Michael Scott Harris News

Despite an injury, good sport Davis Gaines---who plays the title role in Musical Theatre West's new production of Meredith Willson's ever-enduring Tony Award-winning musical THE MUSIC MAN---continues the 'show must go on' mantra and plows through, turning in a rousing performance that does not disappoint. Added bonus: the huge cast also helps play up this local regional revival's family-friendly cuteness factor. Remaining performances of this nearly 60-year-old musical theater staple continue through Sunday, March 2 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

What do the 1950s have in common with 1912? Ages of innocence, both. When Meredith Willson wrote his story with Franklin Lacey about a con artist bamboozling an Iowa town in 1912, which formed the substance of his musical The Music Man (1957), the effect became like that of N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker. People were jubilant, ecstatic and welcomed Professor Harold Hill, as they craved a good old-fashioned love story coated with ironic excitement. He was a charmer, and they saw way past his bad side. Now in a colorful new production at Musical Theatre West (MTW) in Long Beach, this company pulls out all the stops and presents a delightfully bigger-than-life show that would do Willson proud. With super direction from Jeff Maynard and a divine cast led by Davis Gaines, The Music Man offers a refreshing take on the way life should be, whether 1912, 1955 or 2014.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

America?s foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, is proud to announce its new ?G&S Fest 2008,? a festival of Gilbert & Sullivan productions featuring an unprecedented number of shows in one season slated January 4-15th and June 6-15th on the great stage of New York?s historic City Center

Nell Benjamin's adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's classic operetta translates the piece into American musical comedy

'Pirates!' opening night at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn, NJ) is currently presenting its mainstage production of Pirates!, a swashbuckling adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, a fully-staged theatrical concert with costumes, choreography and sword fighting

Paper Mill Playhouse announces its mainstage production of Pirates!, a swashbuckling adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, a fully-staged theatrical concert with costumes, choreography and sword fighting.

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan players present Sir Arthur Sullivan's rarely produced final operetta.

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players return to City Center with two classic operettas

Casting has been announced for Goodspeed Musicals' swashbuckling next show. Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates on Penzance will be performed at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT from October 6th through December 10th

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan players took a night off from their latest City Center stint of The Mikado and HMS Pinafore in repertory to present a special one-nighter, Quintessential G&S!

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players' newest mounting of this hilarious and tuneful operetta is a gem of a production

H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado and Quintessential G&S will comrpise the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players' 2006 season

The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore and Trial by Jury will be presented as part of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 32nd anniversary season

America's foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, will present a semi-staged full production of 'The Rose of Persia,' a comic opera written by Basil Hood and Sir Arthur Sullivan, on Sunday, April 3rd (3PM) at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2535 Broadway at 95th Street). Featuring a full orchestra, costumes and choreography, 'The Rose of Persia' is a farcical tale of romance, intrigue and mistaken identities! Staged by Albert Bergeret & Jan Holland, the 29 member-company will be led in principal roles by Laurelyn Watson, David Wannen, Kimberly Deana Bennett, Michael Scott Harris, Stephen O'Brien and Richard Holmes.