Theater Review – May 29, 2017

2017/18 ASU GAMMAGE SEASON ANNOUNCED AND DISMAL “BARE” BEST IGNORED

ASU GAMMAGE 2017/18 BROADWAY SEASON
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

As the current theater season ends we search the 2017-18 season to see what looks enticing.  Today, we look at the shows that will stop at ASU Gammage.

These touring shows bring us recent Broadway hits and the ten-show season includes a recent Broadway play, the Tony Award-winning “The Humans.”  Since ASU Gammage executive director Colleen Jennings-Roggensack is the only Arizona Tony Award voter, she sees every Broadway production and selects her season to include the … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 22, 2017

HILARIOUS AND SUPERLATIVE “THE BOOK OF MORMON” RETURNS TO ASU GAMMAGE

“THE BOOK OF MORMON”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

When “The Book of Mormon” opened on Broadway in 2011, it created a raucous uproar of extreme hilarity.  Irreverent but never mean or nasty, the musical found the humorous foibles and follies of the rigid Mormon Church and let audiences laugh at the religion’s unyielding rules.  The show won lots of awards and has been a huge hit as it entertains the world.

So when such a popular musical returns to the Valley, the hit show … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 15, 2017

“BEEHIVE” ENTERTAINS MIGHTILY WHILE INTRIGUING “HOLMES AND WATSON” EXPLORES THE DETECTIVE’S DEATH

“BEEHIVE”
Mainstage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Two very different but marvelously produced local theatrical productions opened over the weekend.  A dynamically nostalgic trip back to ‘60s girl group song hits explodes at Phoenix Theatre in the entertaining “Beehive” while at the Herberger Theater Center, playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s world premiere tribute to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous British detective, “Holmes and Watson,” keeps you intrigued as a succession of unexpected twists and turns results in an unforeseen finale.

With the melodic rock ‘n’ roll tunes of the ‘60s, … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 8, 2017

THEATER WORKS “ONCE UPON A MATTRESS” IS A COMIC TRIUMPH

“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”
Theater Works, Gyder Theater, Peoria Center for the Performing Arts
Peoria, AZ

Back in 1959, there was a small off-Broadway show based on the “Princess and the Pea” that boasted the talents of a then undiscovered Carol Burnett.  The show was so successful, producers moved it to Broadway where “Once Upon A Mattress” added a few new songs and more saucy fun that turned the show into a comic triumph and made Burnett a star.

“Once Upon A Mattress” has a pleasant, if undistinguished, Mary Rodgers … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 1, 2017

DIFFICULT “HIR” MAKES YOU THINK AND SUPERB “THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS”

“HIR”
Stray Cat Theatre, Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

Dysfunctional families exist throughout America but you’ve never met one quite like the Connor’s who populates Taylor Mac’s often hard-to-watch play “Hir” (Here) that is presented superbly by Stray Cat Theatre.  The dynasty is headed by stroke-impacted father, Arnold, a sexually ambiguous son, Max, a military family man, Isaac, and Paige, the twisted matriarch.

Paige heads the floundering family and her “I don’t care…” attitude has taken over her once conventional Central California Valley household.  The play … Continue Reading