THE WILD PARTY

posted on April 4th, 2008 at 2:42 PM by Steven Stanley


Tell a musical theater aficionado that you’re going to see The Wild Party and the first question you’ll be asked is “Which one?” Will it be the 2000 Broadway show with music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, or will it be the 2000 off- Broadway version with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa?
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posted in Musical, Orange County, WOW!

THE NERD

posted on April 1st, 2008 at 1:58 PM by Steven Stanley


Rick Steadman, aka The Nerd, is the guest from hell who comes and stays and stays and stays…in Larry Shue’s hilarious comedy, The Nerd.  Shue only wrote two plays (The Nerd and The Foreigner) in a life cut far too short, but they are both comic gems which assure his legacy. There is hardly a theater company (regional, community, or school) that hasn’t presented at least one of them, and with good reason.  They are funny, outrageous, absurd delights, and Shue’s The Nerd is now getting an almost perfect production at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse.

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posted in Comedy, South Bay, WOW!

DON JUAN

posted on March 30th, 2008 at 12:03 PM by Steven Stanley


I have a confession. I’d much rather see a comedy by Molière than one by William Shakespeare. I think it’s mostly the language.  Since Molière is usually translated from 17th century French into modern English, his plays feel contemporary, even when set hundreds of years ago. I felt so last June when I saw The Imaginary Invalid at ACT in San Francisco and I felt so again last night watching Don Juan at A Noise Within, Glendale’s diamond of a classical theater company.
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posted in Burbank/Glendale, Comedy, WOW!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

posted on March 30th, 2008 at 11:59 AM by Steven Stanley

RECOMMENDED
A TV monitor is tuned to “JNN” where an anchorperson announces news of possible terrorists on the loose, the detention of political leaders, etc. Onstage, a violinist and electric guitarist play the easily recognizable opening notes of a classic rock opera and are joined by men and women of various ages, races, and sexual orientations, one of whom carries a sign which reads “Troops Out Now.”  This is clearly a Jesus Christ Superstar for the 21st century.
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posted in Los Angeles, Musical, Recommended

BEAVERQUEST! THE MUSICAL

posted on March 28th, 2008 at 11:56 AM by Steven Stanley


Beaverquest! The Musical, Sacred Fools’ latest offering, is the brightest and most entertaining surprise of Spring 2008, combining elements of Urinetown: The Musical, Into The Woods, and TV’s Hee Haw.  Though (as might be expected) Beaverquest! The Musical has countless double entendre references to the titular dam-building rodent, including fully five songs with Beaver in the title, it is more importantly a tuneful, joyous defense of acceptance and tolerance, love and sexuality. This is a show that kids can enjoy (the beaver jokes will go right over their heads) but that adults will love even more regardless of their age.
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posted in Los Angeles, Musical, WOW!

THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE WORLD

posted on March 27th, 2008 at 11:52 AM by Steven Stanley

RECOMMENDED
The life of Albert Einstein might seem an unlikely topic for a musical, but Russ Alben, John Sparks, and Jerry Hart have tackled it in The Smartest Man In The World, now playing at the Pico Playhouse.  Though the results are uneven, there are many bright moments and some fine performances to make this quaint, old-fashioned musical worthy of a look-see.
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posted in Musical, Recommended, West Side/Beverly HIlls

MASK

posted on March 25th, 2008 at 11:49 AM by Steven Stanley


The Pasadena Playhouse stage is lit from behind by a dozen or more white
spots shining like headlights at the audience, illuminating a tribe of bikers led
by the imposing figure of big, longhaired, bearded Dozer.  “Come Along For
The Ride,” they sing to the music and lyrics of Hall of Fame legends Barry Mann
and Cynthia Weil, and what a ride it’s going to be.  Surrender your urge to
nitpick and let your heart lead you along the brief but brilliant highway that is
the life of Rocky Dennis, immortalized by Eric Stolz and Cher in the 1985 film
Mask.  This is Mask as musical, and if the story was rich and rewarding already
as biopic, it is even more so with Mann and Weil’s songs added, and the stellar
performances of Michelle Duffy, Greg Evigan, Michael Lanning, and the
raveworthy debut of Allen E. Read as Rocky.
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posted in Musical, Pasadena, WOW!

THE HISTORY OF BOWLING

posted on March 24th, 2008 at 11:37 AM by Steven Stanley

RECOMMENDED
You know you’re in for something different at the theater when a quartet of
pom-pom bearing cheerleaders provide the pre-show announcements … as a
cheer. Follow that with a leading man who’s a real-life quadriplegic (Danny
Murphy of Farrely Brothers movies fame) and a quirky girl meets older boy plot
and you have The History Of Bowling, now playing at the NoHo Arts Center.
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posted in Comedy, North Hollywood, Recommended

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