This review aired on KBAQ November 24, 2008

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “FORBIDDEN BROADWAY” WONDERFULLY COMIC BUT
NEARLY NAKED THEATRE’S “M. BUTTERFLY” SPUTTERS

“FORBIDDEN BROADWAY”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ
and
“M. BUTTERFLY”
Nearly Naked Theatre, The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Two local theaters are presenting very different but very interesting shows. Phoenix Theatre’s wonderfully comic slashing of familiar musicals, “Forbidden Broadway,” is a joy to watch. Nearly Naked Theatre’s long promised staging of David Henry Hwang’s fascinating comedy/drama about spying and subterfuge, “M. Butterfly,” is an outstanding play but this one sputters because of weak casting and laggardly pacing.

Written to the well known show tunes it parodies, “Forbidden Broadway” … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ November 20, 2008

NEW “HAPPY DAYS” MUSICAL BRINGS BACK FAVORITE TV CHARACTERS

“HAPPY DAYS”
Broadway in Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

If you loved “Happy Days” on television, you will no doubt adore the new musical version at ASU Gammage through Sunday. It brings back all the old characters and uses a silly, nonsensical plot to remind us of the carefree days of 1959 in Milwaukee when everything was uncomplicated and straightforward. On the other hand, if you are looking for a well staged, expensively produced Broadway musical, the new show cheats you with the cheap way it has been … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ November 17, 2008

“THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS” A WINNING WAY TO PRESENT ANN LANDERS

“THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

Ann Landers well read lovelorn column made her an institution from 1955 to her 2002 death. But can her straight-forward, no nonsense guidance on how to do everything from hanging toilet paper to the kinkiest sex practices sustain an entire theater performance? Arizona Theatre Company answers this question with a resounding “yes” in “The Lady with All the Answers,” a wonderful inside look at the advice woman.

Playwright David … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ November 10, 2008

“WORLD GOES ‘ROUND“ DOES NOTHING WITH KANDER AND EBB TUNES

“THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND”
Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, Center for the Performing Arts, Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Many musical revues are problematic. Witness the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company’s current, “The World Goes ‘Round,” a collection of John Kander and Fred Ebb tunes from their myriad of Broadway and movie musical hits.

The show does nothing with its collection of 32 tunes. It doesn’t present them in the context of the shows they came from and it doesn’t tell us anything about the team that created them. … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ November 3, 2008

“EAT THE TASTE” AMUSING BUT NOT A LAUGH RIOT

“EAT THE TASTE”
iTheatre Collaborative, Performance Outreach Theatre, Herberger Theater Center Phoenix, AZ

Political satire can be funny. Witness the “Saturday Night Live” jabs at both of this year’s presidential candidates. Obscure political and social satire must have the right audience though, a group that understands, appreciates, and adores the punches.

iTheatre Collaborative often tackles rarely produced plays. Currently, they offer “Eat the Taste.” While some of this satirical comedy by “Urinetown the Musical” author Greg Kotis, takes aim at Vice President Richard Cheney and George W. Bush’s … Continue Reading