At least the good parts, anyway:
Click to expand
[Hector Mode = OFF]
I don’t know what you’re looking for in a play, but how’s this?
In addition, Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones of Handspring Puppet Company won the Special Tony Award for War Horse.
So yeah, War Horse at our SHN Curran Theatre is a puppet show based on a children’s book, but it looks amazing.
Speaking of which, here’s SFPD horse “Hammer” meeting SHN horse puppet “Joey” the other day in Golden Gate Park – check the video:
Click to expand – more deets on this equine experiment from Kavin Fagan here.
And, the reviews:
“Miracles abound in the electrifying “War Horse“ per Robert Hurwitt of the San Francisco Chronicle
A “theatrical coup” per long-time San Francisco critic Janos Gereben
It’s “spellbinding” per Karen D’Souza of the San Jose Mercury News
“War Horse earns its stripes” per Ken Marks of KQED
“War Horse is the one touring show that shouldn’t be missed” per Cy Ashley Webb of the Stark Insider
Four stars out of five per Albert Goodwyn, SF Performing Arts Examiner
It’s a great show. You (and your kin aged 12 and up) ought to go see it.
And oh, BTW, if you don’t already have tickets for The Book of Mormon, you know, the Best Musical of the Century (already!) per the New York Times, well, it’s time to start freaking out. You can’t buy tickets now because the only way to do that is to get a subscription for the 2012-2013 season (you know, Lion King, Wicked, etc.) but here’s the catch: SOLD OUT, baby! Already. So you’re going to need to move move move when individual tickets go on sale, whenever that will be. BoM, which is, fundamentally, a “love letter to religion written by an atheist,” however foul-mouthed it may be, will only be here for five short weeks. Every last show will sell out, just saying.
The debut of the 25th Anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES was a huge success at our Orpheum Theatre last night.
Man, this show is big.
(So, as I said yesterday, get your tickets at SHN now – they’re not getting any cheaper and this musical leaves us on August 26th, 2012.)
Now here’s Emily L’s review from the Orchestra Section’s Row U:
“Extraordinary musical! Les Miz is a beautiful story of a man’s life struggles, portraying bourgeois issues such as poverty, child abuse, prostitution and other political corruption in 1800 France. I was instantly enthralled from the very first scene of the show. This cast is amazing and captivating in every way. The voices went with each characters’ every movement and the visual sets were stunning. The orchestra seating was a special treat as the sound resonated throughout, spot on with the actors. In 2 hours, Les Miz will bring out smiles, pains, laughs, cries, ‘aww’s, and cheers – it’s a roller coaster ride definitely worth riding at least once!”
So there you have it.
Les Miz reminds me of that other famous, long-running show, Phantom of the Opera, in a way. But guess who says Les Miz is “far superior?” It’s Steven Winn of the San Francisco Chronicle:
“Vive ‘Les Miz’: Pop opera returns to S.F.”
“Les Misérables @shnSF. Entire cast deserved standing ovation, but WOW -Javert @AndrewVarela525 & Jean Valjean @Peter_Lockyer – mesmerizing!”
And here’s Diane Dwyer of NBC Bay Area:
“Just saw #lesmiserables @shnsf at the Orpheum – perfection – standing ovation .. Highly recommend it!”
All right, see you there!
“Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.
For more information, visit: www.lesmiz.com.”
This could be you:
“Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.
For more information, visit: www.lesmiz.com.”
All the deets:
“SHN (Shorenstein Hays Nederlander Theatres) and GOOGLE have announced a special live presentation with the cast of AMERICAN IDIOT as part of the Talks at Google series at their Mountain View headquarters. This very special event will take place this Thursday, June 14th at 3pm PST.
The event can be viewed around the world via livestream using the following link: http://www.youtube.com/user/
The presentation will feature a live performance of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” as well as “21 Guns” by the entire cast. Viewers of the livestream can also participate in a Q & A by submitting questions directly to the American Idiot cast using the following link: https://www.google.com/
“The Talks at Google program is extremely excited to host cast and creative from the musical “American Idiot”, said Cliff Redeker, founder of the program. “This is the first time we’ve invited a Broadway show to the Googleplex and we’re proud to share the experience with the world through YouTube. We look forward to hosting many more Broadway productions together with SHN as the season unfolds.”
Talks at Google started in 2005 as an on-campus series to reach out to authors for exposure to the Google staff. The outreach has now surpassed Google employees and moved on to all who tune in via cyberspace. Everyone from then-candidate Barack Obama to superstar Lady Gaga has made their way to be on Talks at Google and it has since grown to include not just authors, but musicians, and now Broadway shows/performers as well!
AMERICAN IDIOT premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and played through November of that year. In April 2010, the musical opened on Broadway where reviews were unanimously positive with Charles Isherwood of the New York Times calling the show “the most adventurous musical to brave Broadway in the past decade.”
TICKETS
Tickets for AMERICAN IDIOT range in price from $31 – $100 and are now on sale at shnsf.com or by calling 888-746-1799.
For more information visit: http://www.shnsf.com/online/
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: JUNE 12-JULY 8
Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2PM
Added performance: Friday June, 22 at 2 PM
No performance: Sunday, June 24
SHN Orpheum Theatre: 1192 Market St. (at 8th)
Connect with SHN…www.shnsf.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/shnsf
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/
As expected, people were singing along with the cast during the 2012 debut of MAMMA MIA! at the Orpheum.
You know what to expect with this one here, so if you want to go the time to buy tickets is now.
North American Cast – Photo: Joan Marcus
See you there!
All the deets:
“MAMMA MIA! is dancing into the Orpheum Theatre – February 21 – March 4. It’s the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it’s your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!
Did you know… ?:
MAMMA MIA! has been seen by OVER 50 MILLION PEOPLE worldwide.
MAMMA MIA! has grossed OVER $2 BILLION at the Box Office.
MAMMA MIA! has premiered in more major cities worldwide faster than any other musical in history, opening in over 300 major cities.
MAMMA MIA! is currently in its 13th year since the first production opened in London’s West End on 6th April 1999.
There’s an app for that! Pick from a series of MAMMA MIA! photos and pose as your favorite character with this app, available on iTunes: http://alturl.com/qytqx
Send a MAMMA MIA! e-card to your friends! http://www.
Check out “Dancing Queen”: http://www.youtube.com/user/
Tickets for MAMMA MIA! are on sale now and range in price from $30 – $100.
For more information visit http://shnsf.com/shows/mammamia
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 4:
Tue – Sat at 8pm
Wed, Sat & Sun at 2pm
Remember when MAMMA MIA! visited us last? Members of the audience were standing up and singing along.
You know what to expect with this one here, so if you want to go the time to buy tickets is now.
North American Cast – Photo: Joan Marcus
See you there!
All the deets:
“MAMMA MIA! is dancing into the Orpheum Theatre – February 21 – March 4. It’s the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it’s your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!
Did you know… ?:
MAMMA MIA! has been seen by OVER 50 MILLION PEOPLE worldwide.
MAMMA MIA! has grossed OVER $2 BILLION at the Box Office.
MAMMA MIA! has premiered in more major cities worldwide faster than any other musical in history, opening in over 300 major cities.
MAMMA MIA! is currently in its 13th year since the first production opened in London’s West End on 6th April 1999.
There’s an app for that! Pick from a series of MAMMA MIA! photos and pose as your favorite character with this app, available on iTunes: http://alturl.com/qytqx
Send a MAMMA MIA! e-card to your friends! http://www.
Check out “Dancing Queen”: http://www.youtube.com/user/
Tickets for MAMMA MIA! are on sale now and range in price from $30 – $100.
For more information visit http://shnsf.com/shows/mammamia
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 4:
Tue – Sat at 8pm
Wed, Sat & Sun at 2pm
Bring It On opened last night at SHN’s Orpheum Theatre.
You’ll have to see this crew flying high by January 7th, 2012.
Bring It On Company – Photo by: Michael Lamont
Oh, and look who was there, it’s the Oakland Raiderettes:
…and the 49er’s Gold Rush:
Everybody had a great time.
See you there!
All the deets:
“BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL is the explosive new musical comedy that raises the stakes on over-the-top high school rivalries. Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this powerhouse new show hilariously proves that winning isn’t everything when it means losing something – or someone – you really care about.
BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL unites some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, including Tony Award-winning writer Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q); Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights); Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity); Tony Award-winning orchestrator Alex Lacamoire (Wicked); and Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (In The Heights).
This new musical comedy combines an exciting fresh sound, gravity-defying choreography, and a thrilling story to create a show worth cheering for.
It’s “guaranteed to be everything you wished for, nothing like you expected, but exactly what you will love.” -AOL.com
Game On!
For more information on the show, click here.”
San Franciscans were very pleased with yesterday’s electrifying Opening Night of Richard III at our SHN Curran, the “intimate Broadway showplace.”
Per pirate-nurse Pat Mulkey:
“Kevin Spacey as Richard III was Incredible! Whole production blew me a-w-a-y.”
A standing ovation for cast and crew – the view from above the Grand Chandelier:
Click to expand
Spacey was sweating through his shirt from the end of the first act – he brought it.
And that thing at the very end, like what happens after his character dies, you know, with the thing? He’s still dominating the dojo.
And oh, Alan Scherstuhl offers his thoughts here – don’t miss that.
Hurray!