musical

The Sound of Music

I had heard of The Sound of Music for many years, but I had never felt a strong desire to see it. Given its enduring reputation as one of the world's most beloved musicals, I became curious and decided to see if it was playing anywhere nearby. Fortunately, I discovered that The Sound of Music was coming to the San Jose Center for the Performing…

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My Neighbour Totoro at Gillian Lynne Theatre

One of the main reasons that I like seeing musicals in London is that they can be quite unique (with British sensibilities) and often do not travel across the pond to New York (and are therefore never seen in the United States). . When selecting My Neighbour Totoro, I found a unique, charming musical that would be unlikely to be staged in the United States.…

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Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre

Based on Charles Dickens ' famous novel, Oliver Twist, Oliver! is a musical that was highly regarded (and I wanted to see it when visiting London). I purchased the best seats I could find (O16, O17) for Saturday evening's (March 21, 2026) performance at the Gielgud Theater. . . Oliver! was very well staged and acted, with excellent special effects and choreography. However, sometimes it…

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Zolushka at Palo Alto Oshman Family JCC

Inna decided to see the newly composed/revised version of Zolushka. This was a more mature take on the "Cinderella" children's classic with a unique (more mature) update to the themes in the original version. . "Zolushka" (Cinderella) is a unique Russian-language musical performance taking place at the Oshman Family JCC Click to open side panel for more information in Palo Alto. Described as a "musical…

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Some Like It Hot! in San Jose

My wife purchased tickets to the Some Like It Hot! musical playing at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, October 25, 2025. . Before attending the performance, we decided to stop by Scott's Seafood in downtown San Jose for dinner. While traffic was light, we had difficulty finding inexpensive parking. The outdoor parking lot near the San Jose Center for the…

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Mrs. Doubtfire at Orpheum

The musical closely follows Mrs. Doubtfire's plot, but no one can replace Robin Williams. It was a well-acted performance at the Orpheum Theater. . . . . . . 2023 North American Tour and London Production . Act I "That's Daniel" – Lydia, Miranda, Daniel, Ensemble . "I Want to Be There" – Daniel . "I Want to Be There" (Reprise) – Daniel . "Try…

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Company at Orpheum

Inna found and purchased inexpensive, last-minute tickets to the hit Broadway show Company, playing at San Francisco's Orpheum Theater. I had vaguely heard of the show but had never listened to any of the songs or watched any YouTube videos. . . . . . I disliked the San Francisco production, the songs, and everything about it. It all seemed dull and unappealing. We left…

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Review: Miss Saigon

While I have heard much about the famous Miss Saigon musical, I had not seen it before yesterday's performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Loosely based on the famous opera "Madame Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini, I had some premonition of the plot.. . Red Concepcion, playing the part of "The Engineer" (inappropriately titled, as he should be called "The Hustler" instead),…

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Review: Wicked at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

On a spur-of-the-moment decision, I purchased two tickets to see Wicked at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Inna was always interested in seeing Wicked, though I was more ambivalent.. . . . Summary:. . With exceptional costumes, unique sets, and spectacular special effects, Wicked was entertaining despite the weak musical score and easily forgettable lyrics. The plot is quite simple: Elphaba -…

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Review: Hamilton at Orpheum

Winning multiple Tony Awards, Hamilton has been one of the most talked-about musicals of the early 21st century. I had wanted to see it, but I could not usually afford the exorbitant prices charged on Broadway in New York City. However, I decided to see it for myself when reasonable tickets became available in San Francisco's Orpheum Theater.. . . . . Characters. Alexander Hamilton:…

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Review: Fiddler on the Roof at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

The sorry state of the world gives us a new reason to appreciate the depth of feeling so powerfully, so ingeniously embedded in "Fiddler on the Roof," the much-loved and much-revived 1964 musical comedy that is touring the country and visiting San Jose from May 21 - 26, 2019.. . . . . The touring production, currently playing at the San Jose Center for the…

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Review: Aladdin at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

Although I have seen Aladdin previously at Disney's California Adventure Theme Park, I have never seen the entire production on stage. Since Inna also wanted to see it, I purchased 3 tickets for the Aladdin Touring show at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. . . . I would have preferred to have seen the musical on Broadway (since Broadway shows tend to employ…

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Review: Newsies at Bellarmine

Plot Summary:. . With the Spanish-American War over, newspaper sales were down, and Joseph Pulitzer decided to increase the price that newspaper boys pay for 100 newspapers from 50 to 60 cents. The boys (many of them orphans), loosely organized, decide to strike to force Joseph Pulitzer (and other newspaper publishers) to back down. With the help of Governor Theodore Roosevelt, the newsies eventually prevailed..…

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Review: “Chicago” on Broadway (Ambassador Theater)

“Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts“…so begins the international award-winning Broadway and West End musical, CHICAGO. . . . . . What can be said about Chicago - one of the finest (and possibly my all-time favorite musical) - that hasn't already been said? With subtle, sarcastic lyrics by Fred Ebb, music by John…

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Review: Avenue Q Off Broadway (New World Stages)

Summary. . A group of young puppets and humans living on Avenue Q tries to work out their personal and financial problems.. . . . . Puppets. Princeton: "A fresh-faced kid just out of college.". Kate Monster: "A kindergarten teaching assistant, a bit older than Princeton." . Nicky: "A bit of a slacker who lives with Rod.". Rod: "A Republican investment banker with a secret.".…

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Review: Waitress on Broadway (Brooks Atkinson Theater)

Summary. . A pregnant waitress with an abusive husband tries to bake her way out of her problems while having an affair with her doctor.. . . . Musical Numbers. Act I. "What's Inside" – Jenna and Company. "Opening Up" – Jenna, Becky, Dawn, Cal, and Company. "The Negative" – Jenna, Becky, and Dawn. "Door Number Three" – Jenna. "Waiting Room" – Patients. "When He…

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Review: My Fair Lady on Broadway (Vivian Beaumont Theater)

Plot. . Directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher, the stellar cast - led by Lauren Ambrose, Harry Hadden-Paton, Norbert Leo Butz, Diana Rigg, Allan Corduner, Jordan Donica, Linda Mugleston, and Clarke Thorell - tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a "proper lady." But who…

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