Theater Review: Last Weekend to Catch San Jose Stage Company’s Production of Mamma Mia!

(L-R): Best friends Tanya (Allison F. Rich), Donna (Adrienne Herro), and Rosie (Jill Miller) hit the stage for old times’ sake. Photo courtesy of Dave Lepori, 2019.

Featuring three possible fathers and a collection of ABBA hits, Mamma Mia! tells the story of mother-daughter Donna and Sophie as they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery. Widely staged throughout the world, SJSC’s production brings a level of intimacy to the story. Due to the space and set design (Michael Palumbo), the show feels a bit like the movie starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried where the focus becomes less about theatrics and more on the interactions between cast members. Songs include big hits such as Dancing Queen, Voulez-Vous, Lay All Your Love on Me, and the musical’s namesake, Mamma Mia. Continue reading “Theater Review: Last Weekend to Catch San Jose Stage Company’s Production of Mamma Mia!

Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals Presents Violet, a Story of Acceptance and Self-love

Andrea Dennison-Laufer, Danielle Philapil, Tanika Baptiste (Passengers), Jon-David Randle (Flick), Juliana Lustenader (Violet), and Jourdán Olivier-Verdé (Bus Driver #2) in Bay Area Musicals’ production of VIOLET. (Photo courtesy of Ben Krantz Studio, 2019.)

Violet is the perfect follow up to last season’s Crazy for You. With a similar small-town country-twang and a southern gothic feel, this musical follows the story of Violet, a young woman with a mysterious scar headed out on a mysterious journey. Continue reading “Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals Presents Violet, a Story of Acceptance and Self-love”

Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals presents Crazy for You – A Delightfully Charming Gershwin Classic

Danielle Altizio (Polly) and Conor Devoe (Bobby) dance to save the town. Photo Courtesy of Jonathan White, 2018.

New York City banker Bobby Child (Conor Devoe) has a dream — dancing dreams — but his parents just aren’t having it. Neither is his fiancée, Irene (Morgan Peters), who’s wondering why they’ve been engaged for five years without wedding bells… and she’s understandably at her wit’s end. His parents’ plan is to send him to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose a rundown theater. His plan is to dance for the acclaimed artistic director Bela Zangler (Tony Michaels), but one quick mishap during an impromptu audition and he’s on the first train to Deadrock. Continue reading “Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals presents Crazy for You — A Delightfully Charming Gershwin Classic”