Theater Review – September 14, 2023

TPTC’S “LADY DAY” EXPOSES BILLIE HOLIDAY’S TRAGIC LIFE WITH GREAT SONGS

“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hardes Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

When Yolanda London sash shays on stage in a flowing pink gown, she becomes the late, great but troubled singer Billie Holiday in The Phoenix Theatre Company’s commendable staging of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.”

Immediately the audience returns to Philadelphia’s tacky bar back in the mid-1950’s when the singer, also known as Lady Day, is ending her brilliant singing career that was marred by drugs and alcohol.  Between … Continue Reading

Theater Review – August 5, 2023

TPTC’S “DREAMGIRLS” MUSICALLY DAZZLES BUT IT SLUMBERS DRAMATICALLY

“Dreamgirls”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Back in 1981 when “Dreamgirls” debuted, it was one of the first musicals to use a score rooted in contemporary musical sounds without traditional Broadway showtunes.  The story told a fictionalized tale of a bright young R & B singing group, The Dreams, that was loosely based on The Supremes, James Brown, and The Shirelles.  It’s not an easy show to produce because it mandates lavish sets, glitzy costumes, and dynamic lighting.  Most significantly, the story is plagued by … Continue Reading

Theater Review – July 2, 2023

ATC’S “GEORGIA McBRIDE” IS FUN BUT COULD BETTER PROBE DIVERSE LIFESTYLES

“THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE”
Arizona Theatre Company, Stage West, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Sit back, relax, and enjoy Arizona Theatre Company’s farewell Herberger Theater Center show, “The Legend of Georgia McBride.”  Written by Matthew Lopez, it is a well-produced comedy about female impersonators with some poignant references to the challenges of being gay hidden behind raucous comedy and pointed innuendo.

The play seems an odd choice for ATC. Perhaps it is being used to build new audiences who enjoy lighter fare and have avoided … Continue Reading

Theater Review – June 10, 2023

“THE PROM” IS DYNAMIC ENTERTAINMENT WITH A THOUGHTFUL MESSAGE

“The Prom”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“The Prom” is a richly rewarding and charmingly fun-filled expose about tolerance, understanding, and acceptance. It is also an extravagant musical entertainment that explodes all over The Phoenix Theatre Company’s stage in a malarkey-ridden production that never forgets its message about open-mindedness.  The musical also slams Broadway hypocrisy and even wallops theater critics who with a pointed review can close a show after a single performance.

Set in small-town Edgewater, Indiana, a PTA mother tries to cancel the … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 14, 2023

COWARD’S RAZOR-SHARP “PRIVATE LIVES” SUFFERS A BLAND ATC STAGING

“PRIVATE LIVES”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

When a production of Noel Coward’s 1930 “Private Lives” is witty and brilliant, audience guffaws start immediately as the complicated characters, limpid dialogue, and wacky plot are revealed.   But all the play’s comic malarkey is missing in the Arizona Theatre Company dry staging where KJ Sanchez’s listlessly lethargic direction traps the slyly amusing play.  Add bland acting, sketchy sets, and drab costuming that all fail to bring the play to its comically spiffy elegance.

The play … Continue Reading

Theater Review – April 8, 2023

TPTC’S “A CHORUS LINE” DISAPPOINTS ON EVERY MANDATED REQUIREMENT

The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

As one of the few theatergoers left who saw “A Chorus Line” when it debuted in 1975, it is interesting to look at a contemporary production of the show like the one at The Phoenix Theatre Company.

Before assessing the disappointing local staging, some observations on this once trend-setting show.  It reveals the fears and anguish confronting several actors trying out for an ensemble place in a Broadway-bound musical.

Copyright rules do not allow adjustments or changes to the show.  … Continue Reading

Theater Review – April 2, 2023

BRILLIANT PREMIERE PLAY “PRU PAYNE” MUST BE SEEN IN MAGNIFICENT ATC PRODUCTION

“PRU PAYNE”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Arizona rarely sees world premiere plays and often when plays begin here they aren’t stellar.  So, it is wonderful that the Arizona Theatre Company’s “Pru Payne” is such a remarkable piece.  Steven Drukman’s play is a sensitive and touching telling of dementia’s impacts on two very different individuals, one a well-known intellectual and critic, the other a school bus driver/custodian.

The play flashes back and forth between Prudence (Pru) Payne’s prime life as … Continue Reading

Theater Commentary – March 22, 2023

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY’S 2023/24 SEASON IS FULL OF POSITIVE CHANGES

Arizona Theatre Company,
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Arizona Theatre Company’s 2023/24 season announcement is full of positive changes.  To find out about the differences coming at the official State theater and to get an update on ATC’s future in the Valley of the Sun, I talked to Kaiser Family Artistic Director Matt August and Geri Wright, Executive Director.

After 32 years at the 700-seat Center Stage in downtown Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center, future ATC shows will be presented at the Tempe Center for the Arts’ 600-seat Theater.

The five-show … Continue Reading

Theater Review – March 18, 2023

TPTC’S “THE LAST FIVE YEARS” CAPTURES A ROCKY MARRIAGE WITH COMPLEX MELODIES, A PROBING STORY AND FINE PERFORMANCES

“THE LAST FIVE YEARS”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Composer and playwright Jason Robert Brown does not write the usual glitzy and entertaining musicals that contain little substance.  His 1998 “Parade” deals with the trial and lynching of a Jewish businessperson living in bigoted 1913 Atlanta where he is wrongly accused of seducing a woman.  The show is being revived now on Broadway with Ben Platt in an acclaimed production.

His most recent show, 2014’s “The … Continue Reading

Theater Commentary – March 13, 2023

LOCAL BROADWAY SERIES ANNOUNCES 23/24 ASU GAMMAGE SEASON

2023/24 BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA – ARIZONA SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
2023/24 Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

An interesting postcard arrived March 9 announcing the top-secret Broadway Across America – Arizona season before the scheduled March 13 revealation.at ASU Gammage.

No real surprises in the nine shows since several Broadway Across America seasons had already been announced as have the touring Broadway shows so deciding the l0cal line-up wasn’t rocket science.

The expected shows are coming – “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” (October 10-15), “Ain’t Too Proud The … Continue Reading