Harmony Wheeler - Page 6

A paradox! A paradox! A most ingenious paradox! Only the ridiculous humor and unpredictable circumstances of Gilbert and Sullivan could make so much sense. In the capable hands and clear diction of Lamplighters Musical Theatre, it is, indeed, a glorious thing to be a pirate king, or the audience of one.

When Tommy Albright leaves the highlands of Scotland to return to New York, his surroundings only remind him of the call of Brigadoon. So it will be as 'Brigadoon's' mystical medleys and lyrical dances work their magic on Music Circus audiences now through August 10.

The Music Circus scenic design by Scott Klier and Jamie Kumpf is as alluring as the great island itself, with palm tree leaves and dim lights at the plantation to draw audiences in. Even those who claim South Pacific or Rodgers and Hammerstein as classic, but outworn and boring will find enchantment at the California Musical Theatre production.

The San Francisco Symphony plays Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, A Bug's Life, WALL-E, Cars, Up, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc. and Brave through Sunday July 20 at the building with perfect acoustics, Davies Symphony Hall. Film clips accompany their counterparts, and even the few Pixar films that disappointed find new life and movement when highlighted with their scores. Two hours of Pixar music is pure magic.

Sold out for the entirety of its run, Mary Poppins at Sacramento Music Circus steps in time to the beloved Disney musical. Thanks to a vivacious cast and plenty of clever trick costumes and sets, Mary maintains most of her magic.

Stockton Civic Theatre's Spamalot is an animated musical well-fitting the over-the-top humor of its Monty Python inspiration. With golden facial expressions from Bill Yee as King Arthur's manservant Patsy, a myriad of accents from Tom MacDonald's multiple characters, and even a conductor (of Stockton's brand new, live orchestra) with great personality, the production had its opening night audience laughing uncontrollably. Oh yeah, and that King Arthur guy was pretty good too.

Audiences may expect a slow build up to the grand "One" finale of A Chorus Line, the only number with sparkled costumes and bright lights. But what they actually get is one singular sensation of a musical, especially in Sacramento Music Circus' unique staging in the round.

Beginning with small truths and oral tradition, legend eventually turns to the written word. At the heart of this process is Ji Junxiang's ancient play, The Orphan of Zhao, rooted in real events and a resonating theme of loyalty and justice. Currently reworked for American Conservatory Theatre (co-produced with La Jolla Playhouse) after a controversial run at Stratford in 2012, James Fenton's adaptation brings characters full circle, even in the midst of an onslaught of tastefully staged deaths.

Reset to San Francisco with a technology-inspired flair, TheatreWorks' current production of 'Marry Me A Little' is at once charming and original.

Classical music and drawn animation might be considered things of the past, but they had glorious relevance at the Davies Symphony Hall this past weekend. The Disney cartoons of 1940's revolutionary Fantasia played in brilliant, restored, high-definition color alongside clips from Fantasia 2000 with musical accompaniment by the San Francisco Symphony.

Good news! Wicked is back in Sacramento for another three weeks, and the goods just keep getting gooderer. Although Thursday's performance had some very minor technical glitches, the spectacle garnered a standing ovation. The lights, costumes and music supply ample goose bump moments in this "popular" musical.

What better way to get away from the summer heat than to enjoy a fantastic show in a nice, cool air-conditioned theatre! BroadwayWorld's Harmony Wheeler gives you all the details on your upcoming summer of performing arts, from Marry Me a Little and Orphan of Zhao in the Bay Area to Mary Poppins in Sacramento!

Raise your voice, raise your laughter, your praise, your accolades and shout hallelujah! Sister Act is fabulous, baby. The Broadway musical has all the heart of the original Whoopi Goldberg film, with new plot developments and extra soul.

42nd Street Moon's Greg MacKellan and Mark D. Kaufmann wrote 'Painting the Clouds with Sunshine' as a tribute to musical films of the depression era, but their end result may very well have been a successful film of that time.

If an Alexandre Dumas version of the San Francisco Charles Dickens Christmas Fair existed, I imagine its skits would look somewhat like Playhouse Merced's current production of "The Three Musketeers." That's no surprise, since writer, director Micah Chandler specializes in sword fights and teaches his own "Dogs of War stage combat performing arts troupe." And Merced's "Musketeers" feels very much so like a community troupe putting together a show. It comes with those low-budget kickers and generally read-through-type acting, but it also includes clear standouts in its cast, a near-perfect script and fantastic scenic design by Corey Strauss.

'Wicked' arrives in Fresno this week with two new witches at the broom and wand. They share their experience with children and adults new to the musical's magic, and the special quality of the leads' first week of performances makes the production enjoyable for the more familiar, familial audience members, as well.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" catches more than starstuff with its mosaic style and resourceful staging. Directors Roger Rees and Alex Timbers and writer Rick Elice manage to use ladders, flashlights and other pulled-together, everyday items to soar the magic to heights stronger and more believable than ever. Clap if you believe!

Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, the often-called 'epic' musical 'Les Miserables' sets a high standard, especially for theatre companies with smaller budgets. While that budget does affect Contra Costa Musical Theatre's production in minor ways, the company follows through on its promise to once again deliver visually stunning, challenging and new material (or newly available for rights, at least).

Pianist Anthony de Mare brings his audience-favorite concert LIAISONS: Re-Imagining Sondheim at the Piano to the Mondavi Arts Center for two shows March 29 - 30. Based on the music of the legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, Liasons is an intrepid program of new, solo piano works by some of the world's foremost contemporary composers - this marks the first time that Sondheim songs have ever been re-imagined for solo piano.

Christopher Wheeldon's playful choreography perfectly matches Sergei Prokofiev's talent for combining characters, story and music. Both artists have a unique quality that makes their work instantly recognizable. So it's only fitting that Wheeldon should take on Prokofiev's 'Cinderella.' And he partners with a long list of scenic, lighting and puppet designers, most with experience working in the Broadway, film and opera industries. The result led to sold-out crowds for last year's run at San Francisco Ballet. Now the production returns for a limited time with the audience anticipation and enthusiasm just as strong.