Darryl Archibald News

I have no doubt that MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will be popular with audiences. It does, after all, contain the music that generations have grown up on, and it's still being played today. And, it's interesting that I was flipping channels on TV and saw an infomercial dedicated to the Motown 25th Anniversary special made in 1983 recently. That's the scene that opens the show, and where we first encounter the man who made it all happen, Berry Gordy. He's angry and doesn't want to attend because all his stars have left him for the greener pastures of other labels. This despite it being his own competitive spirit, and the fact that he instilled that in his roster of talent (songwriters, singers, and musicians), that created their desire to further pursue their careers in the first place. That makes for an interesting dichotomy that would seem ripe for the stage. So, why am I so disappointed? Because I wanted a real narrative (Gordy wrote the book himself) that doesn't gloss over important historical events while, at the same time, giving 60 fabulous tunes short shrift.

The State Theatre in PlayhouseSquare is rocking. Rocking with sounds of the likes of Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Rocking with a full orchestra, a visually stimulating electronically enhanced production, and the story of Berry Gordy.

The American Dream takes on a Latin Beat, as Cabrillo Music Theatre will present the regional professional premiers of this 'new classic' - the multi-Tony-winning Best Musical of 2008, IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS fuses contemporary music with timeless family struggles, and its' warmth, humor and joyful message resonates with all ages. IN THE HEIGHTS opens tonight, March 28, 2014, playing until Sunday, April 6th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

The American Dream takes on a Latin Beat, as Cabrillo Music Theatre is proud to present the regional professional premiers of this "new classic" - the multi-Tony-winning Best Musical of 2008, IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS fuses contemporary music with timeless family struggles, and its' warmth, humor and joyful message resonates with all ages. IN THE HEIGHTS opens on Friday, March 28, 2014, playing until Sunday, April 6th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

The American Dream takes on a Latin Beat, as Cabrillo Music Theatre will present the regional professional premiers of this "new classic" - the multi-Tony-winning Best Musical of 2008, IN THE HEIGHTS. IN THE HEIGHTS fuses contemporary music with timeless family struggles, and its' warmth, humor and joyful message resonates with all ages. IN THE HEIGHTS opens on Friday, March 28, 2014, playing until Sunday, April 6th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

It's delightful. It's delicious. It's de-lovely! International City Theatre opens its 29th season with the California premiere of Let's Misbehave: The Music and Lyrics of Cole Porter, conceived by Karin Bowersock (book) and Patrick Young (musical arrangements) and directed and choreographed by Todd Nielsen. With musical direction by Darryl Archibald and starring triple-threats Lindsey Alley, Marc Ginsburg and Jennifer Shelton, Let's Misbehave opens Jan. 24 at International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Two low-priced previews take place on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham will present a heartwarming new musical based on Truman Capote's classic short story, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, book by Duane Poole, music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Carol Hall, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Ovation Award-winner Nick DeGruccio.

Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong star in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Broadway's original 'Kate' from KISS ME, KATE, Patricia Morrison, came to Cabrillo Music Theatre's production on opening night, Friday, October 18, to meet cast members Davis Gaines, Victoria Strong and Lois Reba Buhr. Check out photos of her backstage below!

Kiss Me Kate/book by Sam & Bella Spewack/music & lyrics by Cole Porter/directed by Richard Israel/Cabrillo Music Theatre, Thousand Oaks/through October 27

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE welcomes Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite tonight, October 18th, 2013, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE announces its full cast to join the previously announced Davis Gaines (Southern California's Longest-running PHANTOM) and Victoria Strong in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Cole Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite on Friday, October 18th, 2013, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

When Cole Porter met William Shakespeare, the result was a Tony Award-winning musical. When Southern California's Longest-Running 'Phantom,' Davis Gaines, meets Cabrillo Music Theatre, it all adds up to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza premiere of Porter's most raucous, sexy, and best loved musical ever, KISS ME, KATE! Cabrillo Music Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season kicks off with the popular favorite on Friday, October 18th, 2013, playing until Sunday, October 27th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Elle Woods is going to Harvard, and making her Thousand Oaks and regional professional debut as LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, takes the stage at the Civic Arts Plaza. This funny and heartwarming story of the college student who fights for her dignity, and finds herself along the way, has been turned from a popular movie into a bubbly and energetic Broadway show. Benefitting greatly from the original Broadway choreography of Tony Winner Jerry Mitchell (KINKY BOOTS, HAIRSPRAY), LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL makes its regional professional premiere when it opens tonight, July 19th, 2013, and plays until Sunday, July 28th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Heartbreaking. Gutsy. Intensely riveting. These are some of the words I jotted down in the dark---while simultaneously wiping tears streaming down my face---during the Southern California Regional Premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL, now playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts for a limited run ending June 23. The winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this thought-provoking, emotionally-heavy musical play---which features music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey---has now been revived locally in a top-notch, Broadway-caliber staging that truly impresses from beginning to end.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, June 2, 2013 - Sunday, June 2, 2013.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Nick DeGruccio with musical direction by Darryl Archibald. NEXT TO NORMAL opened last night, June 1, and runs through Sunday, June 23, 2013. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening festivities and brings you photos from the curtain call, party and more!

Elle Woods is going to Harvard, and making her Thousand Oaks and regional professional debut as LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, takes the stage at the Civic Arts Plaza. This funny and heartwarming story of the college student who fights for her dignity, and finds herself along the way, has been turned from a popular movie into a bubbly and energetic Broadway show. Benefitting greatly from the original Broadway choreography of Tony Winner Jerry Mitchell (KINKY BOOTS, HAIRSPRAY), LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL makes its regional professional premiere when it opens on Friday, July 19th, 2013, and plays until Sunday, July 28th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will present the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, NEXT TO NORMAL, music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical direction by Darryl Archibald and directed by Nick DeGruccio. NEXT TO NORMAL will preview on Friday, May 31, 2013 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 1) and runs through Sunday, June 23, 2013 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

See the four-time Tony Award winner and you won't miss a beat.