Harmony Wheeler - Page 2

BroadwayWorld San Francisco spoke with Kerry Conte, who plays Betty Haynes in the national tour of White Christmas. The musical comes to San Francisco December 14-24. Kerry tells us about the science behind Irving Berlin's music, working with Lorna Luft, and becoming a part of the White Christmas family.

Like many, I was introduced to the charms of Daddy Long Legs when the show recently became the first Off-Broadway production to stream a performance live on the Internet. Bay Area audiences may have an advantage on the rest of the world, though, as the show had its origins at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. The company is no stranger to Paul Gordon musicals, having given us an excellent revival of Emma as recent as last December. But Daddy Long Legs is perhaps the most fully realized of Gordon's works, exhibiting both his propensity for story-driven songs and some of his most exquisite ballads and duets.

It's the holidays at Pemberley. One might expect lavish decorations, ornate rooms, and a ball to be had any day now. But it's not the eclectic library or drawing room (more Longbourn than Pemberley in style) that stands out in Marin Theatre Company's latest production - although the tree does receive a few pleasant jabs throughout. Playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon treat us to a family Christmas in which the Bennet sisters continue to meddle, prattle and all together steal our hearts.

In its 32 year history, Cirque du Soleil never needed a defined story. The human body and artistry spoke for itself. But the company's latest production shifts gears, partnering with James Cameron to provide a sort of prequel to the 2009 film "Avatar." For its first attempt at creating a plot-driven Cirque, Soleil mostly succeeds. But believe the promoters when they tell you the acrobatics support the story, rather than vice versa. It's true. "Toruk" has all the creativity of other Cirque du Soleil shows, but as a whole it comes across as something closer to the typical arena performance - "Batman Live" and "How to Train Your Dragon" to name a few - only it's far more spectacular.

The beloved "tale as old as time" plays to sold out audiences at the intimate, but sparkling family atmosphere of Playhouse Merced now through December 11. A lively cast gives this "Beauty and the Beast" its enchanting and often comical quality.

BroadwayWorld San Francisco spoke with King and I cast members Anthony Chan (Prince Chulalongkorn) and Stephanie Lo (Ensemble) about growing up in the Bay Area, working with Jose Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly, and the very relevant themes in this beautiful production.

BroadwayWorld spoke with conductor Ted Sperling about his upcoming concert with Laura Osnes and the San Francisco Symphony. They will be performing selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.

BroadwayWorld Sacramento spoke with Cirque du Soleil spokesperson Laura Silverman about the innovative technology and puppetry of Cirque's latest arena show, TORUK - The First Flight, a story-driven prequel to James Cameron's Avatar.

Feliz Navidad! If you're looking for a grand fiesta this holiday season, be sure to see the latest from Cirque du Soleil. Billed as a "waking dream of Mexico," "Luzia" features bright colors and acrobatic performers in front of an ever-changing Aztec sun

Drew Hirshfield spoke with BroadwayWorld San Francisco about playing Zazu in the national tour of Disney's 'The Lion King.' Hirshfield is originally from the Bay Area and even participated as an actor in ACT's annual 'A Christmas Carol' back in 2006.

Sherlock Holmes relocates his flat on 'Baker Street' to 42nd Street Moon and the Eureka Theatre for an elementary musical adventure, now through November 20.

Let's start at the very beginning with a few of our favorite things from the new touring production of "The Sound of Music." An outstanding orchestra, striking scenic design and magnificent nun's chorus make an immediate impression in Jack O'Brien's adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Purists will be glad to see a script close to that of the original, and O'Brien has found a Maria that will delight all.

Playhouse Merced has always been a little Kooky. And if their last few seasons have shown anything, it's that the company does not mind an occasional move toward the darkness in its fall-time programming. For Halloween 2016, Merced welcomes "The Addams Family" (snap snap), an altogether ooky cast of characters.

It's unlikely any current touring show can match this "Phantom" in ornate detail, with its cast's flawless enunciation and its glistening chandelier and proscenium, covered in haunting, golden faces. Anyone familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" will know what to expect from the familiar characters and promising production values, but this tour delivers that and much more.

Disney musicals generate a lot of hype. The Lion King transformed the art of puppetry. Beauty and the Beast told a tale as old as time. And the upcoming Frozen… well, it's Frozen. But the company's stage adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame took a slight step to the side, never making the move to Broadway. Instead, after successful runs at La Jolla and Paper Mill playhouses, the musical was licensed to three regional theatres for 2016, including Sacramento's Music Circus. The announcement of Sacramento's engagement met much excitement, making Tuesday's less than full house opening a shocking surprise. But the excellent cast did receive a well-deserved standing ovation.

There has been plenty of talk about the "lack of sensitivity" in Gilbert and Sullivan's British farce, "The Mikado," set in a Japan most often comprised of a white ensemble. But - as ready as this critic may be to defend the "great and virtuous man" - this review must sing the praises of a "new," albeit familiar Mikado, or rather, Ducato. Lamplighters Music Theatre has reset the operetta to Tiramisu, Milan, and what an excellent production it is. The music and story are as enjoyable as ever, but half the fun comes from discovery of reinvented names and slight references to the original.  Not to mention Ellen Brook's fresh direction of a show that Lamplights has produced - with equal excellence - multiple times. 

It's wonderful. It's marvelous. And if Tuesday's immediate standing ovation was any indication, you will more than care for the new Gershwin musical, "Nice Work If You Can Get It," playing through Sunday at Sacramento's Music Circus.  But watch out for that demon rum. You may just end up swinging by a chandelier.

Music Circus welcomed a "perfectly marvelous" Cabaret Tuesday evening, with sparkling costumes and a glittered stage. After an excited and pulsing opening, the suggestive Kit Kat Girls took a back seat. Subdued direction and lackluster choreography made the famous Kit Kat club more of an afterthought next to the subtle rise of Nazi Germany.

Oh the things you can think when you think about Seuss! Imagination runs wild in California Musical Theatre's latest Music Circus production, Seussical the musical, which makes excellent use of the company's mechanized stage and brings classic Dr. Seuss drawings to outstanding scenic, lighting and costume designs.

It only takes a moment to fall in love with the feel-good melodies and delightful characters of "Hello, Dolly!," the musical that gave film and Broadway star Carol Channing her signature role. Matchmaker Dolly Levi can be played a number of ways, which ensures every production remain refreshing and different. Barbara Streisand, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin and Sally Struthers have all taken on the title character. Sacramento's Music Circus brings in the lesser known, but amiable Lynne Wintersteller, now through Sunday in its second show of the summer.