These reviews aired on KBAQ September 29, 2008

THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING “THE PRODUCERS”

“THE PRODUCERS”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Two diverse but well staged theater events premiered over the weekend. For its 1,000 show, Phoenix Theatre mounts a thoroughly entertaining staging of “The Producers,” Mel Brooks’ hilarious musical based on his film that slams crackpot Broadway producers. The other show is Stray Cat Theatre’s fascinatingly dark character study of a troubled teenage girl devastated by her mother’s death, “Everything Will Be Different,” subtitled “A Brief History of Helen of Troy.” This production marks the alternative theater company’s move to the downtown Tempe Performing Arts Center.

“The Producers” … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ September 22, 2008

“BLACKBEARD” AN AWKWARDLY CONSTRUCTED FIASCO

“BLACKBEARD”
Spire Music, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

Rob Gardner, the creative person behind “Blackbeard,” the world premiere musical at the Herberger Theater Center, has some nerve. In August, the show’s author, composer, and conductor, wrote a misleading press release saying that new musicals never happen here. He stated this while Phoenix Theatre was presenting the stunning premiere musical, “Unbeatable.”

Gardner’s pretensions are astounding. Not only is “Blackbeard” one of several new shows to grace local stages recently, but every other premiere show has been superior to Gardner’s awkwardly constructed fiasco.

His … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ September 15, 2008

FANTASTIC “DOUBT” ARTFULLY STAGED BY ACTORS THEATRE

“DOUBT, A PARABLE”
Actors Theatre, Stage West, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

“Doubt, A Parable” is a fantastic play. It won many awards during its original production. It even stopped at ASU Gammage with its original star, Cherry Jones, but the intimate play lost its immediacy and audience connection in the vast auditorium. Would the brilliant play about a nun’s doubt regarding an approachable priest make it in a local production?

The artful Actors Theatre staging at the wonderfully intimate Herberger Theater Center betters the original in some important aspects while … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ September 8, 2008

ENERGETIC “THE ALL NIGHT STRUT” OPENS AT BLACK THEATRE TROUPE

“THE ALL NIGHT STRUT”
Black Theatre Troupe, Playhouse on the Park
Phoenix, AZ

The Black Theatre Troupe has been moving around a lot during the last few seasons splitting its shows between the John Paul Theatre at Phoenix College and the Herberger Theater Center. It was confusing to know where their current show was playing. For this current season, Black Theatre Troupe has decided to settle down and present all its shows at the Playhouse on the Park at the Viad Tower in Phoenix.

For their season opener, … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ September 4, 2008

“A CHORUS LINE”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

I’ll always remember the most electrifying theater performance I ever attended. It was in 1975 when I saw the original “A Chorus Line.” From the moment the show began until the end two exhausting hours later, “A Chorus Line” was created by and told the lives and stories of how 17 performers became actors. The actors were these people. I’ll never forget it.

To open the new ASU Gammage series this week, comes the show’s recent Broadway revival. It re-creates this masterpiece perfectly. Every step … Continue Reading