Herbert Paine - Page 5

After two decades of investment and evolution, Phoenix regional theatre is in ascendance. Herb Paine, BroadwayWorld's Senior Contributing Editor for the area, explains why.

Carpe diem! Smell the roses! These exhortations to relish life while you have it weave through the silly and reflective moments of Paul Elliott’s EXIT LAUGHING, on stage now through October 22nd at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale, Arizona. Well-directed by Van Rockwell and featuring a golden cast.

Phoenix's iTheatre Collaborative celebrates the opening of its 20th Season with a gripping and provocative production of Aaron Loeb's IDEATION, directed by Greg Lutz and featuring a superlative cast.

Ronin Theatre Company's production of Richard Warren's HOW I CAME TO BE BUFFALO BILL is an illuminating profile of the legend in the making, featuring Keath Hall's compelling performance under the direction of Lee Cooley. The show runs through August 28th at Stage Left Productions in Surprise, AZ, with follow-up presentations at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.

Don Bluth directs a well-rounded and highly entertaining production of Noël Coward's PRIVATE LIVES, running through August 27th at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale. Featuring stellar performances by Tom Koelbel, Christi Sweeney, Breona Conrad, and Jack Pauly.

What did our critic think? Whether poking fun at human foibles or reflecting on critical social issues, Theatre Artists Studio’s NEW SUMMER SHORTS offers an entertaining potpourri of perspectives. Runs through June 26th at The Studio in Scottsdale, AZ.

Guest contributor David Appleford's review of Stray Cat Theatre's production of Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, directed by Ron May. Runs through May 21st at Tempe Center for the Arts. A stunning reminder about the kind of emotional power that only a live theatrical experience can create.

Another major first from Ballet Arizona ~ the World Premiere of JUAN GABRIEL, with choreography by Ib Andersen. Kerry Stewart Lengel offers his unique perspective ~ THIS IS NOT A REVIEW: Lonesome George Goes to the Theatre ~ on this remarkable production. Runs through May 8th at Phoenix's Symphony Hall.

Sharyn Rothstein's compelling human drama, BY THE WATER, on stage through April 24th at Theatre Artists Studio, benefits from the well-paced direction of Janis Webb and the finely-drawn performances of her seasoned cast.

Co-directors Joe and Lorraine Bousard stage a refreshing and imaginative revival of CAMELOT, featuring shining performances by Alexandra Utpadel as Guinevere, Adam Shelton as Arthur, and Matthew Dodaro as Lancelot ~ running through April 30th at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale AZ.

In The Phoenix Theatre Company’s current production of Marsha Norman's THE COLOR PURPLE, director Daryl Brooks has crafted a masterpiece of transcendent theatre that embodies all the pain and spirit of a Gospel-sustained and resilient community and one of its children. Starring Andrea Fleming in a dazzling bravura performance as Celie. The must-see show runs through May 1st.

The problem with FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL is that it's not the movie. One among those films that just don't make it as stage adaptation. Arizona Broadway Theatre's production makes the point in a show that's more flat than flash. Runs through April 24th.

Telling it like it is, Kerry Lengel (THIS IS NOT A REVIEW: Lonesome George Goes to the Theatre) reviews the National Tour production of TOOTSIE, running through March 20th at ASU Gammage in Tempe, AZ.

In Stray Cat Theatre’s Arizona premiere of the absorbing 2019 play SHEEPDOG by Kevin Artigue, now playing at Tempe Center for the Arts Studio Theatre until March 26th, a young police officer in an interracial partnership – he’s white, she’s black - answers an emergency call while on duty. He rushes to the scene. Directed by Louis Farber.

Kerry Lengel's unique and innovative take on FARINELLI AND THE KING, written by Claire Van Kampen and directed by Carmen Jakobi, getting its Arizona premiere at Southwest Shakespeare Company and running through March 20th at the Mesa Arts Center.

Sedona filmmakers Bryan Reinhart and Ronald Melmon's FOREVER WILD chronicles the valiant years-long struggle to preserve the Valley Floor of Telluride as open space. Compelling and inspiring, the documentary will be aired on PBS stations in April.

Janet Craig's WAKE UP is a raw and harrowing eye-opener to the insidious and seductive tactics that entrap young innocents. Featured at this year's Sedona International Film Festival.

Mariette Hartley and Jerry Sroka sparkle in OUR ALMOST COMPLETELY TRUE STORY, a sterling account of their love story, told with humor and poignancy. One of the features to be screened at this year's Sedona International Film Festival on Saturday, February 26th at the Sedona Performing Arts Center.

Alastair Evans's documentary, A CRACK IN THE MOUNTAIN, brings to the forefront the potential threats to the grandeur and sanctity of one of the world's great environmental treasures. Featured at this year's Sedona International Film Festival (February 19th-27th).

Karen Burns's AN OTHERWISE MAGICAL LIFE, showing at Theatre Artists Studio through March 6th, is a stunning and uplifting account of one woman's journey to overcome life's trials and tribulations.