
This is one of those times.
Ironically enough, it’s oddly poetic to think the loss of one artwork, the closing of a musical, has prompted the creation of another artwork, this blog post.
My sister, Amanda, works hybridly. So she has to get up early, get ready for the workday, and commute to her office depending on the day. I, on the other hand, work remotely, and am usually still asleep when she leaves for work. But the day Corey Cott was announced as a lead for The Heart of Rock and Roll, Amanda barged into my room and yelled at me to wake up because Corey was going to be back on Broadway. It was a lot more effective than an alarm.
I’m very much one of those people who will watch things just for the actors they’re a fan of. So, with Corey, I will want to watch whatever musical, TV show, or movie he does just because he’s in it. (There’s a reason I’ve only seen just one episode of The Equalizer.) He’s primarily why I bought tickets for The Heart of Rock and Roll. But Corey was just the start of the show’s allure. The cast had plenty of other names I wanted to see.
McKenzie Kurtz? Amazing and so talented. A perfect Glinda who I love and was excited to see in a comedic show. Zoe Jensen? My fellow Illinoisan and Filipina! Of course I had to support her and hear her stunning vocals live! Tommy Bracco? What kind of Fansie would I be if I wasn’t looking forward to watching the one and only Spot Conlon from the Newsies live pro-shot?!
The more I learned about the show and the more I heard how much of a great time it is, the more I wanted to see it. Tap dancing on bubble wrap! Corey playing a Chicagoan! The story being set in the Midwest! A fun, lighthearted romantic comedy—as a musical! What more could I ask for?
Usually, I refrain from listening to Broadway cast recordings of shows I have yet to watch. That way, whenever I see the musical, I’m going in fresh. That was never a consideration with The Heart of Rock and Roll. I wanted to support the show, and I wanted to hear Corey sing. So, for the first time, I didn’t want to wait. I stayed up late and streamed that album as soon as I heard it was on Spotify.
The album reminded me of how much I adore listening to Corey Cott sing. I’ve fallen in love with his delivery of the line “I wanna love you all over” in “Do You Believe In Love” and the line “Girl don’t lie” in “If This Is It.” (Throwback to 2017 when I was obsessed with the way Corey Cott sings the word “Hallelujah” in Bandstand!)
The album gave me a glimpse at how much of a force Zoe Jensen is. I love how she delivers humor and exudes such confidence and power with her singing.
The album reminded me of how well suited McKenzie Kurtz is for musical comedy. I laugh every time I listen to her wax poetic about her affection for bullet points and audits in “I Know What I Like.” (Agendas, bullet points, and checklists—sure. But audits? Really, Cassandra?)
The album gave me a greater idea of just how much of a presence Tamika Lawrence is. I experienced it when I watched the show’s promotional music video and got a better sense of it with her contributions to the cast album.
The album reminded me of how the villain can be likable and fun thanks to Billy Harrigan Tighe‘s impeccable charisma. I have heard nothing but great things about his portrayal of Tucker and get an idea of it for myself every time I listen to his songs on the recording.
Listening to the album has become part of my daily routine, often being played on repeat. At first, it was to help me with my excitement for seeing the show. Now, it’s to help me experience a production I’ll never see but have still come to love.
To The Heart of Rock and Roll:
Thank you for bringing Corey Cott back to Broadway after seven years. Thank you for re-acquainting me with talented performers I’ve experienced before. Thank you for introducing me to talents that I hadn’t known prior. Thank you for casting three Filipinos (shoutout to Orville Mendoza and Robert Pendilla!), especially in roles that aren’t specifically Asian. Thank you for a cast album that ensures the Broadway production will always live on.
Thank you for a bubble wrap tap dancing number even though I’ll never get to see it in its entirety. Thank you for the clever humor of car choreography in “Give Me the Keys (And I’ll Drive You Crazy)” even though I’ve only seen a snippet of the number. Thank you for the Corey Cott sauna scene content even though I never got to see all of it or watch it live. Thank you for bringing joy, laughter, and happiness on Broadway even though I won’t get to experience it for myself.
Also, (please refer to your Instagram DMs, HoRnR) where’s the Corey Cott poster that I’m owed?
Bonus – (Somewhat) Unhinged Fangirl Musings About Corey Cott in The Heart of Rock and Roll That I’ve Thought About Posting on Social Media But Haven’t and Still Aren’t as Unhinged as Many (Justified) Comments About His Arms:
- If Corey Cott told me “It’s all right,” then I’d believe him.
- Hearing Corey Cott sing does indeed make me believe in love.
- If Corey Cott told me he’s choosing me over a rock tour, I would simply not question it. (*cough cough* Cassandra)
- I can tell Corey Cott is a gleeful himbo in The Heart of Rock and Roll just by listening to the cast album, and I say that affectionately.
- A Corey Cott sauna scene fan cam on its own could have been enough of an effective marketing strategy for the show if done correctly.
“5, 6, sweater vest!” – Tucker, The Heart of Rock and Roll
