Michael Quintos - Page 10

Arguably one of musical theater's more enjoyable jukebox musicals, the crowd-pleasing, ABBA-centric musical MAMMA MIA! aims to entertain its audience, all while trying to provide a much more interesting way to experience the ubiquitous pop catalog of one of the most successful pop music groups of the previous century. That is certainly the feeling you get from the brand new, all-star concert iteration now at the Hollywood Bowl through Sunday, July 30. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, this year's annual celebrity stunt-casted summer musical is a joyfully bubbly production, bursting with silliness, sass, and even a little heart. And most significant of all, the production's assembled big-name cast are all pretty terrific in their respective roles, and a select few even stepped up with some amazing vocal performances throughout that will keep you enchanted from song to song.

To open its historic 97th season, Orange County's Laguna Playhouse is presenting an admirable new production of the Tony Award-winning 2002 hit musical comedy HAIRSPRAY, which via popular demand has now been extended through August 5. Filled with spirited performances, memorably cheeky songs, and an undeniably infectious story, this stage musical adaptation of John Waters' 1988 cult movie classic---even here in Laguna Beach's scaled-down regional production---still manages to be just as likable as it would be seeing it in a larger theater.

It is nearly impossible not to be emotionally affected by the events depicted in PARADE, the stirring, Tony Award-winning 1998 musical inspired by shocking actual events surrounding the trial of a man accused of raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl. It's certainly a heavy, morose subject to wrap an entire musical around, which is probably why PARADE is so rarely produced, despite its high-caliber book by Alfred Uhry and gorgeous music by Jason Robert Brown. But when the material is executed with emotional heft and interesting staging---as it mostly is in Chance Theater's latest production---the results can be powerful, gut-wrenching, and, most importantly, thought-provoking.

Disney/Cameron Mackintosh's stage adaptation of MARY POPPINS, the closing production of Musical Theatre West's 64th season is mostly jolly good fun. Full of palpable joy, wonderfully-performed songs, and smile-inducing moments, MTW's buoyant, crowd-pleasing production of the London-set musical continues performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through July 23.

Fittingly, as most of the world celebrates Gay Pride month, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills is presenting an absorbing, beautifully-poetic production of playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell's drama THE PRIDE, which continues its Los Angeles-area premiere through July 9, 2017. Highly-stylized yet riveting and universally approachable, this new production of the play that originated in the UK features a superb cast smartly directed by the Wallis' Artist-in-Residence Michael Arden.

Summer has once again returned to Orange County, California and with it, Segerstrom Center for the Arts' annual outdoor free-for-all movie screenings! The Center's popular FREE MOVIE MONDAYS---back for its 11th consecutive year in Costa Mesa---includes 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' on July 10, 'The Wiz' on July 17, 'Stand and Deliver' on July 24, 'Edward Scissorhands' on July 31 and, finally, 'School of Rock' on August 7.

Up until the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida a year ago, the deadliest known attack on a gay club in U.S. history happened more than 40 years before at the Up Stairs Lounge in New Orleans, Louisiana. The events prior to and following that deadly, still unsolved 1973 blaze make up the fact-based narrative of UPSTAIRS - A MUSICAL TRAGEDY, now having its Southern California debut at the Los Angeles LGBT Center through June 11. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Wayne Self, the new musical tries to piece together a timeline that led up to the tragic fire using both real and fantasy/speculative elements while shining a light on some of the real-life human inspirations that were lost or have been directly affected by what happened on that fateful day.

First, let's get this out of the way: while sitting through the national tour production of THE BODYGUARD---the stage adaptation of the late Whitney Houston's 1992 film that boasts the best-selling soundtrack of all time---one thing is absolutely for certain: chart-topping recording artist Deborah Cox is unquestionably a spectacular singer. But sadly, it pains me to say, that Cox's musical contributions---and Houston's musical gems themselves---are pretty much where THE BODYGUARD itself excels. When Cox and company aren't singing or dancing up a storm, the audience is left with mostly cheesy, overly-exaggerated melodrama, flat, one-dimensional characters, and even at times over-done 'thrills' that make you laugh instead of feel any suspense.

To close out its historic 51st season, East West Players is presenting a bold and emotionally-packed production of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Broadway musical NEXT TO NORMAL, which continues performances at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts through June 11, 2017. Featuring a deeply connected, all-Asian-American cast led by a stirring, awards-worthy performance by Deedee Magno Hall, EWP's top-notch production of NEXT TO NORMAL is one of the most impressive and important regional productions of this notable musical you will ever experience. No matter what your racial or ethnic background, this production will sear its way into you.

Sultry and spunky power-vocalist Storm Large is bringing her awesomely fierce sound back to Orange County, this time at Aliso Viejo's state-of-the-art Soka Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 1 at 8pm. She'll be joined by her band Le Bonheur to perform an eclectic mix of standard classics and familiar tunes rendered like only she can. Before her OC concert return this week, Ms. Large agreed to play '20 Questions' with BroadwayWorld's Michael L. Quintos where she talked about her influences, her musical theater aspirations, and why she'd like to trade places with our President for a day (or more)....

Men Alive - The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus concludes its successful 11th Season with VON TRAPPED!, a uniquely entertaining, wholly original tribute to the Tony® and Oscar®-winning musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC... the way only Men Alive can do it! The concert event opens Friday, July 20 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with two additional shows on Saturday, July 21. The chorus will transform this beloved musical into a one-of-a-kind stage extravaganza featuring moving orchestrations, genre-crossing remixes, fabulous costumes, buoyant choreography, and even a few rowdy, yodel-loving goats! And nuns. Lots and lots of nuns.

Men Alive - The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus continues its successful 11th Season with POP GOES THE OPERA, a high-concept concert experience that blends two musical styles--Classic Opera and Contemporary Pop music--on the same stage. The concert event opens Friday, March 30 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with two additional shows on Saturday, March 31. The genre mash-up includes selections from Lady Gaga, Verdi, Madonna, Puccini, Annie Lennox, plus a full, live-action re-enactment of the Warner Bros. cartoon classic 'What's Opera, Doc?'

After six years of establishing itself as an award-winning supper club in the greater Los Angeles area, STERLING'S UPSTAIRS at Vitello's will close its doors in Studio City, CA on Sunday, March 18 following its final show headlined by Reba Buhr. Fear not, for on April 1, STERLING'S UPSTAIRS will re-launch in its new home at The Federal Restaurant and Bar, located in the heart of North Hollywood's trendy NoHo Arts District.

Theatre Out, Orange County's gay and lesbian theatre, presents the Orange County Premiere of SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES the dark comedy by Del Shores, creator of Sordid Lives. SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, with performances running from August 13 through September 4, examines the conflicting experiences of four boys growing up in Texas as they struggle with what they know is right and what the church tells them is right.

The Maverick Theatre is bringing to the stage THE HOBBIT, the enchanting first installment of J.R.R. Tolkien's middle earth saga (and prelude to The Lord of the Rings). Director Nathan Makaryk's inspired use of visual effects produces mammoth creatures within touch of the audience, and maintains the high-stakes tone for title character Bilbo Baggins' journey across Middle Earth. Opens Aug. 6 and runs through Sept. 17.

Two legendary ladies of stage and screen are headed to Laguna Beach this September for exclusive limited engagements at The Laguna Playhouse. First to arrive is ETHEL MERMAN'S BROADWAY September 8 - 19. Then it's time for Cloris Leachman in CLORIS: A ONE WOMAN SHOW September 23 - 27.

Orange County's Mysterium Theater presents as part of its 2010 Season, James Goldman's THE LION IN WINTER running July 1st to July 31st produced by Marla Ladd and directed by Jeff Lowe.

Joined by Emmy®-Award winning Guest Star Leslie Jordan (Will & Grace), Men Alive-The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus will wrap up its ninth successful season of song with a very special summer concert that brings its loyal audience what we all need right now: COMEDY TONIGHT. Under the baton of Artistic Director Rich Cook, Men Alive presents three performances of COMEDY TONIGHT on Friday, July 16, at 8:00pm and again on Saturday, July 17, at both 3:00 and 8:00pm. The beautiful Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine will serve as the venue for all three performances of this show.

For many, summer in Orange County officially gets underway with the first concert of Pacific Symphony's Summer Festival 2010-FOURTH-OF-JULY CELEBRATION: A JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE-on Sunday, July 4, at 8 p.m., at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, the orchestra's summer home. The Symphony's 23rd season of symphonic music under the stars, begins on a heart-warming and inspirational note, featuring music by Denver. Channeling this American legend with uncanny skill is vocalist Jim Curry. Over the course of three decades, the late singer recorded and released approximately 300 songs, outlasting countless musical trends and garnering numerous music awards and honors.

The summer season opens July 6 and runs through August 29 with the Orange County premiere of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, L.A.'s long-running hit musical. This summer also brings the return of two wildly popular shows. First, everyone's favorite 'Sister' returns with 'TIL DEATH DO US PART: LATE NITE CATECHISM 3, which runs Monday nights from July 12 through August 9. Then, back by popular demand after two sold out performances in May, comedienne Rita Rudner brings her stand-up show to The Laguna Playhouse August 15-16 and 22-23.