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Author Archives: The Broadway Critic

About The Broadway Critic

The Broadway Critic follows what’s happening in the San Francisco Bay Area theatre scene, as well as on Broadway & London. It will feature reviews, commentary, news, audition notices and other exciting theatre information.

2012 Stage Top Honor Award Nominations

14 May

San Jose Stage Company Announces Nominations for the “2012 Stage Top Honor Awards”; Celebrates Excellence in High School Musical Theatre

San Jose, CA – Monday, May 14, 2012: San Jose Stage Company is proud to announce the nominations for the 2012 Bay Area High School Musical Theatre Stage Top Honor Awards.

Under the direction of Spencer Williams, this awards program encourages and rewards exceptional accomplishments in the production of high school musical theatre across the Bay Area.

Sixteen private and public high school musical theatre programs competed in the 2012 Stage Top Honor Awards, modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards featuring shows such as Titanic, Hairspray, Guys & Dolls, Dames at Sea, Spring Awakening and Phantom of the Opera.

The adjudicators (comprised of theatre professionals, performing artists, designers, and theatre arts educators) evaluated the musical theatre productions over the last seven months and have made their nominations in eighteen different performance and production categories. Recognition of outstanding achievement by students and educators will be made in the areas of performance (best lead and supporting actress/actor), design, direction, musical direction, choreography, technical production, and overall production excellence.

Broadway San Jose has partnered with San Jose Stage Company and they will be sending the Best Actress & Actor to the National Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards) in New York City.  The winners of The Jimmy Awards will be awarded a scholarship to NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts upon acceptance. The 4th Annual NHS Musical Theatre Awards will take place at the Minskoff Theatre in New York on June 25th, 2012.

Winners of the 2012 Stage Top Honor Awards will be announced at the Gala Ceremony on Monday, June 4th, 2012 at 7:00pm at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose.

For more information and tickets to the 2012 Top Honor Awards Gala please see http://www.thestage.org. 

(Listed in alphabetical order by school name)

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN:

 

  • Mr. Troy River – American High School – I Love You Because
  • Mr. Luie Lopez & Mr. Mason Kimont – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Shayda Abadi – Menlo-Atherton High School – Once Upon a Mattress
  • Mr. Jared Leake – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Mr. Charlie Royce – San Mateo High School – Guys and Dolls
  • Mr. Matthew DeMeritt – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

BEST HAIR/MAKE-UP DESIGN:

  • Ms. Susan Herrold & Tiani Hernandez – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Ms. Hillary Pedrott, Abbey Straus, & Paige Velasco – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Mr. G. Scott Lacy – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Amanda Camillo & Ms. Cynthia Rose – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Mr. Ted Curry – St. Ignatius College Preparatory – Damn Yankees
  • Mrs. Robin Mendolia & Mrs. Lisa Kester – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:

  • Ms. Tammy Vance – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Ms. Kim Klingelhofer – Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • Mr. Aaron Juni – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Ms. Carolyn Leonard & Ms. Barbara Rosenberg – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Ms. Sara Ritchey – St. Ignatius College Preparatory – Damn Yankees
  • Mrs. Cindy Trupski – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

LIGHTING DESIGN:

  • Ms. Natti Pierce-Thomson – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Mr. Tripp Robbins – Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • Mr. Doug Eivers – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Ms. Heather Kenyon – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Mr. Dave Dunning – Valley Christian High School – Titanic
  • Mr. Matthew Roth – Woodside Priory High School – Beauty and the Beast

SOUND DESIGN:

  • Mr. Robert Nishiyama – American High School – I Love You Because
  • Mr. Brian Larsen – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Mr. Chris Graham & Veronica Boyce – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Mr. Bob Nelson – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Mr. Mark Metzler – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls

SCENIC DESIGN:

  • Mr. Patrick Klein – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Ms. Hillary Pedrotti – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Mr. Doug Eivers – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Mr. Jim Houle – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Mr. Tony Gschwend – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Mr. Chad Harris – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

DIRECTION:

  • Mr. Mason Kimont – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Ms. Laura DeKraker – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Mr. Chris Fallows – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Ms. Elizabeth Orr – Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • Mr. Brad Friedman – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Mr. Matthew DeMeritt – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

CHOREOGRAPHY:

  • Ms. Whitney Janssen – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Ms. Katie O’Bryon – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Ms. Stacey Dempsey – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Ms. Jan Chandler – Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • Ms. Robyn Tribuzi – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Mr. Ted Curry – St. Ignatius College Preparatory – Damn Yankees

MUSICAL DIRECTION:

  • Mr. Richard Wong – American High School – I Love You Because
  • Ms. Catherine Snider – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Ms. Sue Smart – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Mr. G. Scott Lacy – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Mr. Attilio Tribuzi – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Mr. Dave Gregoric – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

STUDENT ORCHESTRA:

  • Mr. Richard Wong – American High School – I Love You Because
  • Ms. Amie Jan – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Mr. Steve Ernest – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Mr. Kent Kurrus – Menlo-Atherton High School – Once Upon a Mattress
  • Mr. Attilio Tribuzi – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Dr. Dave Gregoric – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

CHORUS:

  • Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Valley Christian High School – Titanic

BEST FEATURED ACTRESS/ACTOR:

  • Ryan Ballard (Cinderella’s Prince) – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Cristina Jerney (Trix the Aviatrix) – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Laurel Jones (Prudy Pingleton, Gym Teacher & Prison Matron) – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Kaeomakana Tiwanak (Lefou) – Irvington High School – Beauty and the Beast
  • Morgan Locke (Meg Giry) – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Shelby Miguel (Gloria) – St. Ignatius College Preparatory – Damn Yankees

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

  • Mandy McDonell (Cinderella) – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Lauren Pinzás (The Drowsy Chaperone) – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Cassie Demsher (Penny Pingleton) – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Chelsea Meacham (Miss Adelaide) – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Alexis Garrett (Kate McGowen) – Valley Christian High School – Titanic
  • Melina Rapazzini (Alice Beane) – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

  • Govinda Dasu (Adolpho) – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Jacob Reuben Rosenberg (Moonface Martin) – Jewish Community High School – Anything Goes
  • Zachary W. Abt (King Sextimus the Silent) – Menlo-Atherton High School – Once Upon a Mattress
  • Brett Caplan (Moritz) – Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • Talmage Wise (The Captain) – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Aaron Fore (Benny Southstreet) – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls

BEST LEADING ACTOR:

  • Trent Brunngraber (The Baker) – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Tristan Killeen (Man in Chair) – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Marcus Lance (Link Larkin) – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Andrew Klingelhofer (Melchior) – Menlo School – Spring Awakening
  • Michael Louladakis (Phantom) – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Nicholas Wetherbee (Sky Masterson) – San Mateo High School – Guys and Dolls
  • Tyler Reynolds (Thomas Andrews) – Valley Christian High School – Titanic

BEST LEADING ACTRESS:

  • Jenni Chapman (The Baker’s Wife) – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Aurora Real De Asua (Audrey) – Castilleja School – Little Shop of Horrors
  • Noel Witcosky (Janet Van De Graff) – The Harker School – The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Zinah Abraha (Tracy Turnblad) – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Hanna Berggren (Princess Winnifred) – Menlo-Atherton High School – Once Upon a Mattress
  • Andie Huebsch (Ruby) – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Mary Anderson (Christine) – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL THEATRE:

  • Julianna Roy (Stage Manager) – Archbishop Mitty High School – Into the Woods
  • Abbey Strauss (Hair Design) – Heritage High School – Hairspray
  • Tina Huynh (Stage Manager) – Irvington High School – Beauty and the Beast
  • Helen Jarnagin (Stage Manager) – Pinewood School – Dames at Sea
  • Rachel Whelan (Stage Manager) – Presentation High School – The Phantom of the Opera
  • Kathrin Neyzberg (Stage Manager) – San Mateo High School – Guys & Dolls
  • Nick Lawrie (Stage Manager) – St. Ignatius College Preparatory – Damn Yankees
  • Jack Griffin (Set Builder & Designer) – Valley Christian High School – Titanic
  • Chris Gregory (Student Tech Director) – Woodside Priory High School – Beauty and the Beast

BEST OVERALL PRODUCTION:

  • Into the Woods – Archbishop Mitty High School
  • The Drowsy Chaperone – The Harker School
  • Hairspray – Heritage High School
  • Dames at Sea – Pinewood School
  • The Phantom of the Opera – Presentation High School
  • Guys & Dolls – San Mateo High School
  • Titanic – Valley Christian High School

TOP HONOR NOMINATIONS BY PRODUCTION:

  • (14) Heritage High School
  • (14) Archbishop Mitty High School
  • (14) San Mateo High School
  • (14) Valley Christian High School
  • (11) The Harker School
  • (10) Presentation High School
  • (10) Pinewood School
  • (7) Menlo School
  • (5) St. Ignatius College Preparatory
  • (4) American High School
  • (4) Menlo-Atherton High School
  • (2) Irvington High School
  • (2) Woodside Priory High School
  • (1) Castilleja School
  • (1) Jewish Community High School
 
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Posted by on 05/14/2012 in Bay Area Theatre, News

 

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Emily Bergl, Brad Ellis & David Yost to star in GODSPELL

08 May

 

EMILY BERGL, BRAD ELLIS and DAVID YOST all on board to raise money for high school performing arts in concert version of GODSPELL.

Los Altos Hills, California – Broadway, film, television and cabaret star, EMILY BERGL (Desperate Housewives, SouthLAnd, Men In Trees), pianist and musical director, BRAD ELLIS (Glee), and actor, producer, DAVID YOST (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) are all lending their considerable talents to a concert version of Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell to be performed at Pinewood School in Los Altos Hills, California to help raise money for the performing arts department.

The concert will be directed and musically directed by G. SCOTT LACY.  The concert will also feature Spencer T. Williams, Doug Eivers, Morgan Frazer, Matt Bariletti, Brian Palac, Sabrina Strand and Christopher M. Nelson.  An ensemble featuring Pinewood School’s talented performing arts students will also be part of the concert.

“The students, faculty and administration are so excited to be hosting such amazing guest artists,” said Spencer Williams, Pinewood School’s Performing Arts Department Chair. “Not only will this be a fantastic evening of music, but the support lent to the performing arts department will benefit students for years to come.” The concert will be performed on Friday May 25th, 2012 and Saturday May 26th, 2012 at Pinewood School’s Upper Campus Theatre starting at 8pm.

Tickets and more information can be found at http://www.pinewoodarts.com.

Full cast includes: Ava Adlparvar, Natalie Arnheim, Matt Bariletti, Brittany Blankenship, Sarah Barrus, Tom T. Doud, Quinn Foster, Morgan Fraser, Vasudha Goel, Jenny Hansen, Andie Heubsch, Haley Longbottom, Walter Mayes, Ben Montrym, Brian Palac, Jenny Paz, Patty Reinhart, Lindsay Riches, Carson Robinette, Claire Witzke, Annie Whitacre, Jacquelyn Whitaker, Brennan Whitaker, Chas Wilken, Talmage Wise, and Ginny Yang.

WHEN:

            GODSPELL - Friday, May 25th, 2012 – 8:00pm & Saturday, May 26th, 2012 – 8:00pm

WHERE:

            Pinewood School’s Upper Campus Theatre
            26800 Fremont Road
            Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

 
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Posted by on 05/08/2012 in Bay Area Theatre

 

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Listening to… GLEE – “Big Brother”, Season 3, Episode 15

08 Apr

Much to Blaine’s chagrin, his big-shot Hollywood actor brother, Cooper (Guest Star Matthew Bomer), comes to visit in the all-new Spring Premiere “Big Brother” episode of GLEE airing Tuesday, April 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Big Brother Track-List:

“Hungry Like The Wolf”/”Rio” Medley (Duran Duran)

“Fighter” (Christina Aguilera)

“Somebody That I Used To Know” (Gotye)

 
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Posted by on 04/08/2012 in Glee, Music

 

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Listening to… SMASH – “Hell on Earth” – Season 1, Episode 9

03 Apr

 

“Hell on Earth” – The team begins their pursuit of a marquee star, as Eileen (Anjelica Huston) charges Tom and Julia (Christian Borle and Debra Messing) with finding a title for the newly reinvigorated musical. Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) find themselves in competition again — this time for an orange juice commercial. Relationship troubles abound, as Frank (Brian d’Arcy James) makes an unwelcome discovery. Jack Davenport, Raza Jaffrey and Jaime Cepero also star.

“Hell on Earth” Track-list:

“CHEERS (DRINK TO THAT)” featuring Katharine McPhee & Megan Hilty

 

 
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Posted by on 04/03/2012 in Music, SMASH

 

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The SHN 2012-2013 Broadway Season Announced

20 Mar

The SHN 2012-2013 Season

Joining Previously Announced
THE BOOK OF MORMON:

DINER
THE LION KING
ANYTHING GOES
WICKED

SAN FRANCISCO (March 20, 2012) … SHN is pleased to announce the complete five-show 2012-2013 Season under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays. Productions joining the previously announced engagement of 2011 Tony Award-Winning Best Musical – THE BOOK OF MORMON are: the pre-Broadway world premiere of DINER, Disney’s THE LION KING, the Tony Award-winning revival of ANYTHING GOES and Bay Area favorite WICKED.

Pre-Broadway
World Premiere Musical
DINER
SHN Curran Theatre
October 23 – November 18, 2012
———————————–

Based on the critically acclaimed 1982 film, this world premiere musical features a book by Academy Award-winner and original DINER screenwriter Barry Levinson and music & lyrics by 9-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.  DINER will be directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall and is produced by BASE Entertainment (Co-CEO’s Scott Zeiger and Brian Becker).

DINER will play a four week limited engagement at the SHN Curran Theatre beginning Tuesday, October 23. Following the four week San Francisco engagement, DINER will go directly to Broadway for an opening in the spring of 2013.  Design team and casting will be announced at a later date.

DINER is set in Baltimore, 1959, when six high school friends reunite at the one place they know they’ll always belong: the Diner. Now in their twenties, the friends have stumbled into adulthood and struggle to keep from growing apart. Life, love, responsibility – it’s all on the table. DINER celebrates good times, great music and best friends.

“This is a fabulous collaboration…working with Sheryl and Kathleen,” said Barry Levinson. “It’s time to enter the next stage of the DINER journey…30 years later.”

“Our team is now ready to meet our next collaborator,” said Sheryl Crow, “the theatergoers at the Curran Theatre.”

“It is an honor and a privilege, not to mention a ton of fun, to work with artists as amazing as Barry Levinson and Sheryl Crow,” said Kathleen Marshall, “I am so thrilled to be part of bringing the musical DINER to the stage, and we can’t wait to go to San Francisco!”

“Watching this team has been extraordinary,” said Scott Zeiger, “They continuously push and challenge each other to new artistic heights. We knew that we needed to premier this new musical in a city with a savvy theater-going audience, so we are thrilled to launch DINER with SHN in San Francisco.”

Kathleen Marshall is currently represented on Broadway by the smash hit ANYTHING GOES and the upcoming premiere of the new Gershwin musical NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.  DINER marks the Broadway debut of both Barry Levinson and Sheryl Crow.  Sheryl Crow has sold more than 35 million records worldwide including the singles “Soak Up the Sun,” “First Cut is the Deepest,” “If It Makes You Happy,” “Every Day Is A Winding Road,” “All I Wanna Do,” “Strong Enough,” “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Steve McQueen”.  Barry Levinson’s illustrious career includes the films Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam, Bugsy, Tin Men, The Natural, Young Sherlock Holmes, Toys, Disclosure, Sleepers, Wag the Dog and Avalon.

DINER was Barry Levinson‘s screen directing debut, and he received an Academy Award nomination for his original screenplay. The bittersweet comedy starred Kevin Bacon, Ellen Barkin, Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Reiser, Mickey Rourke and Daniel Stern.

For more information visit: www.shnsf.com/shows/diner

 

Return of Disney’s
THE LION KING
SHN Orpheum Theatre
November 1, 2012 – January 13, 2013
—————————————-

By popular demand, Disney’s THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43 week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004. THE LION KING will play an 11 week engagement at the SHN Orpheum Theatre beginning November 1.

The North American production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 13.5 million theatergoers in more than 60 cities across North America and grossed over $875 million to date. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, and Spanish), the show has been performed in 14 different countries on five continents. 

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. 

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.  Other members of the creative team include:  Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor).  Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. 

For more information please visit:
www.shnsf.com/shows/lionking

 

THE BOOK OF MORMON
SHN Curran Theatre
November 27 – December 30, 2012
————————————-

 

THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. THE BOOK OF MORMON will play a strictly limited five week engagement at the SHN Curran Theatre beginning November 27.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, “South Park.” Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q.  The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

The New York Times says, “It’s the best musical of this century.” Vogue says, “It’s the funniest musical of all time.” And The Daily Show‘s Jon Stewart calls it “A crowning achievement. So good, it makes me angry.”

For more information please visit: www.shnsf.com/shows/bookofmormon

@bookofmormonbwy

 2011 Tony Award – Best Musical Revival

ANYTHING GOES
SHN Curran Theatre
January 8 – February 3, 2013
——————————

The Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter’s timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival.  Director Kathleen Marshall also won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Choreography for her work on the show. ANYTHING GOES will play a limited four week engagement at the SHN Curran Theatre beginning January 8, 2013.

The rewrite of the 1934 musical comedy about the lovers, liars and clowns on a transatlantic cruise is “a daffy, shipshape romp!” – Variety. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. Cole Porter’s roundup of nostalgic hits in the production include “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and, of course “Anything Goes.”

ANYTHING GOES is directed by Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall, features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. The creative team includes Bill Elliott (additional orchestrations), Rob Fisher (musical director) and David Chase (dance arranger). The design team includes Derek McLane (sets), Martin Pakledinaz (costumes), Peter Kaczorowski (lights) and Brian Ronan (sound).

For more information please visit: www.shnsf.com/shows/anythinggoes

Return of the Bay Area’s Most ‘Popular’ Musical
WICKED
SHN Orpheum Theatre
January 23 – February 17, 2013
———————————-

WICKED returns home to the Bay Area to bewitch audiences once again. WICKED will play a limited four week engagement at the SHN Orpheum Theatre beginning on January 23, 2013.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman.  It is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. WICKED features set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony Meola.  The orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott. WICKED is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood.  The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

For more information please visit: www.shnsf.com/shows/wicked
@wicked_musical
#WickedSF

Ticket/Subscription Information:
The SHN 2012-2013 Season packages for new subscribers are currently available online at shnsf.com or by calling SHN Audience Services at 888-746-1799. Season package prices range from $197.50 – $567.50. Renewing subscribers will receive their renewal information in April. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Connect with SHN…www.shnsf.com

www.facebook.com/shnbroadwayinsf

www.twitter.com/shnsf

www.youtube.com/user/SHNSanFrancisco

 
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Posted by on 03/20/2012 in Broadway

 

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Listening to… SMASH – “The Workshop” – Season 1, Episode 7

19 Mar

Everything comes to a head as Eileen (Anjelica Huston), Derek (Jack Davenport) and the team present “Marilyn The Musical” to would-be investors. Ivy (Megan Hilty) is under pressure to perform, while her mother, Broadway star Leigh Conroy (special guest Bernadette Peters), undermines her at every turn. Karen (Katharine McPhee) must decide between the workshop and a meeting with a big-time music producer.

Julia (Debra Messing) and Michael (guest star Will Chase) must face up to the consequences of their actions. Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Raza Jaffrey, Brian d’Arcy James and Jaime Cepero also star. Bernadette Peters and Will Chase guest star.

The Workshop Track-list:

“On Lexington & 52nd Street” featuring Will Chase

 
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Posted by on 03/19/2012 in Music, SMASH

 

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Listening to… SMASH – “Chemistry” – Season 1, Episode 6

12 Mar

“Chemistry” – Ivy (Megan Hilty) faces major problems as her voice begins to fail her. Julia (Debra Messing) struggles to avoid Michael (guest star Will Chase) – but she can’t. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) explores her inner hipster at a downtown dive bar with her new pal Ellis (Jaime Cepero), while Karen (Katharine McPhee) is an even bigger fish out of water, as she books a side gig at a bar mitzvah on Long Island. Jack Davenport, Christian Borle, Raza Jaffrey and Brian d’Arcy James also star. Will Chase guest stars.

Music to be released on iTunes:

“History is Made at Night” Featuring Megan Hilty & Will Chase

 
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Posted by on 03/12/2012 in Music, SMASH

 

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Theatre Review: “Beauty and the Beast” @ Broadway San Jose, 03/06/12

08 Mar

Written by: Garrett Biggs

After a successful trip to San Francisco in 2010, the touring production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast returned to the Bay Area courtesy of Broadway San Jose. This particular production achieves exactly what it aims to do, which is recreate the magic of the Disney movie, on stage.

Needless to say, Beauty and the Beast is the perfect show to bring the entire family to, and from what I saw, audiences of all ages found something to enjoy here.
From the opening of the show, you see just how “big” this show is going to be. The set is massive and intricate, giving a truly storybook feel to it. In the prologue to the show, you get a quick look at some master puppetry, as well as some of the best lighting I have seen in a touring production. It then transitions seamlessly into the classic opening “Belle” where we get a taste of how true to the movie this is.

Beauty and the Beast doesn’t just stay true to the music and the dialogue though, but the feel of the show as well. The credit for this lies probably with the casting directors, who found the perfect fit for almost every single role in the musical.

Each actor in this show lives up to the potential of their character, which is difficult to do when every single person in the audience knows and loves the characters already. Logan Denninghoff is absolutely perfect for the role of Gaston, and it feels as if he’s been ripped right out of the movie and thrown on stage. He delivered every single line hilariously and was probably the true star of the show. The number “Gaston” is one of the most exciting parts of the show with probably the best and most accessible choreography you’ll see.

Dane Agostinis as Beast and Emily Behny as Belle. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Dane Agostinis (Beast) shines, but in a different way than you would think. He doesn’t stick to the classic Beast, like Denninghoff does to Gaston. Instead, I suppose you would refer to him as more of a “bro-like” Beast. Some of the scenes in the second act when Lumiere and Cogsworth are helping him woo Belle are wonderful as he is acting like nothing short of a bro. Agostinis took the role as far as he could, but not so far it made you feel uncomfortable. The children seemed to enjoy him the most of any of the actors.

My personal favorite though was Jen Bechter (Madame de la Grande Bouche) who left me falling out of my seat in laughter, in a featured role at best. She was just another example of the cast living up to their potential as a whole.

One of my few complaints with the show was the staging. It was obvious to see what they were doing: It was supposed to be as big and eye grabbing as possible. That probably worked brilliantly with little kids. For me though, it was simply annoying and by no means aesthetically pleasing.

Also—Does Lefou need to roll onto the stage literally every single time he made an appearance? It’s fun once or twice to see that, but he rolled almost every single time. The directors attempted at physical humor all throughout the show between Gaston and Lefou, yet it was nothing but awkward. It looked horribly unrealistic. Yes, it’s supposed to be exaggerated, but not that much.

Beauty and the Beast also gets major respect from me for some of the “smaller” technical aspects they used. Maurices’ invention at the start of the show is a beautiful technical contraption that had me turning to my friend asking if he was really driving that thing. There were also the confetti cannons that were used at the end of “Be Our Guest”, which came from both the top and the sides of the theater.

“Be Our Guest” is brilliant and lives up to the movie 100%. The set changes completely, but it is seamless and exciting. This song defines the entire show: big, flashy, fun and classic Disney. Kids love it, adults love it, it is just why this is the perfect family show.

Beauty and the Beast isn’t going to change your life, but does everything you want it to. It stays true to the show, but has enough changes to keep you interested throughout.

 
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Posted by on 03/08/2012 in Bay Area Theatre, Theatre Review

 

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5 Reasons to Buy a Ticket to See the Revival of “Godspell” on Broadway

06 Mar

One of my favorite experiences in the theatre is walking into a show and being completely swept away by the production. This is exactly what happened when I saw latest revival of Godspell on February, 16th, 2012. I wasn’t really a fan of this show before I walked in the door, but as I walked out, I became a fan for life.

Here are the five reasons you should buy tickets to see Godspell:

5. Intimate Theatre Experience – With the Gershwin Theatre next door, (the highest seating capacity of any Broadway theatre, with 1,933 seats), Godspell is housed in one of the most intimate theatres on Broadway: The Circle in the Square Theatre. There’s not a bad seat in the house and it’s such a interesting atmosphere with the band situated around the entire house. I don’t know how much I would love that being the musical director, but it did give a fun feel to the overall show. You really feel like you are a part of the company and it allows the audience to be emotionally invested in the piece at a quicker pace than other times I’ve seen this show.

4. Lighting Design - The lighting design by David Weiner was incredible. It was absolutely stunning throughout the entire show, especially during the crucifixion scene.

You can see some of the design in this preview video below:

3. The Cast/Updated Book -  The night I saw it, I saw two understudies in the show: Hannah Elless (Broadway debut that evening), and Corey Mach. While, they were still finding their groove, the entire audience knew they were having fun, especially when Hunter Parrish came on with his big goofy grin. And Morgan Jame’s “Turn Back O Man” was absolutely fantastic! God that girl can belt!

The updated and fresh book gave the feeling that the show wasn’t dated at all. Throughout the entire night they were continually cracking jokes about current social and political topics. The direction, by Daniel Goldstein, was very thoughtful, fun, inventive and created a real community feel. (I loved all of the special effects that were added like the trampolines, Jesus walking on water and the beautiful crucifixion scene which I’ve already mentioned.) The improvisation in the show was extremely witty and super funny. The night we saw it Paul Shaffer (the band director of Late Night with David Letterman) was a guest star at the beginning of Act 2. He sang the original version of “Learn Your Lessons Well”. What a special opportunity and a complete surprise for us in the audience! Afterwards, there was an awesome talk-back that we could ask Paul questions and learn more about the start of Godspell back in 1970.

Overall, it was one of those “special” nights on Broadway where we saw something that will never be recreated.

2. The Updated Score - What a beautiful score! The new arrangements (especially the vocal arrangements) were stunning.

Listen to a few tracks here:

“Prepare Ye”

“All Good Gifts”

“Turn Back O Man”

1. Hunter Parrish’s – “Beautiful City”

This particular version of this song spoke to me. I can’t stop listening to this track. Get your tickets to hear this as soon as possible — word on the street is that Hunter might be leaving the cast this Spring.

Get tickets here.

 
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Posted by on 03/06/2012 in Theatre Review, Broadway

 

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