Linda Hodges - Page 4

Carol de Giere's revised and updated second edition to her earlier biography, 'DEFYING GRAVITY: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz,' was a necessary Act II, since, as we all know, Schwartz's star has only continued to rise since 2008. It's a wonderful addition with brand new behind-the-scene insights on his latest projects. As her webpage states, 'This new edition features a Foreword by Alan Menken and four new chapters covering Schwartz's more recent projects like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt, and Wicked after Broadway. DEFYING GRAVITY Second Edition includes additional 'Creativity Notes' with comments from Schwartz about overcoming creative blocks, collaboration, and the artistic life.' A stunning 512 pages (with photographs and handwritten notes), de Giere's book is a thoroughly fascinating read as well as something of a musical theatre master class in written form -- one that has been lovingly lensed through the life and creativity of Stephen Schwartz.

Latin Standards is a belly-laugh funny and loving, side-by-side tale of Willy Chevalier and what he did for laughs and love - and about Marga Gomez - the daughter who followed in his comedic footsteps.

Currently playing at San Jose's 3Below, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' is at once a dramatic tour-de-force and a Vaudevillian comedic masterpiece that will have you laughing (not to mention cheering and hissing) and leave you thoroughly entertained. Playing now through November 11, it's a grand, must-see show.

Broadway San Jose is serving up some hot Latin Salsa with the hit Broadway show 'On Your Feet,' a jukebox musical that follows the life -- and rise to stardom -- of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and their band, Miami Sound Machine.

I highly recommend this modern-day war of the roses. If NATIVE GARDENS is a prognosticator of things to come in this country, then the art of compromise and not the art of the deal is what will be needed to overcome all our border disputes and prejudices.

Woodminister Summer Musicals is closing its season with a dynamic production of In the Heights, which won four Tonys (Best Musical, Score, Choreography and Orchestrations) in 2008. The show was conceived in the heart and soul of composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was homesick for his Washington Heights, Manhattan neighborhood, and poured all of that longing into song and the first glimmers of a story, which was later fleshed out by playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes. What emerged was a rap-infused, slice-of-life tale about a modern immigrant community on the cusp of change. Who will stay? Who will go? Whose dreams will thrive and how will the neighborhood survive the gentrification that is slowly beginning to take place?

Bay Area Musical's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame came to glorious life on opening night in San Francisco's Victoria Theatre in the heart of the Mission district this past weekend. The show, written by Peter Parnell with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, is based on Victor Hugo's classic novel as well as the Disney animated film of the same name. This version of 'Hunchback' debuted in 2015 and immediately labored under the heft and ubiquitous branding of the Disney animation, when in fact it is much more of a tragedy in the manner of Les Miserables. As such, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a searing and evocative tour de force that didn't leave a dry eye in the house on opening night. Playing now through August 5, this professionally mounted production is an absolute must-see.

Alice Walker's poignantly sad, yet ultimately empowering classic novel, 'The Color Purple,' has found expression on the page, on film and twice now on the musical stage. The revival (book by Marsha Norman; songs by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray), honed to its finest points, tears at your heart as the story of Southern black girl Celie unfolds over decades of poverty, abuse and a loveless existence, only to see her rise triumphantly as she finally comes into her own. Directed by John Doyle (who was also responsible for the sepia-toned, minimalist set design), the show won the 2016 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical and is now on tour, with a wonderous stop at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre, now through May 27.

San Francisco's Curran Theater is playing host to Head Over Heels, an Elizabethan farce and romp featuring the 80s pop-rock music of the Go-Go's. The all-girl band emerged out of the LA punk scene of the late 70s, but they soon found their groove in the driving beat of the power pop songs they wrote and played themselves. The catchy melodies, simple arrangements, heavy drums and prominent guitar riffs quickly took them to the top of the charts while also making a star of lead singer Belinda Carlisle. (Some of her solo hits are featured in the show.)

Brilliant in its simplicity, epic in its scope and poignant in its delivery, TheatreWorks"The Bridges of Madison County" will capture your heart and leave you wondering about the journeys that you've made, the bridges you've crossed and perhaps the road not taken.

In an age of angst, with an administration that threatens the fabric of our communities, Broadway San Jose presents RENT and all of sudden, it's all about LOVE! We will survive!

Theatre, at its best, can entertain you so much you forget all your troubles for a blissful two hours before remembering your dental appointment the next day. It can also cause you to delve deeply into questions about life, human nature and the gut-wrenching misery that human beings can visit upon one another. The Laramie Project eloquently, painfully and painstakingly belongs in the latter category. The powerful drama, as the Palo Alto Players' press release tells us, was originally developed by playwright Mois s Kaufman and members of his company, Tectonic Theater Project in the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student at the University of Wyoming. Twenty years later it is still as powerful as ever.

If you're looking for a holiday confectionary delight then get prepared to be dazzled by ALADDIN, playing now thru Jan. 7, 2018 at SF's Orpheum Theatre.

This weekend saw the TheatreWorks world premiere of The Prince of Egypt, which first came to life almost 20 years ago as a DreamWorks animated movie of the same name. Taking its cue more from Cecil B. de Mille's 'The Ten Commandments' and less so from the Bible, Philip LaZebnik's musical book creatively reimagines Moses as 'spare to the heir' behind his adoptive brother Ramses in this retelling of the Exodus story. Coupled with Stephen Schwartz' rich and nuanced score and lyrics, and an absolutely dynamic, multi-ethnic international cast, this epic saga of two brothers caught up in a destiny-defining relationship is altogether magnificent.

Playwright Min Kahng's 'THE FOUR IMMIGRANTS: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL MANGA' is a World Premiere Masterpiece. Get your tickets now at www.theatreworks.org. This show is not to be missed!

Playing now through July 23, 'The Curious Incident' gets curiouser and curiouser until you're completely pulled in - at once enthralled and appalled by what's unfolding and what it takes for Christopher to simply be himself in the world. Winner of five 2015 Tonys, including Best Play, it's an imaginative and thought-provoking story.

“Roman Holiday” is a sweet confection of a show for sure, though in its present form, it lacks the meaty bite needed to make it a Broadway special.

Alexander Hamilton Lin was waiting just to sing for you. Alexander Hamilton We're so happy that your life rings 'new!

Playing now through February 26, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' is at once haunting and hopeful; shattering and uplifting and will surely open people's hearts and minds to the plight of women in the world today.

Disney's The Lion King, in all its magic and majesty, roared into San Francisco's Orpheum Theater and will be here now through December 31. If you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left,' then this show is surely one for the list. Directed and loved into being by Julie Taymor, who infuses her creation with rich multicultural beauty, soul-stirring African harmonies and life-sized almost living, breathing animal puppets, Lion King will capture your heart as it surrounds your senses with magic, wonder, awe and grace.