Harmony Wheeler - Page 8

Originally written for film and often seen on stage, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella has kept a solid heart over the years, with each adaptation featuring some unique song or casting choice. Now comes the touring production of the recent Broadway hit, visiting Sacramento through May 17. Adapted orchestrations from Danny Troob and David Chase blend some of the best pieces of previous versions with a few fresh tunes, including some mesmerizing chorus medleys, and make room for extra, stunning choreography.

And the Arthur Award goes to… Playhouse Merced for its production of Monty Python's Spamalot. Actually, the production, which plays now through May 24, could win several "Arthur" awards: Best use of "Sir Not Appearing." Best use of original staging. Best reference to previous season shows. Honorable Mention for calling out the visiting reviewer during the second act.

BroadwayWorld San Francisco spoke with Brandy Collazo of Hillbarn Theatre's production of 'Curtains,' the Kander and Ebb musical opening this weekend in Foster City. Collazo, who plays Nikki in the who-done-it comedy, has performed extensively throughout the Bay Area with PCRT, DTC, Palo Alto Players, 42nd Street Moon and Willows Theatre. She has been nominated for a Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award, and has received two Shellie Awards for Best Actress. Her experience also includes work with Hillbarn Theatre's youth conservatory.

San Francisco Symphony continues to provide innovative, new programming for its film series. Saturday night saw a particularly different kind of film score as orchestra members used their hands, feet and voice next to their usual instruments.

Perhaps the show's title comes from its surprisingly magical "once upon a time" storytelling. Or maybe it refers to its short timeframe wrapped around a once in a lifetime crossing of paths. But one thing is for certain, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical is all at once appealing. Even when lead singer Stuart Ward blurs his indecipherable lyrics together, the folk-style music masterfully conveys every emotion felt on stage. And that's what Once is all about: the power of music to communicate, connect and heal.

San Francisco announced its new season recently, including the continuation of its film series with another John Williams favorite, ET, the reprise of Vertigo, and two Christmas classics - one a musical - Nightmare Before Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life. But Saturday night saw something more familiar to BroadwayWorld's favorite subject: musical theatre

The Broadway production of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" played for just over a year in New York with the fame factor of Matthew Broderick and Kelli O'Hara pulling in audiences. The current national tour may not last long either, with its only Northern California stop currently in Folsom. But the production, a reworking of Gershwin's 1926 musical "Oh Kay," features an equally charming pair with instant chemistry. Add to that amazing energy and Broadway-polished sets and result in a "fascinating rhythm" worth dancing to.

Be careful what you wish for… but if your wish is for great theatre, your wish is granted. Playhouse Merced offers a creative set and fantastic cast in Sonheim's "Into the Woods."

Mamma Mia! Here we go again! The sensational Abba-inspired tour returned to the Gallo Center for the Arts Thursday evening with yet another sold-out run ahead. After more than ten years on Broadway and with numerous International and North America tours, the pop musical heads to Fresno for its next California stop. No doubt, audiences there, too, will find themselves unable to resist the beat and motion of the contagious pop musical. Thursday's audience, young and old, had no trouble dancing in their seats.

In just over a week Disney opens its national tour if Newsies in San Francisco for a month-long run. BroadwayWorld interviewed Zachary Sayle about the show's 'fansies,' life on the road, the banner the musical carries, and even Sayle's other Disney favorites. Sayle started his career at a young age, playing the child roles in tours of shows including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music. He now plays Crutchie in the show based on an actual Newsboy strike of 1899 New York. Check out the full interview, then seize the day and buy your tickets at www.shnsf.com.

Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a mosaic of musical styles and humor, meaning any dream will do for design and concept. American Idol husband-wife team Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young bring a tech and color production to Sacramento this week. And Tuesday evening's audience devoured the show's original, energetic staging.

The lyrics tell all. "In short there's simply not a more congenial spot than here in Camelot," now lodged at Fresno's Saroyan Theatre through tonight only. Originally launched into success by Julie Andrews and Richard Harris, the classic receives a new, simplified staging with an overwhelming ambiance, as well as a Renaissance acoustic makeover.

Short and sweet, A Charlie Brown Christmas does not arrive until the second half of San Francisco Symphony's current holiday concert. But Charlie is worth the wait. In their West Coast debut, Charlie and friends dance about the Davies Hall stage and warm many a heart with feel-good cheer. Celebrating the Christmas spirit does not come any better than what the Symphony offers. Across the street at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco Ballet continues its run of Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker, set in early 1900's San Francisco. Choreographer Helgi Tomasson's production sweeps young Clara into a world of dreams orchestrated by a magical Drosselmeyer, present throughout to wave his fantastical cape and usher in new surprises.

With an overwhelming number of productions and events on the horizon, I find it difficult as a critic to decide what shows to cover ("criticism" is not the most appropriate quality of the holiday; therefore I aim to stay positive in this article). Fortunately, we can share Christmas without sharing the same theatrical experiences. So, take a moment to tell BroadwayWorld San Francisco what holiday shows and experiences you will visit this winter, and don't forget to check out BroadwayWorld's picks for a Bay Area holiday extravaganza!

Peter and the Starcatcher may not match your idea of the perfect Christmas show, but it's certainly best friends with the holidays. An emotional and inspirational experience awaits at Theatreworks' production of the Pan prequel. And there's always the company's faux snow after each performance.

We spoke with Shannon Guggenheim on the return engagement of her unconvential holiday show MeshugaNutcracker. The production just opened in San Francisco and plays through December 14, but you can also catch it in San Jose December 25-28 before it travels to NYC next year. For tickets and information, visit http://themeshuganutcracker.com/.

Pierce Peter Brandt and Jim Ambler lead the energy and talent of Hillbarn Theatre's White Christmas. The two equity actors give great character and Broadway-quality vocals to song and dance partners Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. Behind them, an ensemble provides perfect harmonies attuned to the show's 1950's era. And although the scenic design remains simple throughout, a grand finale features Kuo-Hai Lo's gorgeous mountain background and an audience surprise that we won't spoil here.

Hillbarn Theatre's White Christmas opens tonight, and we'll be there to cover, but before the curtain rises, we spoke with star and Bay Area native Jim Ambler, who plays Phil Davis in the show.

The newer production of the musical, which I have seen twice before in addition to the Broadway production, moves at a quick pace with added slapstick humor and a gorgeous aesthetic. Despite the few down sides to a trimmed script, the changed direction allows the cast space to make characters their own. I counted at least ten original stagings in the first act alone that were not present when the musical came though Modesto and Sacramento in previous years.

Debby Boone talks with BroadwayWorld about her upcoming White Christmas concert with Michael Feinstein at Davies Symphony Hall.