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BWW REVIEWS: WE WILL ROCK YOU AT THE PPAC LIVES UP TO ITS TITLE

It's not every rock band or musical act that could successfully create a theater musical based on its widely varying songs. There has to be a certain uniformity, power and resonance to the music, all of the music, carrying through many songs, rather than just one or two "greatest hits." And they have to be songs that can be strung together to create a cohesive whole that works as a musical with a plot, story, characters, etc. If there's any proof that it can be done, and done smashingly well, it's found in We Will Rock You, the "rock theatrical" created through the combination of British writer Ben Elton and the music of Queen.

One reason there is so much heart and soul is the fantastic cast, all of whom deliver excellent performances while at the same time knocking the vocals out of the park. As our hero, Galileo, Brian Justin Crum is a force to be reckoned with. Just in terms of the acting side of the role, he handles everything perfectly, delivering the right amounts of insecurity, fear, courage and fight. But, when he starts to sing, it's his vocal power that really impresses. His performances of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" are nothing short of incredible. While he portrays such a likeable and charming young man in Galileo, every time his booming voice fills the theater, he reveals himself worthy of the title of "rock-god." MORE

WILLIAM CORKERY STARS IN THE LAST MEDALLION

William Corkery, a 2012 graduate of SCPA, can be spotted in the movie The Lost Medallion. Williams plays a native boy named Anui in an adventure story for kids with a happy ending. The movie is playing locally at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon. In addition, William is in a movie that recently came out on DVD, Netflix, and Redbox called Counterpunch. MORE

2012's MOST MEMORABLE THEATER

Story by James Herbert

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 In 2012, San Diego had the kind of theater year that makes it easy to peace together a Top 10 tally. MORE

A "SPAMALOT" ORIGINAL BRINGS SHOW HOME

San Diego-bred Broadway veteran Bradley directing Monty Python musical comedy for Moonlight

UNION TRIBUNE
By James Hebert

Actors Danny Gurwin and Christine Hewitt discuss a scene with director-choreographer Brad Bradley (SDSCPA alumni) during rehearsals for "Spamalot" at Moonlight Stage Productions. - Ken Jacques

Four and a half years. One thousand-plus performances. Uncountable clackings of cocunut shells.

That's a lot of "Spamalot."

And that's how steeped Brad Bradley is in this show, having spent more than three years acting in the Monty Python-centric musical's hit Broadway production, and then another year on its national tour. MORE

JEREMY MCQUEEN AWARDED THE CHOREOGRAPHERS OF COLOR AWARD

Jeremy McQueen was recently awarded the Choreographers of Color Award for his dance Black Iris based loosely on a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. MORE

FORMER SCPA ALUMNI, LISA PAYTON, STARS IN 'A HAMMER, BELL, AND SONG TO SING' AT THE SD REP

November 3, 2012
Written by James Hebert

For a moment last winter, A Hammer, a Bell, and a Song to Sing seemed destined for a life span considerably shorter than its title.Now, the musical in an expanded version, no less is back for its second go-round at San Diego Rep in less than a year. MORE

TONY AWARD WINNER GIVES $20,000 TO ALMA MATER

February 27, 2009
Written by Chris Moran

Tony Award winner Sara Ramirez will donate $20,000 to her alma mater, the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, the school announced yesterday. MORE

ALUMNI BRIAN CRUM TO STAR IN WE WILL ROCK YOU

Brian Justin Crum, P.J. Griffith, Jacqueline Arnold and Jared Zirilli will be part of the North American tour of the Queen musical We Will Rock You, which will launch at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre in October.

Featuring a book by Ben Elton, the U.K. jukebox musical that utilizes the songs of the rock band Queen is in its 11th year at London's Dominion Theatre. A new European arena tour, separate from the U.S. touring production, launched in late February.The U.S. cast will feature Crum (Next to Normal) as Galileo, Griffith (Giant) as Kashoggi, Arnold (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Killer Queen, Zirilli (Lysistrata Jones) as Britney, Ruby Lewis as Scaramouche, Ryan Knowles as Pop and Erica Peck as Oz.

The cast will be completed by Danny Balkwill, Samantha Berman, Bentley Black, Jessica Crouch, Saccha Dennis, Sam Digiuseppe, Suzanna Dupree, Daniel Greenberg, Stephen Hernandez, Nathan Keen, William Joseph Lewis, Brooke Morrison, Jennifer Mote, Katie Murphy, Jennifer Noble, Fred Odgaard, Patrick Ortiz,Jason Sermonia, Stephanie Sy and Kasey Walker. MORE

COURTNEY COREY FEATURED IN THE SD TRIBUNE

The San Diego Union Tribune recently wrote an article about SCPA graduate Courtney Corey, acclaimed actress, teacher, director, and writer. MORE

MOTOWN'S CHARL BROWN IS "FEELING FINE ON CLOUD NINE" AFTER HIS FIRST TONY NOMINATION

The morning the Tony nominations are announced, phones start buzzing with texts and calls for the happy few who get nods. As usual, Broadway.com is thrilled to be among the callers offering congratulations and getting responses. Here are the first reactions from 2013 Tony nominees. Congrats to all! MORE

ALUMNI KATIE VALLEAU QUALIFIES FOR THE NCAA GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Katie Valleau, a 2008 graduate of SCPA and current gymnast at San Jose State University, is now ranked No. 16 in the nation and No. 1 in the WAC on the floor. The Spartan Daily, a campus newspaper, recently wrote an article about the rising gymnastic star. MORE

In addition, Katie has now qualified to compete in the NCAA Women's Gymnastic Championships in Cleveland on April 15th. MORE