Herbert Paine - Page 2

Herbert Paine

Herb Paine ~ Herb has served as Senior Contributing Editor and lead theatre critic for BWW's Phoenix Metro Region since 2014. He was acclaimed as BEST THEATRE CRITIC by PHOENIX magazine (2022 BEST OF THE VALLEY).

He is President of Paine Consulting Services, now in its thirty-sixth year of operation, specializing in organizational development, strategic planning, turnaround management, mergers, and governance. In addition to his work with corporations and government, he is a nationally recognized expert on all aspects of nonprofit organization management and has consulted extensively with arts and cultural organizations on strategic positioning, branding, and audience development. 

His provocative social and political commentaries were a regular feature on KJZZ/91.5 FM, NPR’s Phoenix affiliate. These days, Herb offers his perspectives on a variety of issues at IN THE CENTER LANE WITH HERB PAINE | Substack ~ https://herbpaine.substack.com. .

Herb is an avid fan of theatre, both on and off stage. His most recent acting credits include roles as Sgt. Jeff Pugliese in the National Geographic Channel’s April 2014 docudrama "Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers;" the King of France/Chaudron the forger/Ser Piero, DaVinci's father in Theater Works' "Finding Mona Lisa;" Inspector LeStrade in Fountain Hills Theater’s "Sherlock’s Last Case;" and Berry Bernard in the short film "Living Will." 




LEARN MORE ABOUT Herbert Paine

First Show:

Blithe Spirit

Favorite Show:

Les Miseables



Review: THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS at Black Theatre Troupe
Review: THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS at Black Theatre Troupe
October 31, 2023

Black Theatre Troupe’s production and David Hemphill’s inspired direction lift THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS to grand heights, aloft with emotional impact, a message about the timeless quest for redemption, and the profound ability of gospel music to elevate the human spirit. Runs through November 12th.

Review: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at Arizona Theatre Company
Review: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at Arizona Theatre Company
October 24, 2023

Arizona Theatre Company's production of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK may aim to reconnect audiences with Neil Simon’s sophisticated and clever turns of plot and words, but, notwithstanding the cast’s determined efforts, the show feels tired and dated, save for a stunning performance by Kyra Kennedy.

Review: MACBETH at Southwest Shakespeare Company
Review: MACBETH at Southwest Shakespeare Company
October 23, 2023

Southwest Shakespeare Company's MACBETH is the stuff of great drama, thick with psychological import, mad acts of violence, and the fog of war.

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Hale Centre Theatre
Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Hale Centre Theatre
October 22, 2023

Hale Centre Theatre's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, directed by Cambrian James, brings magic to the classic with full-bodied, robust-sounding voices and solid performances by its leads.

Review: Arizona Opera Presents FRANKENSTEIN ~ A Masterpiece of Horror and Humanity
Review: Arizona Opera Presents FRANKENSTEIN ~ A Masterpiece of Horror and Humanity
October 17, 2023

Arizona Opera's production of Gregg Kallor’s FRANKENSTEIN is an absolute triumph and a significant addition to the operatic repertoire. The world premiere continues at The Temple of Music and Art in Tucson, October 21 and 22.

Review: TIANANMEN: A NEW MUSICAL at The Phoenix Theatre Company
Review: TIANANMEN: A NEW MUSICAL at The Phoenix Theatre Company
October 16, 2023

TIANANMEN: A NEW MUSICAL is The Phoenix Theatre Company's ambitious but modest effort to honor the courageous student protesters of Tiananmen Square. The show runs through October 29th.

Review: TINA ~ THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL At ASU Gammage
Review: TINA ~ THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL At ASU Gammage
October 11, 2023

TINA ~ THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL ~ At show's end, with the sound of Tina's music still echoing in one's mind, the most that may be remembered is why there wasn't more of the explosive high energy and volume of a live concert. At ASU Gammage through October 15.

Review: JADE at Chelsea Film Festival
Review: JADE at Chelsea Film Festival
October 11, 2023

JADE is a refreshing and uplifting film that gives an empathetic face to black fatherhood. Directed by NAACP Theatre Award winner Robert Manning Jr. and featuring Luke Tennie and Noam Shapiro, the film will have its East Coast premiere at the Chelsea Film Festival on Friday, October 13th.

Review: AGNES OF GOD at Theatre Artists Studio
Review: AGNES OF GOD at Theatre Artists Studio
October 9, 2023

Theatre Artists Studio delivers a riveting production of John Pielmeier’s AGNES OF GOD, directed by Judy Rollings. In a cerebral play that pits faith against reason and is a murder mystery to boot, Rollings's cast keeps the audience invested in a drama that is well-paced and loaded with gravitas.

Review: GLORIA At Stray Cat Theatre
Review: GLORIA At Stray Cat Theatre
October 3, 2023

Under the astute and inspired direction of Dolores E. Mendoza, GLORIA (Stray Cat Theatre’s 22nd Season opener) the lines and action of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's play are transformed into a jarring high-voltage theatrical experience. Runs through October 14th at Tempe Center for the Arts.

Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Arizona Broadway Theatre
Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Arizona Broadway Theatre
October 1, 2023

Arizona Broadway Theatre's production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, directed by Ken Urso, featuring Jazmin Noel Moehring as the show’s Narrator, and supported by the non-stop energy of an outstanding ensemble, is a thrilling musical theatrical experience.

Review: STEAL AWAY at Black Theatre Troupe
Review: STEAL AWAY at Black Theatre Troupe
September 20, 2023

Under the direction of Walter Belcher, Black Theatre Troupe's rousing production of Ramona King's STEAL AWAY features a spirited ensemble of actresses. A winning allegory about economic justice, wrapped in loads of laughs and feelings, the show runs through October 1st.

Review: THE WEIGHT OF A FEATHER at PBS Passport
Review: THE WEIGHT OF A FEATHER at PBS Passport
August 31, 2023

Kristin Atwell Ford's THE WEIGHT OF A FEATHER is a stunning documentary feat that will leave an indelible mark on the heart and mind of its viewers. Its message is a profound, enlightening, and deeply moving reminder of our place in the web of life. Available on PBS Passport.

Review: SOMETHING'S AFOOT at Hale Centre Theatre
Review: SOMETHING'S AFOOT at Hale Centre Theatre
August 30, 2023

Hale Centre Theatre's delightful mystery/comedy, directed by Cambrian James, runs through October 7th.

Review: DISASTER! at Arizona Broadway Theatre
Review: DISASTER! at Arizona Broadway Theatre
August 28, 2023

DISASTER! runs through September 15th in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Mainstage Theatre.

Review: DREAMGIRLS at The Phoenix Theatre Company
Review: DREAMGIRLS at The Phoenix Theatre Company
August 14, 2023

The Phoenix Theatre Company’s production, directed by Daryl Brooks, has three key elements that hold this golden oldie together ~ Miciah Lathan, for sure; the astonishing and stellar performance of Antonio King; and, of course, the compositions of Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen. Runs through September 3rd.

Review: ON GOLDEN POND at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
Review: ON GOLDEN POND at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
July 30, 2023

ON GOLDEN POND at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre through September 2nd ~ Seasoned with flashes of humor and sentimentality, the play thrives around the solid performances of Joe Musil as Norman Thayer, Jr. and Barbara McBain as his wife Ethel.

Review: 20S.30S at Regal Cinemas ~ A Love Story
Review: 20S.30S at Regal Cinemas ~ A Love Story
July 11, 2023

Jee Hoon Seo’s short film, 20s.30s., premiering at the Micheaux Film Festival on July 13 in L.A. is a uniquely compelling portrayal of love lost and found.

Review: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Arizona Theatre Company
Review: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Arizona Theatre Company
July 3, 2023

Arizona Theatre Company’s production of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE ends on a high note, proving that, even in the absence of good writing, you can’t beat the charm and appeal of drag! The show runs through July 16th at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix AZ.

Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at Arizona Broadway Theatre
Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at Arizona Broadway Theatre
June 25, 2023

Cassandra and Kiel Klaphake, the visionary forces behind Arizona Broadway Theatre, have delivered a winner with their refreshingly revisited production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, directed by Ken Urso and featuring Jasmine Bassham as Dorothy. Runs through July 11.



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