Michael Quintos - Page 2

Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O'Hara has established herself as true theater royalty, one of a handful of go-to leading ladies that have amassed a rabid, fanatic following that can elicit frequent deafening kudos from audiences and critics alike. She brings undeniable evidence of this in her recent return engagement to the O.C.

Don't let the show's overall over-the-top theatrics dissuade you from experiencing this visually-stunning, showstopper-filled production which continues at Segerstrom Center through October 1. A boisterous, grandiose spectacle of overtly expressed emotions and overtly belted show tunes, LES MISÉRABLES remains as amplified as it has always been.

Featuring distinctively intuitive direction from Matthew McCray, and an amazing, youthful ensemble cast that are consistently giving it their all, this latest OC iteration of Jonathan Larson's Tony-winning 1996 rock opera is much more impactful than even past stagings that have toured---and is one of the best stage musicals they've ever produced.

While the play-with-music has its fair share of interesting and even poignant moments, SCR's overall production feels surprisingly low-stakes, and only really becomes much more lively when it reaches its celebratory music-filled finalé. With its stories delivered via monologues, it becomes difficult to really be connected to the play's characters.

Now at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through July 23, 2023, the musical is mostly engaging and passionately performed. But a chaotic, sped-through first act only provides brief vignettes of a challenging life. The better second act focuses on Ms. Turner's comeback, concluding with a mini rock concert that made the visit worthwhile.

Delightfully charming but also now slightly dated, MTW's expectedly family-friendly, colorfully saturated production is indeed a lovely, mostly entertaining stage recreation of the movie classic. But curiously, at times, the show feels subdued and tamed-down, and in dire need of an extra jolt of energy to match the story’s wildly madcap, campy premise.

A musical theater show disguised as a kick-ass pop-rock concert with some powerful vocals delivering catchy songs, SIX - THE MUSICAL is a surprisingly absorbing, historical musical comedy that manages to convey several fully-formed character-driven narratives that have depth, gravitas, and spunk. Easily one of the season's must-see national tours.

Joyful, dazzling, and an all-around delight, this fresh, smile-inducing new production---now on stage through June 25,2023---is a wonderful, pleasant surprise to say the least… and has easily become, hands down, this reviewer's absolute favorite iteration of this musical theatre staple ever.

In between wiping tears from my eyes, what I witnessed was, by far, one of the most emotionally-impactful dramas I have seen this year, filled with heart-wrenching scenes, nuanced acting choices, and plenty of funny, incredibly relatable moments that pierced through the tension. A unique yet familiar immigrant story, COLEMAN '72 is unforgettable.

It's a rare treat when an actual living legend of musical theatre like Jason Robert Brown comes to our neck of the woods to talk about his work, let alone perform some of these works live in an intimate cabaret setting. But thanks to Segerstrom Center of the Arts, the composer gave us a spectacular show with an amazing special guest, Mykal Kilgore.

Presented by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, this beautiful, mesmerizing, Broadway-caliber production of THE KING AND I has all the ingredients of a great revival done right, from its dazzling visual and technical components to the vibrant musical magic created by both its rousing orchestra and the talented artists that make up its superb ensemble cast.

As if the universe knew that our increasingly divisive country is in desperate need to revisit this hit 2002 Tony Award-winning musical again, HAIRSPRAY has now embarked on a brand new non-equity national tour starring RuPaul's Drag Race fan favorite Nina West. The show, now at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through April 30, does not disappoint.

Though this song-and-dance spectacular first emerged as a lush, hypnotic stage adaptation of a classic movie musical that combined sophisticated ballet with exuberant show tunes, MTW's new 2023 regional production, now performing through April 30, 2023 somehow feels less mesmerizing---particularly during moments when the dancing stops.

An admirable, absurdly funny first full production of a brand new musical, WALTER PAISLEY, is perhaps one of the most enjoyable work-in-progress shows this reviewer has seen in a long time. This delightful world premiere production---filled with madcap antics and a humorously pulpy plot---continues in La Mirada through April 2, 2023.

Featuring dynamic choreography from director Casey Nicholaw and new songs from Fey's hubby Jeff Richmond and lyricist Nell Benjamin, this stage adaptation of the cult hit movie (that will also soon be re-adapted into a movie musical) admirably recreates its quote-heavy 'fetch'-ness and anthropological commentary for the social media age.

Endearing and earnest, MTW’s new production of 9 TO 5 - THE MUSICAL---which continues performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through February 26---is a pleasing musical comedy (adapted from the hit film) filled with hilarious dialogue, outrageous silliness, and, of course, really catchy tunes via Dolly Parton.

Now having its California premiere at OC's Chance Theater in Anaheim through February 26, RIDE THE CYCLONE is a must-see, wonderfully odd, yet endearingly touching musical comedy that feels like a thoughtfully bonkers hybrid of The Breakfast Club and It's A Wonderful Life, with room for a dollop of Tim Burton-esque quirkiness.

After its pandemic-delayed pause, the first national tour of FROZEN THE MUSICAL has finally arrived at OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa playing thru February 19, 2023. A not-perfect but still enjoyable adaptation, the show, for the most part, is a creative and entertaining triumph of clever innovation and progressive storytelling.

Despite outdated, cringe-inducing tropes, McCoy Rigby Entertainment's new production of this ubiquitous rock-and-roll stage musical---now on stage at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through February 12---manages to still entertain thanks mostly to the superb musical numbers energetically performed by its talented cast.

While many of the well-meaning narrative tweaks and modernized additions do seem slightly forced and somewhat at odds with the story's original innocence, for the most part, this revised CINDERELLA is a genuinely entertaining, effectively escapist musical filled with joy and magic. MTW's production continues through December 18 in Long Beach.