Tag: musicals

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!“

Show Review: “Gotta Dance!” Great Moments of Dance in Film

On Saturday night, the San Francisco Symphony hosted Gotta Dance!: Great Moments of Dance in Film at Davies Symphony Hall. If the first thing you pictured when hearing this title was Gene Kelly dancing under the giant orchestrated set of Broadway lights or the long, flowing white dress of Cyd Charisse (or the flashy green dress, for that matter), then this was absolutely the show for you. But what do I know? Maybe you were there!

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Show Review: Singin’ in the Rain with the SF Symphony

What a glorious feeling
What a glorious feeling

It’s very likely that many folks who exited Davies Symphony Hall into sweeping sheets of pouring rain on Friday night felt like tap dancing their way to their cars, to BART, and to buses…with beaming smiles on their faces, and for good reason — Singin’ in the Rain with the San Francisco Symphony had just been let out, and the gleeful residuals were in full effect.  Personally, I had never seen Singin’ in the Rain (1952) in its entirety.  I had heard the music and seen clips at award shows, etc. but had no idea what an excellent tongue-in-cheek Hollywood satire it is.  It’s witty, hilarious, romantic, and fun.  And once again, what better way to experience an iconic film (never mind one with such famous musical numbers) than to see it with a live score accompaniment.

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