School of RockJulian Fellowes (Book); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music)SHNThe Cast of School of RockThe man who began his celebrated, much-awarded career writing a rock musical when he was twenty-two (Jesus Christ Superstar) returned to that genre to premiere in 2015 School of Rock, an electrically pounding good time featuring this time not twenty-somethings, … [Read more...] about “School of Rock”
Musical
“Soft Power”
Soft PowerDavid Henry Hwang (Play & Lyrics); Jeanine Tesori (Music & Additional Lyrics)Curran Theatre (in partnership with Center Theatre Group)Conrad Ricamora & Ensemble MembersIn the past twenty years, a number of twists and turns have challenged the notion of what defines the Great American Musical. Avenue Q, Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, and certainly … [Read more...] about “Soft Power”
“A Walk on the Moon”
A Walk on the MoonPamela Gray (Book); Paul Scott Goodman (Music & Lyrics with Additional Lyrics by Pamela Gray)American Conservative TheatreThe Cast of A Walk on the MoonSummer, 1969: Daily, numbers of casualties from Vietnam scroll across living room television screens while streets fill with angry, mostly young anti-war protestors. Their peace-loving folk and … [Read more...] about “A Walk on the Moon”
“Jersey Boys”
Jersey BoysMarshall Brickman & Rick Elice (Book)Bob Gaudio (Music); Bob Crewe (Lyrics)BroadwaySan JoseThe Cast of Jersey BoysThe 2005, multi-Tony-award-winning Jersey Boys just keeps packing in audiences everywhere it goes, with crowds jumping to their feet for standing ovations the second the last crooning has been crooned. Many are like I, seeing Jersey Boys last … [Read more...] about “Jersey Boys”
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
Hedwig and the Angry InchJohn Cameron Mitchell (Book); Stephen Trask (Music & Lyrics)The Stage Keith Pinto as HedwigIn full fury on the compact floor arena of San Jose’s The Stage, Hedwig and the Angry Inchexplodes. Bay Area favorites Keith Pinto and Ashley Garlick play gender-fluid Hedwig and her back-up singing husband, Yitzhak, a former drag … [Read more...] about “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
“Pippin”
PippinStephen Schwartz (Music & Lyrics); Roger O. Hirson (Book)Los Altos Stage Company Dominic Dagdagan Los Altos Stage Company's Pippin is a triumphant success built on deliciously inspired direction, wildly impressive choreography, and vocal performances that never disappoint of songs well-loved by many. This is a Pippin that speaks to our troubled times just … [Read more...] about “Pippin”
“Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”
Priscilla, Queen of the DesertStephen Elliott & Allan ScottTheatre RhinocerosCharles Peoples III, Rudy Guerrero & Kim LarsenOnce again as Pride Month begins, the wonderfully garish Priscilla bus has pulled into Gateway Theatre full of its fabulously attired drag queens, shirtless twinks, and proudly prancing divas in sparkly wigs. Yes, Theatre Rhinoceros has … [Read more...] about “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”
“When Pigs Fly”
Howard Crabtree’s When Pigs FlyConceived by Howard Crabtree & Mark WaldropMark Waldrop (Sketches & Lyrics); Dick Gallagher (Music)New Conservatory Theatre CenterDavid BichaIf we are to believe the opening scene, it all began when his Springbrook High vocational counselor, Miss Roundhole, suggested to a starry eyed Dream Curly (aka Howard Crabtree) that he could look … [Read more...] about “When Pigs Fly”
“Jesus Christ Superstar”
Jesus Christ SuperstarAndrew Lloyd Webber (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics)Ray of Light TheatreJanelle Lasalle as Jesus, with ApostlesFor a week, our smart phone and TV screens have been filled with the scenes of burning tires, hurling rocks, and flying bullets as bodies fall on the border of Gaza and Israel. All day, those same small and mega screens have shocked us once more … [Read more...] about “Jesus Christ Superstar”
“Me and My Girl”
Me and My GirlNoel Gray (Music); Douglas Furber & L. Arthur Rose (Book & Lyrics)Stephen Fry (Book Revisions); Mike Ockrent (Further Book Contributions)42nd Street MoonMelissa WolkKlain & Keith PintoRing the sirens; clang the bells; light the neon marquee; turn on the sky-roving spotlights. Do whatever necessary to tell the San Francisco Bay Area to head to the … [Read more...] about “Me and My Girl”
“The Full Monty”
The Full MontyTerrence McNally (Book); David Yazbek (Music & Lyrics)Hillbarn Theatre Greg Lynch, Brian Palac, James Creer, Bradley Satterwhite, Linda Piccone, and Andy Cooperfauss The entire production Hillbarn's Monty is packed with humor and heart, gusto and grit, love almost lost and love newly found. From jogging women silently … [Read more...] about “The Full Monty”
“Rock of Ages”
Rock of AgesChris D’Arienzo (Book); Ethan Popp (Arrangements & Orchestrations)Palo Alto PlayersThere are unfortunately too many wrong notes in the current Palo Alto Players production of Rock of Ages, even though the athletic enthusiasm of the cast could not be higher. There is much fun in what to see but not enough solid songs in what to hear, making this a show I … [Read more...] about “Rock of Ages”
“The Color Purple”
The Color PurpleMarsha Norman (Book); Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray (Music & Lyrics); Based on the Novel by Alice WalkerSHNAdrianna Hicks & The Cast of The Color PurpleEntering the SHN’s Orpheum Theatre to see the latest revival of Marsha Norman’s (book) The Color Purple, I immediately recalled July 5, 2006, when I first saw the musical at The Broadway … [Read more...] about “The Color Purple”
“Tinderella: The Modern Musical”
Tinderella: The Modern MusicalRose Oser (Book), Weston Scott (Lyrics) & Christian B. Schmidt (Music) CustomMade Theatre Company & Faultline TheaterThe Cast of TinderellaTwo years ago, I raved in a review about a world premiere musical that I described as “a modern fairy tale with no happy ending guaranteed but a lot of sex and excitement getting there.” The tight, … [Read more...] about “Tinderella: The Modern Musical”
“The People in the Picture”
The People in the PictureIris Rainer Dart (Book & Lyrics); Mike Stoller & Artie Butler (Music)3 Below Theaters & LoungeThe Cast of The People in the PictureThat there will be an eternity through our living in the memories of those we leave behind is the uplifting promise of the inspiring, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining musical, The People in the Picture, now … [Read more...] about “The People in the Picture”
