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”
SHN Orpheum Theatre
“The Humans”
The HumansStephen KaramSHNRichard Thomas, Therese Plaehn, Pamela Reed, Daisy Eagan & Luis VegaA play where sound, light, and set play starring roles along with a stellar cast and a hilarious and haunting script, Stephen Karam’s The Humans arrives in San Francisco as a most welcome and anticipated part of SHN’s current Broadway season. Winner of the 2016 Tony Award for … [Read more...] about “The Humans”
“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”
“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”
“An American in Paris”
An American in ParisGeorge Gershwin and Ira Gershwin (Music and Lyrics); Craig Lucas (Book)SHNTaking a 1951 film starring the dancing likes of Gene Kelly and Leslie Carron – a film that is idolized by members of a certain generation and one hardly if at all known by those known as Millennials – and turning that film decades later into a stage musical is nothing short of risky … [Read more...] about “An American in Paris”
“Something Rotten”
Something RottenKarey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell (Book); Wayne & Karey Kirkpatrick (Music & Lyrics)SHNNick Rashad Burroughs & Cast of Something's RottenWith a face that literally glows in excitement and a voice that pops and zings with full exuberance, the Minstrel sings, “Welcome to the Renaissance, where we ooh and ahh you with ambiance ... where everything … [Read more...] about “Something Rotten”
“Finding Neverland”
Finding NeverlandJames Graham (Book); Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy (Music & Lyrics)SHNThe Cast of "Finding Neverland"Before J.M. Barrie begins putting pen to paper for his most famous of plays, into his 1903 London life enter four boys who pretend Kensington Park is their own special island – boys who crow like a rooster, play pirates and Indians, and imagine what … [Read more...] about “Finding Neverland”
“The Lion King”
The Lion KingElton John & Tim Rice (Music & Lyrics)Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi (Book)Lebo M., Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, Hans Zimmer (Additional Music & Lyrics)SHNBuyi Zamu as RafikiNineteen years and still running on both Broadway and in Tokyo. Eighteen years in the West End of London and sixteen years in Hamburg, Germany. Extended runs … [Read more...] about “The Lion King”
“Rodger + Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CinderellaRichard Rodgers (music), Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics and original book),Douglas Carter Beane (new book)SHNAndy Huntington Jones as Prince Topher & Kaitlyn Davidson as Cinderella with CastOnce upon a time originated a now-centuries-old tale with origins both East and West about a little girl in unfortunate, oppressive home circumstances who … [Read more...] about “Rodger + Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
“The Illusionists — Live from Broadway”
The Illusionists – Live from BroadwaySimon Painter, Creative ProducerSHNThe CastOver-the-top Vegas garishness of flashing lights and lasers, a harshly mod set design, goth-dressed dancers looking angry as they stomp and flip wildly about, and blaring pumped-up music could not cover up how underwhelming SHN’s latest touring offering, The Illusionists – Live from Broadway, was on … [Read more...] about “The Illusionists — Live from Broadway”
“Jersey Boys”
Jersey BoysMarshall Brickman & Rick Elice (Book)Bob Gaudio (Music); Bob Crewe (Lyrics)SHN Orpheum TheatreKeith Hines, Matthew Dailey, Aaron De Jesus & Drew SeeleyWhat is it about the 2005, multi-Tony-award-winning Jersey Boys in its third U.S. tour and third visit to San Francisco that still results in a standing ovation, sold-out Opening Night and a beginning of yet … [Read more...] about “Jersey Boys”
