Woman reenacts Broadway love songs to feel less alone in quarantine
Some people spend their quarantine reading books or trying new hobbies. Mary Neely is reenacting her favorite Broadway musicals all by herself in full costume.
"Musicals were basically my religion growing up," she told "Good Morning America."
The 29-year-old has captivated the internet with videos of her performing romantic moments from musicals while alone in quarantine.
"Since I’m single in the quarantine I’ve decided to reenact moments from my favorite musicals so it feels like I’m in love," she posted on Twitter with her first video, "A Heart Full of Love" from "Les Miserables."
Neely has performed more than a dozen reenactments since March 30.
"At first, I was just doing it for my friends and family who know I love musical theater," said Neely, who is an independent actress and filmmaker.
"When I was younger I would imagine being in musicals and being in love. Now I do know what it’s like but I'm single," she joked.
She acts out every character in full costume in her Los Angeles apartment and the variety is stunning.
From reusing a Dolly Parton wig for "South Pacific" to exhausting all of her green eyeshadow to transform herself into Elphaba from "Wicked," the actress goes all out for every performance. Her earnest acting paired with absurd props and set make for a warm and lighthearted escape for both Neely and viewers.
Neely says she's proudest of her "Phantom of the Opera" video because it was the most intricate to do. "I fully spilled so much wax for candles, I really went all out and it was a nightmare to clean up but we did it."
Her videos can take up to three hours to film and then a few more hours to edit together because she films every character performing "four or five times."
Every musical she's reenacted so far have been a mix of popular shows and ones that meant a lot to her growing up.
"This is perfect blend of all these parts of myself and of songs I used to sing to myself when I was alone when I was younger."
Although Neely won't say how long she plans to keep making these videos, but promises her "my magnum opus will be a three-part video."
