BWW Review: The Revolution of Rock n' Roll: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Ignites MSMT Stage
When Rock n' Roll burst onto the scene in the late 1950s, it brought with it a veritable revolution in American popular music. Seen by some as 'the Devil's music,' by others as a passing fad, this vibrant, electric sound proved itself a lasting phenomenon. So perhaps it is fitting that more than sixty years later a musical celebrating four of the greatest legends of early rock should open Maine State Music Theatre's 60th anniversary season. And what an opening this is!
Million Dollar Quartet explodes onto the Pickard stage with the energy of a mega concert and the intensity of a high-stakes drama. It is a tale that is at once about the music itself and the men who made it, about dreams and determination, about stumbling and success. In a dazzling production directed by Hunter Foster, MSMT scores the perfect kickoff to its own milestone season.
BWW Review: Audiences SAIL AWAY with a Fabulous Cast at 42nd Street Moon
Noel Coward's musical "Sail Away" has plenty of charm, but little substance. Its song and dance enchant, but in the end depend on a strong cast to sell a frail plot. 1962 London had Elaine Stitch. 2015 San Francisco has Allison F. Rich. Lively, sharp and ready with a sarcastic whip for any occasion, Rich commands the stage as cruise director Mimi Paragon in the 42nd Street Moon production.
42nd Street Moon Presents SAIL AWAY, Now thru 11/15
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco's oldest resident professional musical theatre company, opens its 23rd season with Noel Coward's penultimate musical, the sparkling high seas comedy SAIL AWAY. Although this saucy look at travelers on a Mediterranean cruise opened on Broadway in 1961 and the West End in 1962, it has never been fully staged on the West Coast, until now.
42nd Street Moon to Present SAIL AWAY, 10/28-11/15
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco's oldest resident professional musical theatre company, opens its 23rd season with Noel Coward's penultimate musical, the sparkling high seas comedy SAIL AWAY. Although this saucy look at travelers on a Mediterranean cruise opened on Broadway in 1961 and the West End in 1962, it has never been fully staged on the West Coast, until now.
Berkeley Playhouse Welcomes New Education Director
Berkeley Playhouse has announced the addition of Rachel Eisner to their full time staff. With over 80 extremely qualified individuals applying during the three months-long search, Eisner's proven commitment to Berkeley Playhouse made the decision by Producing Artistic Director Daren A.C. Carollo and Founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy an easy one. She begins July 6, 2015.
Diablo Theatre Company to Present Bay Area Premiere of SHREK, 9/6-28
Everyone's favorite upside-down fairytale comes to Walnut Creek when Diablo Theatre Company presents the Bay Area premiere of Shrek the Musical, a song-and dance-filled stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film. Shrek the Musical opens September 6 and runs through September 28.
Photo Flash: XANADU at the WaterTower Theatre, Starring Sean McGee and Brittany Danielle Ogle
We've got the first production photos from WaterTower Theatre's Xanadu, running July 26 - August 18, 2013 at the Addison Theatre Centre. The cast includes Brittany Danielle (Kira), Sean McGee (Sonny), Bradley Campbell (Danny), Liz Mikel (Melpomene) and Stacia Goad-Malone (Calliope). The Chorus includes Jessi Little, Mallory Michaellann, Thomas Renner and Darius-Anthony Robinson.
Bradley Campbell, Liz Mikel and More Set for WaterTower Theatre's XANADU
WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin announced today the cast forXanadu, running July 26 - August 18, 2013 at the Addison Theatre Centre. The cast includes Brittany Danielle (Kira), Sean McGee (Sonny), Bradley Campbell (Danny), Liz Mikel (Melpomene) and Stacia Goad-Malone(Calliope). The Chorus includes Jessi Little, Mallory Michaellann, Thomas Renner and Darius-Anthony Robinson.
BWW Reviews: Clever CARMELINA at 42nd Street Moon Tells the Original MAMMA MIA Story
With a surprisingly well-written book and a fun, familiar plot, 42nd Street Moon's production of the rare musical, "Carmelina," stands out against its more recent cousin, the Abba-inspired "Mamma Mia!" While it does not have the peppy energy and catchy music of "Mamma Mia!," "Carmelina" has unique stories and charming characters that make it just as enjoyable, especially when performed by a fabulous cast on the intimate Eureka Theatre stage.
Pacific Symphony Presents Shortened Version of HANSEL AND GRETEL, 3/3
The captivating fairy tale opera, "Hansel and Gretel," comes to life in full orchestral and vocal color for Pacific Symphony's Family Musical Mornings' unique production of Humperdinck's beloved opera, created just for kids. Kicking off the Symphony's new opera-vocal initiative-which includes a production of Puccini's "La Boheme" this April and "Tosca" in February 2013-this 45-minute performance includes original narration and dialogue to introduce children to the beautiful and powerful instrument, the voice. Led by Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy, the orchestra and singers tell the familiar Brothers Grimm story of two siblings who venture into a magical forest to find a gingerbread house made of candy. But, beware! A wicked witch wants to turn them into a snack! Staged with costumes, props and scenery projected on the big screen. Presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank and underwritten by the Honorable H. Warren and Janet Siegel, "Hansel and Gretel" takes place Saturday, March 3, at 10 and 11:30 a.m., in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.