Bright StarSteve Martin (Music, Book, Story) & Edie Brickell (Music, Lyrics, Story)Curran TheatreCarmen CusackUpfront, let’s just admit that some of the lyrics are full of more corn and clichés than a barn’s loft and that the story’s twists and turns are so unbelievably fantastical that even the audience laughed when the story’s dramatic ‘big reveal’ was reenacted. … [Read more...] about “Bright Star”
Archives for November 2017
“Shakespeare in Love”
Shakespeare in LoveBased on the Screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc NormanAdapted for the Stage by Lee Hall, Marin Theatre CompanyAdam Magill and Kenny Toll“Shall I compare … compare … compare thee … to a mourner’s play?”A young Will Shakespeare struggles to find the word -- any word -- to start his latest sonnet. Only after a whispered “summer’s day” comes from his best … [Read more...] about “Shakespeare in Love”
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”
Miss Bennet: Christmas at PemberleyLauren Gunderson & Margot MelconCity Lights Theatre Company James Lewis & Melinda MarksThere is so much to like in the script by Laura Gunderson and Margot Melcon if one is looking for a light, pre-holiday diversion. The director and cast of this City Lights production sparkle and glow in their evident joy in … [Read more...] about “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”
“Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets”
Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic BulletsWilliam S. Burroughs (Book); Tom Waits (Music & Lyrics)Shotgun PlayersThe Cast of Black RiderWhat kind of play will be penned by a writer who, as a young man, shoots and kills his wife while playing with her a drinking game of “William Tell”? Imagine his then discovering an old German folktale where an unsuccessful suitor makes a … [Read more...] about “Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets”
“Le Switch”
Le SwitchPhilip DawkinsNew Conservatory Theatre CenterRyan Vásquez & Steve Rhyne“Welcome to Library School. When you leave this program you will be able to classify everything.”And with that, David in his trademark cardigan of questionable colors and accompanying bowtie begins his first lecture of the new term. When he goes on to tell the librarian novitiates, … [Read more...] about “Le Switch”
“Singing in the Rain”
Singin’ in the RainBetty Comden & Adolph Green (Book); Arthur Freed (Lyrics); Nacio Herb Brown (Music)Broadway by the BayThe Cast of Singin' in the RainAs the orchestra ticks through well-known number after number during the “Overture,” the music swells until the one everyone knows is coming begins its familiar float of notes. And at that moment, a man in hat and with … [Read more...] about “Singing in the Rain”
“Aladdin”
AladdinAlan Menkin (Music); Howard Ashman, Tim Rice & Chad Beguelin (Lyrics); Chad Beguelin (Book)SHNThe Cast of AladdinWith exotic, kaleidoscopic colors of every hue imaginable, Disney’s Aladdin bursts onto the SHN Orpheum stage in a touring version that has more elaborate scene changes, more dazzling costumes, and more jumping tumbling, and even flying cast members than … [Read more...] about “Aladdin”