Theater Review – November 18, 2018

“ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT’S END” BRINGS THE WRITERS UNIQUE LIFE BACK

“ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT’S END”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

If you followed Erma Bombeck and her newspaper and book writings, you will admire Arizona Theatre Company’s affectionate one-woman tribute “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End.”  Jeanne Paulsen is adept at becoming Bombeck as she moves non-stop on a stylized set that doesn’t depict any specific house that the writer shared with husband Bill and three children first in Ohio and later in Paradise Valley.  The family moved to Arizona in 1971 and she … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 18, 2018

BROADWAY DIVA JESSIE MUELLER DAZZLES IN LOCAL CONCERT

JESSIE MUELLER IN CONCERT
Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, AZ

The luminescent Broadway star Jessie Mueller gave a dazzling concert November 17 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.  Her wonderful song repertory included mostly musical theater gems including a generous selection of hits from her Broadway vehicles – “Beautiful,” “Waitress,” “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and the recent “Carousel” revival.  She also sang some touching renditions of a few pop hits.

She began her … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 17, 2018

PERKY “ELF THE MUSICAL” GUARANTEED TO GET AUDIENCES IN A HOLIDAY MOOD

“ELF THE MUSICAL”
Mainstage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

Perky, sparkling polished, and lavishly produced holiday musicals that have family appeal are few and far between.  Phoenix Theatre discovers a winner in “Elf The Musical” based on the popular 2003 film that starred Will Ferrell.  PT mounts an energetic and colorful production that is loaded with rapidly changing scenery, a brightly colored holiday wardrobe, familiar characters, D. Scott Withers’ rollickingly flamboyant direction, exuberant Sam Hay dances, and an outstanding cast headed by the comically gifted Toby Yatso.

Yatso … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 11, 2018

STRAY CAT’S SMASHING “THE CAKE” EXPLORES ACCEPTANCE AND TOLERANCE

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

Stray Cat Theatre presents a smashing Southwest premiere of Bekah Brunstetter’s stellar play, “The Cake,” that cleverly dissects and explores today’s disputes regarding acceptance and tolerance. Using a same-sex marriage to explore this pithy issue, the play is an excellent testament to today’s perplexing challenges while the playwright integrates this often touchy discussion with much comic levity.

Set in a small North Carolina town not known for cutting edge thinking, we meet Della, owner of a bakery.  … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 8, 2018

GLORIA ESTEFAN’S HIT SONGS TURN “ON YOUR FEET!” EXTRAVAGANT

“ON YOUR FEET!”
Broadway Across America – Arizona
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

“On Your Feet!” is an extravagant entertainment that uses a generous collection of Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s hit tunes, Sergio Trujillo’s splashy dances, Jerry Mitchell’s non-stop jazzy staging, and a first-rate cast of impressive impersonators who essay the two lead roles and others associated with the popular artists.

Much dazzling amusement is displayed on stage, but the show is not really a Broadway musical.  It recreates the up-and-down challenges of Estefan’s rise to success and shows Gloria’s determination to succeed … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 4, 2018

SINGERS LEA MICHELE AND DARREN CRISS DELIVER A WONDERFUL CONCERT

LEA MICHELE AND DARREN CRISS IN CONCERT
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

Lea Michele and Darren Criss proved on television’s “Glee” how talented the young performers are.  Now touring the country in a superb concert, the pair brought their dazzling talents to ASU Gammage for a single dynamic performance that featured several of their “Glee” song hits, a rich selection of musical theater classics, and several contemporary hits.  The pair is personable, poised, and polished.  They delivered a wonderfully diverse two-hour song fest to a near capacity audience of fans … Continue Reading