This review aired on KBAQ April 18, 2016

WACKY “WONDERLAND WIVES” SILLY BUT FUN AND POWERFUL “BLACK PEARL SINGS” LOOKS AT SAVING THE PAST

“WONDERLAND WIVES”
The Hardes Theatre at Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Two Valley theaters are presenting unique and well performed shows.  Nearly Naked Theatre mounts the wacky “Wonderland Wives” that is nothing but silly inanities as it plays fast and loose with a familiar fairytale, while Black Theatre Troupe presents a serious look at saving songs brought to America by slaves.

Buddy Thomas’ irreverent “Wonderland Wives” is a twist on “Alice in Wonderland” complete with frustrated princesses who drink to cope with their … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 11, 2016

WONDERFULLY ENGAGING “THE ALL NIGHT STRUT” AT PHOENIX THEATRE

“THE ALL NIGHT STRUT”
Mainstage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

I love the jazzy and bluesy ‘30s and ‘40s music that enabled this country to thrive during the Depression, World War II, and the years that followed the War.  The wonderfully engaging Phoenix Theatre musical revue, “The All Night Strut” captures this period’s rich popular music and jiving dances as it takes audiences on an entertaining and marvelously produced journey.

Director/choreographer Michael Jenkinson stages the revue with suave elegance using a quartet of performers who sing with gusto as … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 7, 2016

ENTERTAINING “42ND STREET” DAZZLES AUDIENCES AT ASU GAMMAGE

“42ND SREEET”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

Tap dancing isn’t dead.  It’s alive and superbly performed in the triumph “42nd Street” revival playing through Sunday at ASU Gammage.  You may have seen this show many times from the original 1933 movie musical to its first Broadway incarnation in the now-famous 1980 David Merrick musical hit in what was fabled director/choreographer Gower Champion’s last Broadway show, or in the 2001 first Broadway revival but this latest reworking of the tuneful but simple story of a chorus … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 4, 2016

ARIZONA OPERA SHINES WITH “FALSTAFF” BUT PRESENTS ORDINARY “DON GIOVANNI”

“Don Giovanni” and “Falstaff”
Arizona Opera, Symphony Hall
Phoenix, AZ

The just concluded 2015/16 Arizona Opera Season represented a winning combination of well sung and visually exciting diverse productions along with some impressive firsts by our local company.  The Opera’s season included some of the finest young singers available, while every production was well conceived.

The company opened with a 1953 treasure set in the Southwest, “Arizona Lady.”  It looked and sounded like a Broadway tuner but it represented an interesting musical look at our state.  “Florencia en … Continue Reading