Theater Review – October 21, 2024

EVEN A STELLAR PRODUCTION CAN’T MAKE “DIAL M FOR MURDER” A VIABLE SHOW FOR TODAY’S AUDIENCES

“Dial M for Murder”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) has brought tremendous resources to its season opening production of Frederick Knott’s 1952 stage and television thriller “Dial M for Murder.”  An impressive acting ensemble essay the five roles with distinction.  An elaborate set creates an appropriate London living room where the action occurs and wonderful period costumes further enhance the lush visual look.

But Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation which attempts … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 20, 2024

KELLI O’HARA AMAZES IN SCOTTSDALE SOLO APPEARANCE

“The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series Starring Kelli O’Hara”
Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Virginia G. Piper Theater
Scottsdale AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Kelli O’Hara is the reigning Broadway musical theater star and fortunately for local audiences she is between New York shows so she is filling up her schedule with solo performances.  She amazed local audiences with accompanist and chatty musical theater expert Seth Rudetsky at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts for a single Saturday performance.

Her 105-minute set included a selection of Broadway standards many of which O’Hara presented in their … Continue Reading

Theater Review – October 16, 2024

DYNAMIC TOURING “FUNNY GIRL” AT ASU GAMMAGE HAS THE NECESSARY BROADWAY SPARKLE

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

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Bob Merrill and Jule Styne’s 1964 musical “Funny Girl” is an interesting show.  Like the Florenz Ziegfeld stage extravaganzas that Fanny Brice starred in, the show glorifies the star, her life, and the Follies.

The first Broadway revival in 2022 with a revised book by Harvey Fierstein starred Beanie Feldstein as Fanny but it languished and appeared destined to fail until Lea Michele took over the lead role dazzling critics and audiences alike.  Michele … Continue Reading