Herbert Paine - Page 8

Five richly talented singers rock the stage in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s production of SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL, Phillip George and David Lowenstein’s 2004 tribute to the solid gold singles of the ‘60’s. Directed by Seth Tucker and featuring five fab singers, the show runs through April 18th.

Elaine Romero's brilliant and stirring work-in-progress, THE DALAI LAMA IS NOT WELCOME HERE, directed by Maren Maclean Mascarelli and featuring a stunning performance by Brenda Jean Foley, now streaming through March 28th on The Bridge Initiative: Women+ in Theatre Facebook page. The latest offering in RomeroFest, the monthlong celebration of the playwright's work.

As multidimensional as is the landscape of the Southwest that so attracted Zane Grey, so too is the documentary that chronicles the creation of an epic opera, based on one of his most famous novels, RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE. Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Kristin Atwell Ford (and produced by Quantum Leap Productions in collaboration with Arizona Opera), the film is as powerful and evocative in its own way as the piece and the process it reveres and celebrates. It makes its virtual premiere on Thursday, March 25th as part of an online benefit initiative ~ in partnership between The Actors Fund and the film’s producer, Quantum Leap Productions ~ to support performing arts professionals out of work due to the pandemic. The film will be available for viewing until April 11th. Tickets are $10 and may be secured at Watch.RidersOperaFilm.com. Thereafter, it will be released for streaming.

he Actors Fund announced today that Quantum Leap Productions will present 'Riders of the Purple Sage: The Making of a Western Opera,' a documentary film that celebrates the artistry of live theatre, as an online benefit to support creative professionals out of work due to the pandemic. The Actors Fund and Quantum Leap Productions are partnering to raise funds for performing arts professionals across the country. The film makes its virtual premiere Thursday, March 25th and will be available until April 11th. Tickets are $10 and are available now at Watch.RidersOperaFilm.com.

Elaine Romero’s HALSTED is a bold stroke of illumination ~ launching RomeroFest, a monthlong celebration of the playwright’s work ~ presented by Arizona Theatre Company and directed by Sean Daniels. Available for viewing online through March 14th.

Crazy is as crazy does…crazy in the sense of feeling wild about! From this angle, from a Broadway point of view, crazy has been a gold mine for anything Gershwin! Such is the case with Kurtis Overby’s sterling tribute to the prolific brothers, George and Ira, in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s production of CRAZY FOR GERSHWIN. Featuring Liz Fallon, Jamie Parnell, and Carolyn McPhee. Runs through March 21st.

What happens when a world class theatre keeps the lights on, creating a comfortable and safe outdoor space during a world-wide pandemic? First, they hire top talent...and give them an award-winning murder mystery musical comedy ~ Kinosian and Blair's MURDER FOR TWO. featuring Seth Tucker and Toby Yatso. Runs through February 28th.

Little y's first episode of a new series, BASEMENTS & BUGBEARS, sets The Table for what promises to be an engaging and compelling series dealing “with issues such as teen mental health, the complexities of exploring and accepting queer identity, and, ultimately, the good that gaming can bring to those that immerse themselves in their stories.” Premieres online at www.bnbwebseries.com at 7:00 p.m. EST on February 19th.

FATAL DISTRACTION, Susan Morgan Cooper’s gripping documentary on a national crisis ~ hot car deaths ~ that begs for resolution.

Julia Ngeow's A SCALE FOR HURT is a solemn and humbling love letter to the viewer about the transience of things before the majesty of the tides of time and the inconvenient truths about our environment and its vulnerability. Premieres online on November 23rd on FilmShortage.

Cady McClain has crafted an emotionally stirring and eye-opening short documentary (11 minutes) that gives voice to the experiences of four girls within the foster care system. Jalynn Snyder, Aneles Maxwell-Carter, Madison Gates, and Katherine Belendez literally and figuratively unmask themselves to speak with unbridled authenticity and candor about the dysfunctions and addictions that led them to foster care. But they also speak to the power of possibility that can lift them far beyond their past experience.

TRIPLE THREAT, Stacey Maltina??s first feature film as a director, is a beautifully crafted and finely acted ode to theatre and the dreams and realities that imbue it with energy and vitality. Scheduled for screening at BelAire Diner Drive-In (31-91 21st Street, Astoria, New York) on October 11th.

Brandon Polanco's directorial debut, EARTH MOTHER is a magical introduction to the spheres of enlightenment. Now available on Amazon Prime.

WEEZY GOES OUTSIDE is a delightful cine-epiphany about fidelity, love, and eternal life ~ produced by Little y and featuring a sterling performance by Heloise Wilson. One of the Comedy Shorts to be screened at the Coney Island Film Festival and available for virtual screening between September 22nd and October 2nd.

HIGH SCORE, co-directed by Serena Ryen and Ethan Itzkow, is a serious and important contribution to our ongoing public conversation about hate, racism, and demonization in America. In the course of a sizzling 15-minutes, in what is aptly described as a a?oesocial horror film,a?? we are eyewitness to the combustible nature of these terrible forces. A brilliantly made short film. HIGH SCORE will have its world premiere at the Chelsea Film Festival and will screen online from October 15th - 18th.

Wendy MacLeod's hilarious comedy, SLOW FOOD, is the latest in Arizona Theatre Companya's series of online digital play readings, this one co-directed by the company's Artistic and Associate Artistic Directors, Sean Daniels and Chanel Bragg. Featuring delightful performances by Daina Griffith, Joel Van Liew, Brian Beacock, this play is top of the menu!

Arizona Theatre Company's serves up a savory serving of Wendy MacLeod's delicious comedy, SLOW FOOD. Featuring delightful performances by Daina Griffith, Joel Van Liew, and Brian Beacock.

In WOODEN NICKELS, holistic healer and playwright Devorah Medwin has crafted a unique theatrical approach to exploring aging and dying with dignity. Bristling with the emotion of a family facing questions of filial fidelity and quality of life choices, the delivery of the play is blessed and enhanced by the performances of Niki Patton, Jacque Arend, Alison Hammond, and Debra Rich Gettleman.

Arizona Theatre Company's production of Benjamin Bennea??s emotion-laden drama, ALMA (livestreaming through August 22nd, at 5:00 p.m.PT/8:00 p.m. ET), while promoted as an online reading, is something far more. Directed by Catherine María Rodríguez and featuring riveting performances by Danaya Esperanza and Amandla Jahava, it stands as a virtual virtuoso portrayal of a mother and daughter absorbed in the generational tensions common to parent and child but also threatened by the ominous shadows of a mean-spirited politics.

Arizona Theatre Company's production of Benjamin Bennea??s emotion-laden drama, ALMA (livestreaming through August 22nd, at 5:00 p.m.PT/8:00 p.m. ET), while promoted as an online reading, is something far more. Directed by Catherine María Rodríguez and featuring riveting performances by Danaya Esperanza and Amandla Jahava, it stands as a virtual virtuoso portrayal of a mother and daughter absorbed in the generational tensions common to parent and child but also threatened by the ominous shadows of a mean-spirited politics.