Director Timothy Sheader impressively keeps the production moving forward at a heart pumping pulse right to the jaw dropping emotional climax of the title song and the Crucifixion.
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If this youthful, vibrant touring company is any indication at this opening night, ‘Cats’ still has a long life ahead of it, and audiences will continue to ‘let the memory live again’ even thirty years later.
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I would recommend this show for those who like modern shows with deep messages and tough subject matters. If you’ve ever felt forgotten or misunderstood there is a scene for you in many parts of this show. It truly is an amazing piece of art that will have you thinking and feeling uplifted also at the end.
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Cameron Mackintosh’s Broadway revival of “Miss Saigon” opened on Thursday, July 19 at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. This version is especially poignant as Americans daily read and watch the political refugee crisis, as desperate people flee violence in Central America and other countries under our current administration.
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“Waitress” is a sweet, well-constructed show that leaves you thoroughly entertained without having tread much new ground. But maybe that’s just fine. An apple pie doesn’t need to “tread new ground” to be satisfying.
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Dear Touring Musicals:
My wish for all of you is to provide what Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ gave me and my 16-year-old godson on opening night at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre. Let me kindly explain why.
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The season ends at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St Louis with the touring production of ‘Come From Away’. The show follows the true story set in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada on the days surrounding the September 11th attacks on America.
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There are a lot of things I liked about the Tony Award-winning musical “Falsettos,” now at The Ahmanson Theatre. I fully understand why it was nominated for five 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, however at almost three hours long, with 37 songs by composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright and director James Lapine it needs to be cut down to 120 minutes for this LA audience.
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I am so glad that I got up that morning because the beautiful Chilina Kennedy as Carole King and an extraordinary company put a smile on my face at the terrific opening night of ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. I’m still grinning as ‘Beautiful’ is that feel good show we all need right now.
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‘Waitress’ continues this year's Fabulous Fox Theatre’s season. Based off of the film by Adrienne Shelley the story follows ‘Jenna’ a waitress who is known for her amazing pies. ‘Jenna’ finds herself struggling to be free from a cycle of abuse and finding the confidence within to grow. She discovers she is pregnant and ponders what that means to her future. Written by Grammy award winner Sara Bareilles the original score is charming, funny, and compelling.
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There are so many winning elements to the hit Broadway touring musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, now at the Pantages Theatre. First the show’s music by Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. Besides familiar toe-tapping songs "Pure Imagination," "The Candy Man," songs, new-to-Broadway includes “A Letter from Charlie Bucket.”
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I was so excited to take my teenage daughter to see CATS at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. CATS was a Broadway sensation for over 18 years and the fourth-longest running show in Broadway history.
The first time I saw the musical was in the 1980s. Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot and music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, I shared some of my favorite “memories” of the show with my daughter while driving to the theater. Director Trevor Nunn and lighting designer Natasha Katz excitedly open the show with a multitude of large green cat eyes prowling up and down the aisle before they prance upon the dimly lit stage.
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Come From Away will have you walking out of the theatre with a warm heart and hope that we as a nation, even in the worst times times, can come together to selflessly love thy neighbor no matter what country, religion or gender.
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Need to pay your rent? Try forming your own rock band. Just make sure the lyrics can be heard.
It has been years since I’ve seen the film version of ‘School of Rock’ with Jack Black. I will admit I was never a fan of his to begin and wasn’t certain if I was going to like this production.
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I believe the best way to describe the sensation one gets when experiencing the Broadway stage musical adaptation of multi-platinum selling recording artist Gloria Estefan's life story is to actually use one of her very famous songs: "The Rhythm is Gonna Get You."
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Los Angelenos enthusiastically embraced the cast of “One Your Feet!” last night at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. The Opening Night of this Broadway touring show had adorning fans ten rows deep, outside the theatre hoping to get a glimpse or photo of seven-time Grammy winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her Grammy winning husband, producer-musician and entrepreneur Emilio Estefan.
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Recently, I had written an article on whether classic twentieth century musicals have run their course with such titles as Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and The King and I coming to mind. The latter is one that has always puzzled me for its continued fascination with audiences.
The story chronicles the experiences of widow Mrs. Anna Leonowens, a British school teacher, who was hired as part of the King of Siam’s drive to modernize his country in the early 1860s. Mrs. Anna and her son Louis travel to Siam where she will teach the Royal Family all about British culture, etiquette, and customs. Since the King is also considered a barbarian, Mrs. Anna must also prepare a party for a group of English diplomats with the hope they will change their opinions about the King.
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First, let's get some pleasantries out of the way.
There are many, very obvious spectacular things that stand out while watching “LOVE NEVER DIES,” Andrew Lloyd Webber's infamously, uh, troubled 2010 musical follow-up to his long-running global hit “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA,” now continuing its two-week engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through May 5, 2018.
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