There are no professional theater productions scheduled in the Phoenix area until late August when “Rent” opens the season at Phoenix Theatre so there will be no new posts on this web site until late August.  To everyone, have a great summer and thanks for reading this web site.

Chris Curcio

This review aired on KBAQ June 27, 2013

TOURING “SISTER ACT” IS FUN AND HAS BETTER STAR THAN BROADWAY

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

The musical “Sister Act,” based on the popular 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, has been around since 2006.  I’ve seen it twice, both times with original star Patina Miller who just won a Tony for her Broadway “Pippin” performance.  In “Sister Act,” Miller played singer Deloris Van Cartier.  Deloris’ mobster boyfriend wants her killed because she witnessed a murder.  Police hide Deloris in a convent where her stellar vocal pipes become a focal point in an … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ June 24, 2013

LAS VEGAS “MYSTERE” BEST CIRQUE DU SOLEIL BUT “BROADWAY CELEBRATION” DISAPPOINTS

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL “MYSTERE”
Treasure Island Hotel
Las Vegas, NV

and

“BROADWAY CELEBRATION”
New York New York Hotel
Las Vegas, NV

Last week, I reviewed two of the best shows I saw on a recent Las Vegas trip, the musical “Jersey Boys” and David Cooperfield’s extraordinary magic show.  Today I’ll comment on Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystere” and “Broadway Celebration.”

“Mystere,” at the Treasure Island, is one of the older but one of the best Cirque du Soleil shows.  It has the crisp razzle dazzle and requisite sparkle that brand Cirque du … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ June 17, 2013

“JERSEY BOYS” AND DAVID COOPERFIELD GREAT LAS VEGAS SHOWS

“JERSEY BOYS”
Paris Hotel
Las Vegas, NV

and

DAVID COPPERFIELD
MGM Grand Hotel
Las Vegas, NV

A recent three day Las Vegas trip netted the chance to see four diverse shows – the Broadway musical, “Jersey Boys,” a Cirque du Soleil classic, “Mystere,” the famed Las Vegas illusionist, David Cooperfield, and a Las Vegas musical tribute to the Great White Way, “Broadway Celebration.”  In order to critique these shows, this week’s review will look at “Jersey Boys” and Cooperfield’s magic show.  Next week I’ll review “Mystere” and “Broadway Celebration.”

“Jersey Boys,” at the … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ June 10, 2013

“BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON” EXPOSES FIRST POPULIST PRESIDENT WITH A DIFFERENT SLANT

“BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Theatre will never be the same after Friday’s opening of the history-bending retelling of America’s 7th President in the musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.”  It’s a raucous, down-and-dirty way of exposing our first populist President as author Alex Timbers paints Jackson as a rock star.

Before Jackson, the country was steeped in formal decorum and even those born in the trenches took on an aristocratic snobbery when they became President.  Jackson threw aside that accepted arrogance and … Continue Reading