Review: IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre

Adapting a classic film to the stage is no easy task. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT director Erica Parrish found it "a challenge, but lots of fun."

As an actor, choreographer and now director, she's a budding triple threat at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Who better to tackle adding a third dimension to a 1934 B&W film? After all, Parrish played Mary Bailey (nee Hatch) in Bluth's most recent productions of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

She starred opposite Harmon Swartz last year, and cast him as reporter Peter Warne in IHON (Clark Gable's most popular role before GONE WITH THE WIND). The role of Ellie Andrews, hallmarked by Claudette Colbert, rightfully went to Katherine Martin.

The Swartz-Martin chemistry, mixed with a delightful supporting cast (Patty Stephens and Tom Endicott are hilarious auto camp owners), and some simple-yet-inventive stagery make this production worth seeing before it closes on April 28.

One famous scene missing from the film: When Gable revealed his bare chest and allegedly tanked t-shirt sales (fact check). We should've known better after a bus driver tells Warne to keep his shirt on and he says, "I never intended on taking it off."

Click here for tickets and here for directions to the little theatre that could and does!

Next up, Cheryl Schaar directs SOME LIKE IT HOT (May 10 - June 30).

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Revival of a Musical - Top 3

1. Ragtime

39.2% of votes

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22.2% of votes

3. Chess

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