Cheryl Baxter News

5-STAR THEATRICALS will soon host Broadway's original "Belle" Susan Egan as she reprises her iconic performance once again (for one last time!) in its final show of its 2017-2018 season, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

5-STAR THEATRICALS (formerly Cabrillo Music Theatre) is thrilled to announce that Broadway's original "Belle" SUSAN EGAN, will reprise her iconic performance once again (for one last time!) in its final show of its 2017-2018 season, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

The votes have been counted... Check out the full list of winners for the 2017 BWW Regional Awards!

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

The 2017 awards honor productions which opened between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. Nominations were completely reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended October 31, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors.

Cabrillo, Thousand Oaks/directed by Yvette Lawrence/choreographed by Cheryl Baxter/through July 23 Peter Pan is a story filled with wonderment, and a total joy to behold onstage. Children of all ages love the idea of being able to fly and to live freely, without attachments or responsibilities. With the right casting, the show is pure magic. Now onstage through July 23 at Cabrillo Music Theatre, soon to be renamed 5 Star Theatricals, Peter Pan will never grow up, thank heavens! In this case there is not a famous star attached to the role. Carly Bracco is an immmensely talented singer, dancer, and actress who toured extensively with Cathy Rigby and played Wendy. She brings so much of herself to the role and is so much fun to watch, that nothing is lacking, making this Peter Pan a first class production.

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE presents one of the most beloved family friendly musicals of all time with the third and final show in its 2016-2017 season, PETER PAN, with music by Mark "Moose" Charlap and Jule Styne, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and Betty Comden and Adolph Green, based on J.M. Barrie's unforgettable story, musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Cheryl Baxter and direction by Yvette Lawrence. PETER PAN opens on Friday, July 14, 2017 and runs through Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Fans of the unforgettable Debbie Reynolds and members of the Thalians, an organization she helped found, flocked to the El Portal Friday June 30 for a dedication of the mainstage and grand party to celebrate her life and career. It was an SRO event, with celebrity guests, whose proceeds benefited the great charity work of the Thalians - 'Hollywood for Mental Health', to which Reynolds devoted tirelessly of herself since its inception in 1955. Debbie had history with the El Portal. It was one of her favorite venues, as she used to ride her bicycle there to go to the movies as a young girl living in Burbank...and she performed there with her fabulous night blub act and the play Love Letters 46 times between 2003 and 2015 So, it is totally apropo to name the mainstage in honor of this great star and humanitarian.

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE presents one of the most beloved family friendly musicals of all time with the third and final show in its 2016-2017 season, PETER PAN, with music by Mark 'Moose' Charlap and Jule Styne, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and Betty Comden and Adolph Green, based on J.M. Barrie's unforgettable story, musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Cheryl Baxter and direction by Yvette Lawrence. PETER PAN opens on Friday, July 14, 2017 and runs through Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.   

Jay Irwin & Pegge Forrest Producers and The Thalians proudly present Debbie…A Night to Remember: A Dedication and Renaming of the historic El Portal Mainstage Theatre at 5269 Lankershim Blvd in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, California on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 7pm.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Chicago, South Bend, New Zealand and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include the opening of HAMILTON in Chicago, SWEENEY TODD in South Bend, and BILLY ELLIOT in New Zealand, just to name a few.

Tim Rice's & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita has had a thirty-eight year international love affair with the public since it  premiered in 1978 in London and in 1979 on Broadway. The newest revival in regional theatre is currently at Cabrillo in Thousand Oaks until October 23 only. An operetta based on Eva Duarte Peron and husband Juan Peron of Argentina, the story documents the rise to power of a simple peasant girl to the rank - almost - of Vice-President of her country. I say almost because she became too ill to accept the nomination in 1951 and passed into immortality in 1952 after a seven year reign as First Lady of Argentina, which began in 1946. Evita: criminal or saint? has been the topic of books and documentaries. Eva

The World Choreography Awards (WCA), which honors and celebrates creativity, diversity and innovation by recognizing excellence in the art of choreography around the globe, announced today that singer/songwriter/dancer Riker Lynch will host the awards show, and will be joined a number of special guests. This year marks the 6th edition of the WCA, which will be held at The Montalban Theater in Hollywood, California on Monday October 24, 2016.

For the first time in its history, EVITA, this revolutionary Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical is being produced by Cabrillo Music Theatre. 

For the first time in its history, EVITA, this revolutionary Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical is being produced by Cabrillo Music Theatre. 

Directing Kids and Teens sounds like a very difficult job, but for these 4 directors, the task is very easy. Cheryl Baxter-Ratliff  (Los Angeles), Joel & Christine Seger (Massachusetts), and Kelley Manson (Massachusetts) have had their fair share of young adult productions to be proud of.  No matter what coast they are from, they all can agree that kids and teens are "sponges" that can soak up information and that they do not have any bad habits they need to break on stage. They also talk about their beginnings in directing kids and teens, memorable moments thus far in their directing, and more. Read my Q&A below to see what they said.