This review aired on KBAQ February 25, 2010

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA” IS LOVELY ROMANTIC MUSICAL

”THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

“The Light in the Piazza” is a delicate romantic musical that deals sensitively with an emotionally and developmentally challenged young woman who discovers love for the first time. The lovely Phoenix Theatre production, like many of their recent musicals, equals and occasionally betters the stunning Broadway original.

Phoenix Theatre is the Valley’s best musical theater producer no matter what show they mount. Superb direction uncovers unopened windows of plot insight and character detail often not found in original Broadway … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 22, 2010

ENTERTAINING “[title of show]” GLISTENS WITH COMIC DELIGHT AS IT LAUGHS AT CREATING A MUSICAL

”[title of show]”
Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

As a musical theater lover, I wondered if Arizona Theatre Company’s regional debut of “[title of show],” a piece about two New York writers creating their first musical, would appeal to Valley theatergoers. It’s crammed with obscure musical theater references including titles of long forgotten musical failures. It’s loaded with insider tricks used to write musicals, and it’s full of jokes best understood by Broadway musical denizens.

I shouldn’t have worried. A … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 18, 2010

VERY FUNNY “PLAY ABOUT NAKED GUY” FOR A SELECT AUDIENCE

”THE PLAY ABOUT THE NAKED GUY”
Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe Performing Arts Center
Tempe, AZ

I haven’t laughed as hard as I did at Stray Cat Theatre’s “The Play About the Naked Guy” in a long time. But, let me start this review with a warning. This very funny play will appeal to a select audience that enjoys sexual innuendo jokes and slurs.

Stray Cat states in production publicity that “sex sells, but at what price?” The David Bell comedy focuses on the Integrity Players, an off-off-Broadway theater … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 15, 2010

“MARY POPPINS” TOUR AT ASU GAMMAGE BETTER THAN BROADWAY

”MARY POPPINS”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

The stage adaptation of Disney’s magical “Mary Poppins” arrived last week at ASU Gammage, and the scaled down but still elaborate touring version flows better than the clunky Broadway one.

The main change is the Banks’ house. On Broadway, it’s a massive three story structure that lumbers into place by plodding downstage. The massive construction drags the show’s pace to a creaky crawl.

For the tour, Disney Theatricals and British co-producer Cameron Mackintosh needed a more efficient house. Designer … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 8, 2010

SURPRISES IN NEW AND REVIVAL BROADWAY MUSICALS

“FELA,” Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th Street, New York
“MEMPHIS,” Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th Street, New York
“A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC,” Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th Street, New York
“FINIAN’S RAINBOW,” St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th Street, New York
“RAGTIME,” Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd Street, New York

There were surprises in the five Broadway musicals I saw last month.

The biggest new Broadway show, “Fela,” introduces Afro-Beat to the musical theater. Based on Nigerian rebel Fela Kuti, the musical incorporates his creative music and dances crafted before … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 1, 2010

BROADWAY PLAYS GOOD AND BAD; MET OPERA’S “STIFFELIO” WELL SUNG

“STIFFELIO,” The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, New York

“A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE,” Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th Street, New York

“TIME STANDS STILL,” Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th Street, New York

“RACE,” Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th Street, New York

The economic downturn is impacting Broadway. Last October, things on Broadway were still robust. Now, most Broadway shows have good crowds but discount tickets are readily available and restaurants around Broadway that recently required reservations now take walk-ins. And several Broadway shows closed while … Continue Reading