Robert Sher News

The charming new regional production of the Disney/Cameron Mackintosh musical spectacular MARY POPPINS---currently playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through June 21---has found a lovely, practically perfect Poppins in Hart of Dixie's Brandi Burkhardt, who confidently channels the nanny we all love with her lovely singing voice and a pitch-perfect demeanor that's at times bold, at times cheeky, and altogether beguiling. As for the show itself, it's quite a delightful crowd-pleaser, filled with colorful first-rate visuals, spectacular dancing, festive songs, and an infectiously enthusiastic cast that tries its best to win over its audience. And, boy, they definitely do!

The feature length animated film, THE ARISTOCATS (1970), was the last project Walt Disney approved before his death in 1966. My son and I watched it several years ago on DVD, when he was just a little tyke. And then, in 2010 we attended Stages St. Louis' wonderful production of the show. Five years later I was little hesitant to bring him to their latest presentation, just because he's that much older, but I think he actually enjoyed it more the second time around. He's now at an age where he can really appreciate the work that goes into bringing these shows to the stage. He loved the performances and music, and so did I. Stages has put together an excellent show that, obviously, has appeal for kids of all ages (and adults as well), and it's currently gracing the stage of The Westport Playhouse. I think the intimacy of the venue acts to enhance the experience, bringing the audience that much closer to the action.

The new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago, which opened at the Broadway Theatre on April 21st, 2015, recorded its cast album on Thursday, May 28th. Authors include composer Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden), lyricists Michael Korie (Grey Gardens) and Amy Powers (the two multi-platinum Sunset Boulevard hits) and book writer Michael Weller (screenwriter for Hair and Ragtime). Check out photos from the recording session below!

It was announced today that the new Broadway musical Doctor Zhivago, which opened at the Broadway Theatre on April 21st, 2015, will record its cast album on Thursday, May 28th

The 2015 Tony nominated musical On The Town announced today a brand new online reservation system, allowing for an online seat reservation prior to a ticket purchase. Beginning Friday, May 22, ticket-buyers can go to OnTheTownBroadway.com and reserve their tickets, at no charge, for an upcoming performance. Once the reservation is complete, the tickets can be paid for at the Lyric Theatre Box Office (213 West 42nd Street) up until one hour prior to curtain.

In Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, which will mark the Wilma's 11th production of a work by Tom Stoppard, minor characters take center stage as they journey on a boat taking Prince Hamlet to England with players from the royal court. As these characters unknowingly sail to a fate Shakespeare has already scripted for them, arguments of free will and determinism abound, all set to the constant travel game of flipping coins. In this battle of wits, Stoppard's characteristic wordplay and case of mistaken identities create a spectacle that's philosophical, clownish, and complete with a pirate-ambush.

The Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT) will create four new works for young audiences and produce two musicals based on beloved stories for its 2015-2016 season.

What a renaissance - again! Although the period beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989 through to the doubleheader of POCAHANTAS in 1995 and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME in 1996 and ending with MULAN in 1997 is considered by House Of Mouse superfans and many entertainment enthusiasts as the official Disney Renaissance era - meaning the company once again came to major prominence as a direct result of its animated musicals - it very much looks as if an entirely new type of Disney rebirth is in the process of occurring, spurred on by the worldwide success of the esteemed company's most successful animated feature to date, the highly theatrical and Broadway pedigreed FROZEN. Of course, in any way matching an era which in addition to MERMAID, POCAHANTAS, HUNCHBACK and MULAN shepherded BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING from inspiration to actuality would be a high order, if not outright impossible, yet it seems that the recent, current and upcoming spate of ingenuously timed and expertly devised projects that Disney possesses at the moment could put them in that stratospheric level of uber entity once again in the industry - and in the hearts and minds of millions around the world, as well.

The new Broadway revival of On The Town was recorded in November 2014 for a two-disc cast album to be released by PS Classics. On The Town, which features a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Leonard Bernstein, and is based on an idea by Jerome Robbins, is currently running at Broadway's Lyric Theatre (213 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036). The album is out today, March 3, at www.PSClassics.com.

The new Broadway revival of On The Town was recorded in November 2014 for a two-disc cast album to be released by PS Classics. After announcing a previous date for January 20, the label's website now lists a March 3 release.

The Palace Theater, Wisconsin Dells' newest professional theater, 564 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy South, gifts audiences this holiday season by bringing to the stage the world's most beloved nanny, Disney's MARY POPPINS previewing November 19, opening Monday, November 24 at 7 p.m., and running through January 3, 2015. The all-star cast is led by Jessica Lorion Haugh (National Tour of Disney's Beauty & the Beast) who will fly through the air as 'Mary Poppins,' Kyle Szen (National Tour of A Christmas Carol) as 'Bert,' Eddie Urish (National Broadway Tour of Memphis the Musical) as 'George Banks,' and Rebecca Kostell as 'Winifred Banks.' MARY POPPINS is directed and choreographed by Multi Jeff Award-winner Marc Robin and co-directed by Buddy Reeder. Nationally known stand-up comedian and actor, Tom Dreesen, long time guest of The Tonight Show and The David Letterman Show will serve as the emcee at the opening night performance on November 24.

The Palace Theater, Wisconsin Dells' newest professional theater, 564 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy South, gifts audiences this holiday season by bringing to the stage the world's most beloved nanny, Disney's MARY POPPINS previewing November 19, opening Monday, November 24 at 7 p.m., and running through January 3, 2015. The all-star cast is led by Jessica Lorion Haugh (National Tour of Disney's Beauty & the Beast) who will fly through the air as "Mary Poppins," Kyle Szen (National Tour of A Christmas Carol) as "Bert," Eddie Urish (National Broadway Tour of Memphis the Musical) as "George Banks," and Rebecca Kostell as "Winifred Banks." MARY POPPINS is directed and choreographed by Multi Jeff Award-winner Marc Robin and co-directed by Buddy Reeder. Nationally known stand-up comedian and actor, Tom Dreesen, long time guest of The Tonight Show and The David Letterman Show will serve as the emcee at the opening night performance on November 24.

The new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN will be recorded today, November 3, for a two-disc cast album to be released by PS Classics. ON THE TOWN, which features a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Leonard Bernstein, and is based on an idea by Jerome Robbins, is currently running at Broadway's Lyric Theatre (213 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036).

Boston, MA

Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, celebrates the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic films that have been enchanting audiences for generations.

CHICAGO – Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton are excited to release single tickets to the renowned contemporary company's 2014–15 season performances in Chicago, on August 25, 2014 at 10am. All remaining seats to the company's performances at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's Edlis Neeson Theater will be available online at hubbardstreetdance.com or by phone to the Hubbard Street Ticket Office at 312-850-9744. (Season 37 subscriptions, which include tickets to all four 2014–15 season engagements, went on sale May 1, 2014 and remain available by phone or online at hubbardstreetdance.com/subscribe.) Season 37 single tickets start at just $25; the performance schedule is as follows:

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, celebrates the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic films that have been enchanting audiences for generations.

The supernatural power of love is taking Orange County by storm as the new Broadway and West End musical GHOST - THE MUSICAL, adapted from the Academy Award-winning film, opens at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, today, July 29 - August 10.

There is something very special, even magical, in the wind in Lawrenceville this summer. As he did with last year's LES MISERABLES, director Justin Anderson has found exciting ways to bring new life to a beloved show that we know so well. Under his capable direction, MARY POPPINS is transformed from the classic movie of chalk drawings and dancing penguins into a poignant tale of a loving family in need of saving from its own prosperity, with a pinch of magic on top. This family-friendly classic, which runs through August 31st, is a can't-miss for fans of wonder and magic, both young and old.