California Musical Theatre News

At tonight's St. Louis's annual Arts & Education Council Awards dinner, Broadway artist Beth Malone announced that she will star in the title role of The Muny's 2017 production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown. The production will run from July 21-27, and will be directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. The Unsinkable Molly Brown has music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, with additional lyrics and book by Dick Scanlan, based on the original book by Richard Morris. Music adaptation is by Michael Rafter.

???????Beth Malone, who created the role of "Alison" in the 2015 Tony Award winning Best Musical Fun Home, will perform at the 26th annual St. Louis Arts Awards on Mon., Jan. 23, at the Chase Park Plaza. For her work in Fun Home, Malone received a Tony Award nomination as Best Actress in a Musical.

Don't pack away your favorite Christmas sweater quite yet. You have one more opportunity to celebrate Christmas in full color: The national tour of White Christmas the musical visits Sacramento through this Sunday only. It's a quick-paced production that never quite finds its heart, but you can't deny the feel-good nostalgia associated with White Christmas, nor help but love all its impressive dance numbers. And when those barn doors finally open to reveal a gorgeous snowy landscape, the day undoubtedly becomes merry and bright.

This holiday season discover the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Start with a timeless tale of joy and goodwill, fill it with classic Irving Berlin songs, top it off with glorious dancing and lots of snow and head on over to the Sacramento Community Center Theater to see Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Performances begin Dec. 27, 2016 for this must-see classic in a lavish new production that the New York Times says to "put on your wish list." Irving Berlin's White Christmas tells the story of a song-and-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and falling for a stunning sister act in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written! Give everyone the gift they're dreaming of with this merry and bright holiday musical.

Following the curtain speech made by the Broadway cast of Hamilton to Vice President-elect Mike Pence that took over the Internet, the resultant aftermath included an article from Hot Air writer Larry O'Connor (formally known by the alias 'Stage Right') titled 'And this is why I was a closeted conservative when I worked on Broadway' (sic).

California Musical Theatre (CMT) President and CEO Richard Lewis announced that Scott Klier, currently Executive Producer and Chief Operating Officer, will become Producing Artistic Director as of December 1. Lewis said that Glenn Casale, CMT's Artistic Director since 2009, will transition into the role of Artistic Consultant and continue to direct shows at Sacramento Music Circus, as he's done for more than 20 years.

California Musical Theatre announces the 2017 lineup for Sacramento Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 67th season for the venerable institution.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 208th season with an exciting stage adaptation of the all-time classic musical THE WIZARD OF OZ. Directed by Glenn Casale, with choreography by Rodney Glen Roberts, THE WIZARD OF OZ began previews on November 8th, opens on November 16th and runs through January 8th on the Walnut's Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 208th season with an exciting stage adaptation of the all-time classic musical THE WIZARD OF OZ. Directed by Glenn Casale, with choreography by Rodney Glen Roberts, THE WIZARD OF OZ began previews on November 8th, opens on November 16th and runs through January 8th on the Walnut's Mainstage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 208th season with an exciting stage adaptation of the all-time classic musical THE WIZARD OF OZ. Directed by Glenn Casale, with choreography by Patti Colombo, THE WIZARD OF OZ begins previews on November 8th, opens on November 16th and runs through January 8th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents the first show of its 2016-2017 season, the Los Angeles premiere production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell, musical direction by Dennis Castellano, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Glenn Casale.

Steven Lutvak, Composer & Co-Lyricist for Tony Award Winner A Gentlemen's Guide to Love & Murder, Conducts Song Form Workshop at Wells Fargo Pavilion Sept. 10, Presented by California Musical Theatre Academy

The 2016 Music Circus season concludes with the Northern California premiere of a new musical from the mind of Victor Hugo, inspired by one of the most epic stories ever told: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at brand new highlights of the show below!

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.

The 2016 Music Circus season concludes with the Northern California premiere of a new musical from the mind of Victor Hugo, inspired by one of the most epic stories ever told: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This daring production sets the classic tale of love, vengeance, and compassion to one of the most sweeping scores ever written for the stage. It's the only stage collaboration between two masters of American musical theatre, Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at highlights of the show below!

The 2016 Music Circus season concludes with the Northern California premiere of a new musical from the mind of Victor Hugo, inspired by one of the most epic stories ever told: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This daring production sets the classic tale of love, vengeance, and compassion to one of the most sweeping scores ever written for the stage. It's the only stage collaboration between two masters of American musical theatre, Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin).  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment will present the first show of its 2016-2017 season, the Los Angeles premiere production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Peter Parnell, musical direction by Dennis Castellano, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Glenn Casale.

The 2016 season continues with the Music Circus premiere of the Tony Award®-winning new musical comedy Nice Work If You Can Get It, now playing through August 14 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

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.