This review aired on KBAQ January 28, 2013

“FOX ON THE FAIRWAY” IS ZANY FARCE IN ACTORS THEATRE STAGING

“THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY”
Actors Theatre, Stage West, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

If zany, madcap farce is your thing, Actors Theatre has the show for you in their laugh-filled staging of Ken Ludwig’s malarkey in his “The Fox on the Fairway.”  It’s got the necessary chaotic and wildly absurd shenanigans required of a superb farce.  This one takes place at the Quail Valley Country Club and involves an annual golf tournament with rival Crouching Squirrel Country Club.  A prize-winning golfer is a member of … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ January 21, 2013

NEARLY NAKED’S “EQUUS” REVIVED IN STELLAR REMOUNT

“EQUUS”
Nearly Naked Theatre, The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Ten years ago the then small and almost unnoticed Nearly Naked Theatre burst on the theater scene with a colossal production of Peter Shaffer’s fascinatingly insightful play, “Equus.”  It explores teenager Alan Strang and his vicious blinding of six horses.  The ramifications of his awful deed and the psychological, sexual, and other implications make for a mesmerizing and probing debate.  In a stellar remount of his monumental production, stage director Damon Dering again crafts a brilliant staging of … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ January 14, 2013

SSC’S WINTERFEST OFFERS ONE STRONG AND ONE WEAK PRODUCTION

“HAMLET” and “THE TEMPEST”
Southwest Shakespeare Company, Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater, Mesa Arts Center
Mesa, AZ

A director determines a play’s success and there’s graphic evidence on display in Southwest Shakespeare Company’s Winterfest productions of “The Tempest” and “Hamlet.”  The later, probably the most famous English play, is an engaging and dynamic production with a winning performance by Michael Roush as a stirring and gripping Hamlet.  “The Tempest,” the Bard’s last play written without a collaborator in 1611, is a romantic comedy but the heavy-handed production slogs … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ January 10, 2013

CATHY RIGBY CONTINUES TO PLAY COMPETENT “PETER PAN”

“PETER PAN”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

The musical “Peter Pan” is for kids and there were lots of little ones at ASU Gammage Tuesday night when the latest tour starring the 60-year-old Cathy Rigby opened for a week.  This isn’t a magical or cleverly creative production.  It’s a competent version that gets the expected dances out, has literal scenery so no one will be confused about where each scene occurs, and has performers, like Rigby, who do nothing unexpected and fail to deliver the … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ January 7, 2013

ATC’S WELL PRODUCED “EMMA” IS A BORINGLY DRAGGY MUSICAL

“EMMA”
Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

When a new musical is announced by a local theater, there’s a great deal of excitement.  Could the musical go on to Broadway fame and success?  Unfortunately, when the musical is “Emma,” Arizona Theatre Company’s boringly draggy show with a lackluster score, even the commendable production can’t save it.

It’s based on Jane Austen’s well regarded novel, so what happened?  “Emma’s” plot plods on and on as the central character tries to plan and execute the romantic endeavors of every … Continue Reading