Theater Review – October 31, 2021

“OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD” IS SHARPLY STAGED PRODUCTION OF A VIOLENT BUT TRUTHFUL PLAY ABOUT STRUGGLING TEENAGERS

“OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD”
Stray Cat Theatre, Studio Theatre, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

As usual, Stray Cat Theatre doesn’t disappoint with its latest production, “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord” which winningly explores teenage alienation, sexual identity, handling racial injustice, religious struggles, the importance of rituals, and young people’s angst.  Four female high schoolers try to find the other’s weaknesses as their impressionable minds probe death and other monumental issues facing them as they try … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 24, 2021

ATC’S “MY 80-YEAR-OLD BOYFRIEND” IS A TOUCHING LOOK AT AN UNUSUAL RELATIONSHIP

“MY 80-YEAR-OLD-BOYFRIEND”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

A delicate, touching, and revealing look at an unusual but amazingly sincere relationship between 80-year-old Milton and a much younger woman is explored eloquently by performer/author Charissa Bertels in her one-woman tribute to her inspiring relationship.  Bertels plays both roles with superb definition as she holds the stage dynamically for the almost two-hour play.  That is no easy task in a one-person, multi-character script.

With only pianist Jose C. Simbulan playing this show’s … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 9, 2021

CAMPY “ROCKY HORROR SHOW” IS A WACKY DELIGHT IN TIP-TOP TPTC STAGING

“THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“The Rocky Horror Show” film is a bizarre, over-the-top camp extravaganza that delights audiences.  The movie has become a cult classic favorite at midnight showings.  But the show was born on a tiny London stage and arrived in this country originally as an obscure off-Broadway type entertainment at a Los Angeles cabaret where Tim Curry starred as the Sweet Transvesite Transexual Transylvanian Frank ‘N’ Furter.

When I attended the LA premiere, I didn’t … Continue Reading