On Stage – January 2020

HEAD OVER HEELS:  San Francisco – I loved this show when I saw it on Broadway, and I’m delighted that San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theatre Center is one of the first regionals to produce it since the show closed on Broadway in January 2019.  The story is very loosely based on a tale from the 16^th century, but the songs are all by the Go-Gos, and the ribald story and characters are very approachable.  The show starts with residents of a mythical kingdom singing “We’ve Got the Beat.” The King then consults an androgynous oracle (it was Peppermint from Drag Race on Broadway) and learns that the kingdom might lose their beat unless certain things occur, which sets him out on a quest.  Along the line, one of his daughters falls in love with her female archer; the other one falls for a lowly shepherd who decides to go in drag for access to the castle, but the king falls in love with him in drag and the queen falls in love with him as a shepherd … well, you can see it’s pretty silly, but the 80’s hits keep it lively, and you’ll almost certainly tap your toes throughout.  The show will also be produced in San Diego in June.  New Conservatory Theatre San Francisco (www.nctcsf.org) through 1/12.

THOSE MUSCLEBOUND COWBOYS OF SNAKEPIT GULCH:  Palm Springs – The highly popular Desert Rose Playhouse is set to score another milestone with the world premiere of Those Musclebound Cowboys of Snakepit Gulch, with book by Andy Halliday, music by Frank Shiro, lyrics by CJ Critt, and developed by G. R. Johnson.  A New York Pinkerton detective decides to disguise himself as Miss Daisy LeFleur to solve a murder in a small western town.  When he gets there, he finds that the men have been without women for so long that they have developed a lifestyle that suits them even better, but will Daisy leave town untouched?  There are plenty of songs, plenty of laughs, and plenty of hunky cowboys – and what else could you want?  Artistic Director Robbie Wayne and Musical Director Jaci Davis are working hard during rehearsals to bring the story from the written page to the stage, but their track record gives high odds that this is going to be another big success for the desert’s gay theatre company.  Desert Rose Playhouse (www.DesertRosePlayhouse.org) 1/17 – 2/9.

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME:  Los Angeles – This two-hander was nominated for Best Play at the 2017 Tony Awards, and won the Obie and Drama League awards as Best Play.  The author, who performed it on Broadway, has agreed to continue in Los Angeles.  During the play, Schreck communicates both as her current self and as her 15-year-old self, when she participated in debates about the Constitution.  She claims that the Constitution wasn’t written to protect all Americans – just wealthy white men.  During the evening, she touches upon themes such as women’s rights, immigration, and domestic abuse.  The play couldn’t be more relevant, but it is indeed a piece of entertainment, not another diatribe about the state of the country.  Based on early ticket sales, they have extended an extra week. Mark Taper Forum (www.CenterTheatreGroup.org) 1/12 – 2/22.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD:  San Francisco – Considered to be the eighth Harry Potter tale, the story starts 19 years after the last Potter book.  Harry Potter is now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, and his younger son Albus Severus Potter, is about to attend Hogwarts.  The story is so lengthy that the play is divided into Parts 1 and 2.  Some days of the week, the two parts are both performed, and otherwise, they are on consecutive days.  The play has been on Broadway since March 2018. The current production at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre follows the West End, Broadway, and Melbourne productions, and it is not currently scheduled to tour.  The show is rich with magic and special effects, and its background music was released as an album.  Tickets are currently being sold through July, but as each new batch is released, they go quickly (and not inexpensively!)  Curran Theatre (www.sfcurran.com) through 7/5.