The weekend is coming up and there are quite a few shows opening up. This is partial list of shows opening today and tomorrow. Check back on Friday for an update on shows opening up through the rest of the weekend. As always, please call forward and check for directions and prices.

Sunday in the Park With George - Musical Theatre Repertory at USC

Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine Pulitzer Prize winning musical based on the life of 19th century French artist Georges Seurat.
Jan. 24 - Jan. 27, Sundays: 2 p.m., Thursdays: 8 p.m., Fridays: 8 p.m., Saturdays: 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Price: Free.
Email: uscmtr@gmail.com
Box office: 213-500-3225.

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I’m a person who has taste in music. Notice I didn’t say good taste, though my holy trinity of rock will always be the critically-approved combo of The Boss, The Band, and Bob Dylan. The majority of Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums” also reside in my vinyl or CD collection. But to me part of being a true music fan is having a handful of crap-tastic albums that you realize are such but love them fiercely just the same. In fact, if one of my beloved shit songs comes on the radio and my turning it up renders a passenger smug, I can usually put together a pretty good argument as to why the song isn’t as bad as they think.

So pop into Redcat tonight to see what some fellow music junkies are defending. “Listen Again: Music You Should Change Your Mind About Right Now” will feature a panel of writers from publications such as LA Weekly and City Beat and professors from USC and UCLA extolling the virtues of their favorite songs. According to the Redcat press release the panelists will have “five minutes each to persuade the audience to reconsider a series of pop tracks — and find in them hitherto undiscovered pleasures.”

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I’m providing even more information on Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd for the simple reason that, well, I think this is America’s finest contribution to musical theatre. To be honest, though, it really is everywhere—from the giant poster on Santa Monica Blvd. and Highland Avenue to the multitude of posters lining the bus stops all over the greater Los Angeles area (I really don’t venture anywhere outside of L.A. unless I have to.) On top of that, Stephen Sondheim will be making a rare appearance at UCLA in March and the re-envisioned Broadway revival will be making a pit stop in downtown around that same time. So, for all those Angelinos looking to reacquaint themselves with the demon barber, or for the new fans that can’t get enough of it, mark your calendars!

Until them, let me break down the three versions now available:

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How does one in good conscience turn a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the difficult early 20th century lives of black women in particular and black people in general into a musical about love? Oprah Winfrey’s production of The Color Purple, which is currently at the Ahmanson Theatre, attempts to do just that. The fact that Oprah is able to sleep at night, basking in the glory of the musical’s success while ignoring its larger implications, is disturbing, but not surprising.

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Think of it as a crash course for Sondheim newbies. The recent release of Tim Burton’s version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is a streamlined version that has managed to translate beautifully to the screen, but not without its faults. As of yesterday, it has won two of the four golden globe nominations for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actor Johnny Depp in a Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy. Now, the Oscar speculation begins. Not bad for a dark story about revenge, murder, and human meat pies—all set, of course, to music.

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Last weekend I saw The Crucible at the Matrix Theatre. I knew that this play had been chosen for it’s political and social relevance, but I wasn’t entirely convinced at how its fifty year old allegorical message could be translated to the present date. However it did not take long for any of my doubts to disappear. I don’t know how I didn’t think of it before, but it is like peering through the looking glass and watching our lives being played out in front of us.

The play is running through December 23rd, and I recommend seeing it. The cast is stunning. I defy anyone to stay dry eyed as Jeffrey King (playing Proctor) weeps his final lines. Ashley Bell embodies the evil and fear in Abigail William, which drives the play forward. Collen Flynn breaks your heart as the ever strong, and almost always honest Elizabeth Proctor. The cast is huge and every actor was boiling over with energy, which helped to build up the overwhelming chaos that entrances the audience.

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The musical opens with lightening, thunder and smoke and a young Yankee soldier walking on stage singing a song with the chorus ‘As I walk through the valley of death,’ and no, for those of you thinking of Coolio’s rap song it wasn’t. Within the first 5 minutes I wanted to go home - a feeling I had not felt in the last 10 years of my going to the theatre. The first question that came to mind was (and in the words of my writing professor): What’s at stake? The second question was: Why was such a talented cast in this production?

It is a shame really; the story line seemed interesting but the lack of originality was too hard to overlook. When the ‘Oh Susannah’ song came on I literally turned to my mother, rolling my eyes like I was 15 again hoping she would pick up on my ‘I cannot sit through this for one more minute’ look, luckily she felt the same.

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This Friday, December 14th, Trey Nichols will be performing his hysterical holiday hit “A Lesson in Proper Bow Fluffing Technique.” At first glance one may look at this and think “huh?” Is this a play, a comedy act, a gift wrapping tutorial, or what? Well my friends I am hear to tell you that all of the above are correct! Cityzine had a chance to speak with Trey Nichols, the bow extraordinaire and ask a few questions about his bow fluffing experience and more.

CityZine: I know that the name says it all, but what exactly is this show about?

Trey Nichols: I like to describe the show as hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s about a character really struggling with his sense of humanity in the commercial crush of the Holiday season and I think that the retail environment, the Department store, is the perfect place to dramatize that. He’s torn between trying to be the nice person and really following the company line. It’s not just about the bows, it’s about those little acts of kindness that we perform on a daily basis. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

This Friday, December 14th, Trey Nichols will be performing his hysterical holiday hit “A Lesson in Proper Bow Fluffing Technique.” At first glance one may look at this and think “huh?” Is this a play, a comedy act, a gift wrapping tutorial, or what? Well my friends I am hear to tell you that all of the above are correct! Cityzine had a chance to speak with Trey Nichols, the bow extraordinaire and ask a few questions about his bow fluffing experience and more.

CityZine: I know that the name says it all, but what exactly is this show about?

Trey Nichols: I like to describe the show as hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s about a character really struggling with his sense of humanity in the commercial crush of the Holiday season and I think that the retail environment, the Department store, is the perfect place to dramatize that. He’s torn between trying to be the nice person and really following the company line. It’s not just about the bows, it’s about those little acts of kindness that we perform on a daily basis. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

Walking into The Grand Chapiteau of Cirque de Soleil’s latest acrobatic endeavor, Corteo, you can immediately tell the detail put into the spectacle. In the center of the room hang two tall screens with images of various individuals lost or exceedingly content in the chaos that surrounds them. Tapestry-like in their appearance, these screens surround the main stage, allowing a hazy view of the other side of the tent. Look up, and you’ll find French inspired railings and decor, appropriate given the program’s French origin. And to the side, a huge “Merci!” flashes, thanking those who have contributed to Corteo’s success. If you can admire the aesthetics, you will be floored by the performances.

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