Paul Rubin News

OC's award-winning regional theater company 3-D Theatricals' latest effort is a remarkably admirable, visually-stunning iteration of Disney's TARZAN® THE MUSICAL that defiantly dazzles and entertains despite the inherent, unavoidable shortcomings of its licensed source material (a problematic book and mostly forgettable score). Thanks to the incredible combined efforts of the show's creative team of brilliant theatrical artisans, its richly striking orchestra, and its top-notch, super-talented ensemble cast (led by Devin Archer and Daebreon Poiema), this ultimately winning local production has certainly earned all its well-deserved cheers. Under the showmanship-style guidance of director Rufus Bonds Jr., 3DT's vividly colorful TARZAN manages to rise (at times literally) high above the original show's weak plotting, Hwang's sometimes stale dialogue, and Collins' run-of-the-mill lyrics... and triumphantly emerge as a wonder-filled, visually-stunning treat for all ages.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Raleigh, Sacramento, St. Louis and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include an 'awesome' INTO THE WOODS at The Muny, PETER PAN at Music Circus, and BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY in Raleigh, just to name a few.

Glenn Casale's history with "Peter Pan" has been one awfully big adventure that's unlikely to end any time soon. The California Musical Theatre Artistic Director headed the Tony-nominated 1999 Broadway revival, which subsequently saw an A&E television broadcast and multiple tours. The show visited Sacramento as recent as 2012, and fans of that version will appreciate pieces of costumes and dance, and even a few cast members, pulled from Casale's Cathy Rigby version for the Music Circus production, now playing at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.

TARZAN THE MUSICAL is the latest winner in a string of ambitious musicals by the Dawson producing team at 3-D Theatricals (Gretchen, Daniel, Jeannette and T.J.). Perhaps it isn't surprising that a family run company would know the kind of heart it takes to bring to life a Disney adventure musical about the power of family and finding one's place in the world. In any case, TARZAN is one big show that succeeds beautifully under their care.

From the masters of family entertainment, who brought you The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, 3D Theatricals (3DT) of Orange County is pleased to present the first, major, fully-produced Southern California regional premiere of the Tony nominated TARZAN The Stage Musical based on the Disney Film at both Fullerton's historic Plummer Auditorium, now through July 26, and the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, August 1 - 9, 2015. Click below to go behind the scenes with the cast & creative team!

From the masters of family entertainment, who brought you The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, 3D Theatricals (3DT) of Orange County is pleased to present the first, major, fully-produced Southern California regional premiere of the Tony nominated TARZAN®  The Stage Musical based on the Disney Film at both Fullerton's historic Plummer Auditorium July 11 - 26 and the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center August 1 - 9, 2015.  A Los Angeles Ovation Award-winning production company, 3D Theatricals was also the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre.   Check out a first look at opening night below!

Producers Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman and The Transfer Group have announced that CARRIE: THE MUSICAL will return to Los Angeles this October at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, direct from its acclaimed run at the La Mirada Theatre this past spring.

Disney's and Cameron Mackintosh's MARY POPPINS, a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, with original music & lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and book by Julian Fellowes, featuring new songs and additional music & lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, just opened at La Mirada Theatre and runs through June 21, 2015. Scroll down for photos from the musical's opening night festivities!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, and The Transfer Group present the Los Angeles premiere of the all-new, reimagined, environmental and completely immersive theater production of the legendary musical CARRIE THE MUSICAL. Check out highlights from the show below!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, and The Transfer Group present the Los Angeles premiere of the all-new, reimagined, environmental and completely immersive theater production of the legendary musical CARRIE THE MUSICAL. Performances started at Southern California's La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts (14900 La Mirada Blvd.) on Thursday, March 12, 2015 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 5, 2015. Opening night was March 18, 2015. BroadwayWorld brings you inside press night at the show!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, and The Transfer Group present the Los Angeles premiere of the all-new, reimagined, environmental and completely immersive theater production of the legendary musical CARRIE THE MUSICAL. Performances started at Southern California's La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts (14900 La Mirada Blvd.) on Thursday, March 12, 2015 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 5, 2015. Opening night was last night, March 18, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Disney's Mary Poppins arrived at Sierra Repertory Theatre February 28 with plenty of spectacle (she flies!), plenty of songs (think 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' and 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'), plenty of heartwarming comedy and drama and - of course - plenty of magic, the kind only a no-nonsense nanny can deliver. The 'practically perfect' musical plays through May 3 at the East Sonora Theatre and opens Sierra Rep's 36th season. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Disney's Mary Poppins arrives at Sierra Repertory Theatre February 28 with plenty of spectacle (she flies!), plenty of songs (think "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"), plenty of heartwarming comedy and drama and - of course - plenty of magic, the kind only a no-nonsense nanny can deliver. The "practically perfect" musical plays through May 3 at the East Sonora Theatre and opens Sierra Rep's 36th season.

Disney's Mary Poppins arrives at Sierra Repertory Theatre February 28 with plenty of spectacle (she flies!), plenty of songs (think "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"), plenty of heartwarming comedy and drama and - of course - plenty of magic, the kind only a no-nonsense nanny can deliver. The "practically perfect" musical plays through May 3 at the East Sonora Theatre and opens Sierra Rep's 36th season.

Broadway Tony Award nominee and former Olympic Gold medal gymnast Cathy Rigby stars as 'Cat in the Hat' in Seussical the Musical which officially opens the LA Ovation Award winning 3D Theatricals' (3DT) 2015 musical theatre season. This delightful, whimsical show has been set for ten performances at Fullerton's historic Plummer Auditorium tonight, February 7 - 22; and six performances February 28 - March 8 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction byJohn Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. The musical premiered over the weekend and BroadwayWorld has more photos from the opening festivities below!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce the complete cast as they present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present pure 'electricity' with the third show of their 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview tonight, January 16, 2015 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Broadway Tony Award nominee and former Olympic Gold medal gymnast Cathy Rigby stars as 'Cat in the Hat' in Seussical the Musical which officially opens the LA Ovation Award winning 3D Theatricals' (3DT) 2015 musical theatre season. This delightful, whimsical show has been set for ten performances at Fullerton's historic Plummer Auditorium February 7 - 22; and six performances February 28 - March 8 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present pure 'electricity' with the third show in its 2014-2015 season, the Southern California Regional Premiere of the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, musical direction by John Glaudini, choreography by Dana Solimando and directed by Brian Kite. BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL will preview tonight, January 16, 2015(with a press opening on Saturday, January 17) and run through Sunday, February 8, 2015 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.