Michael Barnard News

Voting has opened for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 27th. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.

Big TENS all around for THE TOXIC AVENGER, now burning up the stage of Phoenix Theatre and oozing with spectacular staging and absolutely intoxicating performances by Caleb Reese, Johanna Carlisle, Trisha Ditsworth, Nathaniel Lewis Tenenbaum, and Lucas Coatney.

The Phoenix Theatre presents THE WIZARD OF OZ, opening the weekend of Nov 20 - 22. In the video below, check out a behind the scenes look at Bastien who stars as Toto!

'The gala is our opportunity to celebrate the decades of excellent artistic education the Phoenix Boys Choir has provided countless young men,' said Maestro Georg Stangelberger, The Harvey K Smith Artistic Director of the Phoenix Boys Choir.  'Both longtime patrons and those new to the Phoenix Boys Choir will see a show packed with energy and excitement, with something for everyone.'

In Phoenix Theatre's Season-opening production of CHICAGO, Michael Barnard has gathered a storm of production quality ~ uplifting music, sexy and vintage costumes, elegant set design, and kickass choreography. The show, however, is all flash without the fire of Bob Fosse's satiric vision.

The Phoenix Boys Choir will be 'putting on the ritz' for its major Gala, 'That's Entertainment!' on Saturday October 17, 2015 at 6:00 pm in the Memorial Hall of Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road.   

Phoenix Theatre, entering its 96th consecutive season announces their 2015/2016 lineup filled with stunning, sweeping musicals, unique and offbeat treats and a World Premiere on its road to the Broadway stage.

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 60 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2014 Phoenix winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

Phoenix Theatre has rolled out the Holiday Season carpet with a Mary Poppins that will delight children of all ages and set the standard for this musical for years to come. The beauty of Michael Barnard's direction and musical staging is the seamless welding of a top-of-the-line cast and a brilliant technical crew. Trisha Hart Ditsworth is dazzling in her portrayal of the enigmatic nanny who literally descends upon the Banks household. Toby Yatso delivers a knock-your-socks-off performance as Bert, the jack-of-all-trades narrator. Lots of exceptional performances to delight one and all.

Hockadoo! Phoenix Theatre's production of Memphis is exhilarating! CJ Pawlikowski is electrifying as Huey Calhoun, the department store stockboy who finds the music of his soul in rock and roll and propels himself to local fame as a DJ, but not without stirring up the animosity of the local bigots. Michael Barnard's staging and direction of the Tony award-winning musical by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro is impeccable.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, DIVERGENT's Theo James is set to return to the UNDERWOLD universe for the fifth film in the franchise. He previously appeared in 2013's UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING.

Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is the fresh Broadway hit and irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend. It was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, winning three, including Best New Musical for 2005. During its initial run, it was seen by more than two million people. Check out a first look at PCPA's production below!

PCPA Theaterfest's upcoming 2013 Summer Season - which runs from June 13 through September 29 - features an effervescent assortment of theatrical experiences including musicals, comedies and penetrating drama. With the Marian Theatre in the midst of renovations, the Severson Theatre will be the primary Santa Maria venue for two productions, while Solvang will host two transferring shows and two productions which will play exclusively in the outdoor Festival Theater.

The world premiere of the powerful, intense new play 'The Royale' by Marco Ramirez opened yesterday, May 5 at the CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Directed by Daniel Aukin, 'The Royale' delivers a knock-out punch with its vivid depiction of a man fighting for his place in history. 'The Royale' continues through June 2, 2013. The cast includes Robert Gossett, Diarra Oni Kilpatrick, David St. Louis, Keith Szarabajkaand DeSean Terry. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening below!

Arkansas Repertory Theatre, or The Rep, will present the musical comedy favorite Hairspray from Friday, April 8 to Sunday, May 8. Two preview performances will play Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m., with a preshow discussion with the directors at 6:15 p.m. This production will be directed and choreographed by Michael Barnard and Robert Kolby Harper.