This review aired on KBAQ May 30, 2016

INSIPID “WHEN YOU WISH…” FAILS TO CAPTURE WALT DISNEY’S DYNAMIC LIFE

“WHEN YOU WISH: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY”
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Walt Disney was a creative genius but you’d never know it from the mundane Phoenix Theatre world premiere production of “When You Wish: The Story of Walt Disney.”  The sloppy and sappy Dean McClure musical has an insipid book that doesn’t capitalize on any of Disney’s dynamic entertainment creations or use any of his movie musical themes due to copyright restrictions.  The show even makes his famously supportive relationship with wife Lillian inconsequential.  Trivial … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ May 9, 2016

UNTRIED “GOSPEL…” NEEDS DEVELOPMENT AND POLISH

“THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD”
Stage West, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Theatre Company consistently delivers the Valley’s best theater by bringing in the best actors, hiring gifted directors, and utilizing brilliant designers.  Often they pick winning new and classic plays with artfully crafted stories told by sharply developed characters who present plausible life themes.  Occasionally, new, untried works slip in that haven’t been properly developed and polished.  Such is the case with ATC’s season finale, “The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ May 2, 2016

CHILDSPLAY’S CONTEMPORARY “PETER PAN” LOOKS AT CLASSIC STORY WITH REFRESHING TWISTS

“PETE, OR THE RETURN OF PETER PAN”
Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

In 1954, I watched Mary Martin’s magical television Peter Pan and her charming waif has always personified the central Neverland character who doesn’t want to grow up to me.  So a new approach to the familiar story tailored for today’s youth that’s never heard of Martin and where the dream land has to transition to a realistic and contemporary place is a challenge to longstanding perceptions.

That’s exactly what local playwright Dwayne Hartford … Continue Reading