California Musical Theatre News

Since Sacramento last saw "The Little Mermaid," director Glenn Casale has fin(e)-tuned Disney's script and created a near-perfect,  spectacle of a production. The unofficial mini-tour of the show comes to Sacramento courtesy of California Musical Theatre this week only and is already sold out. 

Take a trip under the sea with Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID. This fun-filled, timeless tale makes its Broadway Sacramento debut in a limited engagement at Sacramento Community Center Theater from tonight, Feb. 2, through Feb. 7. Directed by CMT Artistic Director Glenn Casale, the show features Alison Woods as Ariel, along with several Music Circus Alums, including Eric Kunze as Prince Eric. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Take a trip under the sea with Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID. This fun-filled, timeless tale makes its Broadway Sacramento debut in a limited engagement at Sacramento Community Center Theater from Feb. 2-7. Directed by CMT Artistic Director Glenn Casale, the show features Alison Woods as Ariel, along with several Music Circus Alums, including Eric Kunze as Prince Eric. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

California Musical Theatre and BroadwayWorld bring you the 2016 lineup for Sacramento Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 66th season for the venerable institution. The season includes four shows that have never been produced at Music Circus: The smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde, based on the hilarious film starring Reese Witherspoon; the family favorite Seussical, a journey through the witty and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss; Nice Work If You Can Get It, the song-and-dance spectacular filled with the music of George and Ira Gershwin; and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a brand new musical exploring the dark themes of the epic novel while featuring the beautiful music of the animated Disney film. The 2016 Music Circus season will also feature two shows that are all-time patron favorites, the irresistible musical theatre gem Hello, Dolly! and the Tony-winning Kander and Ebb classic Cabaret.

Stage and screen stars Darren Criss (Glee, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies, Tuck Everlasting), Ben Platt ("Pitch Perfect", Dear Evan Hansen), Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, A Christmas Story, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach), Philip McAdoo (The Lion King and Rent), Brad Simmons ("Camp", Lysistrata Jones), Jacob Brent (Cats); Cory Lingner (On the Town), and writing team Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel (Camp-Wish-No-More, My Little Brony) are some of the talent confirmed for the 2016 Junior Theater Festival (#JTF16), it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group.  

Executive Producers Michael Sterling of Michael Sterling Publicity and Production (www.msapr.net). and Barbara Van Orden (www.barbaravanorden.com) have announced that vocal auditions for the 10 year Anniversary of LA's Next Great Stage Star® will be held Sunday, December 13, 2015.  'Our annual auditions in search of 10 men and 10 women between 18 and 32 years of age, is highly anticipated by the hierarchy of those associated with the business of presenting Broadway musical theatre in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California said Sterling.  'We couldn't be more grateful to our professional colleagues and select corporate entities for their consistent support of Stage Star since its inception,' added Van Orden 

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), announce the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins).

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (2014 Ovation Award Nominee for Best Season!), announce the second show of their 2015-2016 season, RENT, book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Richard Israel (Floyd Collins).  RENT will preview on Friday, October 23, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 24) and run through Sunday, November 15, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is pleased to present Monty Python's Spamalot from tonight, September 9, through October 11, 2015 in the Margeson Theater.

To round out its 65th season, Music Circus presents HAIR, the groundbreaking musical that defined a generation and introduced rock 'n' roll to Broadway. Set against a backdrop of the Vietnam era, a group of late 1960s youth join a social revolution and 'Let the Sun Shine In.' Featuring hit songs such as 'Aquarius,' 'Let The Sun Shine In' and 'Easy To Be Hard,' HAIR is an exhilarating and emotionally intense ride. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

To round out its 65th season, Music Circus presents Hair, the groundbreaking musical that defined a generation and introduced rock 'n' roll to Broadway. Set against a backdrop of the Vietnam era, a group of late 1960s youth join a social revolution and 'Let the Sun Shine In.' Featuring hit songs such as 'Aquarius,' 'Let The Sun Shine In' and 'Easy To Be Hard,' Hair is an exhilarating and emotionally intense ride that Variety calls 'a rock musical that communicates viscerally with its audience. The score's vigorousness and variety are remarkable.'

To round out its 65th season, Music Circus presents Hair, the groundbreaking musical that defined a generation and introduced rock 'n' roll to Broadway. Set against a backdrop of the Vietnam era, a group of late 1960s youth join a social revolution and 'Let the Sun Shine In.' Featuring hit songs such as 'Aquarius,' 'Let The Sun Shine In' and 'Easy To Be Hard,' Hair is an exhilarating and emotionally intense ride that Variety calls 'a rock musical that communicates viscerally with its audience. The score's vigorousness and variety are remarkable.'

To round out its 65th season, Music Circus presents Hair, the groundbreaking musical that defined a generation and introduced rock 'n' roll to Broadway. Set against a backdrop of the Vietnam era, a group of late 1960s youth join a social revolution and 'Let the Sun Shine In.' Featuring hit songs such as 'Aquarius,' 'Let The Sun Shine In' and 'Easy To Be Hard,' Hair is an exhilarating and emotionally intense ride that Variety calls 'a rock musical that communicates viscerally with its audience. The score's vigorousness and variety are remarkable.'

With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances run August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

When Music Circus presented a spectacular production of 'Big River' earlier this summer, it seemed nothing could top it. Four weeks later, 'West Side Story' has come 'cannonballing down through the sky, gleam in its eye, bright as a rose.' Playing through Sunday at California Musical Theatre's Wells Fargo Pavilion, the Romeo-and-Juliet-based musical takes its audience for an emotional ride that builds tension with skill and moves in strides with hope and heart. 

With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances run August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.  BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The 65th Music Circus season continues with Peter Pan, a high-flying, magical journey to Neverland that critics call 'purely delightful...ageless...a wonderful tradition.' The cast includes Broadway veterans, Music Circus audience favorites, and talented actors making their Music Circus debut this season. Performances are July 21 through Sunday, July 26. Check out a first look at highlights below!

With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances are tonight, August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.

With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances are Tuesday, August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.  Check out a sneak peek at rehearsals below!

With a cast featuring Music Circus audience favorites and Broadway veterans, several of which have performed in the show on Broadway and on tour, West Side Story, the fifth production in the 65th Music Circus season, celebrates Broadway at its greatest. Performances are Tuesday, August 4 through Sunday, August 9 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.