Theater Review – December 3, 2023

“POTUS” POKES FUN AT POTENTIAL POLITICAL REALITY

Potus: or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive”
Stray Cat Theatre, Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

We all know how true the cliché “Behind all great men are several women” is and that’s exactly what “Potus: or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” gleefully and wackily proves in the spot-on Stray Cat Theatre production.  Katie McFadzen’s briskly paced and hysterically funny production proves the show’s title artfully.

Beyond McFadzen’s hilariously madcap but insightful staging … Continue Reading

Theater Review – December 2, 2023

“SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM” IS A HUMOROUS BUT LOVING JAB AT CATHOLIC HOLIDAY DOGMA

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hardes Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“Late Nite Catechism’s” wacky and irreverent Sister is at it again as she hilariously tries to explain what happened to the Magi’s gold that should have gone to the baby Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.  In the holiday-inspired “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold,” this amusing spoof/sequel isn’t quite as sharply witty or as vicariously amusing as the original but it has some clever … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 25, 2023

“ELF THE MUSICAL” IS A JOYOUS HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

“Elf The Musical”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Expectations for “Elf The Musical,” based on the silly Will Ferrell 2003 film, were low.  How could a Christmas show based on that movie be turned into a joyous holiday extravaganza?  Well, a Christmas miracle occurs because The Phoenix Theatre Company’s (TPTC) production is just what Santa ordered.

The show’s London premiere, multiple Broadway runs, and annual national tours haven’t been huge hits.  Perhaps the previous productions including one five years ago at TPTC haven’t possessed the charismatic … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 15, 2023

“AIN’T TOO PROUD” DYNAMICALLY RECREATES THE DAZZLING TEMPTATIONS

“Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Jukebox musicals have become a Broadway rage with new shows arriving regularly.  Since the fad has been indoctrinated into Great White Way programming, it is no surprise that tours of these recent hits end up on nationwide Broadway seasons with ASU Gammage no exception.

The latest to arrive locally is “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations” which premiered on Broadway in 2019 after a … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 22, 2023

ATC MANEUVERS DATED NEIL SIMON’S “BAREFOOT IN THE PARK” WELL

“BAREFOOT IN THE PARK”
Arizona Theatre Company, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Arizona Theatre Company made a smooth transition from the uncomfortable Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix to the sleek Tempe Center for the Arts.  For its opening production in its new home, ATC selected Neil Simon’s second play and his first big hit, “Barefoot in the Park.”

It is winningly staged by Michael Berresse and performed by a comically adept acting ensemble who deliver the one-liners with hilariously droll timing as they create … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 14, 2023

TPTC’S WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL “TIANANMEN” RELATES A TIMELY STORY

“Tiananmen A New Musical”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

World premiere musicals are rarely part of the Valley’s theater scene.  Exceptions come from The Phoenix Theatre Company.  They debuted “Americano!” about the Hispanic cultural lifestyle during the 2019/20 season.  That show was so successful here that it went on to a popular Off-Broadway run in New York City.

Now, TPTC brings audiences “Tiananmen,” a rich new musical about the awful violence inflicted on innocent students protesting for non-existent democracy in Communist China. The show is … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 11, 2023

“TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL” DOESN’T DO JUSTICE TO THE GREAT SINGER

“Tina – The Tina Turner Musical”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Singer, dancer, and actor Tina Turner had quite a career.  Made a star by vicious, mean, and abusive first husband Ike Turner, she abruptly abandoned him to establish herself as an even bigger entertainer prior to her well-deserved European retirement and untimely recent death.

So naturally, Broadway decided to capitalize on her fame by creating a tribute extravaganza, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” which started as a London … Continue Reading

Theater Review – September 30, 2023

WELL-PRODUCED “GLORIA” PAINTS A BLEAK PICTURE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION

“Gloria”
Stray Cat Theatre, Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

For its 22nd season opener, Stray Cat Theatre presents a stellar production of the Arizona premiere of “Gloria,” an interesting, unique, and timely play.  Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins creates a terrifying scenario.  He ends the first act with a horrific and unexpected occurrence that the playwright then dissects the ramifications of what transpired and its character impacts.

The play centers on youngish career persons as it captures their mindsets and how the plot traumatizes them.  … Continue Reading

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