A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
After hearing our friends' favorable review of "Something Rotten," I decided to see it in San Francisco's Orpheum Theater (if I could get reasonably priced tickets). . . Today, on Sunday, September 3, when I checked my iPhone's TodayTix app, I realized that some seats could be available at the $40/ticket price. At 09:00, I got the $40 Rush tickets (which turned out to be…
Read More: Review: “Something Rotten” at Orpheum Theater
. . First, the red curtain rises just a foot off the stage. And it artfully reveals the star attraction of this mind-blowingly lavish revival of a classic Broadway musical: 40-odd pairs of tap-dancing feet, hammering the boards in perfect unison.. . . . Helmed by Broadway director Mark Bramble, 42nd Street is as American as a McDonald's apple pie, a steaming, golden spectacle of…
Read More: Review: “42nd Street” at West End (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
What can be said of Cats - a musical I first saw performed in Houston, Texas, in 1993? Has it changed at all? Is it better on Broadway?. . . . The plot for the latest Cats revival remains the same. A bunch of Jellicle cats prances around the stage, using Cat-like movement and choreography, singing about their unique characteristics. There is a Jellicle Ball…
Read More: Review: “Cats” on Broadway (Neil Simon Theatre)
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 has returned to Broadway.. . . . The superb new production, currently playing at the Broadway Theater, certainly honors the show's ebullience of spirit, as embodied in the central character…
Read More: Review: “Fiddler on the Roof” on Broadway (Broadway Theatre)
Although I was familiar with some of the songs by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, I was never aware of their true story or path to rock 'n' roll fame.. . Consequently, I was apprehensive when purchasing tickets to the Jersey Boys musical, playing at the August Wilson Theater on Broadway. Overall, I enjoyed the performance of Jersey Boys. Still, it does not fare…
Read More: Review: “Jersey Boys” on Broadway (August Wilson 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…
Read More: Review: “Chicago” on Broadway (Ambassador Theater)
"Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty", sings Matilda in her second song. It's one of those memorable lines that are not easily forgotten.. . Inna and I finally got to see Matilda the Musical at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco on July 23, 2015. I frankly wasn't sure that I was going to be able to attend the performance, as I…
Read More: Review: Matilda in Orpheum Theater
I was surprised that Showboat - a traditional American Musical - was being staged by San Francisco Opera. I found a discounted ticket through Travelzoo, so I decided to attend the musical, partly based on the great online reviews.. . The production was massive - over 80 cast members. In addition, the costumes and overall production quality were genuinely extraordinary. We really enjoyed the show…
Read More: Review: Showboat at San Francisco Opera
Today, I saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for the first time at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose.. . . . The show started slowly and tediously but picked up in the second half. The costumes and sets were amateurish, but many songs were memorable and enjoyable. This is not a favorite among Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals,…
Read More: Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Today, we saw a "The Book of Mormon" performance at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco.. . . . I wanted to see this musical last year (the 2012-2013 season), but could not find any seats (it was sold out).. I hoped to get seats this year, but again, no seats were available (and I did not want to pay scalper's prices) or try the…
Read More: The Book of Mormon at the Orpheum
I saw the musical Evita at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts today.. . Evita had a few memorable songs, like "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," but I found it boring.. The show was too long, and I wondered when it would finally end.. . The overall story was relatively weak, making it difficult to follow many songs. Maybe it was the San…
Read More: Review: Evita (San Jose Center for the Performing Arts)
Today, Inna and I saw San Jose Repertory Theater's performance of "A Minister's Wife." . . . . The actors played and sang their parts well, but I was not moved by the music, the songs, or the performance.. . . . . . . . Musical Adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Candida Makes its West Coast Premiere at San Jose Rep. Three hearts and…
Read More: Review: A Minister's Wife (San Jose Repertory Theater)
Today, we saw the musical "Mary Poppins" at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. This was the second time we saw Mary Poppins. Last year, we saw it in San Jose and enjoyed it very much.. . The San Francisco production was also excellent; we enjoyed all the songs. Mary Poppins was played by Madeline Trumble, a Berkeley native. Madeline sang very well and acted…
Read More: Review: Mary Poppins (Orpheum Theater)
Today, Anything Goes Musical (revival) played in San Francisco's Golden Gate Theater. . According to Wikipedia:. Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original book was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, heavily revised by the team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York…
Read More: Review: “Anything Goes” (Golden Gate Theater)