Monday, September 13, 2010
Broadway by the Bay moving for 2011 season!
Just got a press release from Broadway By the Bay, and in addition to announcing their new season, they anounced that they're going to bring live theater back to the Fox Theatre in downtown Redwood City.
Peninsula Center Stage used to perform there before they disappeared.
BBB's current home is a former high school auditorium, and while it's not a bad facility, it is kind of off the beaten path and doesn't have a ton of character. The Fox, conversely, is right in the middle of a revitalized RWC downtown, and has all the character in the world. I wonder if it's been refurbished a bit though...I think it had seen better days, and its backstage isn't exactly roomy and well-equipped.
And traffic/parking downtown should get even more annoying, I'm guessing!
But all for a good cause.
Now, I wish BBB's new season was more enthralling to me...Forever Plaid, Gypsy and The Music Man are not at the top of the list of shows I need to see yet again in my life.
But I'm probably likely to see more BBB productions at this new location, than I was to go up to San Mateo.
How about you?
Peninsula Center Stage used to perform there before they disappeared.
BBB's current home is a former high school auditorium, and while it's not a bad facility, it is kind of off the beaten path and doesn't have a ton of character. The Fox, conversely, is right in the middle of a revitalized RWC downtown, and has all the character in the world. I wonder if it's been refurbished a bit though...I think it had seen better days, and its backstage isn't exactly roomy and well-equipped.
And traffic/parking downtown should get even more annoying, I'm guessing!
But all for a good cause.
Now, I wish BBB's new season was more enthralling to me...Forever Plaid, Gypsy and The Music Man are not at the top of the list of shows I need to see yet again in my life.
But I'm probably likely to see more BBB productions at this new location, than I was to go up to San Mateo.
How about you?
Labels: Broadway by the Bay, Fox Theatre, Redwood City
Monday, September 06, 2010
Next show on my list: "Chicago" at Hillbarn
I like Chicago. I saw the original Broadway production, only not with the original stars Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon. I saw their replacements, including an up and comer named Anne Reinking as Roxie. We did, however, see the great Jerry Orbach.
My grandmother had originally bought tickets for us to see Pippin, but it closed and went out on tour, so Chicago was the replacement. Given the years the show ran ('75-'77) I'm guessing I was about 12 or so when I saw it. Needless to say, my grandmother walked out feeling a little mortified that the show was not exactly appropriate.
(I didn't know until years later that Pippin and its orgy dance sequence would have likely been even more inappropriate!)
The Hillbarn production stars my friend, handsome Will Giamonna, as Billy Flynn, and a frequent Foothill performer who I've always enjoyed, Alicia Teeter, as Roxie. And the theatre is about 10 minutes form my office, so I'm seeing a week night production in my future:
WHAT: Chicago, by Kander & Ebb, originally choregraphed by Bob Fosse
WHERE: The Hillbarn Theatre
1285 East Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA
WHEN: September 2-26
BUY TICKETS: online or call: 650-349-6411
MORE INFO: Hillbarn Theatre website
My grandmother had originally bought tickets for us to see Pippin, but it closed and went out on tour, so Chicago was the replacement. Given the years the show ran ('75-'77) I'm guessing I was about 12 or so when I saw it. Needless to say, my grandmother walked out feeling a little mortified that the show was not exactly appropriate.
(I didn't know until years later that Pippin and its orgy dance sequence would have likely been even more inappropriate!)
The Hillbarn production stars my friend, handsome Will Giamonna, as Billy Flynn, and a frequent Foothill performer who I've always enjoyed, Alicia Teeter, as Roxie. And the theatre is about 10 minutes form my office, so I'm seeing a week night production in my future:
WHAT: Chicago, by Kander & Ebb, originally choregraphed by Bob Fosse
WHERE: The Hillbarn Theatre
1285 East Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA
WHEN: September 2-26
BUY TICKETS: online or call: 650-349-6411
MORE INFO: Hillbarn Theatre website
Labels: Chicago, Hillbarn, William Giammona
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Ray of Light Theatre: West Coast Premiere of Jerry Springer the Opera
This one comes with some buzz attached...how do you make a lowest-common-denominator talk show host the fodder for a high-falutin' night at the theatre? See this show and find out:
WHO: Ray of Light Theatre (Their 10th Anniversary season if you can believe it!)
WHAT: The West Coast Premiere of Jerry Springer the Opera
WHERE: The Victoria Theatre in the Mission
WHEN: September 10 – October 16
WEB SITE: www.jerrysf.com and www.roltheatre.com
This was, ironically, a huge British hit, and hasn't played an extended run in New York. There have been regional productions, but this is the first on the West Coast. I'm looking forward to seeing how people react. Will they love it? hate it? Or like the namesake himself...is it something people will love to hate or hate to love?
WHO: Ray of Light Theatre (Their 10th Anniversary season if you can believe it!)
WHAT: The West Coast Premiere of Jerry Springer the Opera
WHERE: The Victoria Theatre in the Mission
WHEN: September 10 – October 16
WEB SITE: www.jerrysf.com and www.roltheatre.com
This was, ironically, a huge British hit, and hasn't played an extended run in New York. There have been regional productions, but this is the first on the West Coast. I'm looking forward to seeing how people react. Will they love it? hate it? Or like the namesake himself...is it something people will love to hate or hate to love?
Labels: Jerry Springer the Opera, Ray of Light
