The Secret World of Arrietty Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of Mary Norton’s classic children’s book “The Borrowers” and “The Secret World of Arrietty” is one of at least five television and film adaptations, although not the most recent (the latest being a 2011 British television production). First released in Japan in 2010, it opened around much of the world during 2011 and finally makes its US debut today, with an American cast of voice actors. The wide opening includes several Sacramento theaters. This isn’t the only one of Norton’s stories to have made it to the big screen. Her first two novels were adapted into the beloved 1971 Disney production “B

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

Shows brought to you by the Disney organization and Cameron Macintosh come with high expectations. Fortunately for Sacramento musical theater lovers, the Broadway Sacramento production of "Mary Poppins" that opened last Thursday more than meets those expectations. Disney's first hit version of "Mary Poppins" was the 1964 film with major star turns by Julie Andrews as the title character and Dick Van Dyke as Bert. Disney had obtained the rights to the series of "Mary Poppins" stories by Australian author P.L. Travers. The first book was published in 1934, the last in 1991, five years before the author’s death. The movie also introduced the songs of brothers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherma

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com. Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00. Through Sunday, June 19th: Mary Poppins at Sacramento Community Center Theatre on 1301 L Street in Sacramento. Tickets are $24.00 - $138.00. Friday, June 3rd: Friday Night Concerts in the Park will feature Mick Martin & The Blues Rockers - Tess & The Hip Trash - The Kyle Rowland Band at Cesar Chavez

As promised, Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker magazine, connected a pre-1500s New-World dance form to Bob Dylan – and a whole lot more. Ross certainly has the credentials to discuss classical music. He started listening to classical music as a child and started his music collection at age 10, buying his first classical LP: Anton Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony. He has been the classical music critic for The New Yorker since 1996. His first book, “The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century,” was a national bestseller and The New York Times chose it as one of the 10 best books of 2007. Ross did not discover pop music until he was 20. Still, he has become quite versed in pop

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