This review aired on KBAQ April 29, 2010

“NO CHILD” TOUCHING AND INSIGHTFUL LOOK INTO TEACHING FORGOTTEN KIDS

”NO CHILD”
Actors Theatre, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

“No Child” Actors Theatre’s import from a successful off-Broadway run, is a touching and insightful look at what it’s like to teach forgotten and rough 10th grade Bronx kids. It’s brought vividly to life by solo performer Nilaja Sun, who plays several characters and was the teacher who opened students’ eyes to the world around them.

Sun plays not only the teacher but several students, other teachers, the principal, and a janitor, a character used as Narrator. These diverse … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 26, 2010

ARIZONA OPERA PRESENTS IMPRESSIVE 2009/2010 SEASON

THE ARIZONA OPERA 2009/2010 SEASON IN REVIEW
Symphony Hall
Phoenix, AZ

The Arizona Opera’s just ended a particularly impressive 2009/2010 season. This past weekend’s wonderful “The Barber of Seville” was playfully staged and impressively sung featuring a talented baritone who will soon be starring in major opera houses throughout the world. But more on “The Barber of Seville” later.

With this striking season, Arizona Opera is clearly a leading regional American opera company. While Arizona Opera will never be able to offer the grandly scaled Metropolitan Opera or the San Francisco Opera … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 22, 2010

RIOTOUS “THE 39 STEPS” BRIGHT AND FUNNY

”THE 39 STEPS”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

Patrick Barlow has turned Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 spy/thriller “The 39 Steps” into a riotous stage comedy that pulls out every stage trick and gimmick to make it bright and funny. It includes fast-paced sight gags, very British humor, and even a bit of romance as a talented cast of four portrays 150 parts. This humorous bauble is here through Sunday at ASU Gammage.

The simple story served the classic film and two remakes. Richard Hannay, a boring man, meets … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 19, 2010

FRACTURED SHAKESPEARE IN STRAY CAT’S “12TH NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”

”12th NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”
Stray Cat Theatre
Tempe, AZ

If you like fractured Shakespeare, lots of stage blood and irreverence, fast paced comedy shenanigans, and ridiculous silliness, Stray Cat Theatre’s “12th Night of the Living Dead” will delight. If you prefer “Twelfth Night” in a more standard staging and if zombies resulting from a bizarre meteor strike don’t amuse, this wacky and bizarre production is best avoided.

Stray Cat has never done conventional Shakespeare since those plays don’t fit into their usual repertory. “12th Night … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 12, 2010

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “ALL THE MORE TO LOVE” IS A DUD

”ALL THE MORE TO LOVE”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Unlike “Unbeatable,” the marvelous world premiere musical about breast cancer Phoenix Theatre mounted a couple of seasons ago, PT’s new musical, “All the More to Love,” is far from ready for the big time.

“All the More to Love’s” ploddingly boring structure and basic premise is badly developed and tediously repetitious. The show goes nowhere as the over 40 one-dimensional characters are never developed beyond largely unexciting musical numbers that grow dull quickly and it just ends with nobody’s … Continue Reading