Courtney Symes - Page 12

In a time of national uncertainty and division, it is refreshing to witness a story of what America means to me-unlimited possibilities for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or creed. It used to be known as a land of refuge and hope, and the rags-to-riches story of Cuban immigrants Gloria and Emilio Estefan gives me hope that we will return to a place that welcomes the tired and poor huddled masses while, at the same time, celebrating our diversity in a melting pot of the free and the brave. Because really, what is braver than leaving a country that you know to set upon an unknown shore with only a promise of opportunity?

The world in 1692 and the world today are, unfortunately, not entirely different. Some things have improved, certainly (modern plumbing, anyone?), but as Arthur Miller illustrated in his timeless piece, The Crucible, a witch hunt can happen anytime and anywhere. Miller cleverly used the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 as an allegory for McCarthyism and the Red Scare of the 1940s and 1950s. Both preyed upon the collective fears of a community and led to the accusation and ruin of many innocent people. Mass hysteria overtook seemingly rational people as religious zealotry of the 17th century made way for political oppression 250 years later.

The Davis Shakespeare Festival is wrapping up its 9th season with the comedy As You Like It. It is one of Shakespeare's audience-pleasers and, interestingly, has the most songs in it of any Shakespeare play. The entire show is infused with pastoral music that has been modernized to a folk rock style by Timothy Nutter, who plays the guitar throughout. It serves as a bridge from the Shakespearean dialogue to the modern costumes and set pieces while successfully supporting the bohemian energy of the show.

What do a sadistic dentist, a floral shop owner, a meek plant-lover, and a girl with low self-esteem all have in common? Find out when you see the Music Circus premiere of Little Shop of Horrors at Broadway at Music Circus! Based on the 1966 cult-classic film of the same name, the musical features a score by Alan Menken (of Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaid fame) in the style of 1960s doo-wop, Motown and rock, and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast).

A glorious two hours to lose yourself and revert to your carefree younger years-that is what Mamma Mia delivers with gusto. It's a sublime soundtrack of the 70's, complete with platform heels and free love. Comprised entirely of songs from the Swedish pop group, ABBA, Mamma Mia transports you from smoky California directly to the clear, cerulean seas of a fictional Greek island.

How far would you go to ensure your child's success? That's the question at the center of this classic 1959 show, which was nominated for 8 Tony Awards. It is based on the 1957 memoir of American burlesque star, Gypsy Rose Lee. The musical focuses on Gypsy's overbearing mother, Mama Rose, and the journey she takes to get her daughters the stardom that she felt that she deserved.

You would never guess it, but Newsies was originally a flop when it came out as a Disney movie in 1992. It gained credibility and a cult following after being released to home video. The stage musical came several years later and opened on Broadway in 2012, where it was nominated for eight Tony Awards. Newsies ended up winning two, Best Choreography and Best Original Score. You will understand why when you hear the exhilarating numbers by Alan Menken, who also created the music for Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Sister Act.

Like its locomotive namesake, On the 20th Century reaches out to transport you to a different destination. Although, instead of Chicago or New York, you'll be going to a place of laughter, awe and all-consuming fun. This operetta opened on Broadway in 1978, winning 5 Tony Awards, and was revived in 2015 with Kristin Chenoweth as the glamorous Lily Garland. Now it makes its way to the 9th season of the Davis Shakespeare Festival for those lucky enough to get on board.

The Davis Shakespeare Festival opens up their 2018 season with Peter Oswald's modern adaptation of Friedrich Schiller's Mary Stuart. Set in England in 1586, it explores the relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England. This battle of the Queens sets the stage for an intricate pas de deux of Protestant vs. Catholic, Scotland vs. England, and conscience vs. power. It is also a testimony on how much the world has not changed in the political arena-subterfuge, ambiguity, and blind ambition are as prevalent now as they were in 16th century England.

Sometimes it's risky to bring older musicals back to life-the language, attitudes, and music can be dated and dull to today's audiences; however, the old seems new again with Broadway at Music Circus' take on the classic musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This fresh staging secures Broadway at Music Circus as THE place to be this summer in Sacramento.

Oh, I am happy again after absorbing the season debut at the newly renamed Broadway at Music Circus! Singin' in the Rain is based off of the 1952 movie starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds that is often regarded as the best movie musical ever made. The stage version opened on Broadway in 1985 and continues to be popular in regional theatre today.

In its signature way, Intrepid Theatre Lab has again brought the new and bold to Sacramento. This time they have done it with Baltimore, a work by Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge. Titled such after the poem, 'Incident', by Countee Cullen, it was commissioned in 2014 by the Big Ten Theatre Consortium with the goal of narrowing the gap in representation of women in theatre.  

An American in Paris is a gorgeous fusion of dance and classic musical theatre that is based on the 1951 film of the same name. Originally starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the film won 6 Academy Awards and introduced Gershwin staples such as "I Got Rhythm" and "'S Wonderful." The Broadway version debuted in 2015 and won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design.

An endearing message of hope and positivity is what makes Man of La Mancha a timeless classic. It has stayed relevant from its opening on Broadway in 1965 (when it won 5 Tony Awards), through four Broadway revivals, and up to the present day. Now Sacramento is fortunate to have the opportunity to experience the tale that author Miguel de Cervantes began in 1605.

Fans of Peter Pan will be thrilled to know that Finding Neverland, the Drama Desk Award-nominated Broadway musical, has arrived in Sacramento! Based upon the play, The Man Who Was Peter Pan, and the Academy Award-winning movie, Finding Neverland, the story follows the perennial young-at-heart J.M. Barrie on his journey to write one of the most beloved stories of all time.

Mothers and Sons, by 4-time Tony winner Terrence McNally, is a provocative study on guilt, AIDS and familial structure set almost 30 years after the beginning of the American AIDS epidemic. We get to witness all of the pain, fear, shame and frustration of the gay community from the safety of our theatre seats in a time when an AIDS diagnosis is not an immediate death sentence. It is easy, now, to look back and scream with indignation that not enough was done. We say that the administration didn't care about the marginalized members of society. Well, we must be always vigilant, lest history repeat itself.

Bawdy, blasphemous, brilliant and blithe! The Book of Mormon has returned after a two year absence and Sacramento is ready! The winner of 9 Tony Awards, The Book of Mormon is a hilarious depiction of the Mormon religion by the creators of South Park (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) and Avenue Q (Robert Lopez).

Director Casey McClellan, fresh off of a Broadway World Best Director win for The Diary of Anne Frank, brings the Scottish play to Sacramento Theatre Company with a creative spin on the dark and supernatural elements of the show. For those who are not familiar with MacBeth, it is arguably one of Shakespeare's darkest works and cleverly explores the depravity of the human mind and the lengths that one will go to for personal gain.

Fresh off of the 12th longest run in Broadway history, Jersey Boys returns to Sacramento after a four year absence.  Jersey Boys is the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award winning biographical account of the rise and fall of the musical powerhouse, The Four Seasons.  Baby boomers arrived en masse to the Community Center Theatre to be entertained by music from their youth and were not disappointed with the dynamic performance of this touring cast.  

Musical theatre lovers, rejoice! The Musical of Musicals-the Musical! has returned to Sacramento and promises an evening of melodrama, satire, and comedy. Composed by the co-creator of last season's The Donner Party, Eric Rockwell, with lyrics by Joanne Bogart, the show parodies some of Broadway's greatest composers while paying homage to their brilliance.