PYT presents: “Annie”

PYT_Annie_300x450By Ande Jacobson

The long time Broadway favorite, Annie, is coming to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts 14-22 November 2015. Peninsula Youth Theatre (PYT) is mounting a spectacle that should bring smiles to Annie fans young and old with its upbeat score, lively singing and dancing, and heart-warming story. Follow the adventures of the spunky orphan Annie who wins the heart of a billionaire and changes not only her life, but also the lives of everyone she meets for the better (well, except for the villains). Continue reading

A good old-fashioned band concert that helps the community

csb-veterans-day-2014By Ande Jacobson

How would you like to enjoy “An Afternoon of American Music” on a lazy Sunday afternoon this November? If you’re near Cupertino, CA on Sunday, 8 November, you’re in luck. The Cupertino Symphonic Band is going to be performing at the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino at 3PM. This annual concert is presented to honor our veterans on the Sunday closest to Veteran’s Day and promises to be a moving experience. In addition to a program of symphonic American music, the CSB Jazz Ensemble will also be making an appearance playing a few charts during intermission. Continue reading

WVLO’s “Irene”, where 9th Avenue meets 5th Avenue

wvlo-irene-1By Ande Jacobson

WVLO closes its Golden Anniversary season with Irene. Enjoy this fun-filled musical featuring a good old-fashioned love story between a working class girl and a high society boy. Here, the music industry collides with the fashion industry, or if you prefer, 9th Avenue meets 5th Avenue. The show first debuted on Broadway in 1919 and enjoyed two subsequent revivals in 1923 and 1973 – the latter revival being the basis for WVLO’s production. Continue reading

Solve “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” at SCP

drood-sceneBy Ande Jacobson

Sunnyvale Community Players concludes its 45th season with The Mystery of Edwin Drood. This musical, written entirely by Rupert Holmes, turns the unfinished Dickens story of the young Edwin Drood on its head. From the time they walk into the theatre, the audience members will be invited to join in the fun as the Music Hall Royale tells the tale as a play within a play. Dickens never finished his novel because he had the audacity to die prior to penning an ending. As such, the company members can only go so far with the story on their own. Every performance, the company will ask the audience to vote on a variety of important plot points such as determining the identity of a detective who shows up in Act 2. They’ll also be asked to identify the murderer, because let’s face it, a mystery just isn’t worth its salt without a murderer. Finally, there will be one other outcome on which to vote, but you’ll have to come see the show to find out what. Continue reading

Enjoy 2 FREE holiday musical treats on 19 and 20 December

A Musical Theater ChristmasBy Ande Jacobson

It’s December, and Christmas is fast approaching. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with the gift of music – and the best part is that this gift is free! First, “A Musical Theater Christmas” will be presented at 7:30 PM on Friday, 19 December, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in downtown San Jose. Next, on Saturday, 20 December, it’s time for the 21st Annual San Jose Saxophone Christmas (sjsaxmas.com) with two performances only at 2PM at Christmas in the Park in San Jose and at 5PM at Vallco Shopping Mall in Cupertino. Continue reading

Join WVLO for an Oklahoma hello!

wvlo-ok-eller-curleyBy Ande Jacobson

WVLO’s fall production of Oklahoma! enters its fourth week this holiday weekend. Fear not though. The show runs through December 6th, so there’s still time to enjoy the folksy warmth that will engulf you when you come to Saratoga to catch this classic Rodgers and Hammerstein show. Even if you don’t know the story, you’ve likely heard some of the music such as “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” and the title tune “Oklahoma!” Continue reading

“Gypsy” swoops onto the Sunnyvale stage

gypsy-photoBy Ande Jacobson

Sunnyvale Community Players proudly opens its 45th season with the theatre classic – Gypsy – the story of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother Rose, the person who defines the archetypical stage mother. This well-known musical includes songs such as “Some People,” “Together, Wherever We Go,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and “Rose’s Turn,” along with several others that will be familiar to many audience members. Continue reading

WVLO is “Crazy For You” to join them for some summer musical fun

Crazy4U_3163_5x7c_300dpiBy Ande Jacobson

West Valley Light Opera is finishing off its 49th season with Crazy For You, a rollicking, all-Gershwin musical with a story based on their 1930 collaboration, Girl Crazy. Crazy For You, which debuted in 1992, not only has music from the original show, it adds several hit songs from other Gershwin musicals. Some familiar favorites include: “K-ra-zy for You,” “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” “Shall We Dance?,” “Slap That Bass,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Embraceable You,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and a snippet from “Concerto In F.” Continue reading

Join Tabard’s “Love, Laughter & Linguine” for its final weekend

LLLBy Ande Jacobson

Tabard Theatre Company finishes its season of “twists and turns” with Love, Laughter & Linguine. Written and directed by Cathy Spielberger Cassetta and Doug Baird, this production is a celebration of life as seen through the eyes of seven women. The story is ostensibly a memorial for a recently departed mentor and friend filled with fond remembrances, but the message is clear. Treasure those who are important to you always, and celebrate the joys that life has to offer. Continue reading

Join WVLO for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opening on 9 November

Fiddler_FB_cover

By Ande Jacobson

The village of Anatevka has taken over the stage at the Saratoga Civic Theater as final preparations are under way for West Valley Light Opera’s FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The excitement continues to build as opening night nears. The show is full of familiar songs such as “Tradition”, “If I Were a Rich Man”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “To Life!”, and “Sabbath Prayer”. Come see dances such as the “Bottle Dance”. Enjoy the gentle humor and rousing celebrations by the exuberant villagers and be touched by their hope and spirit in the face of tragedy. Tickets are selling well, but WVLO would love to see a full house for the gala opening night on 9 November 2013. Please call 408-268-3777 or visit the WVLO website at http://www.wvlo.org to order your tickets now. You’ll be glad you did. Continue reading