Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); Hugh Wheeler (Book)Hillbarn TheatreHeather Orth & Keith PintoOne lone, frozen figure stares blankly forward, singing with almost no emotion those words so well-known to Sondheim lovers everywhere:“Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.His skin was pale and his eye was odd.He shaved the faces of … [Read more...] about “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Musical
“Paradise Square: A New Musical”
Paradise Square: A New MusicalMarcus Gardley, Craig Lucas & Larry Kirwan (Book); Conceived by Larry Kirwan; Jason Howland & Larry Kirwan (Music); Nathan Tysen (Lyrics)Based on the Songs of Stephen FosterBerkeley Repertory TheatreThe Cast of Paradise Square: A New MusicalIn what is now regarded as the first inner-city slum in America -- one teeming by the early 1860s … [Read more...] about “Paradise Square: A New Musical”
“Come from Away”
Come from AwayIrene Sankoff & David Hein (Book, Music & Lyrics)SHNThe Cast of Come from Away“I’m sitting in my car.”“I’m in the library.”“I’m in the staff room.”“And I turned on the radio.”Like almost everyone worldwide and everyone in the opening night audience of SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre, citizens of Gander, Newfoundland remember where they were at 8:46 a.m. on … [Read more...] about “Come from Away”
Dames at Sea
Dames at SeaGeorge Haimsohn & Robin Miller (Book & Lyrics); Jim Wise (Music)42nd Street MoonThe Cast of Dames at SeaWhile parodies sometimes aim to make fun to the point that the satire digs deep and hurts, a parody can also be a love letter where laughs are fond remembrances of the original -- beauty marks, warts, and all. Such is the case for the 1968 … [Read more...] about Dames at Sea
“Tuck Everlasting”
Tuck Everlasting Chris Miller (Music); Nathan Tysen (Lyrics); Claudia Shear & Tim Federle (Book)Based on the Novel by Natalie BabbittTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyNatalie Schroeder and Eddie GreyFor anyone who has seen even a few of the over 165 productions that Artistic Director Robert Kelley has directed in his near fifty years at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, then it soon … [Read more...] about “Tuck Everlasting”
“A Christmas Carol”
A Christmas Carol Alan Menken (Music); Lynn Ahrens (Lyrics); Mike Ockrent & Lynn Ahrens (Book)Based on the Story by Charles DickensHillbarn TheatreThe Cast of A Christmas CarolHillbarn Theatre of Foster City, a company known for its rousing, inventively produced musicals, stages the musical version of the perennially holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol. Unfortunately, … [Read more...] about “A Christmas Carol”
“A Bronx Tale”
A Bronx TaleChazz Palminteri (Book); Alan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics)SHNJoey Barreiro & Frannkie LeoniBased on real life occurrences, A Bronx Tale is a coming of age musical about the life of its writer, Chazz Palminteri, ages nine to seventeen. Set in the 1960s Italian and African-American neighborhoods of New York – two neighborhoods close in distance but … [Read more...] about “A Bronx Tale”
“Mary Poppins”
Mary PoppinsRichard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (Music & Lyrics); Julian Fellowes (Book) with Additional Songs/Lyrics by George Stiles & Anthony DreweBased on the Stories of P.L. Travers and the Film by Walt DisneySan Francisco Playhouse El BehMary and Bert have danced with animated animals in a cinematic Mary Poppins for almost fifty-five years with Julie Andrews … [Read more...] about “Mary Poppins”
“In the Heights”
In the HeightsLin Manuel Miranda (Music); Quiara Alegria Hudes (Book)Custom Made Theatre CompanyThe Cast of In the HeightsIn 2008, a musical that opened on Broadway and went on to win four Tonys that year (including Best Musical) quickly established itself as one that would influence a new generation of stage musicals. Not only was the large cast all but one of … [Read more...] about “In the Heights”
“Crazy for You”
Crazy for YouGeorge Gershwin (Music), Ira Gershwin (Lyrics); Ken Ludwig (Book)Bay Area MusicalsThe Cast of Crazy for YouChoreography that dares you not to tap your own toes. Comedy full of corn that is impossible not to laugh out loud – and I do mean loud. A love triangle where two of the three are the same person. And the Gershwin Brothers’ songs plucked from … [Read more...] about “Crazy for You”
“Elton John + Tim Rice’s AIDA”
Elton John + Tim Rice’s AIDAElton John (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics); Linda Wolverton, Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang (Book)Broadway by the Bay Raquel Nicole Jeté and Shaun Leslie ThomasIn 2000, a star-studded team of Elton John (music), Tim Rice (lyrics) along with Linda Wolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang (book) took the Verdi opera AIDA and … [Read more...] about “Elton John + Tim Rice’s AIDA”
“The Boy from Oz”
The Boy from OzMartin Sherman & Nick Enright (Book); Peter Allen (Music & Lyrics)Theatre RhinocerosJustin Gellen & Justin LopezOne of the most memorable performances that I have ever seen on Broadway was from the second row, reveling in Hugh Jackman’s performance as Peter Allen in the 2003 The Boy from Oz –a role that won him that year’s Tony for Best Leading Actor … [Read more...] about “The Boy from Oz”
“Waitress”
WaitressJessie Nelson (Book): Sara Bareilles (Music & Lyrics)SHNChristine DwyerEvery day she bakes twenty-seven pies, including one each day that she creates as a new recipe on the spot – pies with names like Big Guy Strawberry, Polka Dot Peach, Lost Shepard’s, and Deep (Shit) Blueberry. At Joe’s Pie Diner where everyone wants once again to know “What’s Inside,” Jenna … [Read more...] about “Waitress”
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood”
The Mystery of Edwin DroodRupert Holmes (Book, Music & Lyrics)Guggenheim Entertainment & 3 Below Theatres and Lounge The Cast of The Mystery of Edwin DroodGuggenheim Entertainment is now staging at its 3 Below Theatres and Lounge an rip-roaring, rambunctious, and riotous The Mystery of Edwin Drood -- Rupert Holmes’ 1985 musical that garnered five Tony Awards out of … [Read more...] about “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”
The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasLarry L. King & Peter Masterson (Book); Carol Hall (Music & Lyrics)Based on a Story by Larry L. King42nd Street MoonDyan McBride as Miss Mona with Her GirlsSometimes, real life can actually be more fantastical than fiction. Such is the case of the history of the Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas – a brothel that operated from … [Read more...] about “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”
