This review aired on KBAQ October 24, 2016

“ROCK THE PRESIDENTS”
Childsplay, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

This is the third time Childsplay has presented its original creative musical “Rock the Presidents” that cleverly teaches while engagingly entertaining young audiences about the 43 men who have led this country in good and bad times.

The first lesson hinges on the number of people who have served as our 44 presidents.  It is often forgotten that Grover Cleveland served twice as the 22nd and the 24th leader because he lost his initial reelection bid but he ran and won again four years later.

The sprightly … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 20, 2016

STAGE “SOUND OF MUSIC” HACKNEYNED – WATCH THE FAR BETTER FILM INSTEAD

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

In 1959 when “The Sound of Music’s” stage version premiered on Broadway, critics slammed the sentimental show that starred a too-old Mary Martin as Maria, the young postulant turned governess to Captain Von Trapp’s motherless brood of seven children.  Family audiences loved the cloying story and, as younger replacement stars took over from Martin, the show accumulated a respectable 1,443 performance run.

When the show’s lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein II, died in 1960, commentators … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 17, 2016

BLACK THEATRE TROUPE DELIVERS SMASHING “RASHEEDA SPEAKING” AND ARIZONA OPERA PRESENTS DYNAMIC “45TH ANNIVERSARY SAPPHIRE CELEBRATION “ WITH RENOWNED OPERA STAR FREDERICA VON STADE

“RASHEEDA SPEAKING”
Black Theatre Troupe, Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center
Phoenix, AZ

Two exciting performing arts events – the Black Theatre Troupe’s rich staging of “Rasheeda Speaking” and an incandescent Arizona Opera concert celebrating the company’s 45th season – made quite an exciting performing arts weekend.

After a long period of mediocrity and a rocky transition to their new playhouse, the Black Theatre Troupe presents a smashing local premiere, “Rasheeda Speaking,” a 2015 … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 10, 2016

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY’S “KING CHARLES III” IS AMAZINGLY BLAND

“KING CHARLES III”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

Historic speculation can make an interesting script but playwright Mike Bartlett doesn’t achieve that in “King Charles III.”  Arizona Theatre Company’s production won’t entice audiences into what might happen when Great Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II passes her throne to her eldest son, Prince Charles because of amazingly bland treatment of royal eccentricities.

When the Prince becomes King, he brings his modern life style to the staid and formalistic monarchy.  Since the two lifestyles don’t mix, the … Continue Reading