Category: Musical
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of musical theatre’s most iconic productions returns to the stage nearly four decades later and somehow manages to feel just as magical as ever? Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera has officially made its long-awaited debut at Broadway San Jose, and what a spectacular occasion it…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when Shakespeare, show tunes, and an absurd amount of musical theatre references collide in Renaissance England? Woodside Musical Theatre’s Something Rotten! takes the Elizabethan era and turns it into one giant, campy love letter to Broadway. Following struggling playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom as they desperately attempt to compete with…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a man-eating plant, a nerdy florist, and one of musical theatre’s catchiest scores take over a tiny flower shop? Little Shop of Horrors at New Conservatory Theatre Center reminds me exactly why this strange little musical has remained such a cult classic. Every time I see it, I’m reminded…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when climbing the social ladder requires eliminating a few relatives along the way? A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Palo Alto Players takes that delightfully morbid premise and wraps it inside an old-fashioned musical comedy filled with romance, murder, and an increasingly ridiculous collection of aristocrats. With its…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a tale as old as time returns with a little new magic up its sleeve? Disney’s Beauty and the Beast arrives at Broadway San Jose in a visually spectacular revival that honors much of what audiences have loved about this musical for decades while giving the production a refreshed…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a musical you’ve seen time and time again suddenly feels brand new? S.F. Playhouse’s Hairspray accomplishes exactly that. Based on the beloved John Waters film and packed with one of the most infectious scores in musical theatre, the show remains a joyful celebration of acceptance, perseverance, and the courage…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when Mel Brooks unleashes his unmistakable brand of comedy on one of cinema’s greatest horror stories? Young Frankenstein at Broadway Sacramento’s Music Circus is a gloriously ridiculous celebration of classic movie monsters, Broadway spectacle, and unabashed silliness. Based on Mel Brooks’ beloved 1974 film, the musical lovingly spoofs the Frankenstein…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of the most beloved Golden Age musicals asks audiences to wrestle with its most difficult themes? Carousel at Woodminster Summer Musicals is a reminder that some of musical theatre’s greatest classics are also some of its most complicated. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical explores love, loss, redemption, and…
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By Sarah Duarte Surviving the end of the school year made it challenging to see shows in May, but I was fortunate enough to make the drive to Livermore on May 8th to attend Tutti Frutti: The Tribute Concert to Little Richard at the Almost Famous Wine Bar and Music Hall. It was well worth…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a beloved animated film is transformed into a theatrical spectacle in the round? Frozen at Broadway Sacramento’s Music Circus proves that Disney magic can thrive on stage just as powerfully as it does on screen. Filled with unforgettable songs, dazzling visuals, and a story rooted in love and self-discovery,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when science, morality, and a split personality collide? Jekyll & Hyde at Woodminster Summer Musicals brings the iconic story to life in a sweeping outdoor production that takes full advantage of its unique setting. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale and featuring one of musical theatre’s most dramatic scores,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of the greatest vocal groups in music history gets the jukebox musical treatment? Ain’t Too Proud at Transcendence Theatre Company celebrates the music, legacy, and enduring influence of The Temptations through a high-energy evening filled with unforgettable songs and powerhouse performances. While jukebox musicals aren’t always my favorite…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a radioactive accident, a blind librarian, and a corrupt mayor collide in one of the campiest musicals ever written? The Toxic Avenger at Los Altos Stage Company embraces its outrageous premise with open arms, delivering a delightfully absurd evening of musical theatre that refuses to take itself too seriously.…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of the most iconic musicals of all time returns to the stage with all of its grandeur intact? The Phantom of the Opera at ATG San Francisco proves that some classics never lose their power. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sweeping score, paired with its timeless story of obsession, artistry,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when an entire neighborhood becomes the heartbeat of a musical? In the Heights at South Bay Musical Theatre brings the streets of Washington Heights to life through music, movement, and stories centered on community, family, and the pursuit of something more. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award–winning musical continues to resonate through…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a small town is asked to hold the weight of the world?Come From Away at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reminds us of the extraordinary power of human kindness in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Centered around the events of September 11, 2001, the musical tells the true story of the…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a lie meant to comfort spirals into something far more complicated? Dear Evan Hansen at CMT Marquee dives into the fragile intersection of loneliness, connection, and the deep human desire to be seen. With its contemporary score and emotionally charged story, the musical explores how one moment—one decision—can ripple…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when tap shoes, mistaken identities, and a Cole Porter score set sail all at once? Anything Goes at Altarena Playhouse delivers a delightful dose of classic musical theatre charm, where romance, comedy, and show-stopping numbers collide on the high seas. With its witty book and timeless songs like “I Get…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when music becomes the language for everything we can’t quite say out loud? Once at Berkeley Playhouse reminds us that sometimes the most powerful love stories aren’t the ones that end with grand gestures, but the ones built through quiet moments and shared melodies. With its folk-inspired score and deeply…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of musical theatre’s most iconic rock operas returns to the stage with all its power and passion intact? Jesus Christ Superstar at Broadway at Music Circus proves that even decades after its debut, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s groundbreaking score still pulses with urgency and intensity. With…