Another week, another Top Five Fridays. Our community contributors (mostly) gave us a reason to smile during a busy week for both the Sacramento Police Department and reporter Karen Wilkinson. And let’s not forget – the Kings are still leaving. Before you dive into your weekend, take a look at The Sacramento Press’s most popular articles of the week. Community Contribution:  5. How public radio helps indie artists by Alex Cosper Weekly columnist and owner of SacTV Alex Cosper turned his attentions this week to the role public radio plays in the success of indie artists, as well as our community as a whole. 4. No injuries after RT light rail train and car collide by Kati Garner Kati Gar

The Cosmopolitan Cabaret will have new tenants soon, as the California Musical Theatre has pulled out of the downtown entertainment venue. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, local restauranteur Randy Paragary will take over theater operations to open a nightclub called The Assembly. At 10th and K Streets, the cabaret includes a 200-seat theater and shares the ground floor with Cafe Bernardo on K and the KBar, which Paragary operates. Local historian William Burg said this is good news for Sacramento, as it lacks many medium-sized performance spaces. "It's also a natural synergy with the growing number of dance clubs and live music venues around K Street like Marilyn's and She

In “Memphis,” the four-time Tony Award-winning musical by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro (“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”), a white DJ (Bryan Fenkart) in 1950s Memphis, Tenn., champions the career of fledgling African-American singer Felicia with whom he eventually falls in love. The show, which kicks off the 2012-12 Broadway Sacramento season Oct. 30 at the Community Center Theater, stars Broadway alum Bryan Fenkart as Hugo and Felicia Boswell as Felicia. For Fenkart, who began his multi-threat career as a singer-songwriter-instrumentalist, there’s a lot to love about being in a show that focuses on story and character development as much as memorable, toe-tapping tunes. “I love

photographs by Barry Wisdom / Jerry Lee said his personal experience with romantic relationships wasn’t the most-likely reason that California Musical Theatre Artistic Director Glenn Casale cast him in CMT’s current production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The 1996 Jimmy Roberts-Joe DiPietro Off-Broadway hit, which plays the Cosmopolitan Cabaret Sept. 28 through Nov. 18, takes a look at the trials and tribulations of hooking up, from first dates to marriage vows, from in-law interference to home-buying via a series of musical vignettes. But like so many up-and-coming theater professionals, the Sacramento native’s days and nights have not been all about those meet-cutes,

Multitalented musical-theater performers are often called "triple-threats" because they can "do it all": act, sing and dance. A lucky few might even develop a few additional talents in hopes of increasing their marketability, such as those actors featured in "Starlight Express" and "Xanadu" (roller-skating), "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (stage fighting/fencing), and "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" (aerial acrobatics/high-pain thresholds). Rarer still are those who continually absorb truly relevant stage skills like mutant superheroes – X-Men with Equity cards. Noah Racey, who stars as Bobby Child in the 2012 Music Circus season-ending production of "Crazy For You," has been so blessed. A musi

  Growing up, Patrick Cassidy certainly had successful role models to emulate. Mom Shirley Jones was an Academy Award-winning movie star ("Elmer Gantry"), and celebrated musical theater and television star. Dad Jack Cassidy was a similarly lauded, multi-media actor with a Tony Award ("She Loves Me") and a pair of Emmy nominations to his credit. Stepbrother David Cassidy was a talented musician and actor who co-starred with Jones in TV's "The Partridge Family" and became an über-successful (if reluctant) teen idol. Older brother Shaun Cassidy followed in stepbrother's shoes as an actor ("The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries") and pop star. But while the teenage Cassidy had brief flirtat

photographs by Barry Wisdom /   In early 1990, I wasn't under the sea, but sailing through foamy ocean waves topside in my first contract with a cruise line catering to the über-rich. As an onboard public relations representative whose duties included writing and editing a daily newsletter, I enjoyed non-uniformed “officer” status that allowed me full access to crew and passenger areas. Among the passenger entertainment venues I frequented was the ship’s cinema. One of the then-recent releases I recall being screened was the Walt Disney Pictures adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” A comeback of sorts for Disney’s animated feature film division, the 1989 mu

Whether you’re aware of it or not, chances are you’ve encountered the work of California Musical Theatre (CMT). The Organization oversees and organizes logistics for the wildly popular Music Circus, Broadway Sacramento, and Cosmopolitan Cabaret seasons. With a full-time staff, and a strong crew of temporary and seasonal staffing as needed, CMT is responsible for overseeing the elements of these three musical theatre seasons, all of which succeed in bringing top-notch musical theatre performances to the Sacramento region. In addition to producing and presenting high-quality theatrical shows, CMT runs educational programs through the California Musical Theatre Academy (CMT Academy). CMT Aca

Cosmopolitan Cabaret’s Triple Espresso is one shot of musical comedy, one shot of slapstick antics, one shot of audience participation—and is hilarious on all accounts. The vaudeville-style show is centered on the reunion of the semi-successful, but ultimately failed, trio act of “Maxwell, Butternut, and Bean.” With the help of the audience (no one is safe from the spotlight here), the three performers recount their downward crawl to fame using magic tricks, “nude” dancing, sing-alongs, and the most impressive shadow puppetry you’ll see this side of kindergarten. Hugh Butternut (Michael Pearce Donley) is the act’s piano man, Bobby Bean (Bob Stromberg) the loveable idiot, and Buzz Maxwell

William Selby remembers well when he first heard about a little cabaret show that was generating buzz among New York theater fans. “I was a full-time actor at the time, and I had a roommate who was a waiter at this place – Palsson’s (Supper Club) on West 72nd Street,” Selby said. “He came home one night raving about something called ‘Forbidden Broadway’ and did a number for me. “I fell off the bed laughing – I knew I loved it right then and there.” Selby wasn’t the only one who embraced Gerard Alessandrini’s concept of a satiric revue that both celebrated and skewered musical theater. Since its opening 30 years ago this month, “Forbidden Broadway” played almost continuously in New Yor

Each season, Music Circus produces a musical that includes a large number of actors from California Musical Theatre’s Music Circus Junior Company. This years’ production is “Oliver!” Lionel Bart’s highly successful musical based on the Charles Dickens classic “Oliver Twist.” “Oliver!” with music, lyrics and book all by Bart, originally opened in London in 1960 and Broadway in 1962. It has seen numerous revivals powered by mega musical producer Cameron Mackintosh, first in 1977, last in 2009, both in London and on Broadway. It was a highly successful movie adaptation, winning six Oscars. This is Music Circus’ eighth production of the musical. Christopher Bones, a veteran theater and TV ac

Opening its 61st season with a highly popular contemporary musical with good casting has paid off for California Musical Theatre’s Music Circus. “The Producers,” which opened Tuesday night, involves a failed Broadway producer whose most recent show closed on opening night. A passing remark by the low level accountant sent in to audit the books puts the plot in motion. If the producer would have a guaranteed flop, they could bank the investment, close the show and keep the money. They set out to find the worst play, a lousy director and terrible actors. Many complications and much humor ensue, along with lots of great songs and dancing. “The Producers: the new Mel Brooks Musical,” while b

Individual tickets for Broadway Sacramento's presentations of CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE (December 29, 2010-January 2, 2011), 9 TO 5  (March 9-20, 2011) and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN  (April 13-24, 2011) go on sale Monday, September 20 at 10 a.m. at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, (916) 557-1999, the Community Center Theater Box Office, 1301 L Street, Sacramento, (916) 808-5181 or Tickets.com, (800) 225-2277. The largest performing arts event in the Capital Region, Broadway Sacramento is presented by California Musical Theatre and sponsored by Wells Fargo.    These shows join Burn the Floor (September 29-October 10, 2010) and  In the Heights  (November 3-14, 2010) wh

Step into the Wells Fargo Pavilion and be transported back to Springfield High School’s 1958 Senior Prom, “Marvelous Dreams.” The evening’s entertainment was supposed to be provided by The Crooning Crabcakes. Alas, Crabcakes lead singer and preacher’s son Billy Ray was caught smoking behind the school. So as not to set a bad example, the principle has canceled their show. The Marvelous Wonderettes are brought in as a last-minute substitution. The Marvelous Wonderettes are Cindy Lou Huffington, Missy Miller, Betty Jean “B.J.” Reynolds and Suzy Simpeon. They are all Springfield High School’s (Go Chipmunks) Song Leaders. For the next couple of hours, we learn about the Wonderettes’ relati

Sophisticated, debonair Lawrence Jamison conspiring with local Chief of Police Andre Thibalult fleeces wealthy vacationing American women of their fortunes. The location is an exclusive French Riviera beach town. Jamison runs into a brash American swindler, Freddy on a train returning from Switzerland where he has banked his latest loot. Freddy blackmails Jamison and Thibault into taking him on as an apprentice. Much humor ensues. The musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is based on the 1988 movie of the same name starring Michael Caine as Lawrence Jamison and Steve Martin as Freddy. The movie itself is based on a 1964 movie, "Bedtime Story." "Bedtime Story" was written by Stanley Shapiro,

Take an iconic piece of american musical theater by arguably the best musical theater writing team of all times and add Music Circus talent and production values and you have a splendid evening of entertainment. "Oklahoma" was the first collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers had previously worked with Lorenz Hart creating "Pal Joey." Hammerstein had been teamed with Jerome Kern, with "Show Boat" as their best-known production. The new collaboration worked well for both. Hammerstein preferred to write lyrics before they were set to music. Rodgers preferred to have completed lyrics before creating the music. There previous co

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was the first collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Weber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). They were an astounding 19 and 22 years old, respectively, when they began working on “Joseph.” They took the well-known Old Testament story from Genesis chapters 37-46. It is the story of Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph overcomes all through dreams, luck and intelligence to become second to the Pharaoh in Egypt. He ends up saving his brothers and forgiving them. They use a “grab bag” of musical styles to tell the story, including country western, 60s pop, disco, calypso, Parisian cabaret and for the Ph

The big top is flying up as the Sacramento Music Circus returns to the Wells Fargo Pavilion for its 60th anniversary season and 500th production. The seven-show 2010 season opens July 9 with Monty Python's "Spamalot" and closes Aug. 29 with "42nd Street." As always, season ticket holders contribute to the show selection by filling out surveys sent by the Music Circus months prior to the season opening. The highest-rated shows are selected assuming Music Circus can obtain rights to the show. This year "Funny Girl" was the second highest-rated show on the survey, which marketing director Christopher Bower described as "surprising." "If there is something we're maybe on the fence about but

Tony Award-winning musical "In the Heights" as well as the recent Disney revival of the classic "Mary Poppins" are among the six touring shows that will come to Sacramento between September 29 and June 19 of next year. For the first time in producing organization California Musical Theatre's 22 year history of bringing Broadway shows, all six of the shows will be Sacramento premieres. Along with "In the Heights" and "Mary Poppins," this season's shows will include the dance spectacle "Burn the Floor," the seasonal "Cirque Dreams Holidaze" and two new shows based on films: "9 to 5," based on the Dolly Parton movie and "Young Frankenstein," based on the Mel Brooks comedy. Ticket subscripti

"Rent: The Broadway Tour" stopped in Sacramento Wednesday night, bringing a slice of New York to the Community Center Theatre. An audience of over 2,000 sang along, hollered and gave a standing ovation to the play, which featured the male leads from the original Broadway cast, Adam Pascal (as Roger Davis) and Anthony Rapp (as Mark Cohen). Led by poignant performances by Pascal and Rapp, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama featured powerful acting, dancing and singing. Watching the play was like viewing a prototypical hip-hop song come to life, describing characters in an urban New York City neighborhood dealing with a mosaic of issues including AIDS, drugs and homelessness.