The Soloist
The KBAQ book of the Month for June is "The Soloist" by Mark Salzman, a touching and genuine story of a onetime cello prodigy who loses one gift and finds others. Hear Randy´s other book reviews in the KBAQ Books-of-the-Month page.
Glass
Most of us think of glass as an everyday material; it's just a part of windows, televisions, insulation, and lighting. But there's another form of glass, so different that sometimes it seems almost alive, hardly even related to ashtrays and windshields. In an exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum, Katrina Becker explores an art form full of color and light.
Smokey Joe's Cafe
Chris Curcio reviews "Smokey Joe's Café." It is a 40 song musical revue featuring the '50s and '60s song hits of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It plays through July 13th at the Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre, Mesa. For tickets, call the Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre box office at 480-325-6700.
Cinderella
Chris Curcio reviews Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical version of "Cinderella." It tells of the title character's dream to leave her evil stepmother and klutzy stepsisters. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, she's transformed into a beauty who captures the Prince's love and, as in all good fairy tales, everyone lives happily ever after. It plays through June 23rd on Center Stage, at the Herberger Theater Center, in Phoenix. It's presented by Valley Youth Theatre. For tickets, call the Herberger Theater Center box office at 602-252-8497.
Teaching Genius
The KBAQ book of the Month for June is "Teaching Genius: Dorothy DeLay and the Making of a Musician" by Barbara Lourie Sand. An inspiring account of a remarkable woman who was the teacher of some of today's finest musicians, including Itzak Perlman, Sarah Chang, Gil Shaham, and Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg. Hear Randy´s other book reviews in the KBAQ Books-of-the-Month page.
Cookin' at the Cookery
Chris Curcio reviews "Cookin' at the Cookery." Marion J. Caffrey's "Cookin' at the Cookery" looks at jazz and blues singer Alberta Hunter's life through biographical information and through the music Hunter sang. It plays through June 16th at Stage West, Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix. It is presented by The Black Theatre Troupe. For tickets, call the Herberger Theater Center box office at 602-252-8497.
South Pacific
Chris Curcio reviews "South Pacific." Rodgers and Hammerstein's World War II musical about a romance between a French planter, Emile de Becque, and Nurse Nellie Forbush set on an exotic South Sea island includes a wonderful score and a now dated story that often forgets the war in favor of the artificial love story. The play is presented by Broadway in Arizona and runs through June 2nd at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444.
Triumph of Love
Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Premiere of James Magruder, Jeffrey Stock, and Susan Birkenhead's musical version of Marivaux's classic French comedy is about mistaken identities, disguises, and the importance of love. It plays through June 2nd at Theater Works, in Peoria. For tickets, call the Theater Works box office at 623-815-7930.
Sophisticated Ladies
Chris Curcio reviews "Sophisticated Ladies." Over 30 of Duke Ellington's songs form this revue that tells the story of the composer through the lyrics of the songs. Presented as an elaborate revue, the show is set in the various places where Ellington's world-renowned band performed like New York's famed Cotton Club. It plays through June 2nd at Phoenix Theatre, in Phoenix. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.
