Photo by Joan Marcus
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT by Stephan Elliott
Bob Verini – ArtsinLA
Anyone who thinks national tours are always done on the cheap need only take a quick gander at the Pantages’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the musical version of the 1994 cult cineclassic whose title begins The Adventures of….
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Photo by Michael Lamont.
Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN
Music by Moose Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne.
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Based on the play by Sir James M. Barrie.
Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA.com
The girl who refuses to grow old is playing the boy who wouldn’t grow up. Former Olympic gymnast (circa 1968 & 1972) and Broadway musical star, Cathy Rigby has been starring as Peter Pan (on and off) for the past 23 years and is still going strong! Once you let go of the fact that it’s a 60-year-old woman portraying a mischievous and fearlessly cocky little orphan, you can immerse yourself in the world of this delightful and magical musical. Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN is now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for two weeks only; running from January 15 – 27, 2013. Read more…
Photo by Joan Marcus.
The Book of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone.
David C. Nichols – Backstage
With a subversive chortle and a heart bigger than the Great Salt Lake, The Book of Mormon hits Los Angeles and triumphantly becomes the hottest attraction in town. The joyous West Coast premiere of Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone’s Tony-winning gusher doesn’t just meet expectations; it tramples them. Neither Broadway musicals nor tuner devotees will ever be quite the same. Read more…
Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA
It’s funny, it’s outrageous and the company’s energy is off the charts. Whatever you may have heard about The Book Of Mormon, check your preconceived notions at the door and surrender to an evening of laughter and song. Written by the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, in collaboration with Robert Lopez (Avenue Q), The Book Of Mormon is a super fun and clever musical satire that looks lavish and expensive and is extremely well staged. Yes, it’s a mild send-up of the more wacky beliefs of the Mormon faith (and religion in general) and the storyline also touches on some seriously dark themes (such as AIDS, forced female circumcision, poverty and the brutality wrought by militia-run dictatorships), but the writers have also created a story that is brimming with heart and sweetness. Read more…
Production photo by Paul Kolnik.
Memphis by David Bryan (music and lyrics) and Joe DiPietro (lyrics and book).
Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA
Kicking off with a frenetic pace that never lets up, Memphis is a high energy, original musical about the explosion of black musical artists into the mainstream during the late 1950s. Read more…
Bob Verini – Variety
The sleek, stylish Memphis exemplifies the Broadway show tour done very right indeed. Having assembled a first-rate cast, original helmer Christopher Ashley and original choreographer Sergio Trujillo skillfully bring out the musical and thematic strengths of the surprise 2010 Tony winner while rendering its weaknesses mostly negligible. With no dollar visibly unspent, this fable of rock ‘n’ roll’s birth serves up plenty of melody and heart along with enough energy to light up its titular city. Read more…