Harmony Wheeler - Page 13

They're blue for a reason. Although their out of this world look and behavior may suggest otherwise, the Blue Man Group is blue for a reason. Their give-or-take 95 minute show celebrates the senses with food, sound and, above all, color. Being blue is all a part of that. I suppose waiting 40 minutes past curtain time for the show to start (due to technical difficulties) on its Broadway Sacramento opening night can be counted part of the experience too.

Bring It On Folsom. Bring on the Broadway talent. Bring on the music. Bring on the cheerleaders? Yes, cheerleaders. And Friday evening's audience at the Harris Center was ready to "Bring It On" with the fairly new musical based on the popular film series.

Playhouse Merced continues to prove itself with challenging material and increasingly talented casts. Having opened their season last fall with the epic Les Miserables, they now turn to the imaginative Shrek the Musical, and their new season is just around the corner with a special announcement event planned for March 22.

Dolly may leave Broadway Fresno after one more performance tonight, but in our hearts, Dolly will never go away again. Next to divas Carol Channing and Barbara Streisand, Sally Struthers makes the title character her own.

"Beautiful." "Overwhelming." "Beyond description." All simple words to explain music and its connection to our souls. But Jon Burlingame has a natural, pleasant way of describing music. The leading writer and expert on film and television scores began San Francisco Symphony's Night at the Oscars with a quick look at more recent scores, from the synthesized "Social Network" to the culture-based "Slumdog Millionaire." But the symphonic score still has a place, Burlingame said, introducing the audience to Saturday evening's program.

Before "So You Think You Can Dance" and the "Step Up" films, there was "Flashdance," the 80s cult classic that brought us songs like "Maniac" and "I Love Rock N Roll." Such songs are, for the most part, the life and soul of the film's fairly new musical counterpart, playing at Broadway Sacramento through this Sunday.

Politics and humor go hand in hand throughout George Bernard Shaw's classic, but rarely performed "Major Barbara." Shaw's work includes, not the kind of politics and humor that lends itself to one side mocking another, but English wit that bookends passionate speeches and dialogue. Although Shaw's socialist position likely influenced the topics he chose to address and his desire to provoke action, here his script allows each character his or her fair argument.

The 2013 BroadwayWorld San Francisco audience choice awards saw a fantastic number of nominations for theatres throughout Northern California this year, from Fresno's Good Company Players to Modesto's Gallo Center to Broadway Sacramento, San Jose and San Francisco. If only enough time existed for us writers to see every talented cast perform. Here are a few of my favorite productions from 2013 in a brief look back at some of the shows I was fortunate enough to witness.

My mother took me to the ballet when I was young. I came home with a souvenir bouquet and would not stop listening or dancing to the score, imagining a giant Christmas tree and those nasty rats scurrying across my living room floor. I like to imagine the magic of theatre and the arts creating that same wonder for people all over the world.

The most Scrooge among us would crack a smile at Center Rep's 'A Christmas Carol.' Although the old miser may balk at the cost of extravagant special affects and lovely costumes, or even at the time-honored message of hope and love, it's impossible to avoid laughing when the unseen Ghost of Christmas Present knocks a cup of punch from an overconfident young man's hand. Or consider the confetti that shoots out into the audience and the snow that gently falls down to cheerful faces.

Everyone needs a little Christmas. Agree or disagree with her life ethics, but Mame possesses a zest and optimism for life that most people desire and require.

Tradition continues with Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at American Conservatory Theatre, surrounded by the magic of San Francisco tourist hot spots decked out in holiday decor.

Not a typical Broadway musical, San Jose Repertory Theatre's world premiere of "The Snow Queen" is a unique experience. The Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale does not lend itself naturally to stage. Without its country-twanged score, San Jose's production could pass as a mere children's play. But the final product proves itself so much more. Although it takes time for the characters to pull their audience into the journey, the production's multitalented cast, raw sound and layered themes make it a musical to discuss and digest well after the ensemble bows.

Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" has made its way into American hearts as a classic holiday children's novel, film and musical. Although Christmas plays only a small role in the story's events, a common warmth and familial atmosphere finds its way onto every page, into every line, and, in Theatrework's production of the recent Broadway musical adaptation, included in every song.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown, but Snoopy is pretty good, too. In fact, he's the head beagle, and he's played with excellence, honor, smarts and lots of puppy charm by Keith Pinto, who so wonderfully portrayed the same character last year in another Peanuts-based musical at the Bay Area's Retro Dome. Of course, it wouldn't be Peanuts without the rest of the gang, present for 42nd Street Moon's production of the clever and always enjoyable musical, "Snoopy."

It's no great work of art, but it's a lot of fun, and it's a great way to exercise those snapping fingers. 'The Addams Family' musical has gone through a lot of changes since its successful Broadway run, most of them made for the better. Although you can't get more talent than the original cast's Bebe Neuwerth and Nathan Lane, the current second national tour perfectly brings to life, or death, the quirky characters and story.

For one of the best Ebenezer Scrooges you're ever likely to see on stage, make a stop in Merced, CA. For a most enjoyable version of Charles Dickens' classic, 'A Christmas Carol,' visit Playhouse Merced's intimate and friendly theatre. The company's current production of Keith Ferguson and Bruce Green's version of the ghostly holiday tale features memorable new music mixed with well known carols. Led by a perfect dose of narration from Trevor Blondin and Chelsea King, this version pulls much from Dickens' own words.

Cirque du Soleil's newest creation, "Amaluna," has a lyrical feel, like the grand dance of the peacocks it so beautifully uses in much of its imagery. Similar to other traveling Cirque shows, it has a grand beginning and finale where the ensemble gathers all at once on the stage for a dance of sorts. But the expressive choreography fits the feminine nature of "Amaluna," and so appears more often throughout as white and black peacocks gracefully flit across the stage.

Stockton Civic Theatre has plenty of Christmas cheer to offer at its production of the Alan Menken version of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Cast members greet audiences with smiles, some selling raffle tickets to benefit the theatre's programs before the show, most chatting with friends in the lobby after the show. It's a family atmosphere that any local should be happy to support.

Norm Lewis' amiable charm immediately makes him the best friend, next-door neighbor type. As he opened an evening of song at Sunday's Bay Area Cabaret concert, the Tony Award nominated performer endeared himself to his audience with appropriate selections of "The Best is Yet To Come" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."