‘Shrek the Musical’ – it’s not easy being Green

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An ogre and donkey inaugurated the Broadway Sacramento 2011-2012 season last night, and the audience was green with delight as Shrek and company stormed the stage of the Community Center Theatre.

Anyone who goes to see the musical will undoubtedly have seen the Oscar®-winning movie of the same name – the wonderfully irreverent tale of a grumpy ogre (Mike Meyers), his faithful donkey sidekick (Eddie Murphy) and somewhat unusual fair princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz). “Shrek” was a box office juggernaut – spawning 3 sequels, holiday TV specials, and a new spinoff film “Puss in Boots.” Is it any wonder the good folks at Dreamworks added a musical to the list?

“Shrek the Musical” has already had a hugely successful Broadway run as well as a London West End production and national US tour. With a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (“Rabbit Hole”, “Good People”) and score by Jeanine Tesori (“Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Caroline or Change”), “Shrek” revisits the life of the ogre (Lukas Poost) whose quiet life in a swamp is disturbed by a host of fairy tale characters booted out of Duloc by its clearly disturbed and vertically challenged ruler Lord Farquaad (the marvelous Merritt David Janes.)

Farquaad agrees to remove the fairytale folk from Shrek’s swamp if the ogre agrees to rescue the Princess Fiona (the very funny Liz Shivener) from her solitary life in a high castle tower. Of course there are a few hitches – and much merriment ensues before the characters live funnily ever after.
“Shrek” runs September 27 – October 2, 2011, with evening performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm and matinee performances Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. The show is recommended for theatregoers 4 and over (and a few naughty words would suggest making that a tad older.)

Tickets are available by phone (916) 557-1999 or (916) 808-5181, in person at The Community Center Box Office, 1301 L Street, Sacramento or The Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or online at Tickets.com.

‘Lion King’ Roars Into Sacramento

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Broadway Sacramento is marking a spectacular season finale with the triumphant return of Disney’s “The Lion King,” (it had a record-breaking run here in 2005) and if you have never caught the show, it is definitely a must see.  As much magic as musical, “The Lion King” will equally delight grown-ups and kids, with its heroic coming-of-age tale of the young lion cub, who hides from his colony after being blamed for his father’s death, but triumphantly returns when he realizes it his destiny to be King.

Don’t let the Disney name fool you, the stage show is a far different animal than the charming animated film.  The show roars to life in the astonishing opening number, “Circle of Life” when the extraordinary cast, morphed into Giraffes, swooping birds, leaping gazelles, and even an elephant and rhino, make their way through the audience to the stage, led by Rafiki, the mandrill, embodied by the wonderful Phindile Mkhize.

With a cast of more than 40 accomplished actors, dancers, singers and puppeteers, it is difficult to single out individual performances, but special recognition must go to the majestic Dionne Randolph as Mufasa, the deliciously evil Timothy Carter as Scar, Andre Jackson as Simba, and the delightful Mark Shunock and Bob Amaral as Timon and Pumbaa.

Using masks, puppets and international theatrical techniques, the show was originally staged by award-winning director Julie Taymor, who became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. In addition to Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life,” additional music was created by Lebo M and Marc Mancina, and the book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi.

Now in its seventh sold-out year in New York, “Lion King” is the winner of six Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album. But, who’s counting?

The Lion King is a breathtaking theatrical adventure that stretches the boundaries of Broadway, from the heart of Africa to the plains of your imagination.  It is an unforgettable theatrical experience, not to be missed.

Big Fat Rating: ★★★★★

The Lion King will run through June 28 at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street. For tickets, call (916) 557-1999.

‘Color Purple’ Makes a Joyful Noise

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The 2008-09 Sacramento Broadway season continues with Oprah Winfrey’s presentation of “The Color Purple,” a triumphant, soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg.

Sometimes it is difficult to envision a translation from books and movies to the musical stage, and for me, “The Color Purple” seemed an unlikely musical candidate, but Marsha Norman’s book and Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray’s rousing and moving music and lyrics quickly dispelled any doubts I might have had. If I didn’t know better, I might think “The Color Purple” had never existed in any form other than musical.

In addition to the wonderful Bayardelle, the powerful ensemble includes LaToya London as Nettie, Angela Robinson as Shug Avery, and the brilliant Felicia P. Fields as Sofia. Both Bayardelle and Fields are reprising their roles from Broadway, and it’s easy to see why Fields earned a Tony nomination.

Although every member of the ensemble delivers a fine performance, the show truly belongs to Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie. Bayardelle’s multi-layered and heart wrenching turn as Celie is as moving as is her ability to realistically age her character from 14 to 50 with ease.

“The Color Purple” resounds with a glorious message of endurance, inspiration, redemption, and in the end, love.  Alice Walker must be very pleased, as will be any audience member fortunate enough to see this show.  If “The Color Purple” doesn’t bring a tear to your eyes, I suggest you check your pulse.

“The Color Purple” runs through November 16, at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street. For ticket information, call (916) 557-1999.

Recommended for children 12 and over; please note – children under age 4 are not permitted into the Broadway Sacramento performances.

‘Drowsy Chaperone’ Delightful Season Opener

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Broadway Sacramento has kicked off their 2008 – 2009 season with “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a frothy and fun send up of the silly musicals of the 1920s, and if you are lucky enough to get a ticket, you’re in for a delightful evening.

As buoyant and bubbly as a glass of pink champagne, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” won the most Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway on 2006, and it’s easy to see why. It all begins when a diehard musical fan (the wonderful Jonathan Crombie) wanders through the audience and invites everyone into his little apartment to hear his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called “The Drowsy Chaperone.” As the fussy fan, referred to merely as the “Man in Chair,” offers some droll asides, he plays the vinyl record, and the show-within-a-show magically bursts to life like a huge pop-up book, revealing the tale of a celebrity bride, Janet Van De Graff (Andrea Chamberlain) and her uproarious wedding day.

The musical that unfolds is an improbable tale of a wedding calamity, involving typical 1920s musical characters: gangsters, show people, millionaires, servants, and — well, you get the idea. (Think “The Boyfriend” and “No No Nanette.”

All the right elements are there, the underling butler (Noble Shropshire), and, yes “Underling” is actually the character’s name; the somewhat dim, and wealthy Mrs. Tottendale, played to perfection by Georgia Engel , reprising her Broadway role, and displaying the lovable, ditzy charms that made her an audience favorite on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Rounding things up are the not-very-bright groom-to-be, Robert Martin (Mark Ledbetter); scene stealing gangsters played by twins, Paul and Peter Riopelle; the whannabe Latin lover, Aldolpho (Dale Hensley); and of course, the tipsy, Drowsy Chaperone (Alicia Irving.)

Though “Chaparone’s songs are tuneful, they aren’t particularly memorable, but it doesn’t matter; the show is simply delightful, and the enthusiastic cast pulls it off with panache. The key to everything is the Man in Chair, whose asides make the audience (wink-wink) part of the contagious fun. Both campy and conspiratorial, Crombie lends just the right touch.

A nice break from serious musicals such as “Les Miz” and “Phantom of the Opera,” think of “The Drowsy Chaperone” as a fluffy sorbet.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” runs through October 12, at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street. For tickets, call (916) 557-1999. Recommended for theatregoers 12 and over.

Broadway Sacramento’s 2008 – 2009 Season

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The Broadway Sacramento Series kicks off October 1, with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Billed as a musical within a comedy, Chaperone takes a poke at the beloved clichés of the popular musicals of the 1920s, including classic comedy routines and the great songs of the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and others. Chaperone won the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway, and will run from October 1 – 12 at the Community Center Theater.

Next up, is “Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple,” a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg runs November 5 – 16.  Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, “The Color Purple” is a landmark theatrical event.  With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, “The Color Purple” is capturing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audiences in a celebration of love.

The aptly named “Stomp” runs from December 26 through January 4 at the Community Center Theater. “Stomp” has been called explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appealing to audiences of all ages.  The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows.  The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments — matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps — to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

“Avenue Q” will take to the stage, March 11 – 22. The show was a 2004 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.  “Avenue Q” is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account.  Called one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see by Entertainment Weekly, “Avenue Q” features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risqué and downright entertaining way.  The New Yorker calls it subversive and uproarious!

The play, “Frost/Nixon” will run April 15 – 26. The show tackles the question:  How did David Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon?  Stage and screen actor Stacy Keach stars as Richard Nixon.  He leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award nominated new play which shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men as they square off in one of the most monumental television interviews of all time.  Frost/Nixon is written by Peter Morgan, writer of “The Queen,” “The Last King of Scotland” and HBO’s “Longford,” and directed by Olivier Award winner Michale Grandage.

Rounding out the season from May 27 through June 28, is “Disney’s The Lion King.” Sacramento’s best-loved musical makes a triumphant return to the Community Center Theater following its record-breaking 2005 engagement. The show features a breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by Tony award-winning director Julie Taymor, along with the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

For more information, call the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office at(916)557-1999.

Broadway Sacramento

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Broadway Sacramento

The Sacramento Community Center Theatre

1301 L Street, Sacramento
Tickets: (916) 808-5181

Broadway Sacramento is presented by the nonprofit California Musical Theatre at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, across the street from the State Capitol. Established in 1989, Broadway Sacramento is the largest live performing arts event in the Capital Region serving theatregoers from the Oregon border and down California’s Central Valley.

As the region’s largest performing arts organization, California Musical Theatre also produces the venerable Music Circus summer season at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the country’s premiere theatre-in-the-round. CMT is operated under the leadership of Executive Producer Richard Lewis (a member of the League of American Theatres and Producers) and Artistic Director Scott Eckern. The theatre is a founding member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and is a member of the Independent Presenters Network.

While Broadway Sacramento and Music Circus meet CMT’s mission of enriching the cultural life of the city of Sacramento, the company’s education department pursues the goal of educating new audiences and nurturing aspiring artists. The department’s efforts touch the lives of thousands every year, providing innovative and diverse programs, including after-school music and dance classes, wide-ranging theatre arts internships, enhanced theatrical experiences for underserved populations, dance classes taught by guest choreographers and dancers and the nation’s only accredited musical theatre training program for K-12 teachers.

Broadway Sacramento is presented at the 2,400-seat Community Center Theater at 1301 L Street, part of the City of Sacramento’s Convention Center Complex. The Community Center Theatre is also the home of other non-profit arts groups such as the Sacramento Ballet, the Sacramento Opera, the Sacramento Philharmonic, and the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra — all independently presented.