Is it really 2014?!

I debated for many days what to write for my first post of 2014. Should it be an insightful look at the current production that is taking place? Should it be words of inspiration about the upcoming year and what is ahead of me? Or should it be something light and fun since I feel like my last few posts have been so serious?

I have been performing a piece called "El Cimarron" by Hans Werner Henze. It recounts the story of Esteban Montejo, a slave in Cuba who ran off to live in the woods, returned to civilization following the abolition of slaves, worked in the sugar fields, became a revolutionary during the Cuban-Spanish war and then went off to live life alone. Pretty heavy stuff.

I know, I'll tell you how I unwind! I love movies and television. I haven't had the luxury of going to movies as I am in one of the coldest places in the US and there are no movie theaters nearby. So I have been huddled up in my (very warm) hotel room watching television to keep my mind entertained (and sane) when I am not working on "El Cimarron" or the other two operas that on the horizon.

So here is my list of things to watch:

1. American Horror Story: Coven. Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk continue to give us a frightening look at human behavior, but beautifully masked within the confines of a witch tale. Issues of race, gender, the (un)subtle conflict between the quest to remain young versus how the young and beautiful are viewed between women and how human beings react when placed in extreme situations are all present. However, just when you think the show is trying to push these themes down your throat, you find yourself laughing at the high level of camp that gives this season a much lighter feel. It perfectly balances the dark actions and situations and continues to enthrall.

2.Downton Abbey. I saw season 1 and fell in love. I did not see seasons 2 or 3, but by George, I was bound and determined to watch the season 4 premiere. So I did what anyone needing to catch up would do. I turned to the Internet and read all the spoilers and watched all the recaps in order to get caught up. In those 35 minutes of reading and viewing, I gasped out loud several times, but I was ready for season 4. The 2-hour premiere episode took time to regain it's momentum, but I feel like this season will present even more challenges for the main characters as alliances and secrets will continue to crumble and spill out.

3.Cutthroat Kitchen. Alton Brown seems downright sadistic as the host of this show where chefs are not only called on to create dishes on the fly, but sabotage is served up in ample portions. The tension and psychological game play are so fun (and sometimes unnerving) to watch that it really doesn't matter about how the food tastes. This show is all about the process versus the product, yet it is the product that sends one home or gets them the prize. How big that prize is depends on how much the winning chef spends in order to make their opponents cooking trials difficult.

4.Speaking of food, if you're not watching Bob's Burgers, then you are missing one of the funniest animated shows on TV. Bob Belcher, his wife Linda and their three children are just like any other family trying to run a hamburger joint where the daily specials have names like "The Cauliflower's Cumin from inside the House Burger" or "Home for the Challah-Days Burger." The only difference is that they are CRAZY! I find myself laughing so hard at the antics of this misfit family who just wants to be successful. Most interesting are the three children who range from the always-slightly depressed-but-often optimistic Tina, the odd-ball, but endearing son Gene, or the devilishly insane Louise who is a pint-sized Tasmanian Devil in a cute pink hat. It takes about three our four episodes to understand the flow, but once you do, it is a pure delight!

5. Chopped. Chefs compete to create world-class cuisine using mystery basket ingredients that often do not go together and must do it in an allotted amount of time. They are then judged and one chef after another is eliminated until a Chopped Champion is named. Pure adrenaline meets incredible creativity. Note: Don't watch this when you are hungry and have nothing in the house as you will most likely make something that would get you chopped in the first round.

6. I have a crush on Mindy Kaling. She is absolutely hysterical on her show The Mindy Project. Nothing is funnier than people who are professionally adept, but emotionally a mess and this show has a host of characters that will delight you and make you cringe. But what sets this dysfunctional work-place comedy apart from many of the others is the complicated (and very interesting) relationship between Dr. Mindy Lahiri and Dr. Danny Castellano, played by the wonderful Chris Messina. The two have a great chemistry that seems ideal for a romantic relationship, but the only problem is that they seem to not get along. And yet when they do, it is quite lovely against the kookiness of the show.

7. Project Runway. Fashion design, high-pressure challenges, incredibly knowledgeable judges and some of the most interesting up-and-coming talent in the field makes this show a massive success. Each season serves up all the drama and style we love, but keeps it fresh with new contestants and surprising challenges. Add in the mentorship of Tim Gunn and you have a perfectly fashionable show.

8. The show that no one knows (unless they are under the age of 10) is the charming animated series Steven Universe. Everything from it's anime-inspired look to it's sweet story of a young Steven Universe trying to discover his gem powers under the guidance of three very different Crystal Gems named Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl make it a must-see. Each of the Crystal Gems work to save the world while acting as a mentor for Steven. Steven has strong power, but no idea how to wield it and the three Crystal Gems are quite different personality wise with one being brainy, one being a wild-child and one being very Zen. A bonus is that Garnet is voiced by English R and B singer Estelle.

9. What do you get when you have a nighttime soap opera about a woman involved with a married man? What if that man were the President of the United States? And what if it was the job of that woman to "fix" Scandals in Washington DC while trying to figure out the twisted web of lies, deceit and secrets that surround her and the ones she holds most dear? Well, then you would have Scandal starring the beautiful and amazing Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope. What is most intriguing about this show is the delicate balance of the characters, all trying to live and love while also shielding dark secrets. Olivia's own past with her mother and father are merely a personal commentary on the twisted and often shocking situations that she and her associates (warriors they call themselves) are asked to fix. Just when you think you have something figured out, a fascinating twist comes and knocks you on your ass. I have screamed at the TV several times in disbelief. Fun, fast and at times eerie as you question how much of this is based on the real inner-workings of Washington DC.

10. I love, love, love The Amazing Race. Contestants from all walks of life compete on a whirlwind race around the world completing challenges all while trying to come in first. The last team standing wins a million dollars, but for me I love watching the relationships and how teams work together. It doesn't take long to pick out my favorite teams and cheer for them to win, but I also love watching teams learn to communicate or not as they face difficulty after difficulty. It's AMAZING!

Other shows that I like, but didn't make my top ten are Veep, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Giada at Home, American Dad, Revenge, Love it or List it and House Hunters. There are also several shows I have not seen, but are on my radar to see: Breaking Bad, Girls, True Blood, Orphan Black, Portlandia, Helix, Masters of Sex, Don't Trust Andrew Myre, Game of Thrones and Chozen.

Basically, I love TV and it helps balance the solidarity of learning music, traveling and having to be a disciplined singer.

Happy New Year!