Theater Review – May 31, 2018

‘THE HUMANS’ BRILLIANTLY EXPLORES A COMPLICATED FAMILY’S INTRICACIES

“THE HUMANS”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

Thanksgiving is a family time and the Blake’s go through an exhausting and revealing holiday that becomes a fascinating journey of twists and turns exposing positive things that the family can be proud of but also opening up huge wounds in the group’s fabric that it struggles against but cannot ignore.  The myriad of disclosures change the Blake’s inner relationships.  This rich discussion occurs in the 2017 Tony Award winning Best Play, “The Humans,” that is at ASU Gammage through Sunday, … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 20, 2018

“THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK” SHOWS DESTRUCTIVE FORCE OF INTOLERANCE

“THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

Intolerance dooms our world today as it has throughout history.  There are many graphic examples in plays, books, and movies but one of the strongest discussions occurs in “The Diary of Anne Frank” as it describes how two Jewish families survive German evilness during World War II in Amsterdam.  The story is a downer but the gripping Arizona Theatre Company production, staged artfully by artistic director emeritus David Ira Goldstein, pulls audiences into the … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 19, 2018

DAFFY “LITTLE SHOP” WOULD BE FUNNIER WITH BETTER LEADS

“LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS”
Mainstage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

“Little Shop of Horrors” uses an extreme oxymoron to develop a daffy but delightful premise that transforms it into an affectionate and enjoyable musical even though it is now 35 years old.  Phoenix Theatre’s zippy new Robert Kolby Harper production isn’t perfect but it squeezes lots of entertainment from the unbelievable plot.

The show is set in Mushnik’s seedy skid row florist.  Why would anyone try to sell expensive flowers to people lucky to eat and find shelter?  Clueless Mushnik can’t … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 6, 2018

MUSICAL PARODY “SILENCE!” A ZANY DELIGHT WITH CONSTANT LAUGHTER

“SILENCE!  THE MUSICAL”
Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

“The Silence of the Lambs’” Doctor Hannibal Lecter is the classic evil nemesis.  A vicious murderer who targets women and hides behind his hate, Lecter perpetuates his hateful and unforgiving killings without a bit of remorse as he helps a naïve young FBI agent, Clarice Starling, bring Buffalo Bill, another psychopathic murderer, to justice.  Author Thomas Harris’s 1988 novel was the film’s source and was used by the musical’s creators, Hunter Bell who wrote the book, and Jon … Continue Reading