Theater Review – February 25, 2023

MUSICAL THEATER STAR RAMIN KARIMLOO’S STATE DEBUT DAZZLES LOCAL AUDIENCE

RAMIN KARIMLOO WITH SETH RUDETSKY
Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Ramin Karimloo took a night off from his Broadway “Funny Girl” revival triumph to make his Arizona debut at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in a breezy, unstructured session with host/accompanist Seth Rudetsky.  He sang winning renditions of Broadway standards amidst chatter with Rudetsky.  Much of the talk and jokes between songs were directed negatively at show-biz situations.

The strappingly handsome and statuesquely muscular Karimloo makes a striking … Continue Reading

Theater Review – February 19, 2023

WILLIAMS’ BEST PLAY “THE GLASS MENAGERIE” SOARS IN WINNING ATC STAGING

“THE GLASS MENAGERIE”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Herberger Theater Center
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“The Glass Menagerie” was Tennessee Williams first and perhaps the best play of his distinguished contributions to the American theater canon.  The 1945 masterpiece about the dysfunctional Wingfield family of St. Louis circa 1930, is a triumphant memory play with richly defined and strongly developed characters plus an emotionally compelling story. Arizona Theatre Company’s stunningly moving production brings back this amazing classic with remarkable panache.

We meet the insular three-person family who are … Continue Reading

Theater Commentary – February 18, 2023

2023/24 BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA – ARIZONA SEASON SPECULATION

Broadway Across America – Arizona
ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Broadway Across America hosts touring productions of recent new and revival Broadway shows throughout the nation including locally at Tempe’s ASU Gammage Concert Hall where the inhospitable environment doesn’t allow shows to be properly seen or heard.  While most touring 2023/24 Broadway seasons have been announced, the Tempe season announcement will be one of the last revealed on March 13.

There are few touring surprises so it is easy to piece together the local season from the 15 plus announced … Continue Reading

Theater Review – February 1, 2023

“JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR” IS OLD AND TIRED AT ASU GAMMAGE

“JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

For the 50th anniversary tour of the early rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” it was wisely decided that the now tired old show needed a fresh perspective.  Unfortunately, what landed here is a loud and noisy retread.  The show looks and sounds much like the original production I saw in the early ‘70s at the outdoor Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.  The throbbing staging, the foot-stomping choreography, and most of the performances are duplications … Continue Reading