Glenn Casale News

California Musical Theatre announced the 2015-16 Broadway Sacramento season at the Community Center Theater, featuring six shows not previously presented on the series, two of which were produced in the round at Music Circus but never before part of Broadway Sacramento.

With the show's Broadway debut in 1951, followed by the 1956 Academy-Award-winning film adaption, Rodger's and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I has been captivating audiences for over 60 years. Yul Brenner, the most iconic and well-known of the actors who have played the King, not only starred in both stage and film incarnations of this classic musical, but he brought the show's national tour to the Music Hall at Fair Park in 1989, where the acclaimed musical is currently being revived by Dallas Summer Musicals. Though the current production's leader may lack Brenner's clout and charisma, this locally produced musical provides a high-quality, dazzling opportunity to celebrate and enjoy this timeless classic.

Based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam and hit classic Broadway musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I is making its North Texas debut at the Music Hall at Fair Park, produced by Michael A. Jenkins (six-time Tony Award winner) and Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. This exciting new production features a revamped script, timeless songs, and a new physical production with an entirely fresh interpretation of the musical. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with Broadway legend, Rachel York, just minutes before her final rehearsal for THE KING AND I at Music Hall at Fair Park. Having personally seen Ms. York perform onstage in several Broadway shows, as well as the filmed productions of KISS ME KATE and VICTOR/VICTORIA, it was a joy to hear her behind-the-scenes stories and personal experiences.

Based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam and hit classic Broadway musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I is making its North Texas debut at the Music Hall at Fair Park, produced by Michael A. Jenkins (six-time Tony Award winner) and Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc., beginning tonight. This exciting new production features a revamped script, timeless songs, and a new physical production with an entirely fresh interpretation of the musical.

?Based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam and hit classic Broadway musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I is making its North Texas debut at the Music Hall at Fair Park, produced by Michael A. Jenkins (six-time Tony Award winner) and Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. This exciting new production features a revamped script, timeless songs, and a new physical production with an entirely fresh interpretation of the musical.

As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, Dallas Summer Musicals' decision to cast a Caucasian actor as King Mongkut in their scheduled production has caused quite the controversy. Last week, The Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) published an open letter to the theatre company in light of their choice to employ 'yellowface' - today, Dallas Summer Musicals has responded.

While many are looking forward to the upcoming Broadway revival of THE KING AND I starting rehearsals, a controversial decision to cast a Caucasian actor as King Mongkut in Dallas Summer Musicals' forthcoming production is generating the opposite response. The Asian American Performers Action Coalition wrote an open letter to DSM expressing their disgust with the organization's choice to use the practice of yellowface.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction byJohn Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. The musical premiered over the weekend and BroadwayWorld has more photos from the opening festivities below!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce the complete cast as they present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

California Musical Theatre announced a varied lineup of musicals for the 2015 season of Sacramento Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 65th season for what has become a Northern California summer tradition. The summer lineup will include two classics that are Music Circus audience favorites, Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady and Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim's West Side Story, as well as the Mississippi adventure Big River, the musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie, the magical journey Peter Pan, and a sixth show that will be offered as an option for season subscribers, the generation-defining Hair.

Lexikat Artists and MB Artists in association with the multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) are thrilled to announce that the world premiere musical, SCARY MUSICAL The Musical, book by Richard Hochberg, music and lyrics by Richard Hochberg and Michael Paternostro, musical direction by Brent Crayon, orchestrations by Kenny Seymour and directed and choreographed by James J. Mellon will let YOU choose the killer! With three different alternate endings, this is the first theatre production that asks you to TURN ON YOUR PHONES during the show to vote!

Meredith Willson's beloved family musical, THE MUSIC MAN, returns to the stage in an all-new concert staging starring the Marian of the classic film, Academy Award winner Shirley Jones, who will not only essay the role of Mrs. Paroo, but will serve as host and narrator. She will be joined on stage by her son, Patrick Cassidy as Prof. Harold Hill. A little known bit of Hollywood history: Shirley was pregnant with Patrick during the filming of The Music Man. Performances begin, appropriately enough, in Willson's home town (and model for River City) Mason City, Iowa tonight, September 18th.

Lexikat Artists and MB Artists in association with the multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) are thrilled to present a world premiere musical, SCARY MUSICAL The Musical, book by Richard Hochberg, music and lyrics by Richard Hochberg and Michael Paternostro, musical direction by Brent Crayon, orchestrations by Kenny Seymour and directed and choreographed by James J. Mellon. SCARY MUSICAL The Musical will begin previews tonight, September 12 at 8pm; will open today, September 19 at 8pm and run for eight weeks through Sunday, November 9, 2014 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

Meredith Willson's beloved family musical, THE MUSIC MAN, returns to the stage in an all-new concert staging starring the Marian of the classic film, Academy Award winner Shirley Jones, who will not only essay the role of Mrs. Paroo, but will serve as host and narrator. She will be joined on stage by her son, Patrick Cassidy as Prof. Harold Hill. A little known bit of Hollywood history: Shirley was pregnant with Patrick during the filming ofThe Music Man.

The hilarious musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius ofJerry Herman, is the final show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are August 19 - 24. Check out a first look below!

The hilarious musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius ofJerry Herman, is the final show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are August 19 - 24. Check out a first look below!

Prolifically talented director Glenn Casale's pursuits in the LA theatre community are immeasurable and should not go unnoticed. He took time out from an ultra busy schedule to talk about his post as artistic director of Music Circus in Sacramento - which is presenting its last offering for the current season La Cage Aux Folles this week through Sunday August 24 - and also about a production of Beauty and the Beast which will open soon in Russia.

The hilarious musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius of Jerry Herman, is the final show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are tonight, August 19 - 24.

The hilarious musical La Cage aux Folles, featuring the bawdy humor of Harvey Fierstein and the melodic genius of Jerry Herman, is the final show in the 2014 Music Circus season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 64th season for the venerable Sacramento institution. Performances are August 19 - 24. Check out a sneak peek below!