Courtney Symes is a long-time theatre aficionado who has been writing for BroadwayWorld since 2017. She has been active in theatre and youth organizations in her community. After trying law school, she decided that a life in the arts was the way to go. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature and teaches during the day while pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. In addition to theatre, Courtney enjoys music, reading, sports, hiking, traveling, and raising San Francisco Giants fans.
Favorite Show:
The Phantom of the OperaFavorite Stories:
- BWW Interview: Ottmar Liebert of OTTMAR LIEBERT & LUNA NEGRA at The Sofia - I love the process of interviews. Delving into someone's life and career teaches me something new every time I do it. Everyone has an interesting story if you take the time to listen. Ottmar Liebert has been my favorite subject. He is one of the most intelligent, interesting, and humble people I have ever come across.
- Review: Nostradamus Predicts a Hit With SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Broadway At Music Circus - Something Rotten was such a great show to write about. The Easter eggs (references to other musicals) in that show are so numerous that it's almost impossible to catch them all. The book is quick, the dialogue is clever, and it's just a fun, fun show to lose yourself in.
- BWW Review: HAMILTON Brings Theatre Back to Broadway Sacramento - What can I say? Hamilton speaks for itself.
- BWW Interview: Ben Vereen of STEPPIN' OUT LIVE WITH BEN VEREEN at Stockton Symphony - Growing up in the 80s in a theatre loving home meant that Ben Vereen was a big deal. I remember watching him on tv and being in awe. This was the first interview that I ever did with Broadway World, and to have it be with such a large figure from my childhood was incredible.
- Review: RAGTIME Sets the Standard at Broadway At Music Circus - I have so many favorites that it's hard to pick just a few. I chose Ragtime because I did my undergraduate capstone paper on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. Music Circus also did a phenomenal job in staging the show. It really worked in the round and, to be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. This production blew me away.
BWW Review: THE DONNER PARTY, A NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL, Premieres at Sacramento Theatre Company
April 23, 2017
April 23, 2017
Growing up in Northern California, it is impossible not to hear about the Donner Party, the group of 87 pioneers who tried to cross the Sierra Nevada mountains in the winter of 1846. Unfortunately, the name has become synonymous with cannibalism. After being trapped in an early winter storm at Truckee (now Donner) Lake, members of the party were forced to eat their dead in order to survive. In the horror that the imagery generates, it is difficult to remember that these were very real, living, breathing people who had dreams of providing a better life for themselves and their families. The Donner Party, A New American Musical, tells the story of 16 of those pioneers. Commissioned by Sacramento Theatre Company and written by Margaret Rose with music by Eric Rockwell, this is the musical's world premiere right here in Sacramento.
BWW Interview: Ben Vereen of STEPPIN' OUT LIVE WITH BEN VEREEN at Stockton Symphony
April 24, 2017
April 24, 2017
When an icon is as approachable, affable and humble as Ben Vereen is, it is easy to see why he has been so successful. The winner of a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his role in Pippin, Vereen is, at the age of 70, showing no signs of slowing down. Luckily for us, he is bringing his energy and talent to our area to perform with the Stockton Symphony on May 6 and 7.
BWW Review: Sacramento Will Always Love THE BODYGUARD
April 19, 2017
April 19, 2017
How does a musical do justice to the late Whitney Houston? By casting Grammy Award-nominated Deborah Cox in the role originated by Houston. The Bodyguard the Musical is based off of the 1992 film, which starred Houston and Kevin Costner. It ran in London's West End from December 2012-August 2014 and the North American tour began in November 2016.
BWW Review: THE GLASS MENAGERIE Draws Audiences in at Sacramento Theatre Company
March 27, 2017
March 27, 2017
Tennessee Williams' memory play, The Glass Menagerie, was a timely choice for Sacramento Theatre Company to revive this season. In today's political climate fraught with worry, the average American can relate to Tom Wingfield, who is living in a country on the precipice of war and trying to provide for his mother and sister while putting his own wanderlust on hold.
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