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

Theater Review – March 1, 2023

DISNEY’S “FROZEN” DAZZLES ASU GAMMAGE AUDIENCES

“FROZEN”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Another Walt Disney animated feature being transformed into a Broadway musical didn’t bode well for the local “Frozen” premiere. But, wonder of wonder, the stage show is remarkably lush with swirling, turning, and twisting scenery, wondrously colorful costumes, additional music that augments the simple story, and an enchanted production that makes the unbelievable fantasy about two very different sisters a delightful entertainment.

One sister, Anna, is man-crazy.  She is accidentally hurt by sister Elsa’s colossal powers.  Everything is positively resolved by … Continue Reading

Theater Review – February 25, 2023

MUSICAL THEATER STAR RAMIN KARIMLOO’S STATE DEBUT DAZZLES LOCAL AUDIENCE

RAMIN KARIMLOO WITH SETH RUDETSKY
Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Ramin Karimloo took a night off from his Broadway “Funny Girl” revival triumph to make his Arizona debut at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in a breezy, unstructured session with host/accompanist Seth Rudetsky.  He sang winning renditions of Broadway standards amidst chatter with Rudetsky.  Much of the talk and jokes between songs were directed negatively at show-biz situations.

The strappingly handsome and statuesquely muscular Karimloo makes a striking … Continue Reading

Theater Review – February 19, 2023

WILLIAMS’ BEST PLAY “THE GLASS MENAGERIE” SOARS IN WINNING ATC STAGING

“THE GLASS MENAGERIE”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“The Glass Menagerie” was Tennessee Williams first and perhaps the best play of his distinguished contributions to the American theater canon.  The 1945 masterpiece about the dysfunctional Wingfield family of St. Louis circa 1930, is a triumphant memory play with richly defined and strongly developed characters plus an emotionally compelling story. Arizona Theatre Company’s stunningly moving production brings back this amazing classic with remarkable panache.

We meet the insular three-person family who are … Continue Reading

Theater Commentary – February 18, 2023

2023/24 BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA – ARIZONA SEASON SPECULATION

Broadway Across America – Arizona
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Broadway Across America hosts touring productions of recent new and revival Broadway shows throughout the nation including locally at Tempe’s ASU Gammage Concert Hall where the inhospitable environment doesn’t allow shows to be properly seen or heard.  While most touring 2023/24 Broadway seasons have been announced, the Tempe season announcement will be one of the last revealed on March 13.

There are few touring surprises so it is easy to piece together the local season from the 15 plus announced … Continue Reading