Kyle Christopher West - Page 9

After a record-breaking twenty-eight years on Broadway (and nearly the same timespan on the road), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is an international sensation that's been seen by virtually everyone. In fact, nearly 150 million people have sat in the audience for a performance and listened to the Andrew Lloyd Webber score in more than 15 languages! Up until the 2004 feature film, each of these performances followed the blueprint created by director Harold Prince and CATS choreographer Gillian Lynn, first staging it in London where it currently celebrates its 30th year of success. But, in 2012, producer Cameron Mackintosh recruited West End director Laurence Connor to helm a sparkling new production, later inspiring a new US tour that has just returned to Bass Hall in its second DFW-area appearance. And while 'Phans' of the original production might miss a few iconic elements, the new tour offers an exciting opportunity to experience the show through a new pair of opera glasses.

There are few things in the world as thrilling as seeing a new work come to life on stage, especially when that stage is the Dallas Theater Center's Wyly Theatre, our local answer to Broadway-caliber theatre. The anticipation and possibility of being the first one to discover a new hit is so exciting - but it is balanced by the opportunity for a show to be unexceptional or 'not ready for primetime.' BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE, in this writer's opinion, falls into the latter category.

No matter what year you were born, you've probably teased your hair and belted out every word to 'Livin' On A Prayer,' or 'Don't Stop Believing' at some point in your life. The 1980's are celebrated as a never-ending pop music party that everyone seems to remember fondly - including the younger generation who wasn't even around for it! When Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore fell in love onscreen in the 80's-themed 1998 film THE WEDDING SINGER, a comedic classic was born, eventually becoming inspiration to a Broadway musical of the same name in 2006. Although the stage version never quite captured audiences or critics like the movie did (perhaps they were 'Too Shy' to pay $111.25 for the blast-from-the-past?), the show was overall well received by audiences. Now, Dallas' theatre-in-the-round, Theatre Three, brings the 'Me decade' to the stage in THE WEDDING SINGER and providing a lot of upbeat, fluffy fun.

Choose your own adventure stories are generally reserved for young readers, but toss in some quantum theory and a handful of dramatic adult situations, and you've landed somewhere among the intricate stars in Dallas Theater Center's new production of Nick Payne's CONSTELLATIONS.

Not every musical leaves you inspired or educated, but that doesn't mean a show written for pure enjoyment can't be fulfilling. In Uptown Player's current feature THE TOXIC AVENGER MUSICAL, a B-list plot creates an A+ evening.

Equal parts killing and comedy, with a dash of drama is the recipe to the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.

Broadway couple Nick Verina and Erin Henry-Verina recently relocated from New York City to Scituate, MA, and whether it was their luggage or their bulky resumes that weighed more is anyone's guess. The talented couple first travelled the country together in the first national tour of the recent GREASE revival (Nick played Sonny and Erin played Patty Simcox), although the pair has individual credits that shine on their own.

In 64 years since the famous film came out, the stage version of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has never quite succeeded on The Great White Way, despite several attempts (a recent endeavor starring Derek Hough was postponed just last month). Nonetheless, Stolen Shakespeare Guild continues their tenth season with this well-known title. Although the musical's nostalgia does seem to charm audiences with its memorable score, ultimately, the magic and glamour of the film disappear in front of a live audience.

42nd Street Touring Company 'Dares To Dance' To Raise Awareness

This week, Dallas became the stage for a tragic sniper attack as Dallas police officers were gunned down while supporting a local peaceful protest. Just a few miles down the road, the touring company of 42ND STREET was onstage at the Music Hall at Fair Park, where they are just concluding their two-week visit before performing a one-week run at Fort Worth's Bass Performance Hall. As a response to the Dallas attack, as well as the other high-profile shootings over the last month, the cast decided to give something back to the community who has been coming out in full force to support them.

There may only be a few remaining performances of Lyric Stage's ANYTHING GOES, but there's still plenty to see and hear before the ship sails beyond closing night this Sunday. The show (which features a cast of 37 actors and an astounding 33-piece orchestra) appears as a never-before-seen edit, written exclusively for Lyric Stage by musical director and conductor Jay Dias. With over three hours of old fashioned musical theatre comedy on stage, there's surely something to please the whole family in this lavish, timeless tale.

Next week, the national touring cast of 42nd STREET arrives at Dallas Summer Musicals, featuring a cast of 38 accomplished actors, singers and tap dancers. Although many of the touring gypsies currently consider New York City their home base, four of them were raised locally in the Lone Star State, and cannot wait to put on their dancing shoes back home next week. While on a one-week lay off from the tour this week, I caught up with Texas's own Caitin Ehlinger, Matthew J. Taylor, Mandy Modic and Sarah Fagan. The show runs in Dallas from June 28th to July 10th, and at Forth Worth's Bass Hall July 12th-17th.

Prior to my attendance at Dallas Theater Center's DREAMGIRLS this weekend, my familiarity with the show was based on the 2006 motion picture and the 2001 Actors Fund concert recording (not to mention the Tony Awards clip featuring Jennifer Holliday). Basically knowing only the film, I had often considered how smoothly the stage show could handle the onstage to backstage transitions, given the fast-paced musical score it followed. And, although the DTC production offers a slick, seamless interpretation of the piece, I'm afraid I left the theatre with the impression that the (gasp) movie adaptation was superior to the stage version. That being said, there are still many reasons to head to the Wyly to see this production.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL might not have the same soundtrack as Beyonce's recent LEMONADE album, but there's enough dirty laundry aired in this musical biography to rival Ms. Knowles' infamous troubles. 'So Far Away,' 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,' 'The Locomotion,' 'It's Too Late,' and 'You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman)' are just a few of the many hit songs that captivated audiences on Dallas' opening night of BEAUTIFUL at the Winspear Opera House. However, it wasn't just the songs that stirred the crowd, but the heart-wrenching story of Ms. King, a middle-class New York teenager who found fame and fortune in the public eye, yet kept a great deal of secret pain in her private life.

When SPAMALOT opened on Broadway in 2005, I wasn't much of a Monty Python fan, but the buzz around town convinced me to go see the show before it eventually won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. And even though a few jokes (and a cow) seemed to fly right over my head, when the British shtick met the high kicks and glitz, I caught myself laughing until I cried. The star-studded cast at Casa Manana, appearing only though June 12th, might miss a beat here or there throughout the evening, but they are so energetic and enthusiastic that the opening night audience couldn't help but love them.

The national tour of BEAUTIFUL, the musical based on the life and legacy of Carole King, just arrived in Houston, where they'll perform for one week before landing at Dallas' Winspear Opera House. On Tuesday night, I was lucky enough to catch this former DFW local Josh Dawson on his way to the theatre. It's been four years since he has performed in The Big D, but he's eager to briefly return to our thriving arts district. Check out our conversation below:

I can't be the only theatregoer who found the tour of CABARET chilling. During an election year where fear mongering and racial intolerance are sitting center ring, the story of pre-Holocaust Germany seems especially relevant and cautionary. But that doesn't mean the musical, which just arrived at the Winspear Opear House, isn't equally thrilling and heartfelt.

Runway Theatre's production of Spring Awakening will continue to sing the song of purple summer as they begin to collect donations to aid in the effort to send the cast of Deaf West's Spring Awakening to the Tony Awards. Beginning with this Friday's performance, Runway Theatre patrons will be able to donate money that will go towards allowing the Deaf West cast to perform on the 2016 Tony Awards.

Walking into the Music Hall at Fair Park Tuesday night, I was extremely eager to enjoy Ahrens and Flaherty's lavish, Tony Award-winning score in the tour of RAGTIME. Together with Terrence McNally's dynamic script, RAGTIME is celebrated as perhaps one of the greatest book musicals of the past two decades. Unfortunately, in spite of all of its inherent strengths, technical troubles plagued the tour's opening night performance. I left the theatre completely disappointed.