Jason W. Webb

Mamma Mia! returns to Old Town Temecula! Perhaps the grooviest, feel-good Broadway show ever written and one of Temecula Valley Players most popular productions in their 39-year history.

Man of La Mancha /book by Dale Wasserman/music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion/ directed by Chuck Ketter/choreographed by Daniel Solis/ music direction by Douglas Austin/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre/through February 22 This has to be my hundreth viewing of this show. As many times as I see Man of La Mancha, I relish the music and high dramatic moments of this classic piece of theatre. Such is the case when the production is top notch, with the perfect actors and highly skilled direction. Candlelight Pavilion's current revival is fantastic with artistic director John LaLonde stepping into the role of Cervantes for the sixth time. In spite of the entire cast's excellent performances, he is the main reason to see this fine production.

Nine revolting children take center stage in the San Diego Regional Premiere production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical at the Moonlight Amphitheatre July 17 through August 3 at 8 p.m. The Tony Award-winning musical is inspired by the twisted genius of British author Roald Dahl (novels Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG among others; and the screenplays of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and is brought to life on The Moonlight stage by the creative team of Director Jamie Torcellini, Choreographer Colleen Kollar Smith, and Music Director and Conductor Elan McMahan

After becoming the ninth longest-running musical with a 14-year Broadway run, and 15 years of touring productions, Moonlight Stage Productions is pleased to open its 38th season with the San Diego Regional Premiere of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' smash musical hit Mamma Mia! based on the songs of ABBA. Due to popular demand, Moonlight has added an additional performance for June 19. Tickets for the added show are on sale to subscribers now, and to the public on May 8. Subscriptions and single tickets for all other performances are on sale now at moonlightstage.com, or by calling (760) 724-2110. Ticket prices range $17 - $57 with discounts for seniors, students, and military.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season closes with the smash Broadway hit THE WHO's TOMMY, from today, September 18 to October 5, 2013, in a rare full production marking the 20th anniversary of the show's Broadway debut.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season closes with the smash Broadway hit THE WHO's TOMMY, from September 18 to October 5, 2013, in a rare full production marking the 20th anniversary of the show's Broadway debut.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season, the first planned by new Artistic Director Steven Glaudini, begins with the great American classic musical SOUTH PACIFIC, with performances from June 26 to July 13. Single tickets are priced $15 to $50 and include price levels for student rush, military, senior, and family discounts. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com. Check out photos of the cast in action below!

Like The King and I, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific is a heartbreaking story told across racial borders and has an elegant score. The look in its rich set design - from the original 2008 Broadway/Lincoln Center revival with an incredible, dreamlike Bali Ha'i in the background, setting the romantic tone for the entire show, adds so much to the current production at Moonlight Amphitheatre.

Hard to believe, but Sweeney Todd first bowed on Broadway in late 1979 and I was in New York to witness the brilliant achievement of Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou and the entire creative team. It is difficult to find just the right words to express how very much this show affected me when I first saw it. Unlike some, who were abhorred by the subject content, I was mesmerized by much more than the twisted tale of revenge, which did indeed appeal to my dark side. It was the unbelievable staging and brilliant score, which to this day, I believe to be Stephen Sondheim's finest work, which grabbed hold of me and blew me away. It is opera in its most grotesque hour, an overwhelming and overpowering experience. Moonlight Amphitheatre is presenting the masterwork now onstage in Vista through October 6. And there's something to be said for seeing this musical outdoors in the night air, it's even more eerie and chilling: especially if it's a spectacular endeavor, which it truly proves to be with new artistic director Steven Glaudini's clockwork staging, and the exceedingly brilliant work from every member of the top-notch ensemble.

FIORELLO!, the next staged reading of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES will take place on March 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the University Theater on the CSU Long Beach campus at the 7th Street entrance.

FIORELLO!, the next staged reading of MUSICAL THEATRE WEST'S REINER READING SERIES will take place on March 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the University Theater on the CSU Long Beach campus at the 7th Street entrance.

Tuneful and breezy with an avalanche of exuberant dancing could not better describe the family-oriented Seven Brides for Seven Brothers currently receiving a fast paced, energetic production at Glendale Centre Theatre under the expertise of Robert Marra and Lee Martino. From MGM in 1954 the film starred Howard Keel and Jane Powell and because of their beauty and director Michael Kidd's rip-roaring choreography, the movie, an Oscar nominee for Best Picture, was and still remains blockbuster entertainment. When the film became a Broadway show in the 1982, despite great work from Debby Boone and others, it failed to garner the audiences necessary to keep it afloat. Now after some 30 years, as long as we keep it in period piece perspective, Glendale's production of Brothers seems as good a choice as any for families as holidays approach.

Since its premiere on Broadway in 1969, the musical 1776 has become as popular as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music; it seems that people cannot get enough of the show especially around the Fourth of July. After all, why read a history book when you can be entertained by a humorous retelling of our nation's conception? Giving in to the family fix for 1776, Glendale Centre Theatre is currently mounting a dutiful production with excellent direction and cast through August 13.