This review aired on KBAQ February 25, 2013

AWARD-WINNING “SONS OF THE PROPHET” EXCITING AND BARBARA COOK CONCERT OUTSTANDING

“SONS OF THE PROPHET”
Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe Performing Arts Center
Tempe, AZ

The complexities of a family’s inner relationships and the weird carryings on that invade some families is at the core of Stephen Karam’s new play “Sons of the Prophet.”  The award-winning comedy is being presented in an exciting Arizona premiere production by Stray Cat Theatre.  Ron May’s sensitively directed staging brings out the play’s subtleties about the various relationships between the three family members, brothers Joseph and Charles, and their Uncle Bill who … Continue Reading

This review ran on KBAQ Radio February 18, 2013

“FREUD’S LAST SESSION”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ“Freud’s Last Session” invites audiences into an intellectually revealing meeting between novelist/scholar and Christian Philosopher C. S. Lewis and psychologist Sigmund Freud that may never have occurred.  The men discuss their diametrically opposing views about the existence of God.  Lewis believed in God while Freud was an atheist.The hypothetical meeting developed by playwright Mark St. Germain occurred in September, 1939, just weeks before … Continue Reading

OVERWRITTEN “THE WHIPPING MAN” STILL HAS GOOD CONTENT AS BLACK THEATRE TROUPE OPENING EVENT IN NEW THEATER

“THE WHIPPING MAN”
Black Theatre Troupe, Black Theatre Troupe Performing Arts Center
Phoenix, AZ

The Black Theatre Troupe celebrated two significant events with the opening of “The Whipping Man.”  The most important is the opening of their new theater, the Black Theatre Troupe Performing Arts Center, in downtown Phoenix as they present the southwest premiere of Matthew Lopez’s New York debut play.

While the impressive facility represents the … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 7, 2013

BRILLIANT “WAR HORSE” ARRIVES IN EXEMPLARY TOURING PRODUCTION

“WAR HORSE”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

The brilliant “War Horse” has finally arrived here in an exemplary touring production at ASU Gammage.  It rivals the masterful London version.

The recent film was certainly good but “War Horse” belongs on stage where it is brought to life with magnificent, puppet-like horses that makes the lead horse, Joey, a sweepingly grand incarnation that has the audience almost believing they are seeing a real animal.  The stage horses – there are others besides Joey – possess a multitude … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 4, 2013

ENTERTAINING “LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND” NEEDS WORK TO SUCCEED

“LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

There is much to like about the Phoenix Theatre’s world premiere musical revue, “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round.”  It features 40 delightful Bob Merrill’s pop hit tunes plus songs from his nine musicals.

And considering Merrill, a composer/lyricist who isn’t a household name, composed “Carnival,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Henry, Sweet Henry,” “New Girl in Town,” and Take Me Along,” and wrote the lyrics for Jule Styne’s tunes in “Funny Girl” and “Sugar” that’s an impressive collection … Continue Reading