Theater Review – April 22, 2018

REVISED “GODSPELL” NEEDS FURTHER UPDATING TO REMAIN RELEVANT

“GODSPELL”
Hormel Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Back in 1971 when “Godspell” premiered off-Broadway, it was a revolutionary show with an early  pop-rock Stephen Schwartz score, a now clichéd religious picture book look at Jesus and his followers, a Bible study version of his betrayal by his disciple Judas, and an over-staged crucifixion.  About the same time as “Godspell,” Andrew Lloyd Webber chimed in with “Jesus Christ Superstar,” another view of the same thing but a show which recently had a dramatically successful rethinking on television.

Although “Godspell” was minimally revised in … Continue Reading

Theater Review – April 15, 2018

SSC’S “LADIES IN WAITING…” PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO KING HENRY VIII AND HIS SIX WIVES

“LADIES IN WAITING: THE JUDGEMENT OF HENRY VIII”
Southwest Shakespeare Company, Pavilion Theater, Taliesin West
Scottsdale, AZ

After years of mediocre productions helmed by artistic director Jared Sakren, weak directors, and inept acting ensembles, Southwest Shakespeare Company struggled financially as audiences shrunk and the company’s reputation fell significantly.  With a new professional artistic team from New York City, things have improved dramatically.

The event that attracted this critic’s attention was a professional Shakespearean actor who had played roles here recently and penned a look at British … Continue Reading

Theater Review – April 9, 2018

MEANDERING “LOW DOWN DIRTY BLUES” HAS FAMILIAR SONGS BUT NO SPARKLE

“LOW DOWN DIRTY BLUES”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Theatre Company’s “Low Down Dirty Blues” is a tiny musical revue with lots of familiar bluesy songs made famous over the years by such soulful singers as Ma Rainey, Mae West, Pearl Bailey, and Sophie Tucker.  The show was compiled by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman.  ATC brought Myler here to stage his piece and hired an outstanding cast of singer/musicians and solo artists who perform these tunes with rampant fervor.

But the revue … Continue Reading

Theater Review – April 8, 2018

BROADWAY’S VANESSA WILLIAMS SINGS WELL BUT TELLS SOME INTERESTING MUSICAL THEATER STORIES

VANESSA WILLIAMS
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, AZ

You got a lot of talent when you attended Vanessa Williams’ solo concert at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.  You get an experienced and sultry singer who has perfected her song interpretations.  She augments her vocal brilliance with fascinating and revealing stories about the challenges she’s had as a Black performer turning her career into a stellar achievement.

She also referenced how much she learned about song styling from the great Barbara Cook who passed away … Continue Reading