This review aired on KBAQ February 23, 2015

STRAY CAT’S “PLUTO” IS A WINNER WHILE THEATER WORKS “FOLLIES” DISAPPOINTS

”PLUTO”

Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe Performing Arts Center

Tempe, AZ

An exciting weekend of theater brought two stellar shows to the Valley for the first time.  Stray Cat Theatre’s vibrant staging of Steve Yockey’s new play “Pluto” exposes a dysfunctional family and the impacts a weird lifestyle has on a mother, her son, his girlfriend, and the family’s three-headed dog is a winner.

Theater Works presents the first local production of Stephen Sondheim’s 1971 musical masterpiece “Follies.”  The musical tells about a quartet of former musical theater … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 19, 2015

MEDIOCRE STAGE VERSION OF “DIRTY DANCING” RECREATES FILM WITH NOTHING NEW

”DIRTY DANCING”

Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage

Tempe, AZ

The 2006 London stage version of the 1987 movie phenomenon “Dirty Dancing” arrived at ASU Gammage Tuesday but it’s just a tired re-creation of the film without any additional creativity or any added excitement.  If you are familiar with the popular movie, there’s nothing new here.  There’s no additional plot development, the characters aren’t any different, and the lifted popular 1980s style tunes from the film are still used, although a few additional period tunes … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 16, 2015

CHILDSPLAY’S “THE BOY WHO LOVED MONSTERS AND THE GIRL WHO LOVED PEAS” REMINDS FAMILIES THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATING TO EACH OTHER

”THE BOY WHO LOVED MONSTERS AND THE GIRL WHO LOVED PEAS”

Childsplay, Studio, Tempe Center for the Arts

Tempe, AZ

The Valley is lucky to have Childsplay’s brilliantly creative theater for young audiences.  In their current production, “The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas,” playwright Jonathan Graham explores a significant contemporary issue that affects families in an entertaining and clever way that provides valuable insights for both youngsters and their adult chaperones.  … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 9, 2015

FASCINATING WORLD PREMIERE OF “FIVE PRESIDENTS” OPENS AT ATC

”FIVE PRESIDENTS”

Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center

Phoenix, AZ

Eavesdropping on five American presidents is an interesting goal of anyone enamored of U. S. history or who marvels at Presidential power.  And that’s exactly what you do in “Five Presidents,” Arizona Theatre Company’s exemplary world premiere production of Rick Cleveland’s fascinating new play.  It brings together the five living presidents as they gather for Richard Nixon’s funeral on April 27, 1994 in Yorba Linda, California.

Those present include Bill Clinton, the current office holder, George H. … Continue Reading

Theater Review – February 2, 2015

This review aired on KBAQ February 2, 2015

REVIEW OF FIRST HALF OF 2014/15 THEATER SEASON

As the first half 2014/15 Valley Theater Season ends, let’s review the Valley theater scene and I will point out significant trends.

The biggest catastrophe was the death of our longtime professional theater company, Actors Theatre.  Around for years but never financially secure, Actors Theatre had often hollered the end was near but last minute pledges always saved them.  Not this time.  Long a fixture at the prestigious Herberger Theater Center, the beginning of the end started a few seasons back when … Continue Reading