American PsychoDuncan Sheik (Music & Lyrics); Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Book)Ray of Light TheatreKyle Ewalt & Kipp GlassHow possible is it that having the perfectly tanned body that has been honed to the hilt so that every muscle tautly glistens, wearing only the latest and most expensive big-name designer wear, and always eating in the restaurants where most can never … [Read more...] about “American Psycho”
Musical
“Fiddler on the Roof”
Fiddler on the RoofJoseph Stein (Book); Jerry Bock (Music); Sheldon Harnick (Lyrics)Broadway San JoseThe Cast of Fiddler on the RoofAfter its record-setting, award-winning initial run on Broadway in 1964; its five Broadway revivals since; countless openings on local and touring stages globally and in towns and cities from coast to coast in America – not to mention the 1971 film … [Read more...] about “Fiddler on the Roof”
“Sister Act”
Sister ActAlan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Cheri & Bill Steinkellner (Book)Theatre RhinocerosThe Cast of Sister ActBrothers and Sisters, may I have an “Amen.” Glory hallelujah, a miracle hath been wrought in San Francisco that is heavenly in a wonderfully sinful kind of way. Theatre Rhinoceros has received permission from the Almighty of Broadway to … [Read more...] about “Sister Act”
“The View Upstairs”
The View UpstairsMax VernonNew Conservatory Theatre CenterNick Rodrigues & Ensemble MembersAs the fiftieth anniversary of Stonewall fast approaches and as we in San Francisco also recall in honor the drag and transgender heroes of the Compton Cafeteria riots of 1966, what better time for us to take every chance to remember those who came before us, to celebrate how far we … [Read more...] about “The View Upstairs”
“Mamma Mia!”
Mamma Mia!Catherin Johnson (Book); Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (Music & Lyrics); Stig Anderson (Additional Songs)Hillbarn Theatre Christine Capsuto-Shulman, Merrill Peiffer & Jacquie McCarleyThe sheer joy of this Mamma Mia! is the big-stage quality we as an audience get to enjoy in the intimate, close-up space of the Hillbarn Theatre. The cast of … [Read more...] about “Mamma Mia!”
“Flower Drum Song”
Flower Drum SongRichard Rodgers (Music); Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics); David Henry Hwang (Book)Palo Alto Players Emily SongPalo Alto Players offers a gift to Bay Area audiences in producing the rarely performed Flower Drum Song, but the present is all the more welcome because of a production that is conceived and performed with the look, sound, style, and … [Read more...] about “Flower Drum Song”
“110 in the Shade”
110 in the ShadeN. Richard Nash (Book); Harvey Schmidt (Music); Tom Jones (Lyrics)Based on the Play, The Rainmaker, by N. Richard Nash42nd Street MoonElliot Hanson, James Schott, Andrea Dennison-Laufer & Jesse CaldwellEven in the best of productions – like the outstanding 2007 Roundabout revival in New York starring the incomparable Audra McDonald along with Steve Kazee and … [Read more...] about “110 in the Shade”
Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryDavid Grieg (Book); Marc Shaiman (Music); Scott Wittiman & Marc Shaiman (Lyrics)SHNHenry Boshart & Noah WeisbergCurrently at SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre, there are two one-act musicals appearing, both under the same title as Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – or at least it feels that way sitting through … [Read more...] about Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
“A Spoonful of Sugar”
A Spoonful of ShermanRichard Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Al Sherman & Robert J. Sherman (Music & Lyrics)Robert J. Sherman (Book) 3Below Theatres and LoungeThe Cast of A Spoonful of SugarIn a heartfelt biographical and musical tribute to his grandfather, dad, and uncle, A Spoonful of Sherman, Robert (Robbie) J. Sherman (book) takes us through a … [Read more...] about “A Spoonful of Sugar”
“Falsettos”
FalsettosWilliam Finn (Music & Lyrics); William Finn & James Lapine (Book)SHNThe Cast of "Falsettos"Facing us on the other wise dark, blank stage is one of the four corners of a large, light-gray cube consisting of many large, various shaped pieces fit tightly together like a puzzle. From that incredibly fascinating Rubiks-like cube will emerge living rooms, … [Read more...] about “Falsettos”
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatAndrew Lloyd Webber (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics)Broadway by the Bay Matt Ott & Cast MembersIts crazy mixture of musical genres, its clever lyrics that span the millennia in references, and its story of biblical proportions about a boy’s dreams that save a nation and his family all combine to make Joseph and the … [Read more...] about “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
“Marie and Rosetta”
Marie and RosettaGeorge BrantTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyMichelle E Jordan and Marissa RuddGeorge Brant’s Marie and Rosetta receives its foot-tapping, spirit-arousing, and raise-the-roof production at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, returning to its birthplace of sorts where in 2015 the musical was first featured in the company’s annual New Works Festival. The music and … [Read more...] about “Marie and Rosetta”
“Fiorello!”
Fiorello!Jerome Weidman and George Abbott (Book); Jerry Bock (Music); Sheldon Harnick (Lyrics)42nd Street Moon Colin Thomson & Cast MembersIn an age when daily we are hit with news about politicians at all levels who are racked with scandals, how refreshing it is to open the pages of history and discover there was once a lawyer-turned-mayor whose career was one of seeking … [Read more...] about “Fiorello!”
“Violet”
VioletBrian Crawley (Book & Lyrics): Jeanine Tesori (Music)Based on the The Ugliest Pilgrim by Doris BettsBay Area MusicalsJuliana LustenaderIt’s September 4, 1964 in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, as a wide-smiling, young woman with a small suitcase packed full of anticipation and hope boards a Greyhound bus. Bound for the church of Hope and Glory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, … [Read more...] about “Violet”
“A Little Night Music”
A Little Night MusicStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); Hugh Wheeler (Book)Lamplighters Music Theatre Amy Bouchard, Jonathan Smucker, Elana Cowen & Chris UzelacSwaying and circling, circling and swaying, a quintet sings in a lush blend of harmonies snippets of fuller songs soon to come while also providing us metaphors in movement and in words of the on-again, off-again … [Read more...] about “A Little Night Music”
