Tag Archives: San Francisco

3. Grease at Broadway San Jose – Unfortunately, I will be out of town for the full week of this run, so I will not be able to see it. I’ll be honest and say that Grease isn’t my favorite musical (by any means), but I’m hoping it will be a fun production filled with upcoming Broadway talent.

If you do have a chance to see this show, let us know what you think! I’m very curious to see how it all turns out.

Hopefully, you were the winner of our ticket giveaway!

Opens January 18th – 23rd, 2011.

Website | Tickets

4. Compleat Female Stage Beauty at City Lights Theatre Company - Embracing a period of British history that’s ripe with gender & social intrigue, Kynaston, the most famous portrayer of female roles in seventeenth century London, is brought to ruin when King Charles II changes the law to allow women to act. His journey embarks down a road of revenge and self-awareness as Kynaston strives to take his place on the stage once again.

City Lights is known for stretching boundaries and I’m sure that they are at it again. It also features several great Bay Area actors!

It opens January 2oth and runs till February 20th, 2011.

5. Sylvia at Bus Barn Stage Company – Empty nesters Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan where Greg finds Sylvia, a golden lab/poodle mix, in the park and brings her home. Greg is smitten by Sylvia’s unconditional love and the romantic triangle that results begins to eat a serious (and riotous) hole in Greg and Kate’s 22 year marriage.

This endearing romantic comedy about a marriage and a winsome canine is a tasty (dog) treat not to be missed.

January 27th – February 19th, 2011.

6. Clue at Boxcar Theatre – A play based on a movie based on a board game. The 1985 cult classic is adapted for the stage with every side splitting joke intact and even a few new ones thrown in for good measure. Peering over a life-sized board game, the audience watches from six feet in the air as six guests and a bumbling butler navigate square by tiny square searching a mansion to find out who killed Mr. Boddy.

Was it Colonel Mustard in the billiard room with the wrench or Ms. Scarlet in the lounge with the candlestick? With secret passages running underneath the seats, and multiple different endings, this completely ripped off production is the most original yet.

January 7th – February 5th, 2011

On My Radar:

The Dresser at San Jose Rep - It’s 1942 in Britain and the smell of death is in the air. The sirens howl, signaling another air raid, but inside the crumbling walls of a regional theatre in the provinces the aging actor, Sir, prepares to give his 227th performance as King Lear. Runs January 27 – February 20, 2011. Website
Holes at Hillbarn Theatre Company – Holes is a modern grown-up fairy tale with a charming ending that comes full circle after a variety of perambulations. Opens January 27th – February 13th, 2011. Website
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at South Bay Musical Theatre – Great show directed by Walter Mayes. Opens January 29th – February 19th, 2011. Website

3 Comments

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 01/12/2011 in Bay Area Theatre, Preview

Tags: 2011, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, ACT, Bay Area Theatre, Boxcar Theatre, Broadway San Jose, Bus Barn Stage Company, City Lights Theatre Company, Clue, Clybourne Park, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Curran Theatre, Grease, Hillbarn Theatre Company, Holes, January, Next to Normal, San Francisco, Shnsf, South Bay Musical Theatre, Sylvia, Theatre Guide, Walter Mayes

Theatre Review: “The Composer is Dead” @ Berkeley Rep, 12/2/10

03 Dec

The composer is dead.

Dun, dun, dun.

It’s a mystery of epic proportions, except the fact is, is that almost every song that any orchestra plays, the composer is actually dead. Bach. Dead. Mozart. Dead. Beethoven. Really dead. So, it’s a mystery what the real mystery is.

The Composer is Dead, is Berkeley Rep’s newest theatrical endeavor that employs Lemony Snicket’s text from the children’s book, The Composer is Dead and with accompanying music by Nathaniel Stookey (a living composer) – quite the conundrum. It’s not a musical, nor a traditional play. I would categorize it as a really expensive adaptation of a 40-page children’s book. It’s only runs around 70-75 minutes.

To fill a lot of the time (since the actual reading of the book – with accompanying music – was roughly around 20 minutes), they created a script that delves into the troubles of backstage: the actor is mute, the director is crying, the stage manager is scattered brain and the list goes on (for what seems like an eternity). This over-dramatized introduction took most of the time and it was drawn out at every angle – long pauses by the only actor, Geoff Hoyle (the Inspector), on stage and a even longer video sequence where Hoyle interacts with a movie. Yes, a movie. While, Hoyle’s timing is usually impeccable (since he had to act with an object), the pacing was so slow that I was getting ansty fifteen minutes into the production.

Then, the skeleton stagehand tells us, “Almost everything possible, that everyone could ever think of, ever, may have gone wrong with the magic of living breathing theatre, but at least nothing has gone wrong with the composer. The show must go on!” But then we learn that the composer is dead…

Dun, dun, dun.

The curtain goes up to display an absolutely breathtaking set design with a full orchestra pit of puppets, cleverly designed by Phantom Limb. The audience gasped audibly. (Maybe it was because we were all yawning at that point.) In any case, the set is incredible — nothing like I’ve ever seen on the stage. It mimicked the old Victorian paper puppet theatres; it was unbelievable. And the puppets were to die for.

Directed by Tony Taccone, the stylization felt pushed in every direction. It wasn’t directed specifically to a younger audience (which in retrospect, they should) nor to the adult. It was too slow-paced for children and too wacky for adults. Who was their target demographic? I’m not sure if they know who it is.

In any case, the set, nor the quirkiness of the premise kept me engaged. Once the reading of the children’s book started, I was throughly entertained by Snicket’s clever and creative writing but that only lasted a good 20 minutes. The book ended and the show was over, at least the audience thought it was (since the house lights went up) and then another video started. It rolled out credits and blooper videos for another 10 minutes. Generally, in the movie theatre you can decide if you want to watch the credits, but the audience awkwardly sat down and were forced to sit (and tentatively clap) throughout this 10-minute video. Strange, to say the least.

When it was over, the general feeling was confusion. There was no standing ovation. Nothing. We all just awkwardly left the theatre, not really understanding what we had just witnessed.

I commend Berkeley Rep for trying something new and working with artists like Lemony Snicket, Nathaniel Stookey and the San Francisco Symphony (they recorded all of the music, which you can purchase with the book), but overall, I wasn’t engaged and left the theatre a bit let down. If your expectations are low, then you might enjoy this quirky new adaptation, but if you want to be moved or throughly entertained, then you might want to skip this one. I wish I had — not even the ingenius puppets did the trick.

2 Comments

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 12/03/2010 in Bay Area Theatre, Theatre Review

Tags: Bay Area, Berkeley Rep, Lemony Snicket, Nathaniel Stookey, San Francisco, San Francisco Symphony, The Composer is Dead, Theatre, Theatre Review

Theatre Review: “Shrek” @ Orpheum Theatre (SHNSF), 12/01/10

02 Dec

With newly minted posters and marketing graphics, Shrek The Musical, opened at Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco to a big monstrous thud. When it opened on Broadway in December 2008, it received mixed reviews — critics generally loved the magical sets, costumes and performances by Brian D’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona) and Lord Farquaad (Christopher Seiber). The touring production of Shrek The Musical, literally takes everything good about the show and strips it down to nothing. It became a boring, magic-less show that can’t be saved because of the mediocre score by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie and Caroline, or Change) and bad re-direction and staging by Jason Moore (Shrek The Musical on Broadway) and Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises and Thoroughly Modern Millie).

One of the biggest beefs I have with this production was the incredibly bad sound design. Throughout the entire show, it sounded muffled, not balanced with the small orchestra (that featured 11 local musicians) and altogether a big muddled mess. Whenever the fun chorus of misfit fairy-tale characters were on stage, it felt like they were miles away and I had one of the best seats in the house (center orchestra – row M). Whenever the two leads, Shrek (Eric Petersen) and Fiona (Haven Burton) sang together, the sound would instantly become mush. I’m generally familiar with the score and for minutes on end, I had no idea what anyone was saying. For a show that’s based in comedy, it’s hard to be funny when no one knows what you’re saying.

I saw Shrek The Musical in February 2009 – right after it opened – with the full original cast. I walked out of the Broadway Theatre and remember thinking that while it wasn’t my favorite musical of all time, it was delightful and magical. You could see $24 million dollars on the stage and it was a technical masterpiece with set pieces moving in ways I had never seen before. I knew it was going to be hard to re-create Shrek as a touring production, but the producers and designers seemed to find the easiest (and usually less creative and effective) way to tell the story. Even the choreography was dumbed down. (It was most noticeable in the semi-tap routine, “Morning Song”, at the top of Act 2.)

Instead of moving set pieces that changed effortlessly, while Shrek and Donkey (Alan Mingo, Jr.) were on their journey to find the princess, they literally ran around four trees in countless amounts of scenes. I understood what they were doing, but the re-staging of these numbers fell flat and looked messy and direction-less. It was amateurish at best. Overall, the entire re-design was non-imaginative and really affected the show as a whole. The magic was lost.

There are also a few changes to the script, music and characters. While, I’m not going to list all of the changes, the main change was the dragon song. The song, “Forever” replaced the Broadway version of “Donkey Pot Pie” (a mess of a song). This particular scene has been a headache for producers and writers since the beginning. I actually enjoyed the new song and the spectacular life-like puppet dragon was incredibly cool. But you actually never see the Dragon’s persona, played by the fierce Carrie Compere, on stage. She sings everything off-stage which is a huge mis-step. We want to see her!

Overall, the performances by the cast felt like they were “phoning it in” and not playing to a very generous sold-out crowd at the Orpheum Theatre. This might be partially attributed to the bad sound design because their performances never reached past the second row of the orchestra. Eric Petersen’s (Shrek) voice was fantastic, but again, a lot of his dialogue and jokes were missed. Haven Burton (Fiona) lost all of her “funny” since Broadway. Haven, who played Gingy in the original cast, almost stole the show with her incredible gingerbread-like voice and comedic timing. All of that spunk and energy seemed to be gone. I’ve also seen her perform Fiona’s song(s) at a Broadway Teacher’s Workshop in NYC and it was excellent in every respect. But for some reason, her performance just didn’t work. There was no chemistry between her and Shrek and the timing felt off — maybe we can just chock it up to a “bad” night.

Obviously, the show markets heavily to the children and families, but if with all of the changes that producers/directors/composer made for the touring cast, why not make the show run a little shorter? Why not pick up the pace a little more, so that the younger crowd (meaning children ages 5-11) don’t fall asleep half way through the second act? It’s a long show — clocking in at around 2 1/2 hours (we got out at 10:45pm) and the movie is only 90 minutes! I was squirming in my chair about half way through the second act, so I can’t imagine what a five-year old thought of it. I only recommend taking your kids to this, if they can actually sit that long, because the last thing you want to do is watch the show from the tiny screens in the lobby.

And the added song, “I’m a Believer” (that was featured in the first movie) at the end of the show, as a bonus curtain call, was a hot mess. Cut it.

As you can tell, I was underwhelmed in generally every area. I expected more from this tour. A lot more. I thought they were going to be able to find the magic in this off-beat fairy-tale, but the touring production of Shrek The Musical provides only a few laughs (usually regarding gross bodily functions) and one or two hummable melodies with nothing but thoughtless direction at a plodding pace — not a good recipe for any show.

8 Comments

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 12/02/2010 in Bay Area Theatre, Broadway, Theatre Review

Tags: Bay Area, Broadway, Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, Shnsf, Shrek The Musical, Tour

2010 December Bay Area Theatre Guide

30 Nov

And just like that, we are into the holiday season and this, of course, brings us some holiday and family-friendly shows! Several Bay Area theatres have already begun their runs of their holiday shows and several are opening the first weekend of December. In any event, you have plenty of great theatre to choose from.

I started my holiday season off right, with Every Christmas Story Ever Told at San Jose Stage Company. This is a hilarious off-beat comedy show that is an updated look at every Christmas story ever told… It’s hysterical and should not be missed, especially if you are tired of A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told at San Jose Stage Company – Join Stage for this fast-moving, irreverent comedy that takes holiday cheer to the extreme! Every Christmas Story Ever Told is a fond and furious look at the holiday classics and traditions we all remember. From Frosty to Rudolph and the Grinch to It’s A Wonderful Life, no pop culture holiday icon is spared in this whirlwind of holiday merriment.

Make sure you get a ticket to see this! It’s fantastic!

Be sure to enter The Broadway Critic’s ticket giveaway and win two tickets! Back by popular demand!

4 out of 5 stars

Shrek, The Musical – Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco) – Shrek, The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

I saw this on Broadway (on kid’s night) and I can 100% say that it’s totally kid-friendly. While, adults can enjoy this musical as well, I felt it should have been performed/showcased/premiered at some type of theme park instead. I hear they’ve updated a few scenes (most notably the horrible dragon scene) and I look forward to seeing the changes.

If you are thinking about going up to San Francisco with your family this holiday season, make sure you get tickets to Shrek. Your kids will thank me! You can see this show at the Orpheum Theatre from December 1st, 2010 to January 2nd, 2011.

The Broadway Critic’s Theatre Review: Shrek @ Orpheum Theatre (SHNSF), 1 out of 5 stars

The Composer is Dead at Berkeley Rep – The show must go on? But the actor is mute, the director is crying, the dancer is lazy—and the composer is dead! This holiday season, Berkeley Rep presents a deliciously silly world premiere from beloved Bay Area artists. Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead features text by bestselling author Lemony Snicket and a score by (living) composer Nathaniel Stookey.

Did you check out the tracks and videos that I previously posted. If not, go here.

I’m very interested to see how this translates to the stage. It runs till January 9th, 2011.

The Broadway Critic’s Theatre Review: The Composer is Dead @ Berkeley Rep, 1.5 out of 5 stars

Backwards in High Heels at San Jose Rep – I’ve been looking forward to this show for awhile now. I recently interviewed the musical director, Tim Robertson and I gave away five pairs of tickets as well!

This intimate musical dances its way through Ginger’s life with unforgettable music, show-stopping dance numbers and a captivating story that chronicles her journey from hometown to Hollywood and from one love affair to another. Funny, moving and a visual feast, Backwards In High Heels is a toe-tapping, swirling, gliding account of her ambitious public and private life.

It runs until December 19th, 2010.

The Broadway Critic’s Review – Backwards in High Heels – The Ginger Musical @ SJ Rep, 2.5 out of 5 stars

A Christmas Memory at Theatreworks – WORLD PREMIERE - Sure to delight the entire family, Truman Capote’s enchanting masterpiece springs to life in this big-hearted musical treat. A wistful memoir of cherished youth, it chronicles the 1930s friendship of a shy boy and his eccentric aunt—misfits who launch kites, haunt speakeasies, and mail fruitcakes to everyone from Jean Harlow to President Roosevelt!

The music is by Larry Grossman (Snoopy!), lyrics by Carol Hall (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas) and the book by Duane Poole (Make Someone Happy). It’s a world premiere and I’ve heard it’s full of Christmas cheer. I’ll be checking this one out on opening night, December 4th, 2010. It closes on December 26th, 2010.

Hairspray at San Jose Children’s Musical Theatre (Marquee Production): Hairspray delighted audiences by sweeping them away to 1960′s Baltimore, where the 50′s are out — and change is in the air. Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing, and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show.” Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program’s reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love (singing and dancing all the while, of course!) without mussing her hair?

This will be my first production at SJCMT and I’m looking forward to seeing Hairspray because the last time I saw it, I had a standing-room ticket on Broadway (and it was a long 2 1/2 hours).

With only nine performances, you will want to make sure you schedule this one in!

On My Radar:

A Christmas Carol at ACT (San Francisco) – The Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition returns to A.C.T. with a sparkling, music-infused production of A Christmas Carol. Featuring mean ol’ Scrooge, adorable Tiny Tim, those deliciously spooky Christmas ghosts, and a multigenerational cast of dozens, A Christmas Carol is a celebration of goodwill that you’ll never forget. Website
Coraline at SF Playhouse – Poor bored Coraline. She’s left to rattle ’round her perpetually distracted, workaholic parents’ house all by her lonesome. This is the West Coast premiere of Coraline. This doesn’t close until January 15th, 2011. Website | Get Tickets
White Christmas at West Valley Light Opera: The dazzling score features well-known standards including “Blue Skies”, “Sisters”, “I Love A Piano” and the perennial favorite, “White Christmas”. An uplifting musical, enjoyable for the entire family, it arrives in time to guarantee that Saratoga will have an unusual “White Christmas” this year. Website
A Tuna Christmas at Bus Barn Stage Company: It’s Christmas Eve in tiny Tuna Texas, and a gallery of 22 zany citizens lives’ intersect as they attempt to celebrate with their tradition Yuletide activities. Website

Until next month…

Did I miss anything?

Theatre Review: “Dreamgirls” @ Curran Theatre, 09/26/10

01 Oct

There’s not much to say, except for this production of Dreamgirls was stale. It’s a story that focuses on relationships of the the three Dreamettes (later known as The Dreams) – Effie, Deena and Lorrell. With no thought to any of the real relationships, director Robert Longbottom, made his cast work overtime as they tried to connect with each other amidst the sterile environment of the stage. This lead to over zealous performances that became self-indulgent, drowning in disingenuous sentimentality.

First, it was struggle to divide the two worlds: on-stage and off-stage. Again, I place the blame on Longbottom and the set designer, Robin Wagner. While they were trying to be clever with the beautiful moving lighting panels, it became extremely disjointed. The lighting panels became the star of the show. It became a guessing game on how the panels were going to move next and trust me, it was pretty fantastic.

I never felt like I was a part of the action – always an outsider looking in. I could never connect; I never cared.

There was a brief moment in the second act when Deena (Syesha Mercado) and Effie (Moya Angela) sang “Listen” that I connected and got goose-bumps. It was fantastic. Ironically, “Listen” is a new song that was inserted in this production that was recently featured in the movie version of Dreamgirls. (Apparently, Beyonce wanted her shining moment in the movie so “Listen” was written just for her.) Syesha Mercado soared on this particular song. It finally showcased her vocal talent. Part of the reason they shined in this song was the lighting panels were non-existent at this point. The panels had moved far enough upstage that they weren’t upstaging the performers (like they did most of the show).

Angela’s rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” had superior singing but her acting was border-line self-indulgent. Every sentence and feeling was over exaggerated to extent that again, I was taken out of the show. She didn’t let me in. The crowd loved it; I somehow missed it.

I will say that Chester Gregory killed it. He played James “Thunder” Early with such charisma that he had the crowd in the palm of his hand, including myself. We ate it up. He’s a true star.

For a show with so much passion, I left the theatre feeling passionless. It was completely and utterly stale.

3 Comments

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 10/01/2010 in Bay Area Theatre, Broadway, Theatre Review

Tags: Broadway, Curran Theatre, Dreamgirls, San Francisco, Shnsf, Theatre Review, Tour

2010 October Bay Area Theatre Guide

27 Sep

September started with a bang! I saw 8 shows last month all over the Bay Area ranging from San Francisco to Berkeley, down to San Jose and everywhere in between. Berkeley Rep’s Compulsion starring Mandy Patinkin was by far the best show of the month. It was a riveting new drama that shouldn’t be missed. It plays until October 31st; make sure you see it. You can read the full review here. Broadway San Jose’s sizzling hot dance show Burn the Floor was also a highlight this past month. I’m glad I didn’t miss it.

October is gearing up to be another exciting month of theatre. I have seven shows lined up in the Bay Area. I’m also taking a 6-day trip to New York City and packing in 9 shows! I’ll be reviewing them all, so make sure you come back to check the reviews out. I’m seeing three brand new shows – Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and The Scottsboro Boys. It’s going to be an epic trip.

If you can’t make it to New York, don’t worry, there are some great shows playing in the Bay Area – direct from NYC – that you won’t want to miss. Plus, The Broadway Critic is going to be giving away tickets to several shows over the next few weeks! Keep up-to-date on Facebook and Twitter!

Here is my schedule and what I recommend seeing:

Sweeney Todd at Sunnyvale Community Players: I mentioned Sweeney Todd last month, since technically it opened on September 17th. I was so busy seeing everything else, I almost forgot about it! I’m finally going to be able to check out this production on October 1st. I can’t think of a better way to start my October with the gruesome demon barber of Fleet Street.

The only time I’ve seen Sweeney Todd was at ACT, a few years back, when the John Doyle version (the actors playing instruments) was performed. I walked out of the theatre not knowing what had happened. I was confused and frankly I hated it. After seeing the movie, I finally understood what the story was and who the characters were. I’m now intrigued to see a non-instrument-toting production, so I’m hoping Sunnyvale Community Players will change my mind on this Sondheim classic.

Reasons to be Pretty at San Jose Stage Company: First off, make sure you check back soon for a ticket giveaway to Reasons to be Pretty - should be happening in the next couple of days! A 2009 Tony Award nominee for Best Play, Neil LaBute’s bristling new comedy puts a ferocious cap on a trilogy of plays that began with The Shape of Things and Fat Pig. America’s obsession with physical beauty is confronted headlong in this brutal and exhilarating work, in which a slip of the tongue has a tsunami effect on man’s relationships, romantic and otherwise. Simultaneously sentimental and uncompromising, Reasons To Be Pretty is a gorgeous play.

It features Halsey Varady, Robert Brewer, Allison F. Rich and Will Springhorn Jr. – I can’t wait to see this! It runs till October 24th.

Banana Shpeel at Golden Gate Theatre (San Francisco):

THIS HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED!

According to a few sources on Twitter it’s because the ticket sales were so poor in Toronto that they decided to cancel this particular show indefinitely.

Website

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at 42nd Street Moon: I won’t be able to make it to opening night, so I’m seeing this a little later in its run, but I wouldn’t miss seeing Meg Cavenaugh as Pseudolous and Mike Rhone as Hysterium. It looks like a stellar cast. The fast-paced, witty and irreverent musical hit is a departure for Moon (42nd Street Moon usually produces unknown or forgotten musicals) but they decided it was a must to celebrate Sondheim’s 80th birthday. I happen to agree!

It’s truly one of the funniest shows ever written. The role of Pseudolus has been played by some amazing performers– Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, and now, Megan Cavanagh is added to the list.

It opens October 6th and runs only three weeks till October 24th. I have a feeling that this one might sell out fast, so grab your tickets soon!

Rain at Broadway San Jose: The second show that Broadway San Jose is bringing to the Bay Area is called Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles. Bay Area audiences will have the unique opportunity to experience this multi-media Beatles tribute just as Broadway audiences are getting their first look (a production opens at the Neil Simon Theatre the week previous). The Denver Post calls it “the next best thing to seeing the Beatles,” Rain boasts a repertoire of nearly 200 Beatlemaniac favorites, ranging from such beloved songs as “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude” to classic hits including “Revolution” and “Come Together.”

Since I’ve never had the opportunity to hear the Beatles perform, I’m really looking forward to seeing this show! As always, the Broadway San Jose productions are only in town for one week, so you have to plan your week around it. It opens October 25th and they are out of here on Halloween.

The Broadway Critic is going to give away tickets to this show as well!

West Side Story at Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco): I have to say that I didn’t really like the revival of West Side Story on Broadway. I thought it was cast all wrong (except for the unbelievable Karen Olivo) and because I couldn’t understand half of the show (they sung a lot of it in Spanish) I didn’t care about anyone dying in the end. Apparently, they have changed a lot of the Spanish back to English and obviously, this is a different cast than who I saw on Broadway, so I have my hopes up again. The revival in New York City is closing January 2nd.

It’s going to be at the Orpheum Theatre from October 27 till November 28th. If you’ve never seen this classic Broadway show, then definitely buy tickets. The show is a must-see so let’s hope, that this cast lives up to West Side Story’s grandeur.

Becoming Britney at Center Rep: How does a Pop sensation wind up bald and trapped in her own musical? Becoming Britney is a caustic (but loving) PG-13 fable that chronicles the rise…the dip…and the salvation of a foolhardy celebrity phenom. The hit of the New York Fringe Festival – “It’s a production that oozes sass!” – raved NYTheatre.com – the Bay Area’s own sensation, Molly Bell, brings Britney home for it’s West Coast premiere. It’s a new Musical, y’all!

Join me for opening night on October 30th. I can’t wait to see Adam Barry in this!

It runs October 28 – November 14, 2010

—

On my Radar (but don’t have a date to see it yet):

1st Day of School at City Lights Theatre Company : As the children head off for the first day of school, their parents decide to try a “first” of their own behind closed doors. A new ritual is added to the typical ‘first day of school’ routine, one that will bring laughter and self-discovery to the adult participants. I heard it was hysterical! Website
Stompin’ at the Savoy at Tabard Theatre Company: A world premiere musical produced in collaboration with San Jose Jazz that celebrates the music of the Big Band era and evokes the floor shows of the era, including opportunity for the audience to dance. I’ll be hosting a ticket giveaway to this show! Website
Glory Days at Royal Underground Theatre Company: Four high school friends reunite one year after graduation to discover how dramatically their lives have grown apart. While they attempt to reconnect and understand each other’s differences, nothing can compare to the glory days of high school when life was simpler and all appeared right with the world. If you want to see one of Broadway’s biggest bombs, then check it out. I’m totally intrigued. Website

Anything I missed?

6 Comments

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 09/27/2010 in Bay Area Theatre, Preview

Tags: 1st Day of School, 42nd Street Moon, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Adam Barry, Banana Shpeel, Becoming BritneyC, Broadway San Jose, Center Rep, City Lights Theatre Company, Glory Days, Golden Gate Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Rain, Reasons to be Pretty, Royal Underground Theatre Company, San Francisco, San Jose Stage Company, Shnsf, Stompin' at the Savoy, Sunnyvale Community Players, Sweeney Todd, Tabard Theatre Company, West Side Story

2010 September Bay Area Theatre Guide

23 Aug

Can you believe it? School is starting, summer is nearing it’s end and generally it should be very depressing, right? Wrong. There’s so much great theatre happening in September that it should keep you totally occupied from the fall blues. Currently, I have 10 shows scheduled to see in September and I have a feeling that there might be a few more that I sneak in there! It should be a great time to catch up on my shows! Lately, I’ve been so busy with performing in RENT I haven’t had time to see the shows in the area, but September is a different story.

Here’s my schedule and what I recommend seeing:

Smokey Joe’s Cafe – Bus Barn Stage Company: Opening September 2nd and running through October 2nd, 2010, this sizzling cast does more than justice to this smokin’ hot score of 1950′s standards like: “Kansas City”, “Jailhouse Rock” and “Saved”. I can 100% say that this show is not to be missed! (I’m co-musical directing this show.) You can learn more about the cast on the Bus Barn Stage Company’s website and get tickets there.

Get out of the September heat with the jukebox musical that was the most acclaimed of 1995 and nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical!

Website | Get Tickets

The Broadway Critic’s Review: Chicago @ Hillbarn Theatre – 2.5 out of 5 stars

Chicago – Hillbarn Theatre: In roaring twenties Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband Amos to take the rap…until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune and acquittal. This sharp edged satire features a dazzling score that sparked immortal staging by Bob Fosse. Chicago won six Tony Awards!

Chicago is one of my favorite musicals and very interested in checking this one out because I’ve never seen an amateur production of Chicago. Here’s hoping it’s sexy! Runs September 2nd – 26th, 2010.

The Broadway Critic’s review: She Loves Me @ Center Rep Theatre – 3 out of 5 stars

She Loves Me – Center Rep: She Loves Me is a musical and movie with a book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Jerry Bock. The musical is the fifth adaptation of the play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, following the 1940 James Stewart-Margaret Sullavan film The Shop around the Corner and the 1949 Judy Garland-Van Johnson musical version In the Good Old Summertime. It would surface yet again in 1998 as the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan feature You’ve Got Mail.

This show is a classic: “the crown jewel of the golden age musicals”. I saw a university production almost 10 years ago and loved it. I can’t wait to see this particular cast because it stars: Dane Paul Andres, Noel Anthony, Evan Boomer, Derek Travis Collard, Jackson Davis, Lynda Divito, Ryan Drummond, Richard Farrell, Zachary Franczak, Emma Goldin, Jason Hite, Mary Kalita, Brittany Ogle, Sharon Rietkerk, Kelsey Venter. I’ve had my eye on Hite, Kalita and Ogle!

Opens September 3rd – October 10th, 2010.

The Broadway Critic’s review: Black Pearl Sings @ San Jose Rep – 4.5 out of 5 stars

Black Pearl Sings at San Jose Rep: Black Pearl Sings! is the compelling musical drama that tells the story of two extraordinary women – a jailed African-American songstress and a white Library of Congress folk music researcher – whose fates have become intertwined.

A West Coast premiere that you won’t want to miss.

Runs September 2nd – 26th, 2010.

The Light in the Piazza at Theatreworks: Beneath the Tuscan sun in 1953, this illuminating Broadway hit celebrates the many facets of love with a vibrant heart. A protective American mother is vacationing with her radiant but fragile daughter, who falls head over heels for a passionate young Florentine. To the soaring melodies of what The New York Timescalled “the most intensely romantic score since West Side Story,” all three embark on a life-changing journey beyond danger into light.

This is one of my favorite musicals of all time. Guettel’s score is absolutely magnificent. I’m hearing great things about this production and I’m highly looking forward to revisiting this show at Theatreworks.

Runs August 25th – September 19th, 2010

Jerry Springer the Opera at Ray of Light Theatre: The only work in history to earn “Best Musical” honors from all four major British award groups, Jerry Springer the Opera is a fascinating mix of high art and low culture. Inspired by America’s most lurid TV talk show, Jerry Springer the Opera channels all the mayhem and excitement that held worldwide television audiences in utter rapture. After opening in London to unprecedented raves, this outlandish, shockingly hilarious opera will rage at the Victoria Theatre in the Mission for six weeks.

Can I say excited? I have the London cast recording, but I think I’m going to wait to listen to it until after I see it because I wanna be shocked!

Running September 10 – October 16, 2010.

Dreamgirls at Curran Theatre (San Francisco): The all-new stage production of Dreamgirls is coming to the Curran Theatre August 24 through September 26! Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Featuring the unforgettable hits: “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”, “One Night Only” and “Listen”, Dreamgirls returns to the stage in this brand new production that sparkles like never before!

I can’t wait to see my first professional production of Dreamgirls.

The Broadway Critic’s review: Compulsion @ Berkeley Rep – 5 out of 5 stars

Compulsion at Berkeley Rep: Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin makes his Berkeley Rep debut as Sid Silver, a man obsessed. When he learns about a young girl named Anne Frank and her extraordinary diary, Silver makes it his mission to ensure her tale is heard. But is the manuscript a work of art? A cultural treasure?

A moving story that combines stellar acting with marvelous marionettes, this world-premiere production takes us on a journey from passion to Compulsion.

The Broadway Critic’s review: La Cage Aux Folles @ Broadway by the Bay – 2.0 out of 5 stars

La Cage Aux Folles at Broadway By the Bay: Travel to St. Tropez where the best of times will happen when family values and outrageous comedy collide in Jerry Herman’s legendary musical La Cage aux Folles. Winner of 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this unforgettable and funny tale of unconditional love, and above all, the need to celebrate who we are, features the anthem “I Am What I Am” and the beloved “Song on the Sand.”

Why go to New York City to see this when you can see it here! It will be my first time seeing La Cage Aux Folles and I plan to see the Broadway revival in October!

The Broadway Critic’s review: Burn the Floor @ Broadway San Jose – 4 out of 5 stars

Burn the Floor at Broadway San Jose – The international dance sensation Burn the Floor visits San Jose direct from its record-breaking run on Broadway! You’ve seen Ballroom dance on shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” Now, with Burn the Floor, you will feel, live on stage, all the passion, the drama and the sizzling excitement of 20 gorgeous champion dancers, in a true theatrical experience, a performance with a grace and athleticism that The New York Times calls, “Dazzling!”

I missed this on Broadway, so I’m very happy that Broadway San Jose is bringing this to us! Can’t wait!

Runs only one week: September 21 – 26th, 2010. Don’t miss it!

The Broadway Critic’s review of Wicked

On My Radar (but don’t have a set date to see it yet):

Sweeney Todd at Sunnyvale Community Theatre: 1979′s Tony Award-winning Best Musical, is a rare theatrical event: a heart-pounding thriller told with a howlingly sharp wit, a darkly comic smile, and one of Broadway’s most impressive scores. It features Walter Mayes in the title role. Runs September 17 – October 10th, 2010. Website
The Music Man at South Bay Musical Theatre: This award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution, thanks to its quirky characters, charmingly humorous dramatic situations, and one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads that have become popular standards (“Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Till There Was You,” “Lida Rose.”) Runs September 25 – October 16, 2010. Website

Anything I missed? What are you most excited to see this upcoming September?

3 Comments

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 08/23/2010 in Bay Area Theatre, News, Preview, Weekend Picks

Tags: 2010, Bay Area, Berkeley Rep, Black Pearl Sings, Broadway by the Bay, Broadway San Jose, Burn the Floor, Bus Barn Stage Company, Center Rep, Chicago, Compulsion, Curran Theatre, Dreamgirls, Guide, Hillbarn Theatre, Jerry Springer the Opera, La Cage aux Folles, Ray of Light, San Francisco, San Jose Rep, September, She Loves Me, Smokey Joe's Cafe, South Bay Musical Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Theatre, Sweeney Todd, The Light in the Piazza, The Music Man, Theatre, Theatreworks

Upcoming Events at SHNSF – Broadway San Francisco

06 Aug

The smash hit Broadway musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, is coming to the Golden Gate Theatre for two weeks only, August 17-29!

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!

To purchase tickets, call 888-SHN-1799 or click here.

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The Broadway Critic’s take: When I saw Beauty and the Beast on Broadway in 2006, I wasn’t totally impressed. Actually, I was kind of bored. I’ve been hearing so many wonderful things about it for so many years that I had huge expectations for the show. Knowing that this is a non-equity tour, I have a feeling that it might be a little underwhelming, BUT if you have the money and want your kids to have a magical night at the theatre, than I definitely say go, especially if you haven’t seen it before. Hopefully, it’s a great end to a relaxing summer!

The all-new stage production of Dreamgirls is coming to the Curran Theatre August 24 through September 26!

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Featuring the unforgettable hits: “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”, “One Night Only” and “Listen”, Dreamgirls returns to the stage in this brand new production that sparkles like never before!

To purchase tickets, call 888-SHN-1799 or click here.

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The Broadway Critic’s take: I’m very happy that Dreamgirls is coming to San Francisco. It was hot, hot news when it played the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Everyone was talking about it. Since then, there’s been talk of it transferring to Broadway, but with the recent slow ticket sales in Washington D.C. they actually had to cancel their run there. I can’t wait to see my first professional production of Dreamgirls.

Catch WICKED before it flies away!

This is your last chance to save up to $30 on on Broadway’s Biggest Blockbuster. Order your tickets today for performances through August 15 and save!

Get a $50 ticket (reg. price $80): Tue, Wed, Thu & Sun evening
Get a $75 ticket (reg. price $99): Fri evening, Sat & Sun matinee

Use code 42WEST when purchasing tickets at shnsf.com or the Orpheum Theatre Box Office, or call 415-512-7770.

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The Broadway Critic’s take: If you haven’t seen Wicked yet, then definitely grab your tickets and see it before it closes in San Francisco on September 5th. I saw it twice in San Francisco and enjoyed both times! It’s a great show for the family and has brilliant costumes and sets! I haven’t seen any of the new cast members, but I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed! Make sure you see it before it’s gone!

This is your last chance to escape to Neverland!

Performed in the world’s first 360 degree video projection for live theater, PETER PAN flies both cast and audience over Edwardian London. Adored by audiences of all ages, PETER PAN is playing its final weeks at Ferry Park in San Francisco, now through September 5th only!

SHNews customers can save $30 on tickets to PETER PAN now through September 5. Adult tickets are $40 (reg. price $70) and kids tickets are $20 (reg. price $50). Offer Valid on Price Level 1 section B, C, D seats for the following non-peak performances:

Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 2pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 5pm

Use Coupon Code: BELIEVE when purchasing tickets online at peterpantheshow.com, or call 888-PPAN-TIX.

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The Broadway Critic’s take: Yes, here’s another show that you’ll want to take the whole family to before it closes on September 5th! You have a lot of theatre to see before the summer is out. I loved this production, especially Act 2. It took me awhile to grasp the story, as the effects were the main focus during Act 1, but I still ultimately still loved the show by the end. Your kids will love it!

Read The Broadway Critic’s review of Peter Pan

1 Comment

Posted by The Broadway Critic on 08/06/2010 in Bay Area Theatre, News, Preview

Tags: Beauty and the Beast, Broadway, Dreamgirls, Peter Pan, San Francisco, Shnsf, tours, Wicked

2010 Bay Area Summer Theatre Guide

01 Jun

The summer is quickly approaching and I wanted to feature some of the best theatre in the Bay Area during the months of June, July and August. There’s a huge variety of musicals/plays that will be playing and they are pretty evenly spread across the Bay Area from San Francisco down to San Jose. Of course, you can always go to Artsopolis.com or Theatre Bay Area for a full listing of all performing arts events in the Bay Area but here are the shows that I’m most looking forward to this summer!

JUNE

Red, White & Tuna at San Jose Stage Company – The Stage explodes with laughs this Summer in the South Bay premiere of Red, White and Tuna! The latest bombastic comedy in the Tuna trilogy will sell out, so order tickets now to what critics call “the greatest Tuna of all!” It opens this weekend and runs all the way through July 4th. Obviously, it’s a perfect choice to get you into the patriotic mood! The Broadway Critic will be giving away tickets so make sure you check back soon to win yours!

Into the Woods at Diablo Theatre Company – In this fractured fairy-tale fantasy, a baker and his wife cannot have a child unless they do the bidding of the witch next door. Good thing they’ve got neighbors like Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella to help them on their journey in the woods. Who doesn’t love Into the Woods?

June 4th – June 27th 2010

The Marvelous Wonderettes at San Jose Rep – LIMITED ENGAGEMENT! These girls are only in town for two weeks. Get your tickets today! Follow the Wonderettes – Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match – from their 1958 Springfield High School prom to their ten year reunion!

June 15th – June 27th 2010

Young Frankenstein at Golden Gate Theatre (San Francisco) – Based on the Oscar-nominated smash hit 1974 film, Young Frankenstein is the wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Mary Shelley classic from the comic genius of Mel Brooks. Clive Barnes of the New York Post called Young Frankenstein,“the Broadway musical at its dizziest, glitziest and funniest” while Pat Collins of MY 9 News declared Young Frankenstein “a monster hit.” You have to see this production just for the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” number; it’s spectacular.

June 30th – July 25th 2010

Other Shows Still Running in June:

Peter Pan at Ferry Landing (San Francisco)
In the Heights at Curran Theatre (San Francisco)
Little Shop of Horrors at Bus Barn (Los Altos)

JULY

Annie at Broadway by the Bay – This timeless Tony-winning tale of Little Orphan Annie features a cast of unforgettable characters including Miss Hannigan, Lily, Rooster, and Daddy Warbucks. Featuring one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including“It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.”and “Tomorrow,” you can bet your bottom dollar the whole family will love this classic musical! There’s only 13 performances! It’s directed by Alex Perez and musical directed by Billy Liberatore.

July 15th – August 1st 2010

Urinetown at Coastal Rep Theatre – This irreverent comedy pokes fun at American Musical Theatre, our cultural institutions, corporate America, and even petty small town politics. Winner of several Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, Urinetown, the Musical is an outrageous spoof, and a hilarious tale of love, greed, corruption, and revolution in a time of drought, when even ‘restroom activities’ are controlled by the mega-corporation. Fun for the whole family. Directed by Martin Rojas-Dietrich.

July 23rd – August 21, 2010

RENT at City Lights Theatre – This fresh and daring spin on Puccini’s La Bohème follows the triumphs and tragedies of eight young Greenwich Village bohemians. As the spectre of the AIDS virus looms and threatens to cut short their time together, this small band of artists and thinkers finds beauty in the grit and grime of Manhattan and comes to realize that there is, truly, “no day but today.” (Disclosure: I’m playing Mark in this production.)

July 24th – August 29th 2010

Anything Goes at Foothill Musical Theatre – Anything Goes spotlights Cole Porter’s deloveliest hits, including Friendship, I Get a Kick Out of You, All Through the Night, Blow Gabriel Blow, You’re the Top, It’s Delovely, and the classic title song. Award-winning director Jay Manley helms these seafaring shenanigans with musical direction by Catherine Snider and choreography by Dottie Lester-White.

July 23rd – August 15th 2010

Tickets | Website

AUGUST

Beauty and the Beast at Golden Gate Theatre (San Francisco) – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to San Francisco! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. Just so you know, this is the non-equity tour.

August 17th – August 29th 2010

Tickets | Website

Menopause, The Musical at California Theatre (San Jose) – Since March 2001, the hilarious show Menopause The Musical has entertained and inspired women from coast-to-coast and internationally. Menopause The Musical is the work of writer Jeanie Linders. This uplifting 90-minute production includes parodies from the ‘60s and ‘70s and ‘80s. It culminates with a salute to women who are experiencing The Change.

August 18th – August 22nd 2010