This review aired on KBAQ December 17, 2012

42 WONDERFUL GERSHWIN TUNES NOT WELL SHOWCASED

“’S WONDERFUL”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Theatre’s cute musical revue, “’S Wonderful,” packs 42 George and Ira Gershwin tunes into five vignettes that take place in different periods from the 1920s to the present day.  Add a top notch cast of five and an excellent three piece band and I guarantee the tunes are well presented.  The negative is that the five vignettes tend to detract from the songs more than adding a context that makes them richer.  In fact, the vignettes take away from the wonderful Gershwin tunes … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ December 13, 2012

INNOCUOUS “THE ADDAMS FAMILY” IS NOTHING SPECIAL

“THE ADDAMS FAMILY”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

“The Addams Family,” appearing at ASU Gammage through Sunday, is one of those innocuous musicals that do nothing special and it doesn’t even provide mildly amusing diversion.  The characters and the dumbly stupid situation are so predictable that you’ll guess the end immediately.  The cast is nothing special, and the production, including several very wrinkled scenic drops, is nothing to look at.  Is this tired and very trite show worth the high ticket prices that ASU Gammage asks?  … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ December 10, 2012

“WOLVES” GROSS AND VILE BUT LOOKS AT WEIRD RELATIONSHIP AND “BACK HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” PROVIDES CHARMING HOLIDAY DIVERSION

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

“Wolves,” Stray Cat Theatre’s world premiere production of Steve Yockey’s play, is a gross and vile theater experience.  It includes an axe murder and gallons of fake blood as it makes its morbid and violent way through a plagued relationship.  It establishes its point about how a deranged mind can turn an already awkward situation outlandishly extreme.

The play looks at a pair of gay guys and their bizarre … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ December 3, 2012

CHARMING CHILDSPLAY “JUNIE B.” CHRISTMAS STORY PROVIDES LESSON

“JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS!”
Childsplay, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

Childsplay brings back the charming “Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!” that gives young audiences a delightful holiday show while providing a valuable lesson about dispensing with animosities.  The show reinforces the positive aspects that such behavior guarantees.

The production is flawless with fine performances by Childsplay regulars who excel in telling simple but significant stories in interesting productions.  The play is based on a local author’s popular children’s book series.

Junie B. Jones has … Continue Reading