Sacramento Theater Reviews

BWW Review: It's a Big Bright Beautiful World with SHREK THE MUSICAL

Decorated with Monty Pythonesque humor, the touring production of 'Shrek' the musical contains enough tasteful pop culture and Broadway musical references to make the Genie at Disney California Adventure's 'Aladdin Musical Spectacular' proud. Creators lifted much of the dialogue from the original film and surrounded it with catchy music and endearing characters. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Center Rep Creates Beautiful and Moving OLD WICKED SONGS

Song echoes heart in Jon Marans' 'Old Wicked Songs,' a beautiful play that, like the classical music it celebrates, takes its time to mature story and soak in emotion and meaning. Much like the infamous Maria Callas account, 'Master Class,' 'Old Wicked Songs' follows teacher and student as pasts divulge and talents unfold. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Disney's DARE TO DREAM Offers Magical Time

'Dare to Dream' features some of the best costumes, sets and lighting in Disney on Ice history, not to mention some second act circus action. But some adults will have to wait until the second half of the show before the energy and choreography become engaging and impressive enough to capture their attention. Of course, the little ones and the children at heart will have no problem getting along with the entertainment, and for those looking for more advanced figure skating, Rapunzel's second act aerial segment makes the ticket well worth its price. (more...)

BWW Reviews: DISNEY ON ICE Celebrates 100 Years

In one of the first numbers of Disney on Ice "100 Years of Magic," a host of genie duplicates from the classic film Aladdin cover the rink with their "magic," a small taste of the magic to come. The hour and a half celebration of Disney enchantment that follows retells shortened versions of several well-known Disney stories. Featured favorites include Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, Pinocchio, Mulan, The Incredible and The Lion King, as well as shout outs to Disney parks with a wonderful first act finale tribute to It's A Small World and The Main Street Electrical Parade. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Shirley Jones and Son Make Already Spectacular MUSIC MAN Beautiful

Mother-son pair Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy have more than star power. They embody love and sweetness every moment they stand on stage together. And the special "Till There Was You" duet they sing each night through August 5 at Music Circus - more than enough to leave a few damp eyes in the theater - is only a small portion of the magic these two create next to the beautiful California Musical Theatre summer 2012 cast of "The Music Man." (more...)

BWW Reviews: New LITTLE MERMAID Still Entertains, but Fails to Fix Broadway Version

When you're dealing with a musical version of a classic like "The Little Mermaid," it becomes nearly impossible to botch a show enough to give viewers reason to hate it. You still have all the popular songs that everyone loves to sing along with (including one adorable little girl sitting in the back on opening night), and you have the iconic characters that we all love so much. Still, for avid fans of the movie or those who had complaints about the Broadway version of "Mermaid," the Sacramento Music Circus production of "The Little Mermaid" doesn't quite live up to the hype. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Audiences Get a Kick Out of ANYTHING GOES

Apparently, anything goes at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Visit this stunning building this weekend and you'll find glimpses of "something shocking" as friendly ushers and ticketing staff welcome you, comfortable seats provide you with the perfect view and a standout orchestra begins playing that fantastic overture to the Cole Porter classic, "Anything Goes." But that's not all that goes at the Gallo Center this weekend. Modesto Performing Arts has gathered a stellar cast and crew to create an animated and "delovely" musical that, in the words one of its more popular songs, is the top! Its patriotic set colors and costumes also make it the perfect show to celebrate the 4th of July holiday week. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Music Circus Opens With Charismatic GREASE

The ultimate musical on peer pressure, sex and parties, "Grease" always wins out as a good time, despite shallow characters that overshadow deeper truths. No one can deny the appeal of the 50s style rock n' roll music or the fun stereotypes of geeks, cheerleaders and "live life while you can" teenagers that appear in "Grease." These teenagers seem determined to have a good time - something they share in common with audiences. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Broadway Sacramento Goes WICKED

Seven is the perfect number. Thursday night marked my seventh time seeing the hit musical "Wicked." Here's the countdown: Twice in San Francisco in high school, once in New York as a high school graduation present, three times in Chicago to see a family friend in the cast, and, now, once in Sacramento where the mind blowing show - as so many have called it - plays through June 17 at the Community Center Theater. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Broadway Sacramento Brings in a MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

On December 4, 1956, four legendary musicians ended up at the same recording studio in what turned into the dream jam session. In 2010, the historic day made history once again with its own Broadway show. And on Tuesday evening, the touring production of Million Dollar Quartet brought all the energy and revolutionary music of the twentieth century to the Sacramento Community Center, a strong beginning to a fabulous week of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Broadway by the Bay's HAIRSPRAY Offers Strong Cast and Uplifting Message

Refreshingly different from its film counterpart, the original Hairspray musical offers all the highs of the movie set to the thrill of live performance. The changes from stage to screen can both enhance and take away from the charm of a musical. In the case of Broadway by the Bay's production of Hairspray, audiences are treated to those special elements lost in the film. Of course, if you've never seen the movie version of the Tony Award winning show, allow me to introduce you to the high-spirited, catchy musical that will leave a smile on your face, a tune on your mind and a tap to your foot. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Marin Theatre Leaves Strong Impression with Fierce Performances in OTHELLO

A slim moon and dark scenery set the mood for Marin Theatre Company's production of Othello. The foreboding atmosphere reminds audiences that, even during the happier moments of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, they are in for an intense, soul-stirring two and a half hours. (more...)

BWW REVIEWS: Superb Cast and Sets Make CCMT's SUNSET BOULEVARD Broadway Quality

Andrew Lloyd Webber's indisputable claim to fame, "The Phantom of the Opera," has made the composer a favorite of Broadway, West End and the masses. But while "Phantom" has its highly notable songs and romantic, breathtaking story, Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" surpasses it on so many levels. With musical themes that convey the rich setting and psychological motivations of complex characters, the show sweeps audiences away, deep into a glamorous, but dramatic world that captivates all who watch and listen with relatable themes, exquisite music and grand story that could not be told to more perfection. Contra Costa Musical Theatre adds to that perfection of musical storytelling with sublime acting, singing, costumes and sets. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BLAST Blasts Audiences Away, Comes to Modesto, SoCal

From start to finish, "blast" consists of creative, high energy routines that make every number equally mind-blowing. After an amazing opening act that boasts impressive choreography, the multi-tasking continues. I've always wondered how actors manage to burst into song after a long dance number, and a recent Broadway revival of Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" captured my loyalty with its actors who both sang and played instruments. In comparison, "blast" surpassed all favorites. As I sat in my seat at Three Stages at Folsom Lake College on Sunday, the spectacular show blast me away. You might expect such strong offerings from the big opening number or bombastic finale to a show, but with "blast," every number is its own finale. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Ballet Preljocaj Presents Stunning BLANCHE NEIGE in U.S. Tour

From the moment Blanche Neige begins - a pregnant, dying queen dragging herself across the floor and giving life to another in her own final moments - you know what lies ahead will challenge your preconceptions about the way Snow White's tale should be told. Yet as Angelin Preljocaj's ballet advances, dancers catapult you into a visually spectacular world, not necessarily challenging, but somewhat sexually provocative world that contrasts the light purity and innocence of Snow White with the dark desires of an evil queen. And despite the skin-clad costumes that seem more decoration than clothing, this production stays fairly true to the original Grimm fairytale. (more...)

BWW Reviews: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Brings Audiences to Life with Laughter

The humor of Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein: The Musical" follows that of the original 1974 film, but adds just enough new punch lines to make the show fresh for the younger generations unfamiliar with the movie. The comedy of show even sometimes exceeds that of the film, which follows the grandson of Victor von Frankenstein and his adventures in Transylvania after he arrives in town to settle his dead grandfather's estate. The temptation to recreate his grandfather's experiments on dead bodies proves too strong, and Frederick Frankenstein finds himself with his own monster and an angry town mob at his door. (more...)

BWW Reviews: California Musical Theater Turns Favorite Musicals Into FORBIDDEN BROADWAY

A small piece of the national tour of "West Side Story" remains in Sacramento these next two months, but it's not what you might think. And while many anticipate the arrival of the hit musical "Wicked," they can get their Wicked kicks at California Musical Theater's Cosmopolitan Cabaret, but with more humor than magic. Songs from these and many more shows are part of a Broadway revue in downtown Sacramento playing through March 18. But this isn't your typical revue. This revue has four fantastic actors constantly changing from excessive costume to excessive costume as they take on some of the most well know Broadway tunes with a revised, "forbidden" twist. The tunes are there, but the cleverly reinvented lyrics of "Forbidden Broadway" make fun of everything musical theater. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Grittier WEST SIDE STORY Tour Delivers with Amazing Vocals and Choreography

The national tour of "West Side Story," which visits Broadway Sacramento at the Community Center now through January 29, updates a classic, not with modern reinventions and sets, but with a somewhat darker take on the musical's Romeo and Juliet story, as well as with new Spanish dialogue added for a more authentic and balanced feel. But much of the production stays true to tradition, magically recreating Jerome Robbin's original choreography and paying tribute to all the original Leonard Bernstein songs, including "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "One Hand, One Heart," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere." The cast, too, sticks to the show's roots while providing outstanding vocal performance, and James Youmans' basic sets keep the production simple. (more...)

BWW Reviews MY FAIR LADY Brings 'Loverly' Production to Fresno, Modesto, SoCal

Based on quality alone, it seems unfair to equate the touring production of "My Fair Lady" with a low-budget, non-equity production. Although that is what it is, the show boasts such "loverly" sets and cast members, it easily stands above typical non-equity shows in every aspect possible. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Beatles RAIN on Sacramento Through Jan 1

Classical music had Mozart and Bach. Modern technology had Steve Jobs. 20th century music had The Beatles. Music has the power to capture the essence of, and speak to the citizens of each generation. Thus the little surprise that The Beatles still live on today with a fan base as large as its original audience, albeit an audience a bit less likely faint due to Beatlemania. The Beatles' story and music represent the history and spirit of the 1960s, especially the flower power movements. RAIN, a Beatles tribute band, does an equally masterful a job of telling history through music in its "direct from Broadway" tour, playing at the Sacramento Community Center Theater through January 1. Playing some of The Beatles' best-known songs, RAIN recreates moments from the band's career: The Ed Sullivan Show, the Shea Stadium concert, the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band record, the Flower Power period and the Abbey Road album. Band members change looks and costumes accordingly, including a very memorable selection of music where the players jam it out in their neon Sgt. Pepper costume lit by black lights while fog fills the stage. (more...)

BWW Reviews: MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER Continues Holiday Tradition

Christmas has a brand name. For more than 25 years, Mannheim Steamroller has marked itself as the authority on Christmas music. Mannheim Steamroller is Christmas, and Christmas would not be Christmas without Mannheim Steamroller. Oh, there are plenty of other groups like the Trans Siberian Orchestra that come close, but Mannheim Steamroller has such a unique sound all its own, contemporary, yet far away from modern music, that has enabled it to brand itself as the official music of the holidays. Founder and composer Chip Davis has not-so-successfully branched out with Halloween and relaxation music, but his true mark on the Christmas holiday is what draws so many to touring concerts of his music each year. This year, the West Coast tour comes to Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento and Redding. (more...)

BWW Reviews: It's a Merry Old Time at Playhouse Merced's WIZARD OF OZ

During this cold winter season, it can be tempting to sit at home in front of the fire and watch classics like "The Wizard of Oz" play over and over again on TV. But why not get away from the TV and see the classics done a little differently this year, acted out live on stage? The community nature of Playhouse Merced's production of "The Wizard of Oz" naturally keeps it from becoming as outstanding as the Judy Garland movie (who can beat Judy Garland?), but it stands on its own with a lively cast of leading actors and a creative use of a small space. (more...)

BWW Reviews: It's a Fun, Energetic WHITE CHRISTMAS With Runaway Stage Productions

As one of the title characters sings in "White Christmas," the best things happen when you're dancing. But as is the case with Runaway Stage Productions' version of Irving Berlin's classic musical, sometimes the best things happen when you're watching the dancing. (more...)

BWW Reviews: JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL Delivers Energetic New Take On Dickens Classic Now Through Dec 18

After numerous adaptations - films, musicals, Muppets, cartoons - Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' tends to lose its appeal. How many little changes can on make to the script and how many different filming techniques can one use before the same plot and the same dialogue begin to bore? But there's one adaptation that brings a fresh, new side of the classic story: 'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol.' (more...)

BWW Reviews: Sierra Rep Creates A Winter Wonderland with the WINTER WONDERETTES Now Through Dec 17

Classic Christmas window displays and lights on either sides of the stage invite audiences to the warm spirit of the season as they walk to their seats at the Fallon House theatre in historic Columbia State Park. It's an old hardware store, and the Marvelous Wonderettes are singing at a Christmas celebration. (more...)