All posts in Events

Blue Man Group

by Paria Amini on April 6, 2013 in Events, Local

Created in 1987 by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton, the Blue Man Group has been enjoyed by 17 million viewers. Blue Man Group is unlike anything I have ever witnessed before, and surpassed any expectation I could have had. If you haven’t seen Blue Man Group, this is one thing you have to make time to see, and take your family and friends along with you!

Bald men painted in blue? Sounds strange, right? A little perhaps, but this is all a part of what makes Blue Man Group different from any other theatrical experience you may have had in the past. Blue Man Group combines humor, acting, technology, paint, and music to create a performance that leaves you on the edge of your seat the entire show. What makes Blue Man Group particularly unique is their constant participation with the audience. There’s a strange and wonderful connection between the entire audience as you together experience what is Blue Man Group.

Just a little warning, if you’re sitting in the first few rows, be prepared for things to get a little…messy.

Blue Man Group will be at Broadway San Jose and the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose running through April 7. Tickets are on sale now at the www.sjtix.com box office or call 408-792-4111 for more details. This is must see show for everyone–young and old! Be sure to follow Broadway San Jose on Facebook and Twitter for updates on their new 2012-2013 season and special messages for fans/followers!

Die Fledermaus

by Paria Amini on November 19, 2012 in Events, Local, Opinion, Review

If you are the kind of person who squirms at the thought of “the opera,” Strauss’ Die Fledermaus may completely alter your perception. With bits of dialogue and a comedic story-line, this is not what the opera cynic might typically expect. Strauss’ most celebrated operetta, Die Fledermaus (“The Bat”) is a story of revenge, betrayal, deceit, and mistaken identity, wrapped up into an uproarious performance. Based on a German comedy and French vaudeville play, the opera is about a man’s intricate scheme to avenge a friend’s practical joke.

Sung in German, Die Fledermaus is divided into three parts. I have seen tenor Michael Dailey, who plays Alfred, perform in several shows at Opera San Jose, and this has been one of my favorite of his performances. Dailey’s effortless ability to capture the character he is cast to play, his confidence on the stage, his ability to connect with the audience, and his tremendously exquisite voice leave the scenes he plays ingrained in your mind. And for the comedy portions of the opera, Rebecca Krouner does an unbelievable job as Prince Orlofsky, resulting in much laughter throughout the show.

Die Fledermaus runs from now until November 25th at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose. Tickets are on sale at the Opera San Jose box office, by phone at (408) 437-4450, or online at www.operasj.org.

Memphis at Broadway San Jose

by Paria Amini on October 27, 2012 in Events, Local, Review

Felicia Boswell (Felicia) in the National Tour of MEMPHIS - photo by Paul Kolnik

Four-time Tony Award Winner Memphis has made its way back to the Bay Area! Memphis tells the story of Huey Calhoun, a young white DJ who has fallen for the music of rock-and-roll. Along the way, Huey meets Felicia, a beautiful and talented black singer who steals his heart. In an era of segregation, Huey fights for the music and woman he has come to love, pushing the boundaries and changing the status quo.

The theater was packed for opening night of Memphis at the Center for Performing Arts in Downtown San Jose. The show is the first for the new 2012-2013 season at Broadway San Jose. Ticket holders took their seats and waited for the curtain to go up and the performance to begin. With an exquisite cast of dancers, singers, and well-rounded performers, it is no surprise Memphis has received such critical acclaim.

The powerful score and captivating story makes Memphis an unforgettable performance. The cast effortless captured the personalities and attitudes of the characters set to play, for an overall wonderful execution of this musical. In addition to the superb cast, the great deal of attention that went to the stage and costume design, as well as the lighting and live music, brought the unforgettable Broadway experience here to the Bay Area.

Memphis will be at Broadway San Jose and the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose running through October 28, 2012. Tickets are on sale now at the www.sjtix.com box office or call 408-792-4111 for more details. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the theater or a newbie, you won’t want to miss your opportunity to see Memphis while it’s still in town! Be sure to follow Broadway San Jose on Facebook and Twitter for updates on their new 2012-2013 season and special messages for fans/followers!

The Pearl Fishers

by Paria Amini on September 12, 2012 in Events, Lifestyle, Local, Review

On Saturday evening, Opera San Jose opened its 2012-2013 season with Georges Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers. First performed in 1863, when Bizet was only 25 years old, The Pearl Fishers is a story about the troubles of friendship and love. Taking place on the island of Ceylon, two men and old friends, Zurga and Nadir, reunite after many years apart. Some time ago, Zurga and Nadir had fallen in love with the same woman–a love that nearly destroyed their friendship. The two vow to remain faithful to their friendship until death, that is, until the beautiful woman from their past returns, and Zurga and Nadir must face their demons once more.

Sung in French, The Pearl Fishers is divided into three parts. Rarely performed, the opera is well-known for the duet between Zurga and Nadir, Au Fond du Temple Saint (In the Depths of the Temple), otherwise known as “The Pearl Fishers Duet.” The famous excerpt combines the tenor and baritone in a song about friendship, brotherhood, and love. Sung exquisitely by Alexander Boyer (Nadir) and Evan Brummel (Zurga), the audience simultaneously feels each of the emotions Zurga and Nadir experience as their inner turmoil is translated into a beautiful and complex aria. This duet sets the stage for this sublime and wonderfully executed opera.

The Pearl Fishers is a fabulous way to begin the 2012-2013 season at Opera San Jose. We are anxiously looking forward to the coming performances! The Pearl Fishers runs from now until September 23rd at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose. Tickets are on sale at the Opera San Jose box office, by phone at (408) 437-4450, or online at www.operasj.org.