Harmony Wheeler - Page 9

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.

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.

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.

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/.

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/.

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.

'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.

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."

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.

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.

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/.

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/.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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).

A number of factors combine to make Center REPertory Theatre's adaptation of Charles Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol" a one-of-a-kind experience. Special effects throughout the show add to the excitement and surprise of the play as a fantastic cast gives familiar characters unique personalities.