This review aired on KBAQ October 29, 2012

COMPLEX “THE GIVER” REQUIRES YOUNG AUDIENCES TO CLOSELY FOLLOW

“THE GIVER”
Childsplay
Tempe, AZ

Childsplay tries something new with its latest premiere production, “The Giver.”  It presents a more complex story requiring young audiences to closely follow the script that is based on Lois Lowry’s award-winning novel.

What surprised at the opening performance was the dialogue at the play’s conclusion between the actors and the audience.  After the cast talks about the play, they asked the capacity crowd of mostly young theatergoers several pointed questions about the obscure show that requires interpretive thinking.  They responded amazingly with many … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 25, 2012

GOOD OPERA AND THEATER PRODUCTIONS IN VIENNA

Vienna Theater and Opera

After a week of London theater, I was anxious to experience what Vienna theater and opera offered.  The city remains one of Europe’s richest cultural capitals and classical performing arts are more popular so two nights at the Wiener Staatsoper with traditional Verdi operas, “Don Carlo” and “I Vespri Siciliani,” plus a Broadway-style musical, “Elisabeth,” were the picks.  “Don Carlo” was a wonderful repertory production with fine singers in a traditionally staged production.  “I Vespri Siciliani” was weakly staged with mediocre singers.  The production needs … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 22, 2012

A LOOK AT FIVE LONDON PLAYS AND MUSICALS – TWO SHOWS ARE HITS – “JUMPY” AND “SWEENEY TODD”

Like Broadway, the London theater scene is alive but the most popular shows are holdovers from previous seasons or revivals of past hits.  A September London trip allowed time to see five plays and musicals but only two, a new play and a popular Stephen Sondheim musical revival, were hits.  The other three shows, while well performed and conceived, aren’t destined to become big successes.

The surprise hit was April De Angelis’ funny but frank family drama, … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 15, 2012

GREAT “NEXT TO NORMAL” IN DISAPPOINTING ATC SW PREMIERE STAGING

“NEXT TO NORMAL”
Arizona Theatre Company
Phoenix, AZ

“Next to Normal,” is a superb show that deals with the devastating impact of bipolar illness on Diana, the show’s central character, and her family.

On Broadway, “Next to Normal” gripped your heart and soul as you were pulled into the characters and their lives.  Nothing of the sort occurs in the Arizona Theatre Company’s disappointing production that marks the musical’s Southwestern premiere.

Not anything works here from a disappointing cast, to lethargic direction that allows the show to wallow instead … Continue Reading

These reviews aired on KBAQ October 8, 2012

THEATER WORKS “THE MUSIC MAN” A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT

“THE MUSIC MAN”
Theater Works
Peoria, AZ

And

CHILDSPLAY’S “ROCK PAPER SCISSORS” SOARS

“ROCK PAPER SCISSORS”
Childsplay
Tempe, AZ

Weekend theater brings local audiences two extremes.  Childsplay mounts a reconceived “Rock Paper Scissors” in a wildly creative production conceived by the play’s Dutch theater interpreter that cleverly probes the generational gap and kids’ reliance on solitary technical play things.  Theater Works opens a weak staging of Meredith Willson’s look at 1912 America, “The Music Man.”

“Rock Paper Scissors” uses brilliant storytelling to expose the vast generational differences as Ollie, the older character, shows how repeating … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 1, 2012

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “SPAMALOT” BUILDS TO A SUPERIOR SECOND ACT

“SPAMALOT”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

And

“AGONY & ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS” LOOKS CRITICALLY AT APPLE’S FOUNDER

“THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS”
Actors Theatre of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ

After three weeks in Europe, I returned to a busy local theater scene where two shows, both local premieres, opened last month.  Phoenix Theatre opens its season with the wacky and zany musical “Spamalot,” while Actors Theatre looks at Apple’s founder and his deplorable use of his Chinese workers in the amusing but insightful “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs.”

“Spamalot” requires … Continue Reading