Cathy Newman

When a successful theatre company presents a period musical they pray for a hit. With good actors, a witty script, great music, excellent direction, and clever choreography that can transport an entire audience back in time; Coachella Valley Repertory has compiled such a hit.

MTW's pleasantly perky, traditionally-executed production comes across as a show that's very eager to please, armed with a keen, fine-tuned goal of making sure both fans and newbies to this beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic are left feeling uplifted and happy. The show continues through November 5 at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach.

Lucy Parham returns to King’s Place on Sunday December 3rd with her acclaimed Christmas Gala, with celebrities from beyond the musical world joining her on stage to play music that has inspired them to play the piano, with special guests The Parliamentary String Quartet.

Long Beach's premier musical theater company, Musical Theatre West (MTW), will debut its production of The Sound of Music starting this weekend.

Last night, celebrities gathered to celebrate the new cast of the West End production TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL which is based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and was produced in association with Tina Turner herself. See photos from the evening!

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the final show in its 64th season, MAN OF LA MANCHA. Peter Rothstein returns to direct this reimagined musical which was written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion.

Get a first look at footage from Mary Poppins at Theatre Under the Stars! Returning to TUTS in the role of 'Mary Poppins' is Olivia Hernandez.

Theatre Under The Stars is introducing the practically perfect cast of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Returning to TUTS in the role of “Mary Poppins” is Olivia Hernandez.

Pianist Lucy Parham is joined on stage by celebrities, including Ed Balls, Alistair McGowan, Cathy Newman, Dame Harriet Walter and Katie Derham, in a performance of piano music, narration and festive surprises.

Based on the hit-film, Sister Act is a feel-good musical comedy that is bringing joy, song and laughter to the people of Houston. Sister Act tells the story of a nightclub singer (Deloris) who is forced to take refuge from the mob in a convent. The story brings brings audiences joy and laughter as Deloris turns the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire. Patrons of Theatre Under the Stars are captivated as we watch Deloris maneuver through the the sudden celebrity of the choir jeopardizing her identity.

This summer at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, a little girl's dream comes alive as she takes you on an enchanted journey through popular Disney classics including Hercules, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, Aladdin, Moana, and many more surprises. The adventures in this musical never stop as you journey deep into Walt Disney's classic film vault.

Jim J. Bullock (Too Close for Comfort and Broadway's Hairspray) and Josh Strickland (Broadway's Tarzan) head Tuacahn Amphitheater's 2019 season. This year, Tuacahn is recreating some of their most popular productions from the past.

Oliver!/book. lyrics and music by Lionel Bart/ based on Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist//directed by James A. Rocco/choreographed by Hector Guerrero/musical director: Ryan O'Connell/MTW (Musical Theatre West)/The Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach/through February 24 Oliver! is a devilishly fine musical by Lionel Bart who wrote the book, music and lyrics without collaboration. It's an uplifting story of an abused orphan who learns how to survive in 19th century London with the help of acquaintances from both sides of the track. Currently onstage via MTW at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach, the musical boasts a superb cast headed by Davis Gaines as Fagin and 15 delightful and talented child actors.

Audience on a Hairspray High this summer at the Starlight in Kansas City. Hang onto your sandals - this show's gonna knock your socks off. Hairspray is showing at the Starlight Kansas City July 27 through Aug. 2nd, 2018

Part of the perennial appeal of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls lies in the larger-than-life aura of its Damon Runyonesque roots - its fantasy land of gangsters and dolls, Broadway in the Prohibition era, and memorable characters who sing, dance, and deliver wise-cracks. Maine State Music Theatre's new production, the fifth in the company's history, brings this classic to life with a vivid freshness that embraces both the grand framework of the story and the intimacy of its essential heart. Sweet, sassy, and colorful, soaring and ambitious, MSMT's second show of the 2017 season is breathtakingly daring in the way it utilizes all the company's resources to their fullest, all the while that it demonstrates to a new generation why Guys and Dolls both invented and broke the mold for American musical theatre.

Maine State Music Theatre presents Frank Loesser's celebrated musical comedy about rolling the dice and falling in love, Guys and Dolls. Considered by many to be the 'perfect musical comedy,' Guys and Dolls runs from June 28 - July 15.

Palos Verdes Performing Arts concludes its 34th season with a new production of Meredith Willson's musical comedy 'The Music Man' to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the critically acclaimed Broadway classic. The production will run for 11 performances, April 21-May 7 at the 450-seat Norris Theatre.

Though that comedy device of rewritten song lyrics is (unfortunately) not utilized for the film's musical stage adaptation, still, much of the spirit and basic plot architecture of the original movie remains in SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL, which features all-original songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, as well as a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (with additional material contributed later by playwright Douglas Carter Beane). Currently, Musical Theatre West's admirable regional production of this Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy is finishing out its final weekend of performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 24. Goofy and full of cutesy charm MTW's regional production definitely brings in the (joyful) noise and the funk to Long Beach. So what makes the show enjoyable? Well... for lack of a better phrase... it's all about the nuns.

Sister Act the Musical started out in 2006 at the Pasadena Playhouse, premiered in London's West End in 2009 and then underwent serious revisions before coming to Broadway in 2011. I remember liking the first mounting in 2006 with many reservations. Since I loved the 1992 film so much, I didn't feel that the stage version was particularly faithful...no pun intended. Well, with all the 2011 changes, MTW's revival of the Broadway version is tops, a joyful, tuneful, splashy romp that never lets down, with a tremendous cast, stellar direction from Michael Matthews and soulful choreography from Daniel Smith. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned the screenplay To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and the Tony nominated play The Little Dog Laughed, added new book material for the national tour, included here, and this contributes substantially to molding a sleek and unforgettable show.

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Sister Act, Broadway's feel-good musical comedy at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center April 8-24.  Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg hit film, written by Joseph Howard, the five-time Tony nominated Broadway sensation features an award winning creative team with original score and music by composer Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Tangled), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers), additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed ).  The reinvented musical adaptation is filled with heavenly music with a disco beat, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!  Tickets are now on sale at www.musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.  Tickets start at $20.