Matt Tucci

BWW Review: RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Gloriously Re-Visits the Rubicon Theatre Galaxy to Celebrate its 20th Anniversary Season

The musical is a send-up of the cult classic movie and other sci-fi films and TV shows of the 1950s, melded with plot elements from "The Tempest" along with dialogue bits from multiple Shakespeare plays. That was part of the fun for me, catching so many Shakespearean quotes perfectly placed in the dialogue of Bob Carlton's musical set on a spaceship sometime in the future, featuring a galaxy of 1950's and 1960's rock and roll classics including "Wipeout," "Good Vibrations," "Great Balls of Fire," "All Shook Up," "Monster Mash" and "We Gotta Get Out of this Place." And what an outrageously fabulous band under the musical direction of Trevor Wheetman and Omar D. Brancato, both of whom rocked the house on guitars while believably playing Ensign crew members onstage.

Rubicon Theatre Company Presents RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET

Get ready to blast off as Rubicon Theatre Company presents the hilarious, out-of-this-world musical RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET, returning to Ventura after its acclaimed run in 2016. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical, this fabulously campy send-up of "Forbidden Planet" and other sci-fi films and TV shows of the 1950s and 1960's melds plot elements from The Tempestwith language from multiple plays by Shakespeare. Set on a spaceship sometime in the future, the show features a galaxy of rock-and-roll classics, including "Wipeout," "Good Vibrations," "Great Balls of Fire," "All Shook Up, and "Monster Mash." The jukebox musical spoof rockets into orbit just in time for Halloween - with a gala costume party on Saturday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. followed by an after-party at Rhumb Line on the Harbor. Low-priced previews are October 17-19. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays through November 4.

BWW Review: I DIG ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC at Rubicon Theatre Company

'I Dig Rock And Roll Music' celebrates the folk-rock era of the '60s and '70s utilizing a six-person band, three of whom were featured in the successful theatrical concert 'Lonesome Traveler.' The show includes hit songs from the folk-rock movement, including protest songs like 'Ohio,' 'For What It's Worth' and others, as well as newly composed songs for the modern era, such as Trevor Wheetman's incendiary 'Dangerous Clown' and Sylvie Davidson's 'Can't Stop That Train.'

Photo Flash: Rubicon Theatre Presents the World Premiere of I DIG ROCK & ROLL MUSIC

Rubicon Theatre presents the World Premiere of I DIG ROCK & ROLL MUSIC which opens this Saturday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. A co-production with Laguna Playhouse, the event continues through September 16 at Rubicon Theatre and runs September 19 through 23 at Laguna.

Rubicon Theatre Presents the World Premiere Of I DIG ROCK & ROLL MUSIC

Members of the press are cordially invited to the World Premiere of I DIG ROCK & ROLL MUSIC which opens this Saturday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. A co-production with Laguna Playhouse, the event continues through September 16 at Rubicon Theatre and runs September 19 through 23 at Laguna. 

BWW Review: KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY at Laguna Playhouse

King of the Road: The Roger Miller Story features brilliant performance by Jesse Johnson as the late country music star

Photo Flash: World Premiere of KING OF THE ROAD Rolls into Laguna Beach

Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the fifth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, a world premiere musical KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY, written by Cort Casady & Mary Arnold Miller, music by Roger Miller, musical direction by Omar D. Brancato and directed by Andrew Barnicle.

Laguna Playhouse presents KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY

Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the fifth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, a world premiere musical KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY, written by Cort Casady & Mary Arnold Miller, music by Roger Miller, musical direction by Omar D. Brancato and directed by Andrew Barnicle. "We are delighted to be bringing our subscribers and audiences this world premiere musical based on the life of one of country's most iconic characters, Roger Miller," comments Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard. 

Photo Flash: First Look at MCCC Theatre's Student Adaptation of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Academic Theatre Company will present an original adaptation of Shakespeare's classic A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times are Todays, April 1 and 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, April 2 and 9 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Photo Flash: First Look at MCCC Theatre's Student Adaptation of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Academic Theatre Company will present an original adaptation of Shakespeare's classic A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times are Fridays, April 1 and 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, April 2 and 9 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!