Theater Review – December 21, 2024

EXUBERANT “SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL” BRINGS THE FAMILIAR CHARACTERS TO SPLASHY LIFE

“SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Dr. Seuss’s fantastical characters from his popular kid’s books explode all over The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) stage in the exuberantly charming “Seussical the Musical”.  Intriguingly cute songs by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) make the stories even better as the pair pens an ingenious book that links the selected legends to create a delightful romp.

Expertly staged by TPTC’s brilliantly creative Producing Artistic Director Michael Barnard with athletically high-spirited dances by Sam … Continue Reading

Theater Review – December 8, 2024

PLEASANT “SCROOGE” BECOMES ATC’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY PRODUCTION

“Scrooge”
Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) has selected the Leslie Bricusse musical “Scrooge” as its annual holiday production.  After last season’s debut, it has been revived with the same spirited Matt August staging and with the identical physical production.  The company even brought back Broadway star Shuler Hensley from last year as the indomitable Ebenezer in the well-known tale about a character who shifts from a “bah humbugging” mean-spirited person to a rapturous person who wants to bring … Continue Reading

Theater Review – December 4, 2024

INSIGHTFUL “KIMBERLY AKIMBO” IN A TOP PRODUCTION DAZZLES AT ASU GAMMAGE

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

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

A giant but amazingly intimate and fabulously perceptive musical, “Kimberly Akimbo” focuses on a teenage girl, the title character, who has a rare disease that causes her to age over four times as fast as normal.  An astonishing touring production brings this wonderful show to ASU Gammage this week.

Kim is new in Bergen County, New Jersey, as she integrates into the town’s teens.  She’s a realist who understands her situation but doesn’t want it … Continue Reading