Harmony Wheeler - Page 20

Vincenzo Bellini's opera based on "Romeo and Juliet" does not follow the traditional Shakespeare plot, so it seems appropriate that the San Francisco Opera production, too, should veer away from traditional sets and costumes and create a world of its own.

Yes, yes, yes. It's a talkie. It's a musical talkie. And it has plenty of tap dancing cavaliers (well, in a figurative sense). OK, so it's not Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds; no one can beat the pair that made the classic film so memorable. But Good Company Players' lovely recreation for the Roger Rockas Dinner Theatre stage has no trouble getting audiences in the mood for dancing and 'Singin' in the Rain.'

It may describe the show's hilarious contents perfectly, but the title of Cosmopolitan Cabaret's current revue-style musical, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," did not quite fit the sentiment of California Musical Theatre's audience opening night. Sure, the audience loved it. Yes, their giant grins made it clear the show was perfect. But why would anyone want to change such a well-cast show?

Fitting three performances in one day can come at a cost depending on where you're playing. And though Batman Live World Arena Tour was only in San Jose for four short days (heading to Los Angeles next), Saturday evening's performance, the third showing that day, found the large HP Pavilion less than half full. The audience was there in spirit, though, spread out from the top boxes to the main floor seating. Children smiled and pointed at the show's spectacular visuals and semi-stellar acrobatics while the enthusiastic Batman fans were excited just to be near their favorite superhero.

Google the "Pearl Fishers Duet" and you'll find almost every famous opera singer has sung the exquisitely beautiful song. It's the type of song that makes it to Hollywood, but that you recognize when you hear it. But many don't recognize the story behind it, one that plays out in a three-act opera titled "The Pearl Fishers" and composed by the creator of the immortalized opera Carmen. One could watch the first act of the opera alone and leave satisfied, having heard the best the opera has to offer. Georges Bizet's gorgeous score as a whole, however, has plenty to recommend it, and a timeless romance filled with the overhanging threat of death makes watching it unfold a bittersweet experience.

There is power in numbers. With 53 glorious cast members cleverly moved about the small Hillbarn Theatre stage, director Lee Foster's production of "Ragtime" excels over an imperfect script.

Climb the "stairway to paradise" at the Sacramento Music Circus production of "Crazy For You." Featuring the best of the Gershwin's classic songs, the California Musical Theatre production takes audiences to musical theatre paradise with perfectly staged comedy, all sorts of impressive dancing and amazing vocals from a stellar, all-equity cast. Who could ask for anything more?

Mozeltoff to Sacramento Music Circus on another strong production of a classic musical. Playing thorough August 19 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the current production of "Fiddler on the Roof" follows tradition while creating a laid back, down to earth staging. That staging sometimes takes away from the humor of the show, but also manages to create a unique interpretation of an often-performed show.

Even with all the magic and all the fun, the thing I remember most from my childhood trips to the circus is my traditional circus cup filled with delicious flavored ice. So it's only natural that after a very long hiatus from Ringling Bros., I couldn't help but buy one of those overpriced, albeit creatively original, souvenir icee cups Wednesday night at Oracle Arena in Oakland. And, along with a souvenir hat and free clown nose, I toted my elephant-shaped cup into the arena for an evening of pure entertainment.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that any audience member in possession of a show ticket must be in want of a good show. However little known the feelings or views of such an audience member may be on his or her first entering a theatre, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the relevant actors that any attendee is considered as the rightful "property" of some one or other of hours of entertainment.

Mother-son pair Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy have more than star power. They embody love and sweetness every moment they stand on stage together. And the special "Till There Was You" duet they sing each night through August 5 at Music Circus - more than enough to leave a few damp eyes in the theater - is only a small portion of the magic these two create next to the beautiful California Musical Theatre summer 2012 cast of "The Music Man."

With beautiful, golden sets and a blessedly wonderful cast, the problem with Lamplighter's production of "The Mikado" does not result from a lack of talent. Actually, the production lacks very little and would verge on perfection if it weren't for slow comedic timing, missed opportunities for extra humor and a few occurrences of singing not in time with the orchestra.

When you're dealing with a musical version of a classic like 'The Little Mermaid,' it becomes nearly impossible to botch a show enough to give viewers reason to hate it. You still have all the popular songs that everyone loves to sing along with (including one adorable little girl sitting in the back on opening night), and you have the iconic characters that we all love so much. Still, for avid fans of the movie or those who had complaints about the Broadway version of 'Mermaid,' the Sacramento Music Circus production of 'The Little Mermaid' doesn't quite live up to the hype.

Apparently, anything goes at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Visit this stunning building this weekend and you'll find glimpses of "something shocking" as friendly ushers and ticketing staff welcome you, comfortable seats provide you with the perfect view and a standout orchestra begins playing that fantastic overture to the Cole Porter classic, "Anything Goes." But that's not all that goes at the Gallo Center this weekend. Modesto Performing Arts has gathered a stellar cast and crew to create an animated and "delovely" musical that, in the words one of its more popular songs, is the top! Its patriotic set colors and costumes also make it the perfect show to celebrate the 4th of July holiday week.

Masterfully communicated through the art of minstrel storytelling, Kander and Ebb's "The Scottsboro Boys" turns around the stereotypes and exaggerated personalities that encouraged racism in the early 1900s to create a surprisingly poignant musical that celebrates the voice of the individual and reminds Americans of the pain necessary to bring about change.

Charles Osborne, star of Modesto Performing Art's 'Anything Goes,' talks to BroadwayWorld about his role as Billy Crocker and what audiences can expect from the Cole Porter Musical.

The ultimate musical on peer pressure, sex and parties, "Grease" always wins out as a good time, despite shallow characters that overshadow deeper truths. No one can deny the appeal of the 50s style rock n' roll music or the fun stereotypes of geeks, cheerleaders and "live life while you can" teenagers that appear in "Grease." These teenagers seem determined to have a good time - something they share in common with audiences.

One of Giuseppe Verdi's lesser-performed operas, Attila lacks the hummable songs that have brought his better-known operas into popular culture. His complicated characters are ever-present, however, and his grand melodies support those characters with a commanding presence, especially when a large chorus takes up more than half the stage. Verdi definitely knew how to use the chorus. And in San Francisco Opera's Teatro alla Scala co-production, the singers, both leads and chorus, ultimately give Attila the power it needs to succeed, albeit a great deal of the production's success owes its existence to the visually stunning scenery on display behind the strong vocals on display.

Polka dots, neon and pastel colors, and innovative use of projector technology comprise a cheerful and vivid new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, which premiered Wednesday night at the San Francisco Opera Memorial House. Although it sometimes lacks the dramatics needed to keep a strong momentum, the production makes a strong addition to a long line of creative takes on the opera. Plus, its nonsensical plot makes it the perfect opera to share with friends who do not regularly attend opera. San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley's new modern English translation also adds to that note, although some audiences may miss the original German.

Home to some wonderfully strange and unique characters, San Francisco should have no trouble welcoming the Voca People. Hailing from planet Voca, the unusual group crash-lands its spaceship in the city every night through June 17, bringing with them non-stop comedy and mannerisms and costumes similar to those of the famed Blue Man Group.