Jamie Torcellini News

I cannot imagine a better production. With Broadway talent of operatic caliber and Glenn Casale's all-encompassing direction, this summer's Sacramento Musical Theatre production of "Show Boat" is Music Circus at its absolute best.

Show Boat, the American musical masterpiece with a grand score by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern that includes the classic songs 'Ol' Man River' and 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man,' is now playing at the Wells Fargo Pavilion through July 14. Generally considered America's first true musical, the show has not been at Music Circus in 12 years, and this is its first time at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. The superb cast includes a Tony Award nominee and three veterans of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

Show Boat, the American musical masterpiece with a grand score by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern that includes the classic songs 'Ol' Man River' and 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man,' is the next show in the 2013 Music Circus season, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion from today, July 9 - 14. Generally considered America's first true musical, the show has not been at Music Circus in 12 years, and this is its first time at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. The superb cast includes a Tony Award nominee and three veterans of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

Show Boat, the American musical masterpiece with a grand score by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern that includes the classic songs 'Ol' Man River' and 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man,' is the next show in the 2013 Music Circus season, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion from July 9 - 14. Generally considered America's first true musical, the show has not been at Music Circus in 12 years, and this is its first time at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. The superb cast includes a Tony Award nominee and three veterans of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

As much as the Judy Garland film version of 'The Wizard of Oz' upholds its status as a classic, there's something about seeing the joyous musical live that makes it immensely more enjoyable. As performed in the round at Music Circus, glorious orchestrations (led by conductor and music director Jeff Rizzo) and ethereal, surround-sound vocals from ensemble members enhance the magic, taking audiences somewhere over the rainbow as Dorothy awakes in a new land with Munchkins, ruby slippers, witches and more.

After auditioning performers in New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento, California Musical Theatre Artistic Director Glenn Casale has announced casting for the 63rd Music Circus season, including Broadway veterans, Tony nominees and audience favorites from previous Music Circus seasons. The five-show season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion includes The Wizard of Oz, Show Boat, Sugar, The King and I and the Music Circus premiere of Chicago.

The doo-wop musical hit LIFE COULD BE A DREAM continues Moonlight Stage Productions' 2013 Winter Season with performances from Feb. 14 through Mar. 10. Tickets are priced from $22-$30 and are on sale now through the VisTix box office by calling (760) 724-2110 or visiting www.moonlightstage.com.

The choices I have made are based solely on the plays and performances that I actually saw. I cannot see all the great talent that is out there in LA; it is physically impossible, as there exist far too many theatre/cabaret performances for one person to cover. So if a choice of yours is not on my list, chances are, I did not see that play or performance...or, it just did not make the final cut. I also do not separate Equity from Equity waiver; I consider all the productions/performances I select to be of top-of-the-line quality/professionalism.

To high-kick-start its 60th anniversary season, Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, CA is presenting a glossy, high-energy revival of what could be the Great Grand-Daddy of all backstage musicals: 42ND STREET. This terrific, tap-tastic new production continues performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center through November 11.

With Jon Engstrom's super direction and choreography and this cast's nonstop excellent tapping, cavorting, and devilishly fine chemistry, this production of 42nd Street dazzles from top to bottom.

42nd STREET opened last night, October 27th, at Musical Theatre West, and runs for 12 performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer, has announced the cast of the ultimate Broadway musical, featuring the largest MTW cast in years. 42nd STREET, previewing October 26th, opening on October 27th and running for twelve performances through November 11, 2012. As with all Musical Theatre West productions, each show is created from the ground up at its rehearsal studios in Long Beach using a blend of both professional actors from Broadway, Hollywood and national tours, as well as the best in local talent.

Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura County's premier professional theatre company, received eight Ovation nominations at L.A. Stage Alliance's announcement ceremony at the Renberg Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. Check out photos of the nominees below!

Nominees for the 2012 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards were announced Tuesday evening at the Renberg Theatre inside the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles. The 2012 Ovation Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, November 12, at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, 615 South Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit www.LASTAGEOvations.com.

Musical Theatre West's latest top-notch production is the hilarious regional premiere of the Tony-winning musical Monty Python's SPAMALOT. Full of silly humor and absurdist gags that will have you laughing throughout the show, the show continues at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through July 15. One of the most amusing shows MTW has ever mounted, it features a stellar ensemble cast led by Davis Gaines and Tami Tappan Damiano.

Musical Theatre West closes its 59th consecutive season with the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT. MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT opened this week and will run through July 15, 2012. Get a look at opening night below!

The Best in LA Theatre for 2011 (alphabetical listings) (artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

The Mystery of Irma Vep, written by Charles Ludlam in 1984 and a sensation off Broadway and beyond into the 90s, certainly lives up to its subtitle A Penny Dreadful. That's actually a good thing! A Penny Dreadul was a 19th century British fictional publication, usually printed in papers and magazines as a serial (in consecutive installments), aimed at cheap sensationalism. In all its campy style and ludicrousness, Irma Vep aims to thrill, even overkill, tickling one's fancy with its heavy emphasis on vampires, ghosts and werewolves. This perfect for Halloween treat, directed in brilliant, resourceful style by Jenny Sullivan will play on at the Rubicon in Ventura through Sunday November 6 only.

When the night is dark and stormy, or the mist is rising on the moors under a full moon; when there are macabre stirrings in the tomb, or the unearthly howling of laughter from audience members - it must be the season for THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, Charles Ludlam's ribald sendup of gothic romance and horror that begins preview next Wednesday, October 12, opens October 15, and continues through November 6 at RUBICON THEATRE COMPANY.