Gail Bennett News

What do the 1950s have in common with 1912? Ages of innocence, both. When Meredith Willson wrote his story with Franklin Lacey about a con artist bamboozling an Iowa town in 1912, which formed the substance of his musical The Music Man (1957), the effect became like that of N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker. People were jubilant, ecstatic and welcomed Professor Harold Hill, as they craved a good old-fashioned love story coated with ironic excitement. He was a charmer, and they saw way past his bad side. Now in a colorful new production at Musical Theatre West (MTW) in Long Beach, this company pulls out all the stops and presents a delightfully bigger-than-life show that would do Willson proud. With super direction from Jeff Maynard and a divine cast led by Davis Gaines, The Music Man offers a refreshing take on the way life should be, whether 1912, 1955 or 2014.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

Musical Theatre West presents the second production of their 61st season, Davis Gaines (Los Angeles' longest-running Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera) starring as Professor Harold Hill and Gail Bennett (Mary Poppins) starring as Marian Paroo in Meredith Willson's timeless and joyous, THE MUSIC MAN, book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, musical direction by Corey Hirsch, choreography by John Todd and directed by Jeff Maynard.

White Christmas, always a treat on film (1954), creates a unique and refreshing glow on stage. The touring and original Broadway productions, which played Los Angeles only once at the Pantages, in 2005 were gloriously directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Randy Skinner, who turned the second act opener 'I Love a Piano' into one of the most inventive & lively tap sequences ever. Now on stage at the Norris Theatre in Palos Verdes the local company has created a fresh sparkling production with even direction from Randy Brenner and zestful tap choreography from Kami Seymour. The sturdy acting company makes this production a pleasantly frothy confection playing through December 15 only - sadly, you only have one more weekend to catch it, so get your tickets immediately!

How do you sum up almost seven months of experiences, seven months of friendship and memories?... You can't.

What do you get when you take a group of actors, 6 weeks of skate school, and a beautiful outdoor theatre? You get the regional premiere of Tuacahn's 'Starlight Express'. This past Thursday was the last time my quadruple threat cast (they can now add skating to their acting, singing, and dancing skill set) performed this high-octane show that has been thrilling audiences throughout Southern Utah all season long. For those that don't know the show it is the most unique experience on stage that you can have next to Cirque du Soleil. The concept is simple; through the mind of one young boy we get a glimpse into his imagination as he puts his trains to the test race after race. We have the good guys (Rusty & Poppa), the bad boys (Greaseball & Electra), and the girls who pine for them (Pearl & Dinah). All of this while skating on and off the stage as well as throughout the audience (the skate track actually weaved through the seats of Tuacahn) as they try to be the fastest train on the track.

For today's blog I thought it would be fun if I talked about the art of getting ready for a show, but with a slight twist. Now that we are towards the end of our run here at Tuacahn our show time is at 7:30 with a half hour call time of 7pm. So without further ado I give you the Mary Poppins vs. Bert pre-show preparation.

I'm a night owl…in fact most of my friends in the theatre are night owls.

Tuacahn Center for the Arts Presents Disney's Mary Poppins at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre May 30 - October 25, 2013. For Tickets call: 435-652-3300 or go to: www.tuacahn.org. BroadwayWorld has a look at Gail Bennett as Mary Poppins in the show below!

Tuacahn Center for the Arts Presents Disney's Mary Poppins at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre May 30 - October 25, 2013. For Tickets call: 435-652-3300 or go to: www.tuacahn.org. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

White Christmas , always a treat on film (1954), creates a unique and refreshing glow on stage. The touring and original Broadway productions, which played Los Angeles only once at the Pantages, in 2005 were gloriously directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Randy Skinner, who turned the second act opener 'I Love a Piano' into one of the most inventive & lively tap sequences ever. Now on stage at the Norris Theatre in Palos Verdes the local company has created a fresh sparkling production with even direction from Randy Brenner and zestful tap choreography from Kami Seymour. The sturdy acting company makes this production a pleasantly frothy confection playing through December 16 only - sadly, you only have one more weekend to catch it, so get your tickets immediately!

Orange County-based 3D Theatrical's surprisingly ebullient new production of the Irving Berlin musical revue I LOVE PIANO--now performing through September 23 at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton before it moves to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, September 28-30--is buoyed by its composer's indelible contributions to the Great American Songbook. Despite a paper-thin yet serviceable storyline, the show is redeemed by a six-member song-and-dance ensemble that will wow you with one beautifully-rendered musical performance after another. This heartwarming yet briskly peppy musical revue is definitely worth your time.

3-D Theatricals will present the fourth show of its 2012 season, with the songs of Irving Berlinfeatured in I LOVE A PIANO, choreography by Kami Seymour, musical direction by Daniel Thomas, and directed by David Lamoureux. I LOVE A PIANO opened September 8 and performs through Sunday, September 23 at the historic Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton. View photos below!

Casting has been announced for The Gateway's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Sunset Boulevard,' playing Aug. 3-20 in Bellport, N.Y.

Casting has been announced for The Gateway's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Sunset Boulevard,' playing Aug. 3-20 in Bellport, N.Y.

Casting has been announced for The Gateway's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Sunset Boulevard,' playing Aug. 3-20 in Bellport, N.Y.

As its first production in their new home at the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, 3D Theatricals opens with THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, that wonderful, effervescent 2006 Broadway musical concoction. A Tony Winner for Best Book and Best Score, this insanely funny musical comedy is a reverent, if wildly sarcastic homage to the American Jazz-Age musical, those frothy, lighthearted screwball comedies that captivated so many fans with its fun and frivolity. 3D Theatricals' production features TV star Sally Struthers as Mrs. Tottendale.

Now in its new home at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, first up for 3D Theatricals is a production of the hit musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE--with shows running February 11 through the 27th--featuring TV legend Sally Struthers (All In The Family, Gilmore Girls) in the role of Mrs. Tottendale. Fresh off her win as Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the 2011 LA Stage Ovation Awards (for her role as the Fairy Godmother in 'Cinderella'), Struthers will also star in 3D Theatricals' upcoming 'Always, Patsy Cline' later this season.

Now in its new home at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, first up for 3D Theatricals is a production of the hit musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE--with shows running February 11 through the 27th--featuring TV legend Sally Struthers (All In The Family, Gilmore Girls) in the role of Mrs. Tottendale. Fresh off her win as Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the 2011 LA Stage Ovation Awards (for her role as the Fairy Godmother in 'Cinderella'), Struthers will also star in 3D Theatricals' upcoming 'Always, Patsy Cline' later this season.