This review aired on KBAQ May 27, 2013

FASCINATING “SIDE SHOW” IS BEST EVER NEARLY NAKED THEATRE STAGING

“SIDE SHOW”
Nearly Naked Theatre, The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

The musical “Side Show” explodes from its vibrant opening as it tells with sophisticated realism and touching poignancy the fascinating story of Siamese twin performers Daisy and Violet Hilton.  The first local production is the best thing Nearly Naked Theatre has ever done with a superb Damon Dering directed production and an outstanding cast that tackle difficult and complex roles with sincerity and conviction.

“Side Show” wasn’t a hit when it premiered on Broadway in … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ May 13, 2013

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “OUR TOWN” PERSONIFIES SMALL TOWN AMERICAN LIFE

“OUR TOWN”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Back in 1938 when Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” premiered, its simple telling of turn-of-the-century life in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, earned the playwright a Pulitzer Prize.  At that time, the play personified small town American life.

Today the classic play is usually only performed in badly staged high school productions.  Polished professional productions rarely occur.  “Our Town” is an odd choice for musical-theater-oriented Phoenix Theatre but they deliver a commendable production featuring many of our area’s best performers.  The cast creates touching characterizations … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ May 6, 2013

EXEMPLARY “CLYBOURNE PARK” OPENS AT ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY

“CLYBOURNE PARK”
Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

“Clybourne Park,” Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize winning new Broadway comedy/drama uses the characters of Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 “A Raisin in the Sun” to explore race relations over 50 years.  Norris discusses this touchy theme with brilliant bursts of humor that lighten the play’s message that neither race can accept the other race into segregated neighborhoods.

In the play’s local premiere, Arizona Theatre Company in conjunction with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater stages an exemplary production.  Mark Clements stages the piece with … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ May 2, 2013

STAGE ADAPTATION OF “FLASHDANCE” EMBARRASSINGLY INEPT

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

The stage adaptation of the popular “Flashdance” film, at ASU Gammage this week in a tacky touring production that has never played Broadway, is embarrassingly inept.  The show itself is awful but we all knew that from the mundane film version it is based on.  The movie song hits are included but they are surrounded and ambushed by mediocre sounding filler tunes.  And the production is so awful that to label it professional will doom Broadway theater forever.

Everybody knows Tom Hedley … Continue Reading