Theater Review – March 22, 2018

STRONG “KING AND I” TOURING REVIVAL STILL ISN’T EQUAL TO BROADWAY

“THE KING AND I”
Broadway Across America – Arizona
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

The 2015 Broadway “The King and I” revival is difficult to review as a touring show.  It stopped here this week.  On Broadway this rethinking of Rodgers and Hammerstein classic 1951 masterpiece was a revolutionary look at the familiar show.  This “King and I” moved into the audience on Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre’s thrust stage.  A 30-piece orchestra was underneath the jutting stage that was withdrawn for the overture.  This large orchestral ensemble played Rodgers’ … Continue Reading

Theater Review – March 18, 2018

WITH SONGS AND STORIES CHRISTINE EBERSOLE REVEALS HER RICH BROADWAY CAREER AT THE SCOTTSDALE CENTER

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, AZ

Talented Broadway diva Christine Ebersole had a harrowing trip from her New York City home to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts to appear in the popular Broadway at Scottsdale Center series.  Ebersole was a replacement for Laura Benanti who was already substituting for Kristin Chenoweth.  After a rousing opening song from Ebersole’s Broadway “42nd Street” triumph, we heard about her trip here.

She arrived with host and pianist Seth Rudetsky at 5:30 a.m. … Continue Reading

Theater Article – March 13, 2018

2018/19 BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA – ARIZONA SEASON ANNOUNCED AT ASU GAMMAGE

2018/19 ASU GAMMAGE BROADWAY SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

Announcing the 2018/19 Broadway Across America – Arizona series has become a big production for ASU Gammage, the local venue that presents the touring versions of major Broadway hits.  It stars Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Executive Director of ASU Gammage.  While Jennings-Roggensack implies that she selects the shows local audiences see, the season is dependent on Broadway producers willing to take a gamble that sending a show around the country will prove financially viable.  Tempe needs most, if not all, … Continue Reading

Theater Review – March 10, 2018

“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET” ROCKS PHOENIX THEATRE IN GREAT PRODUCTION

“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”
Mainstage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Hearing Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes,” Johnny Cash’s “Sixteen Tons,” Elvis Presley’s “Party,” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” in a musical comedy is not traditional but in “Million Dollar Quartet” those rock ‘n’ roll legends are heard with more than 20 of their pop tune hits as this rollicking show pays a glorious tribute to these four singers discovered by entrepreneur Sam Phillips.  The show recreates the December 4, 1956 reuniting of this quartet at Phillips’ Memphis Sun … Continue Reading