Theater Commentary – March 22, 2023

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY’S 2023/24 SEASON IS FULL OF POSITIVE CHANGES

Arizona Theatre Company,
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Arizona Theatre Company’s 2023/24 season announcement is full of positive changes.  To find out about the differences coming at the official State theater and to get an update on ATC’s future in the Valley of the Sun, I talked to Kaiser Family Artistic Director Matt August and Geri Wright, Executive Director.

After 32 years at the 700-seat Center Stage in downtown Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center, future ATC shows will be presented at the Tempe Center for the Arts’ 600-seat Theater.

The five-show … Continue Reading

Theater Review – March 18, 2023

TPTC’S “THE LAST FIVE YEARS” CAPTURES A ROCKY MARRIAGE WITH COMPLEX MELODIES, A PROBING STORY AND FINE PERFORMANCES

“THE LAST FIVE YEARS”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Composer and playwright Jason Robert Brown does not write the usual glitzy and entertaining musicals that contain little substance.  His 1998 “Parade” deals with the trial and lynching of a Jewish businessperson living in bigoted 1913 Atlanta where he is wrongly accused of seducing a woman.  The show is being revived now on Broadway with Ben Platt in an acclaimed production.

His most recent show, 2014’s “The … Continue Reading

Theater Commentary – March 13, 2023

LOCAL BROADWAY SERIES ANNOUNCES 23/24 ASU GAMMAGE SEASON

2023/24 BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA – ARIZONA SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
2023/24 Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

An interesting postcard arrived March 9 announcing the top-secret Broadway Across America – Arizona season before the scheduled March 13 revealation.at ASU Gammage.

No real surprises in the nine shows since several Broadway Across America seasons had already been announced as have the touring Broadway shows so deciding the l0cal line-up wasn’t rocket science.

The expected shows are coming – “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” (October 10-15), “Ain’t Too Proud The … Continue Reading

Theater Review – March 1, 2023

DISNEY’S “FROZEN” DAZZLES ASU GAMMAGE AUDIENCES

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

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Another Walt Disney animated feature being transformed into a Broadway musical didn’t bode well for the local “Frozen” premiere. But, wonder of wonder, the stage show is remarkably lush with swirling, turning, and twisting scenery, wondrously colorful costumes, additional music that augments the simple story, and an enchanted production that makes the unbelievable fantasy about two very different sisters a delightful entertainment.

One sister, Anna, is man-crazy.  She is accidentally hurt by sister Elsa’s colossal powers.  Everything is positively resolved by … Continue Reading