A theater lover since childhood, Harmony Wheeler has done Marketing and Public Relations work for Sierra Repertory Theatre, Hillhouse Opera Company and other companies. She graduated with high honors from Biola University with her degree in Journalism and an emphasis in Public Relations. In addition to working for the Gallo Center for the Arts, MJM Entertainment Group, Biola University Marketing and Communications, 6th Street PR, and Zimbabwe Gecko Society, Wheeler has written for The Modesto Bee, The Chimes, Static MultiMedia, BullyPulpit.com, TUFW Alumnus Magazine, Christian Book Previews, The Christian Communicator, and Church Libraries Magazine. Her photos appear in The Dominican Dream, a book available for purchase through Biola University's Journalism Department. Her photography and video work can be found at http://photographybyharmonywheeler.shutterfly.com/. To learn more about Harmony Wheeler, or to contact her for work possibilities, visit www.harmonywheeler.com.
 BWW Reviews: Hillbarn Provides A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
May 20, 2013
It's fitting that Stephen Sondheim wrote "A Little Night Music" as one grand waltz. When Hillbarn Theatre's production of the musical opens, a semi-narrating chorus dances in the waltz and foreshadow the characters and events about to unfold. A young girl observes their dance, following her grandmother's advice to watch the sky for its smiles. We, too, will soon smile at the follies of mankind. We will join the girl, a lively maid and a conservative student as they perceive and comment on those dancing around them.
 BWW Reviews: A LITTLE PRINCESS Gets The Royal Treatment
May 14, 2013
Exceptionally crafted, Sacramento Theatre Company's world premiere of "A Little Princess" is full of imagination and excitement. A well-paced book by William J Brooke follows the story of young Sara Crewe's dealings with life's troubles. From "supposing" optimism to acceptance and pragmatism, the psychological drama of the adaptation reads down-to-earth and true, especially as Sara's journey contrasts with schoolmistress Miss Minchin's aversion to happy endings. And it's matched by exquisite music written by Eric Rockwell.
 BWW Reviews: LITTLE ME Big on Talent and Value
May 10, 2013
Jason Graae is a comic genius. With his flawless changes from personality to personality, one might think 'Little Me' a one-man show. But a fantastic ensemble also mounts an impossible-to-ignore smorgasbord of ever-changing, delightful characters. Performed in the capable hands of 42nd Street Moon, the 'little' done musical perfectly combines melodrama and musical theatre.
 BWW Reviews: BEING EARNEST Charming But Not Perfect
April 15, 2013
Paul Gordon has a distinctive style that has made musicals like "Emma," "Daddy Long Legs," and "Jane Eyre" successful in their smaller regional and short Broadway runs. The composer-lyricist refuses to follow the typical Broadway musical formula and instead uses his music to tell the story. But that style has also made Gordon's shows an acquired taste. Gordon's latest musical, a new take on Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," continues in this line, providing memorable tunes repeated throughout, but never quite gaining its full momentum and suffering from a relaxed, unfinished feeling.
 BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT A Stunning Experience
April 12, 2013
"Billy Elliot" features all the elements of theatricality theatregoers love, although friends of the late Margaret Thatcher may wish to stay away. The Elton John musical balances great storytelling with three intense dance numbers performed by an incredibly talented child and some stunning lighting that highlights the highest points of the lofty production.
 BWW Reviews: THE WHIPPING MAN an Incredible and Telling Experience
April 4, 2013
Playwright Matthew Lopez is a master at weaving jaw-dropping moments of revelation with stirring soliloquies on faith and perfectly placed gems of humor. His provoking drama, 'The Whipping Man,' which received its Bay Area premiere this week at Marin Theatre Company, leaves the minds of viewers rolling, eager for more answers, but pleased to spend hours mulling over the motivations and choices of the play's three characters.
 BWW Reviews: THE SORCERER is Full of Magic
March 19, 2013
With a unique staging and charming humor, the Lamplighters' production of 'The Sorcerer' charms audiences. The enchantment only lasts for one week, however, with three performances, one of which has already passed.
 BWW Review: It's a Big Bright Beautiful World with SHREK THE MUSICAL
March 9, 2013
Decorated with Monty Pythonesque humor, the touring production of 'Shrek' the musical contains enough tasteful pop culture and Broadway musical references to make the Genie at Disney California Adventure's 'Aladdin Musical Spectacular' proud. Creators lifted much of the dialogue from the original film and surrounded it with catchy music and endearing characters.
 BWW Reviews: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST a Magical Time For All
March 8, 2013
Be their guest. Be their guest. Put their production to the test. Take a program in your hand, cherie, and they provide the rest. Lots of dance. Lots of song. Why they only live to serve. Try the staging. It's delicious. Don't believe me? Ask the hundreds of children and adults who eagerly attended Broadway Sacramento's opening of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' Wednesday night.
 BWW Reviews: SF Opera's SECRET GARDEN Could Use Some More Work
March 4, 2013
San Francisco Opera's new commission, a modern opera take on the classic children's story, "The Secret Garden," has trouble fully blooming. Littered with beautiful lilies and roses of moments, the opera waits until its second act to really let its music breathe.
 BWW Interviews: DARE TO DREAM Scenic Designer Stan Meyer
February 12, 2013
Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Stan Meyer, Scenic Designer for Disney On Ice presents 'Dare to Dream.' This month, the show comes to Sacramento (Feb 13-18), San Jose (Feb 20-24), and Oakland (Feb 27 - March 3). More information and tickets can be found at http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/.
 BWW Interviews: DARE TO DREAM Costume Designer Ivan Ingermann
February 12, 2013
Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Ivan Ingermann, Costume Designer for Disney On Ice presents 'Dare to Dream.' This month, the show comes to Sacramento (Feb 13-18), San Jose (Feb 20-24), and Oakland (Feb 27 - March 3). More information and tickets can be found at http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/.
 BWW Reviews: Center Rep Creates Beautiful and Moving OLD WICKED SONGS
February 12, 2013
Song echoes heart in Jon Marans' 'Old Wicked Songs,' a beautiful play that, like the classical music it celebrates, takes its time to mature story and soak in emotion and meaning. Much like the infamous Maria Callas account, 'Master Class,' 'Old Wicked Songs' follows teacher and student as pasts divulge and talents unfold.
 BWW Reviews: Disney's DARE TO DREAM Offers Magical Time
February 9, 2013
'Dare to Dream' features some of the best costumes, sets and lighting in Disney on Ice history, not to mention some second act circus action. But some adults will have to wait until the second half of the show before the energy and choreography become engaging and impressive enough to capture their attention. Of course, the little ones and the children at heart will have no problem getting along with the entertainment, and for those looking for more advanced figure skating, Rapunzel's second act aerial segment makes the ticket well worth its price.
 BWW Reviews: THE HOBBIT Goes To The Theatre And Back Again
February 4, 2013
Some time last year, Playhouse Merced christened its 2012-2012 season "There and Back Again." Of course, the title could describe the journey any show takes over the course of two hours. But it seems appropriate that the chosen name should find its base in the play version of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," for Merced's production, now playing weekends through February 17, displays some of the company's finest actors and scenic and lighting design. The rarely performed story easily promises those who miss it plenty of reason to look back and wish, "If I only I had gone there and back again."
 BWW Reviews: Waiting Comes Easily in Marin's WAITING FOR GODOT
January 31, 2013
If you watch Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot," you're going to want to think about it. Don't. In the words of the classic play's title, wait. The key to appreciating this much-debated work comes in the audience's willingness to take it as is. Vladimir and Estragon sit by a bare tree, looking for ways to pass the time while they wait for a man named Godot. Time has given us the advantage in that we already know Godot will never appear. You're going to be tempted to dwell on why he doesn't appears and what he represents, and when you actually experience the play for the first time, you're going to want to know who these ridiculously unrealistic characters really are.
 BWW Reviews: Lamplighters' PRINCESS IDA Offers Best of Gilbert and Sullivan
January 28, 2013
Promised in marriage at the early age of one, Princess Ida lectures that woman must first place her feet upon man's neck. Only then, man conquered, may she treat him better than he treated womankind. By the end of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta named after the mighty maiden, this may seem the only solution for her betrothed, who wishes to win her love. One can already see the dashing Prince Hilarion stooping to offer his head when he and two friends dress in women's clothing and sneak into Ida's all-female university.
 BWW Interviews: DARE TO DREAM Choreographer Cindy Stuart
January 25, 2013
Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Cindy Stuart, Choreographer of Disney On Ice presents 'Dare to Dream.' The show comes to Fresno (Jan 30 - Feb 4), Stockton (Feb 7-10), Sacramento (Feb 13-18), San Jose (Feb 20-24), and Oakland (Feb 27 - March 3). More information and tickets can be found at http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/.
 BWW Interviews: DARE TO DREAM Associate Choreographer Ben Agosto
January 25, 2013
Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Ben Agosto, Associate Choreographer of Disney On Ice presents 'Dare to Dream.' The show comes to Fresno (Jan 30 - Feb 4), Stockton (Feb 7-10), Sacramento (Feb 13-18), San Jose (Feb 20-24), and Oakland (Feb 27 - March 3). More information and tickets can be found at http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/.
 BWW Reviews: ROCK OF AGES Hits You With Its Best Shot
January 24, 2013
True to form, "Rock of Ages" provides "nothing but a good time." Just the right combination of musical theatre storytelling and rock n' roll partying, "Rock of Ages" features a perfectly balanced sound system, just loud enough to blow your mind, but not loud enough to blow your eardrums. The innovative production includes awesome audience interaction, with shout outs to the local audience and fun recognition of traditional Broadway musical theatregoers.
 BWW Reviews: Hilarity Reigns in GCP's SPAMALOT
January 21, 2013
If you haven't made your way down to Good Company Players' production of "Spamalot" yet, there's something you've forgotten, and that's to "laugh and smile and dance and sing." Based on every dry-humored person's favorite film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the riotous musical stays true to the movie's ridiculous antics while adding in some new elements that give the story an actual point and a feel-good takeaway.
 BWW Reviews: SJ Rep's NEXT TO NORMAL Anything But Normal
January 18, 2013
The drama of mental disorder and family angst explodes on the San Jose Repertory Theatre stage this month as Broadway-caliber actors tackle a penetrating story told through a high energy, rock n' roll, pop opera musical.
 BWW Reviews: LEND ME A TENOR Lends Plenty of Laughs
January 14, 2013
Check right in to Stockton Civic Theatre. A friendly bellhop (David Nelson) will greet you, reminding you in his own special way to turn off your cell phone and remind you of other important details. Although those welcoming lines are added for the audience's benefit, playwright Ken Ludwig easily could have written them, they fit the show so well. And Nelson's antics, which continue to delight throughout "Lend Me A Tenor," set the scene perfectly for the farce to come. Audiences will find themselves very satisfied with their just over two-hour stay at an intimate and quaint theatre in the heart of Stockton.
 BWW Reviews: DREAMGIRLS is a Dream Broadway Production
January 9, 2013
Close to flawless in its incredible staging and fantastic casting, the 2013 touring production of soul musical "Dreamgirls" boasts a dream cast that has audiences applauding throughout as actors display every vocal talent on parade.
 BWW Reviews: Cathy Rigby Delights as PETER PAN
December 27, 2012
"Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan." She doesn't just play Peter Pan. She is Peter Pan. After so many years of bringing J.M. Barrie's classic character to life on stage, it becomes difficult to separate the two. Rigby, herself, couldn't stay away from the character for too long. Despite a 2004-2005 tour labeled as Rigby's farewell, she returned to the role for another national tour, which opened at Sacramento's Community Center Theatre Wednesday night.
 BWW Reviews: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE Among The Best of Arena Shows
December 21, 2012
As far as theatrical arena shows go, Dreamwork's "How To Train Your Dragon Live" makes the top of the list for those worth seeing, and arena shows are growing in number (case in point, the rather boring, but visually interesting, Batman Live arena tour).
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