Greed, corruption, exploitation, murder and, of course, some good, old-fashioned razzle dazzle. Opening tonight at the Sacramento Community Theater to a sold-out audience, "Chicago" shows that all the world is a con game and the stage is the biggest scam of them all.   Set in the decadent 1920s, "Chicago" tells the story of Roxie Hart, a bored, philandering housewife, who dreams of one day seeing her name in lights and murders her lover when he decides to walk out on her. Gut-bustlingly played by veteran actress Bianca Marroquin, Roxie is sharp-tongued, crude and best of all has you rooting for her until the curtain closes.   Brenda Braxton’s interpretation of the bawdy Velma Kelly was e

  FICTION by Steven Dietz at Capital Stage There’s an old adage in theatre that audiences attend with ‘a willing suspension of disbelief’. That is to say that they willingly set aside the truth and accept the fact that Peter Pan can fly even though the wires holding him up are plainly seen. That applies to theatre, film, and especially literature. But what if we believe every word we read? Can fiction become fact? Is something true simply because we believe it? In 2003 author James Frey wrote a memoir of his struggle with addiction called ‘A Million Little Pieces’. He was lauded as a troubled genius with a brilliant future, and America loved him. When the truth came out that a portion of

On Saturday November 21, 2009, Camellia Symphony Orchestra opened its 2009/2010 season with the program titled “Prodigies from St. Petersburg” featuring three Russian composers, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Sergey Prokofiev conducted by Music Director Allan Pollack. This was my first time listening to Camellia Symphony Orchestra. Being a community orchestra, the sound, harmony and overall quality of the musicianship were impressive. The night’s first piece was Overture on Three Russian Themes by Rimsky-Korsakov based on three Russian folk songs. The entrance of the first movement with the string section took us to a scene of pastoral and joyful Russian villages right

You might have heard of Sacramento's dinner theaters: Suspects Dinner Theatre aboard the Delta King, Tommy T's Comedy and Dinner Theatre and the recently closed Garbeau's Dinner Theatre. So after attending dinner theater, why not stop by Sacramento's only dessert theater? "As far as I know, we're the only one in the world," said Thomas Kelly, Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre owner, founder and artistic director. Kelly, now a retired copy/printshop owner, was a playwright for about 20 years before he opened the theater in 1996. In 1992, he and his wife Eleanor Lediard purchased the 1894 Victorian, 1901 P St., where the theatre is housed. "It had been a drug house before we got it, totally tr

It doesn’t matter if you’re an actor with lots of experience, or a newbie just testing the waters, actress Katie Rubin has got you covered in her eight-week studio scene study class. Rubin’s class, which starts October 11th and runs through November 29th, is every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm at California Stage, 1719 25th St (at R St.) in Midtown Sacramento. Rubin’s class uses Meisner and other acting techniques in that it will start with a group exercise and then students will present scenes. The cost is $200 for the entire session or $25 per class. A $25 discount is available if students prepay prior to the start of the session or if they bring a friend. For more information email Rubin at

Graham-a-Rama, a weekly cabaret show put on by local music director and pianist Graham Sobelman, was only planned to run a few weeks. But after the success of the first few shows in February, Sobelman has continued the show nearly every week since then, has guest appearances confirmed as far out as January and will continue the show until it "runs its course." It has gained somewhat of a cult following, selling out nearly every show. Most of the audience has been to multiple shows, Sobelman said. Graham-a-Rama, one of the few cabaret shows in the grid, is a mix of original music, standup comedy, musical theatre and rock 'n' roll covers. The instrumentation consists of Sobelman on a grand

There are two more performances for The Green Room - the College Musical at the California Stage on September 4th & 5th at 8:00 p.m.   In addition some great articles and reviews in the local press, audience members have raved about the talent of the actors and the quality of the production.  Several audience members have returned with friends 2 or 3 times.  The Green Room is a new backstage musical illustrating the journey of four best friends determined to make it out of the Green Room and onto the Broadway Stage. Featuring the Songwriter's Guild of America's Award-Winning song "It's All About Me" Sweet Dreams from Backstage: www.sacbee.com/entertainment/story/2104870.html#none With '

The Green Room - the College Musical has been extended through September 5th! Remaining performances are August 27th, 28th 29th, September 4th & 5th at 8:00 pm Ticket savings of $5.00 - $7.50 per ticket is available when tickets are bought online in advance. Tickets are available at http://www.fodproductions.com    

The money’s gone, the Vineyard must be sold, but Lucy Ravine and her brother Leo are living in the glorious past, not in 1980s California Wine Country. Ann Tracy’s “The Vineyard” is an adaptation of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard”, a story of rural development, lost love, losing your home and how absurd people can be when facing change. This Playwrights Collaborative workshop reading of “The Vineyard” is set for 7 PM, September 6, 2009 at the Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815. The event is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Tracy is not only a playwright, but also an actor, director and artist. She founded Beyond the Proscenium Productions in 1994, where

The Green Room - the College Musical opened on Friday, August 7th at The California Stage to rave reviews!  If audience reactions are any indication, The Green Room is going to be a hit musical in Sacramento this summer.  Audiences on Friday and Saturday night gave the cast standing ovations and gave accolades to both cast and crew about how much they enjoyed the production. Special guests for the opening night performance included Chuck Pelletier (Lyrics & Music), C. Stephen Foster & Rod Damer (Book) and Dion Hunter who is producing a short run of the show in Orange County later this year.  Chuck, Stephen and Rod arrived a day earlier than their scheduled appearance of August 8th when t

The Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance (SARTA) will announce the nominations for the most outstanding theater performances of 2008-2009 at its Elly Nomination Party, said SARTA office administrator Benjamin T. Ismail. Sacarmento City College will host the celebration on Aug. 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. Held and named in honor of the late Eleanor McClatchy, a devoted patron of local arts, the Elly's are in its 27th year. On Sept. 20, SARTA will honor the winners with a ceremony at the Crest Theatre. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for group rate and SARTA members. They go on sale Aug. 10 and can be purchased by calling SARTA's office or the day of at the Crest box office. There are

The Green Room - the College Musical is set to open this Friday at the California Stage in Sacramento.  Starring Courtney Parks, Jacob Montoya, Jessica Goldman & Lafras le Roux, this edgy and funny musical is sure to entertain Sacramento audiences.  The Green Room was presented for a short run in Hermosa Beach in May to audience acclaim and great reviews.  Director Kevin Caravalho has brought some interesting elements to the production that incorporate video and photography to assist in telling the story of Divonne, Cliff, Anna & John as they live through their years in college and try to fulfill their apirations of going to Broadway.  The music & lyrics by Chuck Pelletier span a wide r

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Sacramento Film and Music Festival opens its doors again Friday night at the Crest Theatre on 1013 K st. The 10-day event features films of all topics ranging from amateur to professional quality created by people from and outside the city of Sacramento. "It's not seen as a particular type of film festival, such as the gay and lesbian festival or the French festival," said Sid Heberger, manager of the Crest Theatre. "It encompasses all types of films and genres from horror to documentaries, to short films and features and competitions specifically for this festival." Founded in 2000 by current co-director Nate Schmel and now Los Angeles film edit

Move over, Jonas Brothers. There’s a new boy-band in town and they’re determined to save the souls of Sacramentans. The off-Broadway musical hit "Altar Boyz" opened last Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Pavilion and kept the audience laughing and toe-tapping the entire 90 minutes. The comedic story of five Catholic boy-band members, as passionate about saving souls as they are about their clothes being glitzy, will run through Sunday. The group leader Matthew (Devin DeSantis), "sensitive" Mark (Jamison Scott), street-smart Luke (Ryan Nearhoff), "Latin lover" Juan (Andres Quintero) and the Jewish, yarmulke-sporting Abraham (Tim Dolan) are a talented cast that keep the audience laughing,

The Green Room - the College Musical opens at The California Stage on August 7th starring Courtney Parks, Jacob Montoya, Jessica Goldman and Lafras le Roux. The Green Room is a new backstage musical illustrating the journey of four best friends determined to make it out of the Green Room and onto the Broadway Stage. Premiering in Hermosa Beach Beach in May 2009 to audience acclaim and great reviews, Friends of Dorothy Productions is proud to present the Northern California premier of this new musical with a rocking score and witty dialogue. Music and lyrics by Chuck Pelletier Book by C. Stephen Foster and Rod Damer Directed by Kevin Caravalho Musical Direction by Jane Viemeister Choreogr

                    The first weekly Dinner for  the Arts had a great start Tuesday evening at Headhunters. It is becoming a weekly event that will give local arts organizations the opportunity to promote their productions or events and reach out to new audiences. The event strives to put the spotlight on local arts organizations and artists and to promote the arts in Sacramento. Sacramento entertainer Courtney Parks was the hostess for the evening, Performing were Courtney, ICUP Comedy Troupe, Hot Pot Street Team Belly Dancers and LaFras LeRoux. Dinner for the Arts will feature local theatre companies, dance troupes, singers and other artists each week. In addition to live entertainm

Dinner for the Arts will kick-off on June 30th at 7:00 pm on the patio at Head Hunters. Join host and entertainer Courtney Parks and special guests ICUP Comedy Troupe, Hot Spot Street Team Belly Dancers and featured vocalists. The event will also feature live art demonstrations. Dinner for the Arts is an event that will give local arts organizations the opportunity to promote their productions or events and reach out to new audiences. The event strives to put the spotlight on local arts organizations and artists and to promote the arts in Sacramento. There is no cost for the event but reservations are required.  Reservations are limited to 50 people. Featured drinks include the Judy Garl

Summertime is here and Sacramento is stepping up to the plate! Sounds like it's going to be a scorching weekend at upwards of 100 degrees but the music and entertainment events are equally as sizzling! With a nice mix of free and low cost things to do as well as a few splurges, June is going out with a jam packed weekend! Browse this list to find plenty of opportunities to laugh, feast & learn along with local talent & tons of live music. It's sure to keep you and yours entertained all weekend long... Thursday 6.25 Theatre: Hedwig and the Angry Inch -- $25 Where: Artisan Theatre (1901 Del Paso Blvd) When: 8pm (also showing Fri & Sat nights this week) Why: This is the last weekend to see

Hedwig and the Angry Inch New Helvetia Theatre By Tony Sheppard Capitol Weekly This column normally focuses on film, but occasionally something else comes along that warrants attention. “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” the first full production of the New Helvetia Theatre, is one of those. Familiar to many from the film adaptation or prior stage productions, “Hedwig” tells the story of a transgendered East German who undergoes a botched sex change operation in a bid to emigrate to America. That brief description alone makes it clear that it’s not material that would appeal to all audiences, and it’s certainly not a show for most kids. But this is a phenomenal production of a heartfelt and in

Although not quite as well known in Sacramento as her native home of Alaska where she performed the lead roles in many musical theatre productions and sang at political fundraisers and sports events, Courtney Parks’ reputation as an extremely talented vocalist is catching on quickly in Sacramento. Prior moving to Sacramento Courtney won Spokane Idol and sang live onstage with Beth Hart. Locally, Courtney has performed on Good Day Sacramento as Judy Garland in December of 2008. She also co-wrote and performed a one-woman cabarets titled Under Their Influence: A Tribute to Judy Garland, Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand at The Studio Theatre and It’s All About Me at Badlands Nightclub featu