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Phoenix Chorale Presents A Chorale Christmas
by BWW News Desk - November 04, 2019
This holiday season, the Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale offers messages of hope, peace, and joy with a?oeA Chorale Christmas,a?? December 13-17, 2019 (see full schedule below). The Phoenix Chorale's holiday concerts are a tradition for many Valley residentsa?"proving 'it just isn't Christmas until you've heard the Chorale sing!'
Diablo Ballet Kicks Off Holiday Season This Week
by BWW News Desk - November 04, 2019
Mark the start of the holiday season with Diablo Ballet's perennial favorite, A Swingin' Holiday, and a freshly reimagined tale of another beloved celebrated Christmas classic, The Nutcracker Suite, from November 8 - 10 at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek.
BLK BOX PHX Will Present THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA
by BWW News Desk - November 02, 2019
BLK BOX PHX presents this wildly twisted holiday romp, offering up madcap mishaps, screwball comedy, troubadour elves with an attitude and a very different take on Santa! Not exactly the jolly Old Nick we all know and love. The aforementioned Santa is a rampaging home wrecker and enslaver of elves, who decides to bring his earthly mistress and two illegitimate children home to the North Pole. Not surprisingly, Mrs. Claus is not taking this lying down. The ensuing mayhem, including attempted poisonings, igloo cars, time travel and marital melees, makes for a decidedly dark and deranged Yuletide, with some holiday cheer sprinkled on top to remind us of the true reason for the season.
BWW Review: ANASTASIA National Tour Impresses All Ages at Gammage Auditorium
by Tim Shawver - November 02, 2019
The first clue that ANASTASIA was going to be different than what I expected was a note on the title page reading, “Inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox Motion Pictures.” Plural? A savvy journalist, I quickly asked Siri to bring up the imdb page for “Anastasia”. Turns out Fox made ANASTASIA twice, the 1997 animated movie and a 1957 film that scored Ingrid Bergman's second Oscar and marked Helen Hayes' transition to the big screen. And it turns out the musical version has more in common with LES MISERABLES and RAGTIME than BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Gone is the hell-wizard Rasputin, his talking fruit bat sidekick, and the singing demon caterpillars. At intermission, I asked my third grade niece, Adalyn, how she was liking it. “It's awesome…it's real people, like no Beast or anything. No animals.” We decide that Disney staged musicals are great but more it's more impressive when you can achieve the magic without a story that departs from reality. ANASTASIA is historical fiction hypothetical. It poses a “what if…?” that a daughter of the last czar of Russia (The Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna) escaped when the czar's family was executed in 1918. Rumors persisted for decades that Anastasia did, in fact, escape. In 2007, DNA testing confirmed the remains of all four Grand Duchesses were in the Imperial grave. In this version, Terrence McNalley's book follows Anastasia's rediscovery of her identity after surviving the attack on her family and sustaining some plot enabling amnesia. Renamed “Anya” she grows up and makes a life in post-Revolution Russia. Anastasia's grandmother, the Dowager Empress (in a staggeringly moving performance by Joy Franz) has fled to France and offered a cash reward for anyone escorting the rumored alive Anastasia to Paris. The wily duo Vlad (Edward Staudenmayer) and Dmitry (Jake Levy) pull a My Fair Lady style makeover on Anya to collect the Dowager's prize. They are pursued by Gleb (Jason Michael Evans). A Soviet officer drawn to Anya romantically but tasked with finding and eliminating the last Romanov. Anya's memory becomes somewhat coaxed back, but the Dowager has stopped seeing Anastasia claimants after too much heart-break from countless frauds. It sounds dark, but with high-tech digital scenery and inspired performances across the cast it is delightful. Stephen Flaherty (Music) and Lynn Ahrens (Lyrics), responsible for bringing us RAGTIME, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, LUCKY STIFF, as well as the Oscar nominated songs carried over from the animated film. ANASTASIA is a perfect context for this pair. “Stay, I Pray You” (my favorite song of the evening) is evocative of RAGTIME's “New Music”. The two songs literally race my heart in a strangely specific way. My real test of a National Tour at Gammage is how fast I get the music playing in my car on the way home. At ANASTASIA I was already finding, “Stay, I Pray You” walking through the parking lot. The rest of the score is similarly haunting. Lila Coogan, as Anya/Anastasia, powers through the score with nuance, clarity, and passion. Tari Kelly, as Countess Lily, and Stadenmayer (Vlad) were Adalyn's favorite performances and I have to agree. This incredibly gifted pair take the “triple threat” designation (singer, dancer, actor) and go quadruple with the addition of flawless comic timing. The choreography by Peggy Hickey is masterful. It somehow combines inventive and traditional throughout and the ten-minute slice of “Swan Lake” infused into “Quartet at the Ballet” is the highlight of the second act. It's a fun-size version that gets an under-represented art form onto the plate. This kind of trope often means the plot putting the plot on hold. But here, it is the connective tissue between Anya, Dmitry, the Dowager, and Gleb as they each bring us up to speed heading into the show's climax. Ultimately, the show's success comes from applying a higher artistic standard to the “previously-animated-film-now-theatrically-staged” genre. It cashes in on the name draw of the 1997 film then gives the viewer something much more enriched than what they think they are coming to see.
BWW Review: iTheatre Collaborative Presents Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN
by Herbert Paine - November 01, 2019
Continuing in its tradition of presenting socially relevant and provocative theatre, iTheatre Collaborative has scored again with a riveting production of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN, directed by Christopher Haines and featuring compelling and impassioned performances by Susan St. John, Marlene Galan-Woods, and Kristina Rogers.
Sonoran Desert Chorale Celebrates Holidays With 'Good Tidings We Bring'
by BWW News Desk - October 31, 2019
Seasonal favorites and the glorious combination of brass, organ and singers highlight the Sonoran Desert Chorale's holiday concert, 'Good Tidings We Bring.'
Arizona Theatre Company Will Present CABARET
by BWW News Desk - October 30, 2019
Arizona Theatre Company (Sean Daniels, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) will bring the timeless “masterpiece of musical theatre” (Chicago Tribune), Cabaret and its powerful political wallop to the Temple of Music & Art from Nov. 30-Dec. 29 and the Herberger Theater Center from Jan. 4-26.
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre Announces 2020 Season Line Up
by BWW News Desk - October 29, 2019
It's Here!! Don Bluth Front Row Theatre's Exciting 2020 Season. See the full lineup below!
Rosie's House, A Music Academy for Children, Has Reached $1,000,000 Threshold In Support for Operations
by BWW News Desk - October 29, 2019
Becky Ballard, CEO of Rosie's House, and its Board of Directors announced they have completed their annual report for FY19 and have brought the non-profit organization to annual thresh-hold of $1,000,000 in support for operations.
Childsplay Stages ELLA ENCHANTED THE MUSICAL
by BWW News Desk - October 29, 2019
Childsplay brings the charming musical, ELLA ENCHANTED to downtown Phoenix for the holidays. Based on the Newbery-honor book and popularized by the major motion picture starring Anne Hathaway, ELLA ENCHANTED: THE MUSICAL is a retelling of the Cinderella fairytale but with an empowering message for girls.
BWW Review: MACBETH at Southwest Shakespeare Company
by Emily Noxon - October 28, 2019
Macbeth and his wife are determined to ascend to the throne. Following a prophesy that comes true, Macbeth will do whatever it takes to keep the throne. Macbeth murders everyone he perceives to be a threat to his throne and loses his grip on reality as he does so.
Two Cirque Du Soleil Shows Are Coming To Arizona For The First Time
by BWW News Desk - October 28, 2019
 Known for its spellbinding shows of acrobatics and creativity, Cirque du Soleil announces it will bring two arena shows never before seen in the state to three different Arizona cities in the spring of 2020. OVO, which has been seen by over 6 million people since its original premiere in 2009, arrives in Phoenix for the first time at Talking Stick Resort Arena, February 20-23, 2020 for 6 performances.
BWW Review: THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP at Southwest Shakespeare Company
by Emily Noxon - October 28, 2019
Lord Edgar has a new wife, but his connection to his dead wife, Irma Vep, threatens to destroy his new relationship and his career as an Egyptologist.
Photo Flash: First Look at THE BURN At The Judith Hardes Theatre
by BWW News Desk - October 27, 2019
LK BOX PHX opens the first show of its 2019-2020 Season, with Philip Dawkins' 'The Burn'. The play tackles the subject of the use and misuse of social media and its affect on our society and conversations. Runs through Sunday, November 10th, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM. Student, senior, group and art card discounts available. Playing at the Judith Hardes Theatre at The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phx. 85004.
BWW Review: Arizona Regional Theatre Presents BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
by Herbert Paine - October 27, 2019
Arizona Regional Theatre's BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON a rock-solid show, featuring great turns by Logan Scott Mitchell and supporting cast.
MAN OF LA MANCHA Comes to FHT
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2019
Fountain Hills Theater announces the opening of the 'Impossible Dream' musical Man of La Mancha!
TheaterWorks at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts Announced Its Production of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2019
Witness Roald Dahl's fantastical tale of a boy, his insect friends and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant piece of fruit come to life as TheaterWorks presents James and the Giant Peach November 15-24, 2019 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts on the Gyder Stage.
BWW Review: Hale Centre Theatre Presents HELLO, DOLLY!
by Herbert Paine - October 26, 2019
HELLO, DOLLY! is glowin', crowin', and goin' strong at Hale Centre Theatre as Alaina Beauloye commands the stage as the unstoppable and unflappable matchmaker with a knack for arranging furniture, daffodils, and, of course, marriages. The show, directed by Cambrian James runs through November 23rd.
Black Theatre Troupe's BLACK NATIVITY Will Be Returning This Holiday Season
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2019
Last season's sold-out, legendary holiday event by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes returns to the Black Theatre Troupe stage. Each year, the production of BLACK NATIVITY features new musical selections and text, filled with dynamic gospel choruses, soloists and dance ensembles. 
Fountain Hills Theater Has Announced The Opening of AGNES OF GOD
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2019
Fountain Hills Theater has announced the opening of the drama Agnes of God. Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, is charged with assessing the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn. Miriam Ruth, the Mother Superior, determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone's suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone's questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax. A hit on Broadway and later on film.
Fountain Hills Theater Announces Annual Fundraising Event Havana Nights
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2019
Fountain Hills Theater announces their annual fundraising gala, Broadway in the Hills - Havana Nights!
Canal Convergence Offers Creative Programming and Entertainment for All Ages
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2019
Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light is a free, 10-day, public art event from Nov. 8a?"17, 2019, at the Scottsdale Waterfront with creative programming and entertainment for all ages.
LONI ANDERSON ~ Showbiz Legend Joins Animation Legend Don Bluth In Celebration Of 30th Anniversary Of ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN
by Herbert Paine - October 24, 2019
Extensive and far-ranging interview with Loni Anderson. The showbiz legend joins animation legend Don Bluth in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN. November 23 at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre.
Local Light Expands Canal Convergence into Old Town
by BWW News Desk - October 24, 2019
Back for its second year, Local Light continues to expand the artistic footprint of Canal Convergence throughout Old Town Scottsdale.
Final Week To Submit Nominations For The 2019 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards, Presented by TodayTix!
by BWW News Desk - October 24, 2019
This is the final week to submit nominations for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Don't miss your chance to make sure your favorite Phoenix Theatres are represented!

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