Theater Review – January 31, 2026

“COME FROM AWAY” PROVES DIVERGENT PEOPLE CAN COEXIST IN MASTERFUL TPTC STAGING

“Come From Away”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Stephenson Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

In today’s hostile and confrontational world, it is the perfect time to present a calming and upbeat musical like “Come From Away” in a brilliantly staged The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) production.

The musical takes place in Gander, Newfoundland, a small town with 9,651 people on September 11, 2001, the day when New York City’s World Trade Center was attacked and air traffic was halted.  38 planes were diverted to the Gander airport.  Once … Continue Reading

Theater Review – January 28, 2026

“A BEAUTIFUL NOISE” CAPTURES NEIL DIAMOND’S LEGACY

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Neil Diamond wrote many hit tunes and several of his cherished songs live on vibrantly today.  Like many pop-standard bearers, Diamond was one of the few legends to not have a Broadway musical about his life and song writing career.  In 2022, this faux pas was remedied with “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.”  The show finally made it to the Valley this week at ASU Gammage.

It is certainly an unusual biographical … Continue Reading

Theater Review – January 11, 2026

ATC’S “HEIST” IS A DISAPPOINTING MYSTERY WITH NOTHING TO CREATE A STRONG PRODUCTION

“Heist”

Arizona Theatre Company, Center Stage, Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

It’s rare when the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) presents a disappointing production but such is the case with the American premiere who-dun-it “Heist.”  While the staging is decent, it is a long way from ATC’s finest with an inferior scenic design of a hard-to-decipher contemporary New York locale, cliched and directed lighting, non-distinct present-day garb, plodding direction, and acting that reaches for every mystery character stereotype, but it is Arun … Continue Reading