The Norris Center for the Performing Arts presents the madcap musical comedy, "The Drowsy Chaperone" April 25 - May 11. Winner of five Tony Awards, the toe-tapping trip back to the golden age of musicals is one of the funniest and most original shows in Broadway history.
I'm almost certain I've said this before about a Coyote Stageworks production - but it bears repeating! 'Run, don't walk' to the box office to see this highly polished, highly entertaining and anything but 'high brow' musical comedy before it's too late. I offer a few critical thoughts below, in addition to heaps of praise -- but nothing to impede you from running out and spending a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the theatre with an absolutely irresistible quartet of actors. Founder and Artistic Director, Chuck Yates, has once again assembled a 'dream team' of actors, directors and designers who deliver at every turn. The Andrews Brothers is all fluff, to be sure, but it is presented with such panache, polish and style that the diversion from anything with more depth is just what the doctor ordered. I can't think of a better description than a very old-fashioned word - 'delightful'! It was absolutely delightful. I LOVED THIS SHOW and you will too.
Four guys who know there's nothing better than being inside a good tight chord are working their extraordinary vocal magic in Stuart Ross' Forever Plaid at Cabrillo Music Theatre. With incredible musicianship and a flawless blend, these clean-cut dapper lads are a dream for the roughly 90-minutes they cover some of the greatest hits of the 1950's.
Those heavenly voices are back! And they're better than ever! Cabrillo Music Theatre celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season by blending one of the original Plaids with four of musical theatre's top talents to create the definitive FOREVER PLAID especially for the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza! The fresh and funny FOREVER PLAID opens today, January 31st, 2014, playing until Sunday, February 9th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
Those heavenly voices are back! And they're better than ever! Cabrillo Music Theatre celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season by blending one of the original Plaids with four of musical theatre's top talents to create the definitive FOREVER PLAID especially for the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza! The fresh and funny FOREVER PLAID opens on Friday, January 31st, 2014, playing until Sunday, February 9th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
ust having completed her stint as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein at MTW in Long Beach at the Carpenter Center, versatile actress/singer/dancer Tracy Lore is in rehearsal to assume a strong featured role in the new musical based on Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory at Laguna Playhouse, Laguna opening December 7. In our chat, Lore talks about the role and others she has played.
The American Foundation For Arts Education presented its annual National Arts Star Awards on November 20 in a Star-Studded Gala at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center in Rancho Mirage. Among the honorees, James Nederlander was presented with The Legacy Award for creating The National High School Musical Theatre Awards and his ongoing commitment to arts education. The awards were presented by actor/writer Laurence Luckinbill. The National Arts Star Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on Arts Education in America's public schools. The AFAE, originally founded by Carol Channing and her late husband Harry Kullijian, works to restore the arts to our nation's public schools and insure an arts education for every child in America through advocacy and partnering with schools and communities to create specialized arts instructional opportunities for children.
When You Wish/The Story of Walt Disney. It is high time that the life and career of iconic artist/animator Walt Disney be honored artistically. Of course, his films all stand the test of time, but we know little about the man, his persona and the early years of struggle. Wouldn't it be assuring to learn that success even for a genius does not come easy? And just plain fun to find out where and how Mickey Mouse came about? Instead of a biopic, the producers have decided upon an original stage musical. Therein lies the biggest flaw. This new tribute is labeled/described as a Pre-Broadway production. Let's reflect a moment or two on what makes for a successful Broadway show. Disney's own The Lion King, from screen to stage, is a perfect example of that kind of huge success. It is a spectacle with grand theatricality, giant universal family conflicts and dynamite appeal in sight and sound to sustain long lines at the box office. As endearing as it is, this little musical When You Wish falls short in these respects... in spite of the fact that it has a dream cast and a superlative creative team. Now onstage through November 3 at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA, the show, nonetheless, does have a carload of merit. If Broadway is not the answer, it does deserve a place somewhere.
When You Wish: The story of Walt Disney officially opened October 16 at UCLA's distinguished Freud Theatre following four successful previews (October 11 - 13). BWW TV's Los Angeles correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans were invited to visit with the cast and creative team as the world premiere musical was approaching its first preview performance. When You Wish is the first ever musical about Walt Disney who is considered not only one of the most universally celebrated, award-winning figures in entertainment history, but one of the greatest showmen on earth. The long anticipated project features an original score of 17 songs with Music and Book by Dean McClure; Direction by Broadway's Larry Raben; and Choreography by Lee Martino. Still an active performer, author and business man... film and television star, and former pop recording superstar Pat Boone co-produces When You Wish with Dean McClure and Robert Rudolph. Check out the video below!
The life and times of Walt Disney, perhaps the most universally celebrated, award-winning figure in the history of entertainment, comes to the stage in When You Wish, the first ever musical about one of the greatest showmen on earth. When You Wish previews October 11 - October 13 followed by its official world premiere October 16 - November 3 at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA.
Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season continues with the Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, presented professionally for the first time in Southern California, with performances now through September 7. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, based on the hilarious 1974 film by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder that spoofed the horror film genre, opened on Broadway in 2007 and toured the U.S. in 2009. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season continues with the Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, presented professionally for the first time in Southern California, with performances from tonight, August 21 to September 7.
Moonlight Stage Productions' 33rd summer season continues with the Broadway hit YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, presented professionally for the first time in Southern California, with performances from August 21 to September 7. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, based on the hilarious 1974 film by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder that spoofed the horror film genre, opened on Broadway in 2007 and toured the U.S. in 2009. Single tickets are priced $15 to $50 and include price levels for student rush, military, senior, and family discounts. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (760) 724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.
To close out its 60th Season in grand fashion, Musical Theatre West has commissioned a lush new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award-winning musical SUNSET BOULEVARD on its home stage at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Directed by Larry Raben and featuring musical direction by David Lamoureux and choreography by John Todd, this impressive, admirable 20th Anniversary Southern California production continues its limited engagement through July 28.
BWW TV Los Angeles correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans visit with the cast of Musical Theatre West's (MTW) much anticipated Southern California 20th Anniversary revival of Sunset Boulevard on stage now through July 28, 2013 at the 1,070-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA. The production previewed for one performance only on July 12, 2013 exactly 20 years to the day after the show's world premiere. Valerie Perri and David Burnham star, with Norman Large and Ashley Fox Linton are interviewed along with MTW Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman. The critically acclaimed revival is directed by Larry Raben with Musical Direction by David Lamoureux and Staging by John Todd. Check out the video below!
Music Theatre of Wichita will present the U.S. Premiere of the new musical Betty Blue Eyes. The first new musical produced by LES MISERABLES and Phantom of the Opera producer Cameron Mackintosh in more than a decade, Betty Blue Eyes celebrated a critically acclaimed run in London in 2011. Music Theatre of Wichita is the first North American theatre to be licensed for performance of the musical, and the first professional theatre anywhere to stage the show since its West End closing. Check out a first look at the cast below!
Evening performances run Wednesday July 24 -Saturday July 27 at 8pm and Sunday July 28 at 7pm; matinee performances are Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. All shows take place at Century II Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be obtained by calling the box office (316.265.3107) or visiting the Music Theatre of Wichita website (www.MTWichita.org).
1993's rarely produced Sunset Boulevard is a flawed, somewhat boring musical play that satisfies best with the casting of an actress of great star quality as Norma Desmond, one whose face could have convincingly lit up a silent film screen. MTW has found its star in Valerie Perri, and under Larry Raben's strong, resourceful staging, Sunset Boulevard is 5-star entertainment.
Musical Theatre West's (MTW) production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's international hit musical Sunset Boulevard opened last Friday, July 12, exactly 20 years to the day after the show's world premiere. The production will run through July 28, 2013 at the beautiful 1,070-seat Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA. Valerie Perri and David Burnham star, with Norman Large and Ashley Fox Linton. Check out a look back at the curtain call and opening night festivities below!
Actress/singer Valerie Perri, best known for her role of Eva Peron in Evita, will open as Norma Desmond in MTW's Sunset Boulevard Saturday July 13 in Long Beach. In our chat she discusses the challenges of portraying bigger than life fictional silent movie queen Norma Desmond.
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