Opera Review – January 31, 2022

EXEMPLARY SINGING AND DRAMATICS CROWN ARIZONA OPERA’S IMPRESSIVE “CARMEN” AT SYMPHONY HALL

“CARMEN”
Arizona Opera, Symphony Hall
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater/Opera Critic

It has been several seasons since I last attended an Arizona Opera production so when a friend gifted me a ticket to “Carmen,” I had no idea what to expect.  As I headed to Symphony Hall my hopes were high and when expert conductor Christopher Allen raised his baton to start the familiar overture, Arizona Opera was no longer a fledgling company but a major regional opera troupe.

The stellar orchestra under conductor Allen’s impeccable tempos impressed and … Continue Reading

Theater Review – January 16, 2022

PSYCHOLOGICAL MUSICAL “NEXT TO NORMAL” PLAYS LOCALLY IN IMPRESSIVE STAGING

“NEXT TO NORMAL”
Scottsdale Community Players and The Pmvproductions, Stagebrush Theatre
Scottsdale, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

American musicals don’t usually tackle psychological issues like bipolar disorder but the brilliant 2009 Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey show “Next to Normal” deals with this medical situation in one of Broadway’s best musicals.  The show’s somber theme creates characters with difficult confrontations because this issue is rarely resolved.  Having seen the magnificent New York production that featured Alice Ripley’s award-winning interpretation of Diana, the show’s lead character, makes it hard for any … Continue Reading

Theater Review – January 16, 2022

PHOENIX THEATRE’S “HELLO GIRLS” TELLS AN INTERESTING HISTORICAL TALE THAT ALSO ENTERTAINS

“HELLO GIRLS”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

An entertaining and charming new musical “Hello Girls” also provides a bit of generally unknown historic background on the winning of World War I.  The show debuted off-Broadway in 2018 and is now receiving its Western United States premiere in a spot-on production at The Phoenix Theatre Company.  It boasts a talented ensemble cast and energetic staging by Cara Reichel who co-authored the show’s book with Peter Mills who penned a hummable score that … Continue Reading