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BWW Reviews: FLASHDANCE Goes Maniac
Before "So You Think You Can Dance" and the "Step Up" films, there was "Flashdance," the 80s cult classic that brought us songs like "Maniac" and "I Love Rock N Roll." Such songs are, for the most part, the life and soul of the film's fairly new musical counterpart, playing at Broadway Sacramento th...
BWW Reviews: ADDAMS FAMILY at Harris Center Provides a Great Time
It's no great work of art, but it's a lot of fun, and it's a great way to exercise those snapping fingers. 'The Addams Family' musical has gone through a lot of changes since its successful Broadway run, most of them made for the better. Although you can't get more talent than the original cast's Be...
BWW Reviews: Playhouse Merced Presents One of the Best Carols Around with CHRISTMAS CAROL
For one of the best Ebenezer Scrooges you're ever likely to see on stage, make a stop in Merced, CA. For a most enjoyable version of Charles Dickens' classic, 'A Christmas Carol,' visit Playhouse Merced's intimate and friendly theatre. The company's current production of Keith Ferguson and Bruce Gre...
BWW Reviews: Stockton Civic Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Stockton Civic Theatre has plenty of Christmas cheer to offer at its production of the Alan Menken version of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Cast members greet audiences with smiles, some selling raffle tickets to benefit the theatre's programs before the show, most chatting with friends in the...
BWW Reviews: STC Brings Austen's PRIDE & PREJUDICE to Life
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every theatergoer is in want of a great show, and that every Jane Austen fan is in want of yet another way to enjoy her favorite love story. Austen's theatrical dialogue has inspired fan fiction novels, film adaptations, musicals, and now Sacramento Theatr...
BWW Reviews: Woodland Opera House Provides Memorable LES MISERABLES
Woodland Opera House provides a fantastic cast performing in its lovely, historic space and directed by Amy Shuman, with a formidable orchestra led by James C. Glica-Hernandez. Flawless, but minimal lighting design by Jeff Kean lends considerably to the atmosphere, and efficient sets designed by Joh...
BWW Reviews: CHICAGO and All That Jazz at Music Circus
Closing the summer season with its first production of the Kander and Ebb classic, 'Chicago,' Music Circus gives Sacramento the 'old razzle dazzle them' this week at the Wells Fargo Pavilion. The production features Fosse's well-known jazz hands, which influenced so much of musical theatre, and it g...
BWW Reviews: Colorful KING AND I Dances With Audiences
Visiting a different culture is always exciting. New colors. New characters. New traditions. So much to take in. On this count, Sacramento Music Circus's production of 'The King and I' can do no wrong. A second act story-within-a-story based on 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' marvelously displays the exquisite ...
BWW Reviews: SUGAR Treats Audiences to Dance, Comedy
The secret ingredient is dance. After that, everything else falls into place. Fantastic ensemble singers. Broadway talent. Men in women's clothing. The production's name fits it well, as plenty of delicious treats entice Music Circus audiences into the world of 'Sugar.'...
BWW Reviews: SHOW BOAT A Magnificent Time at Music Circus
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....
BWW Reviews: WIZARD OF OZ Takes Music Circus Down Yellow Brick Road
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 ...
BWW Reviews: LES MISERABLES A Powerful Reimagining
Not long after the Sacramento opening night performance of Les Miserables, producers officially confirmed plans to take the 25th anniversary production to Broadway next March. The announcement will come as no surprise to those who have witnessed the grandeur of the reimagined sets and slightly updat...
BWW Reviews: A LITTLE PRINCESS Gets The Royal Treatment
Exceptionally crafted, Sacramento Theatre Company's world premiere of "A Little Princess" is full of imagination and excitement. A well-paced book by William J Brooke follows the story of young Sara Crewe's dealings with life's troubles. From "supposing" optimism to acceptance and pragmatism, the ps...
BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT A Stunning Experience
"Billy Elliot" features all the elements of theatricality theatregoers love, although friends of the late Margaret Thatcher may wish to stay away. The Elton John musical balances great storytelling with three intense dance numbers performed by an incredibly talented child and some stunning lighting ...
BWW Review: It's a Big Bright Beautiful World with SHREK THE MUSICAL
Decorated with Monty Pythonesque humor, the touring production of 'Shrek' the musical contains enough tasteful pop culture and Broadway musical references to make the Genie at Disney California Adventure's 'Aladdin Musical Spectacular' proud. Creators lifted much of the dialogue from the original fi...
BWW Reviews: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST a Magical Time For All
Be their guest. Be their guest. Put their production to the test. Take a program in your hand, cherie, and they provide the rest. Lots of dance. Lots of song. Why they only live to serve. Try the staging. It's delicious. Don't believe me? Ask the hundreds of children and adults who eagerly attended ...
BWW Reviews: Center Rep Creates Beautiful and Moving OLD WICKED SONGS
Song echoes heart in Jon Marans' 'Old Wicked Songs,' a beautiful play that, like the classical music it celebrates, takes its time to mature story and soak in emotion and meaning. Much like the infamous Maria Callas account, 'Master Class,' 'Old Wicked Songs' follows teacher and student as pasts div...
BWW Reviews: Disney's DARE TO DREAM Offers Magical Time
'Dare to Dream' features some of the best costumes, sets and lighting in Disney on Ice history, not to mention some second act circus action. But some adults will have to wait until the second half of the show before the energy and choreography become engaging and impressive enough to capture their ...
BWW Reviews: THE HOBBIT Goes To The Theatre And Back Again
Some time last year, Playhouse Merced christened its 2012-2012 season "There and Back Again." Of course, the title could describe the journey any show takes over the course of two hours. But it seems appropriate that the chosen name should find its base in the play version of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The H...
BWW Reviews: ROCK OF AGES Hits You With Its Best Shot
True to form, "Rock of Ages" provides "nothing but a good time." Just the right combination of musical theatre storytelling and rock n' roll partying, "Rock of Ages" features a perfectly balanced sound system, just loud enough to blow your mind, but not loud enough to blow your eardrums. The innovat...
BWW Reviews: Hilarity Reigns in GCP's SPAMALOT
If you haven't made your way down to Good Company Players' production of "Spamalot" yet, there's something you've forgotten, and that's to "laugh and smile and dance and sing." Based on every dry-humored person's favorite film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the riotous musical stays true to the...
BWW Reviews: LEND ME A TENOR Lends Plenty of Laughs
Check right in to Stockton Civic Theatre. A friendly bellhop (David Nelson) will greet you, reminding you in his own special way to turn off your cell phone and remind you of other important details. Although those welcoming lines are added for the audience's benefit, playwright Ken Ludwig easily co...
BWW Reviews: DREAMGIRLS is a Dream Broadway Production
Close to flawless in its incredible staging and fantastic casting, the 2013 touring production of soul musical "Dreamgirls" boasts a dream cast that has audiences applauding throughout as actors display every vocal talent on parade....
BWW Reviews: Cathy Rigby Delights as PETER PAN
"Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan." She doesn't just play Peter Pan. She is Peter Pan. After so many years of bringing J.M. Barrie's classic character to life on stage, it becomes difficult to separate the two. Rigby, herself, couldn't stay away from the character for too long. Despite a 2004-2005 tour labe...
BWW Reviews: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE Among The Best of Arena Shows
As far as theatrical arena shows go, Dreamwork's "How To Train Your Dragon Live" makes the top of the list for those worth seeing, and arena shows are growing in number (case in point, the rather boring, but visually interesting, Batman Live arena tour)....
Videos
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Backroads of the Americas - Solo Guitar NAMBA Performing Arts Space (6/27-6/27) |
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PRIMARY TRUST By Eboni Booth B Street Theatre (10/07-11/01) |
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Clinically Un-Depressed Resurrection Theatre (5/01-5/30) |
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WHEN MARTHA MET KRIS: THE SANTA CLAUS LOVE STORY B Street Theatre (12/02-12/27) |
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The Crane Wives Ace of Spades (6/14-6/14) |
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Three Days Grace, I Prevail & The Funeral Portrait at Golden 1 Center Golden 1 Center (11/17-11/17) |
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Espejos: Clean Capital Stage (5/06-6/07) |
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WORKING FOR CRUMBS By Kate Danley B Street Theatre (6/17-7/12) |
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Great Balls of Fire The East Sonora Theatre (7/24-8/09) |
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2026 Night Nation Run - Los Angeles, CA Fairplex (11/07-11/07) |
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