Jessica Bernard

Fifteen years after its first production of the musical, Musical Theatre West revisits the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME for only its second time---smartly reviving the musical in a similarly lavish production that beautifully converges the show's classic staging and vibe with wonderfully integrated 21st Century tech upgrades that help elevate the material rather than hinder its storytelling. Under the enlightened direction of Paul David Bryant (who also provides the production's high-energy choreography), this brand new, spectacularly engrossing production bellows with an emotional fervor and is one of my favorite iterations of this musical I have seen in recent years. This local revival---which continues performances at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach through February 23, 2020---is a feast for the senses.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) brings five-time Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center February 7-23.  Based on E.L. Doctorow's acclaimed novel, the 13-time Tony-nominated musical tells the story of three families trying to find their way during the turn of the 20th century in New York City; each struggling with the changing cultural climate in America and each facing the promise of hope and new beginnings in the midst of prejudice and bigotry.  Showcasing music and lyrics by the Tony Award-winning team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and a Tony Award-winning book by Terrence McNally, Ragtime features a score with such memorable songs as a?oeYour Daddy's Son,a?? a?oeWheels of a Dream,a?? a?oeTill We Reach That Daya?? and a?oeMake Them Hear You.a??

A cast of leading regional musical theatre artists from throughout Southern California will join a live orchestra on the stage of the Moonlight Amphitheatre for one-night-only on Sat., July 7 at 8:00 p.m. for a concert version of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's iconic Broadway musical 1776. Moonlight Stage Productions' chiefs Steven Glaudini, Producing Artistic Director, and Colleen Kollar Smith, Managing Director, will take prominent roles in the concert: Glaudini will reprise his award-winning portrayal of John Adams, while Kollar Smith will provide direction and musical staging. Ovation Award winner, John Glaudini, who serves as the Musical Director for FROZEN: LIVE AT THE HYPERION at Disneyland will musical direct and conduct.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 34th summer season is well under way, and Artistic Director Steven Glaudini is proud to present the Southern California Regional Premiere of the smash hit Broadway musical MARY POPPINS, co-created by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh. Performances continue through August 2. Single tickets are priced $15 to $52 and include price levels for student rush, military, senior, and family discounts. To purchase tickets or for more information, call( 760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 34th summer season is well under way, and Artistic Director Steven Glaudini is proud to present the Southern California Regional Premiere of the smash hit Broadway musical MARY POPPINS, co-created by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh. Performances are today, July 16 to August 2.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 34th summer season is well under way, and Artistic Director Steven Glaudini is proud to present the Southern California Regional Premiere of the smash hit Broadway musical MARY POPPINS, co-created by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh. Performances are July 16 to August 2. Single tickets are priced $15 to $52 and include price levels for student rush, military, senior, and family discounts. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.

Called by many the perfect musical, My Fair Lady based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion has perhaps the wittiest and showiest debate between the sexes. Shaw despised marriage and loved to magnify human frailty, both female and male. And with Lerner and Loewe to create the book, music and lyrics, the result is a creation with music and story that flow together in ideal harmony. Even when its at its abrasive best, it's funny; even when Professor Henry Higgins is obnoxious, selfish and self-centered to the hilt, we cannot help but to laugh with him...and love him. Despite what a man says about a woman, he cannot live without her, and vice versa. We were born to live in a love/hate relationship, to be at each other's throats and in the next second, rolling around in the hay. It's all a part of life and Shaw, Lerner and Loewe displayed the ups and downs of romantic living better than anyone else...period. Now in a loverly production at Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, patrons are in for a real treat through March 16.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season continues with the Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, presented professionally for the first time in Southern California, with performances now through September 7. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, based on the hilarious 1974 film by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder that spoofed the horror film genre, opened on Broadway in 2007 and toured the U.S. in 2009. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season continues with the Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, presented professionally for the first time in Southern California, with performances from tonight, August 21 to September 7.

Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season continues with the Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, presented professionally for the first time in Southern California, with performances from August 21 to September 7. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, based on the hilarious 1974 film by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder that spoofed the horror film genre, opened on Broadway in 2007 and toured the U.S. in 2009. Single tickets are priced $15 to $50 and include price levels for student rush, military, senior, and family discounts. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.

Hard to believe, but Sweeney Todd first bowed on Broadway in late 1979 and I was in New York to witness the brilliant achievement of Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou and the entire creative team. It is difficult to find just the right words to express how very much this show affected me when I first saw it. Unlike some, who were abhorred by the subject content, I was mesmerized by much more than the twisted tale of revenge, which did indeed appeal to my dark side. It was the unbelievable staging and brilliant score, which to this day, I believe to be Stephen Sondheim's finest work, which grabbed hold of me and blew me away. It is opera in its most grotesque hour, an overwhelming and overpowering experience. Moonlight Amphitheatre is presenting the masterwork now onstage in Vista through October 6. And there's something to be said for seeing this musical outdoors in the night air, it's even more eerie and chilling: especially if it's a spectacular endeavor, which it truly proves to be with new artistic director Steven Glaudini's clockwork staging, and the exceedingly brilliant work from every member of the top-notch ensemble.

The Media Theatre held auditions for the 2012 "Delco Idol" contests on May 21 and 23. More than 150 singers participated, and now the theatre has chosen this year's contestants. The final list of contestants for "Delco Idol" and "Delco Idol Junior" is available online at www.mediatheatre.org.

Media Theatre's "Delco Idol" contest begins tonight, July 11 at 7pm, with the "Junior" competition starting up Sunday July 15 at 7pm. Each continues for a total of five weeks. Five or more contestants are eliminated each week until the finals, when 20 singers will try for the 2012 title in each contest. Iron Workers Bank is the sponsor for the third summer.

The Media Theatre held auditions for the 2012 "Delco Idol" contests on May 21 and 23. More than 150 singers participated, and now the theatre has chosen this year's contestants. The final list of contestants for "Delco Idol" and "Delco Idol Junior" is available online at www.mediatheatre.org.

Beginning last week, and performing through February 19, The Coterie presents the concert event Red Carpet Memories: A Celebration of Academy Award-Nominated Songs. Red Carpet Memories performs in The Coterie's home in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa (right next door to the Kodak Theatre, home of this year's Oscars). Check out photos below!

The Coterie will present the spectacular concert event Red Carpet Memories: A Celebration of Academy Award-Nominated Songs. Featuring an all-star lineup of vocal talent from Broadway, Television and the Los Angeles music scene, this highly-theatrical musical revue will pay homage to some of the most beloved songs in movie history. Relive your favorite movie memories with the songs of Fred & Ginger, Judy Garland, the kids from Fame, Kermit the Frog, and more. The movies have never sounded so good! With a song selection that spans generations, this is the concert event with something for everyone and a must see this awards season. Red Carpet Memories will perform in The Coterie's home in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa (right next door to the Kodak Theatre, home of this year's Oscars) on February 10-19th for six performances only. In the video of Broadway star James Snyder & Jessica Bernard singing 'Falling Slowly' from ONCE. This performance was part of the dress rehearsal for the upcoming Academy Award-Nominated Songs concert series RED CARPET MEMORIES. Click below to check it out!

The Coterie will present the spectacular concert event Red Carpet Memories: A Celebration of Academy Award-Nominated Songs. Featuring an all-star lineup of vocal talent from Broadway, Television and the Los Angeles music scene, this highly-theatrical musical revue will pay homage to some of the most beloved songs in movie history. Relive your favorite movie memories with the songs of Fred & Ginger, Judy Garland, the kids from Fame, Kermit the Frog, and more. The movies have never sounded so good! With a song selection that spans generations, this is the concert event with something for everyone and a must see this awards season. Red Carpet Memories will perform in The Coterie's home in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa(right next door to the Kodak Theatre, home of this year's Oscars) on February 10-19th for six performances only.

Paul Garman, Producing Executive Director, and Steven Glaudini, Producing Artistic Director of Musical Theatre West, are proud to announce its production of 1776. 1776 will run July 9-25, 2010 at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

Paul Garman, Producing Executive Director, and Steven Glaudini, Producing Artistic Director of Musical Theatre West, are proud to announce the cast of its production of 1776. 1776 will run July 9-25, 2010 at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.