Linda Hodges - Page 9

Mamma Mia! won't win any prizes for in-depth, philosophical story-telling, but its delightful mix of frothy, bouncy, romantic fun and disco/pop chart hits by ABBA make it a not-to-be missed theatrical event.

Making its regional premiere with TheaterWorks Silicon Valley [title of show] is a fresh, funny and fabulous production about - what else - two guys writing a show about writing a show - on deadline.

Blue Man Group is full-throttle fun, deliriously served up and flung out into the audience - which is why the front row people are given plastic ponchos to wear!

On days when Kalen Allmandinger is feeling blue, it's actually a really great thing. In fact, he's required to be blue because he's part of the world renowned performance extravaganza known as Blue Man Group. This trio of bald, silent (think Charlie Chaplin on steroids), blue-latex-coated performers first took the world by storm in 1991 and hasn't stopped since. Created by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton, Blue Man Group is set to appear at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre May 24 - June 19.

This Saturday night the San Francisco Bay Area will have the chance to experience the soulful sounds of multiple award-winning, multi-talented phenomenon Lillias White as she pays tribute to her friend and legendary songwriter Cy Coleman. For one night only she will occupy the center stage of the Venetian Room of the famed Fairmont hotel in her first solo concert here in nearly ten years.

On May 11th, 1981 Andrew Lloyd Webber first brought his magical musical, CATS, to a theater in London's West End District where it promptly made itself at home - for the next 21 years. It hit Broadway the following year and now, "the mystical divinity of unashamed felinity" that is CATS will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this week at San Francisco's Orpheum Theater, now through May 15th. BWW sat down with Jason Wise, who plays Tumblebrutus, to talk about the magic of CATS, his character and what's next for him.

Berkeley Rep's 'Three Sisters' is a powerful adaptation of Chekhov's classic that captures the lyricism and ennui of his work in an accessible and compelling production that is sure to be talked about for years to come.

Equally at home at San Diego's Comic-Con as he is on Broadway, Hugh Jackman charmed all of his fans in the world premiere of, Hugh Jackman In Performance. The showman par excellence took his San Francisco audience through a dazzling musical scrapbook of his life and career singing songs from past shows and performances, as wells as some of his own personal movie favorites. His voice soared; he was electrifyingly sexy, funny and pulsating with pizzazz. Let me tell you - the Boy from Down Under did not disappoint.

Playing now through Saturday, 'Wirehead' is a highly entertaining, intellectually stimulating, dark comedy with a sci-fi, mind-bending 'tweakiness' that will leave you stunned and wondering about our collective technological future.

Berkeley Rep's 'Three Sisters' is a powerful adaptation of Chekhov's classic that captures the lyricism and ennui of his work in an accessible and compelling production that is sure to be talked about for years to come.

STOMP, well, stomped its way into the San Jose Performing Arts Center, using, among other things, sticks and brooms, trash cans and yes, even kitchen sinks, to create wildly primitive and pulsating beats that throbbed with energy, excitement and absolute precision.

The national tour of Fiddler on the Roof took the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts by storm - literally. But as the rain poured outside, nothing could diminish the reception inside of this timeless story of endurance, family and love. Playing through March 20th, this latest rendition of Fiddler on the Roof is heartwarming and memorable.

The Tony-nominated musical, Rock of Ages, is rocking stages across the country as it continues its Constantine Maroulis-led national tour. The Broadway favorite found its way into San Francisco's Curran Theater last week and promptly brought down the house. Playing now through April 9th in the city that was built on rock-n-roll, Rock of Ages, is a not-to-be-missed, fun ride of a musical.

The national tour of Fiddler on the Roof took the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts by storm - literally. But as the rain poured outside, nothing could diminish the reception inside of this timeless story of endurance, family and love. Playing through March 20th, this latest rendition of Fiddler on the Roof is heartwarming and memorable.