Michael Quintos - Page 32

Musical Theatre West's incredible production of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET transports you instantly to London, circa early 1846. This is no sunny fairy tale-life is bleak, poverty is rampant, corruption is the rule, and a devoted family man can progressively turn into a vengeful murderer and not even blink with the slightest of guilt. Thanks to top-notch production values (sometimes a lovely surprise with regional theater productions) and an impressive cast performing what is arguably Sondheim's most defining career-spanning masterpiece, this is one of Musical Theatre West's most spectacular musical offerings in the past few years.

KOOZA, the critically acclaimed Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) touring production from Cirque du Soleil, is now raised in Irvine. KOOZA will run through January 31 at Orange County Great Park. The show performs until January 31. KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful melange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond.

In Theatre Out's latest production (which plays through February 20 at the Empire Theater in Santa Ana), TICK...TICK...BOOM!, Larson's pre-Rent, briefly workshopped musical is an interesting theater piece that's really more of an archival discovery from the vault of a brilliant musician rather than a staging of his definitive masterwork. An overall commendable production of Larson's autobiographical musical, the show features an excellent, impressive performance by actor Ian Michael Stewart playing the lead role of Jon.

Add 'Cabaret Queen' to this woman's long list of accomplishments. When three-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara steps in front of an audience and sings, you feel like you're in the presence of a true star. During her much too short cabaret concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Samueli Theater, O'Hara dazzled with a mix of familiar Broadway favorites, original songs and personal anecdotes that collectively illustrated her journey towards becoming America's Next Top Broadway Superstar. And if these series of concerts are of any indication, such a title is truly deserved. She possesses a voice so pure that notes of any kind sound beautiful and effortless.

COSTA MESA, CA-In Adam Gwon's delightfully fresh musical ORDINARY DAYS, now playing its West Coast premiere run at Costa Mesa's Tony-Award winning South Coast Repertory, we find four young New Yorkers trying to live their ordinary days in an extraordinary city. This quirky show attempts to show that everyday life may not be as mundane as it may seem on the surface-especially when one's life is shaped so significantly by it. This short 80-minute musical features a sensational quartet of amazing singers: Deborah S. Craig, David Burnham, Nancy Anderson, and talented newcomer Nick Gabriel. Ends January 24.

In just the span of a few short years, Kelli O'Hara has become one of Broadway's most beloved women of musical theater. With three Tony® Award nominations in a row under her belt (The Light in the Piazza, The Pajama Game and, most recently, the critically-acclaimed revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific), the revered stage star is now getting ready to debut an updated version of her much-lauded cabaret act from New York's Café Carlyle at the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Samueli Theater on January 21. The intimate series of concerts will feature not only some familiar Broadway hits but also a few songs close to the singer-actor's heart, some of which can be found on her debut album Wonder of the World. She will also sprinkle the show with a few stories and anecdotes from her life: from her early childhood in Oklahoma to her debut on the Great White Way. O'Hara recently sat down for a quick chat with BroadwayWorld to discuss her early influences, her distinguished Broadway roles, and even some of her guilty pleasures.

In GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE, now playing at The Laguna Playhouse until February 21, Hershey Felder-in a remarkable, captivating performance-brings a first-person account of Gershwin's staggering brilliance and calls attention to a life so tragically cut short. Transplanted directly from its engagements on Broadway, London and all around the world, the show is a one-man musical journey that explores the rise and fall of a creative genius.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST kicks off the new year with the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Previewing on January 29, 2010, Sweeney Todd opens January 30 and runs through February 14 at the spectacular Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond.

Currently starring in South Coast Repertory's West Coast production of Adam Gwon's musical ORDINARY DAYS (ending January 24), David Burnham (Wicked, The Light in the Piazza) recently sat down with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to talk about his humble beginnings as a farm boy, his admiration for John Raitt, being a Broadway performer, and living his dream job.

COSTA MESA, CA-In Adam Gwon's delightfully fresh musical ORDINARY DAYS, now playing its West Coast premiere run at Costa Mesa's Tony-Award winning South Coast Repertory, we find four young New Yorkers trying to live their ordinary days in an extraordinary city. This quirky show attempts to show that everyday life may not be as mundane as it may seem on the surface-especially when one's life is shaped so significantly by it. This short 80-minute musical features a sensational quartet of amazing singers: Deborah S. Craig, David Burnham, Nancy Anderson, and talented newcomer Nick Gabriel. Ends January 24.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman and directed by Ryan White opens January 8th and runs through February 20th at the Maverick Theater in Fullerton, CA. Performs Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., Saturday Matinees at 3:00 p.m., starting January 16th.

KOOZA, the critically acclaimed Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) touring production from Cirque du Soleil, is now raised in Irvine. KOOZA will premiere on January 8 for a limited engagement at Orange County Great Park. The show performs until January 31. KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful melange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

Due to overwhelming demand, Cirque du Soleil announced that KOOZA premiering this Friday under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at Orange County Great Park in Irvine will extend its stay for 18 additional performances only, and must close February 14, 2010.