Theater Review – May 9, 2022

SONDHEIM’S “ASSASSINS” PROBES THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO KILL AMERICAN PRESIDENTS IN AN AMAZING STRAY CAT THEATRE PRODUCTION

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

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

An amazing cast tackles Stephen Sondheim’s rarely produced musical “Assassins” with winning results in a well-sung, strongly acted, and well directed staging of this very unusual story.  Playwright John Weidman and Sondheim, who was never afraid to produce musicals about subjects rarely presented as singing tales, gather characters from throughout American history who have desired to kill American presidents.

Set in a carnival shooting gallery where … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 8, 2022

ATC’S “JUSTICE” TELLS OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FIRST TWO FEMALE SUPREME COURT JUDGES

“JUSTICE”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

The musical “Justice” paints an insightful picture of the first two female Supreme Court justices, Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as narrated by what playwright Lauren Gunderson sees as the first Black woman justice, a prophesy that has come true with the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson.

“Justice” is receiving its world premiere by the Arizona Theatre Company.  It provides fascinating awareness not only to the political differences between the … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 7, 2022

COMICALLY DELIGHTFUL “SOMETHING ROTTEN!” DAZZLES IN SUPERB TPTC STAGING

“SOMETHING ROTTEN!”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Mainstage Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

In the hilarious musical “Something Rotten!,” comic energy explodes all over The Phoenix Theatre Company stage bringing a richly entertaining and thoroughly amusing show to vibrant and throbbing life.  The show, set during Shakespeare’s time, slams musical theater foibles and the inane plots of too many musicals.

The show succeeds for two main reasons.  One reason is a superb cast of limber farceurs who sing and dance with aplomb while making anything remotely funny in the mockish show … Continue Reading

Theater Review – May 6, 2022

BROADWAY’S LEA SALONGA DAZZLES IN IMPRESSIVE LOCAL PERFORMANCE

LEA SALONGA IN CONCERT
Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Back in 1991, I saw the original Broadway production of “Miss Saigon.” The impeccable cast featured a young performer marking her New York debut as the tragic Kim.  That 18-year-old was Lea Salonga.  She was impressive then and continues to maintain her remarkable allure today.

The diminutive Salonga appeared solo at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with a brilliant and jazzy back-up quartet as the singer used her magnificent voice to … Continue Reading