How Beautiful With Shoes 1935

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

It's common knowledge that Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, is a timeless classic which has been read and loved by millions. Many of us have read the book because our middle school English teacher required it, but we discovered we couldn't put it down.

Los Angeles audiences will discover a new perspective on many timeless classics interpreted through a contemporary lens as they journey through The Music Center's dance season and uncover themes of conflict between female strength and societal expectations.  The 2017/2018 Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (Dance at The Music Center) season is replete with powerful characters, riveting storylines, modern choreography and theatrics that take the traditional narrative ballet to a new level.  Audiences are invited to venture into the world of dance and experience realms of expression beyond expectation.  The coming season opens with the U.S. premiere of Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes (September 15-October 1, 2017), a beloved fairytale and Hollywood classic where life imitates art, presented by Dance at The Music Center and Center Theatre Group. 

Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.

There is an embarrassment of riches on display in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's production of The 39 Steps - not the least of which is the cumulative effort of four of Nashville's finest actors showing off everything in their estimable bag of tricks to bring this enormously entertaining play to life. Add to those efforts another stunning set by Gary Hoff, Trish Clark's period-perfect costumes, Michael Barnett's gorgeous lighting and Paul Carrol Binkley's stellar sound design and you clearly have one of the season's most successful offerings, technically and artistically delivered.

The 21st Annual AIDS benefit celebrated the work of two great American composers-Marvin Hamlisch and Harry Warren.