This review aired on KBAQ September 30, 2010

“YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN” EXAMPLE OF BROADWAY MUSICAL GONE AWRY

“YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN”
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” is a prime example of a big Broadway musical gone awry. Brooks’ first musical, “The Producers,” worked because he cleverly adapted an excellent film comedy, added melodic, funny songs, and had director/choreographer Susan Stroman work staging miracles. The result was a sharp-tongued, hilarious show that improved on the film.

For “Young Frankenstein,” Brooks’ put all the same elements in place but the finished product lacks the sharp adaptation so it sputters on boringly and possesses few flashes of comic malarkey. … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ September 27, 2010

INTENSE “reasons to be pretty” IS CHALLENGING BUT MAKES ITS POINT

“reasons to be pretty”
Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe Performing Arts Center
Tempe, AZ

Neil LaBute’s “reasons to be pretty” takes an intense, raunchy-language-laced look at contemporary relationships and how the wrong word used to describe a seemingly innocent situation can ruin a romantic bond. But LaBute’s abrupt, in-your-face slams coupled with the dirty word barrage and contrived, unbelievable situations is difficult to accept.

The play failed on Broadway although it garnered several Tony nominations. Stray Cat Theatre prides itself on producing unusual, challenging plays and selected “reasons … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ September 6, 2010

“CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES” IS PLEASANT DIVERSION DUE TO ABLE CAST

“CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES”
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Mesa, AZ

“Church Basement Ladies,” Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre’s new musical, takes an irreverent comical look at those dedicated and talented women who spend hours in church kitchens conceiving endless inexpensive meals for often unappreciative parishioners. While it’s riddled with clichéd humor, expected jabs and anticipated jibes, “Church Basement Ladies” offers pleasant diversion because an able cast of comediennes turn and twist the silly jokes and add much visual humor to make the show’s jokes funnier than they are.

Set in … Continue Reading