This review aired on KBAQ April 28, 2011

BROADWAY REVIEW – TWO MUSICALS AND A PLAY

“LA CAGE AUX FOLLES”
Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th Street, New York City

“GOOD PEOPLE”
Friedman Theatre
261 West 47th Street, New York City

“SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK”
Foxwoods Theatre
213 West 42nd Street, New York City

On my recent Broadway visit, I saw eight shows. In early April we talked about the three new hit musicals, “The Book of Mormon,” “Catch Me If You Can,” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” Today we will talk about the “La Cage aux Folles” revival, the now infamous musical “Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark,” and the … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 25, 2011

LETHARGIC “CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION” IS BORING PLAY

“CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION”
Actors Theatre, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

New plays often arrive here with much fanfare. Actors Theatre’s “Circle Mirror Transformation,” Annie Baker’s 2009 off-Broadway show, earned a glowing New York Times review and won an OBIE Award for Best New American Play.

Set in a small town Vermont community center dance studio, it replicates a six week acting class with five residents. But the monotonous, ploddingly lethargic, and dully written script never goes anywhere and lacks none of the reputed wit or insight. “Circle Mirror Transformation” is one … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 21, 2011

SOUTHWEST SHAKESPEARE’S “ANTONY & CLEOPATRA” DESTROYS THE PLAY

“ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA”
Southwest Shakespeare Company, Mesa Arts Center
Mesa, AZ

“Antony and Cleopatra,” one of the Bard’s most problematic plays, is difficult to produce as it flashes between the sensuousness of Egypt where Antony leads but is sidetracked by his love for Cleopatra, and Rome where Antony remembers his duty but leads a life of show. He marries but then abandons Octavia as his support for Caesar, his leader, wavers. The play follows history but is long, cumbersome, and gets off track as Antony succumbs to Cleopatra’s sexuality.

For … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 18, 2011

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “NINE” MAGNIFICENTLY STAGED AND STUNNINGLY CAST

“NINE”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

The recent movie version of the 1982 Broadway musical “Nine” failed to capture and make viable the intriguing story of fictional Italian film director Guido Contini’s mid-life crisis that threatens his movie career and impacts the 21 women who play critical roles in his decadent life.

So it’s nice to have “Nine” back on stage in an opulent, magnificently staged, and stunningly cast version at Phoenix Theatre.  In fairness, this Arthur Kopit/Maury Yeston musical based on Fellini’s film “8½” won’t appeal to everyone.  At Friday’s … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 14, 2011

BROADWAY REVIEW – THE NEW HIT MUSICALS

“THE BOOK OF MORMON”
Eugene O’Neill Theatre
230 West 49th Street, New York City

“CATCH ME IF YOU CAN”
Neil Simon Theatre
250 West 52nd Street, New York City

“PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT”
Palace Theatre
Broadway and 47th Street, New York City

Broadway shows are exciting and a recent trip afforded the opportunity to see the three new musical hits, “The Book of Mormon,” “Catch Me If You Can,” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.”

The best new musical is “The Book of Mormon,” an irreverent show that jabs and jives Mormon teachings.  It’s never mean … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 11, 2011

ARIZONA OPERA BRINGS STRONG SINGERS BUT PRODUCTIONS ARE WEAK

ARIZONA OPERA 40th SEASON IN REVIEW
Symphony Hall
Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Opera’s just concluded 40th season brought some remarkable opera singers along with sold out performances, strong ticket sales, and the company’s first financially profitable season.

Unfortunately, the penny-pitching that helped finances took its toll on “Carmen,” “Turandot,” “Otello,” and, last week’s season closer, “The Abduction from the Seraglio.” Lackluster stagings didn’t showcase the fine singing talent and the visual impacts were dismal. The season’s opener, Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “The Pirates of Penzance,” was reviewed earlier.

In “Carmen,” fiery … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 4, 2011

WEAKLY ACTED “OCTOPUS” TERRIBLY INTENSE

“OCTOPUS”
Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe Performing Arts Center
Tempe, AZ

The importance of love and its fragility in relationships are graphically portrayed by two gay couples in the Stray Cat Theatre production of “Octopus.” To say this play is intense, though, is understatement as the play bludgeons its ideas in such a blatant manner that it is bound to turn theatergoers off.

The Stray Cat production, while creatively staged by Ron May except in one critical scene, is disappointedly acted. The two couples haven’t the slightest romantic spark for their partners. Like the … Continue Reading