Theater Review – September 9, 2018

WEIRD “THE ANTIPODES” IS NOT CONVENTIONAL THEATER ALTHOUGH STRAY CAT PRODUCTION IS STRONG

“THE ANTIPODES”
Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

Like most Stray Cat Theatre productions, the troupe’s latest, “The Antipodes,” is a most unusual piece that is difficult to figure out.  Written by Annie Baker, the playwright has been responsible for past Stray Cat plays most notably “The Flick” that won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama a few seasons back.

“The Antipodes” is set in a conference room where a staff under the direction of Sandy is attempting to tell stories and come up with … Continue Reading

Theater Review – September 8, 2018

RARELY PRODUCED STAGE VERSION OF “WEST SIDE STORY” IS BRILLIANT AT PHOENIX THEATRE

“WEST SIDE STORY”
Mainstage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

The Jets and the Sharks are rumbling stylishly at Phoenix Theatre as the company opens its 99th season with Leonard Bernstein’s melodic masterpiece “West Side Story.”  And while the stellar 1957 musical boasts the brilliant Bernstein score with Stephen Sondheim’s perceptively witty lyrics, the show’s raison d’etre are the magnificent Jerome Robbins (whose name is misspelled in the PT program) dances that this production recreates stunningly with just a touch here and there of creative originality.

This “West … Continue Reading