TarzanPhil Collins (Music & Lyrics); David Henry Hwang (Book)Palo Alto PlayersJimmy Mason, Jessica LaFever & the Cast of TarzanEven before the first note of the Phil Collins (music and lyrics) and David Henry Hwang (book) musical Tarzan is sounded, Director Patrick Klein and his cast – one that includes a dozen or so gorillas of all sizes, shapes, and ages -- have … [Read more...] about “Tarzan’
Palo Alto Players
“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 Laramie Project”
The Laramie ProjectMoisés Kaufman (and Members of Tectonic Theatre Project)Palo Alto Players The Cast of The Laramie ProjectPalo Alto Players joins thousands of previous productions to present a play that still shakes one to the core as we and the citizens of Laramie try to understand how and why this crime could have happened in their community. And … [Read more...] about “The Laramie Project”
“Million Dollar Quartet”
Million Dollar QuartetColin Escott & Floyd Mutrux (Book)Palo Alto Players The Cast of Million Dollar QuartetMillion Dollar Quartet finds its way to the Palo Alto Players stage, featuring two dozen songs guaranteed to ensure audience toe taps, head bops, and hand claps along to familiar beats and rhythms. The musical is a staged … [Read more...] about “Million Dollar Quartet”
“The Graduate”
The GraduateTerry JohnsonBased on Novel by Charles Webb & Movie by Calder Willingham & Buck HenryPalo Alto PlayersMax Tachis & Shawn Bender ‘Cute’ is a word that keeps coming to my mind as I relive The Graduate as produced by Palo Alto Players and director Jeanie Smith – a ‘cute’ that is meant as a total compliment of how chuckling funny, genuinely heart-felt, … [Read more...] about “The Graduate”
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Monty Python’s SpamalotEric Idle (Book & Lyrics); John Du Prez & Eric Idle (Music)Palo Alto PlayersThe Cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot"Bringing to a local theatre a big, Broadway stage show that many people have already seen either in New York or one of its tours can be tricky. But when that smaller production fills its stage with props delicious in their … [Read more...] about Monty Python’s Spamalot
“A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine”
A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the UkraineDick Vosburgh (Book & Lyrics); Frank Lazarus (Music)Palo Alto Players Andrew Ceglio, Patty Reinhart & Mohamed Ismail Calling all lovers of the Marx Brothers. Maker you way to Palo Alto Players for an uproariously ridiculous riot of A Night in the Ukraine, but beware. Those masters of bad puns, … [Read more...] about “A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine”
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
The Diary of Anne FrankFrances Goodrich & Albert HackettNewly Adapted by Wendy Kesselman(Based upon Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl)Palo Alto Players Roneet Aliza Rahamim (Anne) and Cast of "The Diary of Anne Frank"For a while, we forget the family’s eventual demise as we settle down to watch The Diary of Anne Frank emerge from the pages on which the Anne in … [Read more...] about “The Diary of Anne Frank”
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Disney’s The Little MermaidAlan Menken (Music); Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Doug Wright (Book)Palo Alto Players Kristen Hermosillo & Cheyenne Wells The Little Mermaidmay sound like the perfect outing for young girls and their parents. While that is certainly true, the opening night crowd at Palo Alto Players that included folks of … [Read more...] about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and SpikeChristopher DurangPalo Alto Players Patricia Tyler, Walter M. Mayes, Judith Miller & Jimmy MasonThe 2013 Tony winner for Best Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, has been produced coast-to-coast and now lands on the stage of Palo Alto Players as the final installation of the company’s 85th Anniversary, “Toniest … [Read more...] about “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
“Into the Woods”
Into the WoodsStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); James Lapine (Book)Palo Alto PlayersAdrienne Walters, Timothy Sanders, Chris Janssen & Elizabeth SantanaContinuing its 85th Anniversary, touted the “Toniest Season Ever,” Palo Alto Players ventures into a forest previously much traveled by many of its sister Bay Area stages. What more can possibly be squeezed out of … [Read more...] about “Into the Woods”
“Death of a Salesman”
Death of a SalesmanArthur MillerPalo Alto PlayersGay Richard, Justin Brown, Paul Dunlap & Tim Farrell The story of Willie Loman has resonated with every generation since its 1949 premiere, but perhaps more than ever does his story hit home amidst today’s ubiquitous and ominous headlines of the disappearing middle class and the cynical disillusionment of entire groups of … [Read more...] about “Death of a Salesman”
“Clybourne Park”
Clybourne ParkBruce NorrisPalo Alto Players The Cast of Clybourne ParkClybourne Park lands on the suburban stage of Palo Alto Players, where its story line of ethnically changing neighborhoods, disputes over remodels, and petitions over historical significance of vintage buildings quickly hits home in this tony town. Add its underlying themes of racial … [Read more...] about “Clybourne Park”
“Chicago”
ChicagoFred Ebb & Bob Fosse (Book); John Kander (Music); Fred Ebb (Lyrics)Based on the Play by Maurine Dallas WatkinsPalo Alto PlayersJoey McDaniel, Robbie Reign, Elizabeth Santana, and Michael MonagleA slim, curvy woman in a tight, black gown slinks down the steps tempting us with her sexy "All That Jazz," kicking off in full style Palo Alto Players' 85th "Toniest-ever" … [Read more...] about “Chicago”
“Chinglish”
ChinglishDavid Henry HwangPalo Alto PlayersPhoto credit: Joyce GoldschmidChris Mahle as Daniel Cavanaugh and Joyce F. Liu as Xi YanLanguage mix-ups and cultural misunderstandings abound, romance unexpectedly heats up, and hilarity permeates Palo Alto Players' current Chinglish. Presented with a superb ensemble, six of whom speak fluent Mandarin, Chinglish continues … [Read more...] about “Chinglish”
