Theater Review – November 20, 2021

TPTC’S “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS” IS ENTERTAININGLY STAGED BUT WON’T BECOME A CLASSIC HOLIDAY SHOW

“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Christmas is upon us and hopefully this year’s festivities will be brighter than during the pandemic as vaccinations improve the situation.  Theater troupes usually celebrate and The Phoenix Theatre Company is the first in the country to premiere a new musical that capitalizes on the success of “Million Dollar Quartet.”  That show captured Memphis music producer Sam Phillips luck in combining four great rock ‘n’ rollers – Elvis Presley, … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 7, 2021

THOUGHTFUL “A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE” DEBUTS LOCALLY IN STRONG MCC STAGING

“A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE”
Mesa Community College, MCC Performing Arts Center
Mesa, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

While this website focuses primarily on Phoenix-area professional productions presented by Arizona Theatre Company, The Phoenix Theatre Company, Stray Cat Theatre, and Broadway tours at ASU Gammage, there are occasional university and community theater productions of unusual works that warrant mention because they are an important facet of local theater.

Mesa Community College is presenting a commendable area premiere staging of Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens’ musical “A Man … Continue Reading

Theater Review – November 3, 2021

MEDIOCRE “MEAN GIRLS” PLAYS ASU GAMMAGE BUT WHY WASTE MONEY TO SEE IT?

“MEAN GIRLS”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Aren’t you sick of teenage angst?  We all went through it but it seems to find its way into lots of contemporary theater and it now invades the musical theater badly in “Mean Girls” based on the popular film.  Many earlier musicals handled this theme better and avoided the now tired cliches with shows like “West Side Story” and “Grease” coming to mind.

Not only is “Mean Girls” sadly unoriginal about teeny boppers … Continue Reading