Lisa Mantchev's Blog, page 30

Corset-fandoms

Yes,  I have seen the not-Darth-Vader corset.  And, in months past, the Star Trek corset (made by the same company, it appears!)

Friends send me links to these things.  I have no idea why.  *whistles and looks at the ceiling*  The thing is, ST and SW are not fandoms that ring my costuming bells.

So, if we're taking things-that-are-not-corsets and turning them into corsets, here's what WOULD ring my corset-costuming-fandom bell:

1) A TARDIS corset.  Blue, with an embroidered strip across the top tha

Verily, Thou Shouldst Brush

Kelly Fineman ( kellyrfineman ) is spending the month of June brushing up her Shakespeare.  This is sure to be a great series of articles, and I'm not just saying that because she led with Much Ado About Nothing.

Prithee, join her discussion.  Then sign up for A Shakespearean Summer at Liv's Book Reviews!

Full Cast Audio: In Rehearsal

Here's a lovely behind-the-scenes look at FCA, with interviews from Bruce Coville and Dan Bostick. They are in rehearsal for EYES LIKE STARS, so you get snippet-interviews from some of the voice talent as well.

Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On

Green light from my lovely publicist at F&F, Caroline Sun, to share the content of my Kirkus review:

(STARRED) Mantchev, Lisa
EYES LIKE STARS

Seventeen-year-old Beatrice (Bertie) Shakespeare Smith has spent her whole life within the walls of the Théâtre Illuminata, a majestic and magical playhouse with thousands of players at the ready. Bertie was a foundling, discovered at the theater door, but management has now wearied of harboring the irreverent, unrestrained, occasionally downright destructive

Cakepocalypse!

The results of the Fairy-Style Cake Wrecking Contest are live at the theater website.

BEWARE THE FROSTING!

Save The Date

I will be doing an Eyes Like Stars reading/signing event at the University Bookstore (Seattle) on July 16th at 7pm.

There will be cake.  And glitter.  And silliness.  ;)

Closer to the actual date, I will be importuning anyone who lives in the state of WA--and possibly also Portland residents--to come keep me company.

There is now an Event Invitation up on Facebook... RSVP to guarantee your cupcake.

(I tried to only hit the greater Seattle area--and some Portland friends--if I missed you, just jump o

Once Again, With Video

Why you should never, ever leave your cakes unattended.

My Love Affair with SYTYCD Continues

Oh, sweet, sweet dancing show, you came back to me.

Last night was the first night of auditions.  If last year's editing tells me anything, half the people that got the super-special snowflake interview-y bits will get cut in Las Vegas (bait and switch! bait and switch!)

The first girl out of the gate who used to perform in the circus and now has rheumatoid arthritis?  You are my hero.

Also: Happy Grandpa made me cry.

And how odd was that to see the Denver auditions in the in Convention Center where

Brush Up Your Shakespeare

Liv's Book Reviews is running A Shakespearean Summer reading challenge! The rules are on this entry, and EYES LIKE STARS is sponsoring the challenge and providing prizes.

Now have a video with Bonus! Cole! Porter!

A Very Good Question

A potential reader asks: Do you HAVE to know Shakespeare's plays to "get" Eyes Like Stars here.

Quoting from the question (because it's such a good one!):

Apparently it makes reference to Shakespeare's works and other play/books and some people say that if you have no read these other books then you will not understand the full concept of the story.

The answer, as is it a lot of the time: Yes and no.  I am not a scholar of Shakespeare... I don't even play one on television.  All the characterizatio