December 12, 2006
The Nutcracker
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the new Ballet Arizona holiday production of "The Nutcracker," that features a familiar story of Clara's Christmas Eve dream inspired by her new nutcracker toy. This year features a new $1.8 million production conceived by the company's artistic director, Ib Andersen.
ticketmaster.com
"The Nutcracker" continues through December 27 at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call the Ballet Arizona box office at 602-381-1096 or Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444.
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November 27, 2006
Night of the Iguana
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Nearly Naked Theatre's production of Tennessee Williams' "The Night of the Iguana," a play that looks at the relationship of three characters at a lonely Mexican hotel in 1940. Shannon, a defrocked minister, must decide between hotel proprietor and floozy Maxine and a prudish spinster, Hannah.
www.nearlynakedtheatre.org
"The Night of the Iguana" continues through December 16 at the Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2432 or online at www.nearlynakedtheatre.org.
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November 19, 2006
Jitney
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Theatre Company production of August Wilson's "Jitney," a play that looks at the African-American experience during the 1970s in Pittsburgh through the eyes of car service drivers in a small, illegal company.
www.arizonatheatre.org
"Jitney" continues through December 3 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 602-2256-6995 or online at www.arizonatheatre.org.
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November 15, 2006
Vilna's Got a Golem
( Phoenix,AZ )KBAQ theater critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company production of "Vilna's Got a Golem" a contemporary play that explores the ancient jewish myth of a golem, a mysterious creature who helps the Jews fight persecution.
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November 07, 2006
Fat Pig
( Phoenix )KBAQ theater critic Chris Curcio reviews another Arizona premier this week, Stray Cat theater's production of "Fat Pig".
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October 30, 2006
Jenny Chow
( Phoenix,AZ )Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona premier of "The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow" presented by Actors Theater.
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October 23, 2006
Chicago
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the touring production of the Broadway musical revival of "Chicago" about two murderesses, Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, in the '20s.
asugammage.com
"Chicago" continues through Sunday, October 22 at Gammage Auditorium on the ASU campus in Tempe. For tickets call the Ticketmaster box office at 480-784-4444.
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October 09, 2006
Twefth Night
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Theatre Company's production of the Bard's romantic comedy, "Twelfth Night," that explores two romantic love affairs, one between Viola and Orsino, the other between Olivia and Sebastian, along with a comic interlude involving several characters from Olivia's household.
arizonatheatre.org
The show opens ATC's 40th anniversary season. "Twelfth Night" continues through October 22 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call the Arizona Theater Center box office at 602-256-6995 or go online at www.arizonatheatre.org.
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October 02, 2006
The Tempest
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Southwest Shakespeare Company's production of the Bard's romantic comedy, "The Tempest," that explores several themes although it is not a great work but is known primarily for its elegant language.
www.mesaartscenter.com
The show continues through October 14 at the Mesa Arts Center in downtown Mesa. For tickets call the Mesa Arts Center box office at 480-644-6500 or go online at www.mesaartscenter.com.
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September 25, 2006
Completely Hollywood (abridged)
( Phoenix,AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Actors Theatre's season opener, "Completely Hollywood (abridged)," by and featuring cast members from the Reduced Shakespeare Company. In the same vein as the company's earlier shows, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" and "The Complete History of America (abridged)," this new show uses some 200 films to create a parody of movie making.
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September 18, 2006
Thoroughly Modern Millie
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Phoenix Theatre's season opener, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," that traces a young Kansas woman's arrival and romantic success in New York City during the 1920s flapper era. It is based on the popular film musical.
www.phoenixtheatre.com
For tickets call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151 or go online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.
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September 14, 2006
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway musical hit "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" that is based on the popular movie and looks at two conmen who swindle rich American women on the French Riviera.
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September 11, 2006
Falling Petals
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the local premiere of the Australian play "Falling Petals" that tells about a small town that faces a medical crisis that kills young people.
www.straycattheatre.org
"Falling Petals" plays through September 23 at the EXIT Theatre located at the Metro-Arts campus in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call, the Stray Cat Theatre box office at 480-820-8022 or go online at straycatthteatre.org.
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August 28, 2006
Wicked
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the local premiere of the musical, "Wicked," based on Gregory Maguire's novel, that is a pre-sequel to "The Wizard of Oz" and explores the relationship between the good witch, Glinda, and the evil witch, Elphaba.
asugammage.com
Although "Wicked" is sold-out through its September 3 closing at Tempe's Gammage Auditorium, a lottery for $25 seats is available 2½ hours before each performance at the Gammage box office. For information call, Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444.
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August 21, 2006
Take Me Out
( Phoenix,AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the local premiere production of the Tony award-winning play, "Take Me Out," as presented by the Nearly Naked Theatre. The play, through a star baseball player, reveals what it is like to be gay in today’s society. It runs through September 16 at the Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call, the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.
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June 08, 2006
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway in Arizona production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" that is Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of the biblical tale of Jacob and his 12 sons that stars Patrick Cassidy.
www.asugammage.com
The production runs through June 11 at Gammage Auditorium on the Arizona State University campus in downtown Tempe. For tickets call, the Ticketmaster box office at 480-784-4444 or go online to www.asugammage.com.
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May 22, 2006
Trainspotting
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Stray Cat Theatre production of "Trainspotting" that shows the awful effects of drug addiction.
straycattheatre.org
The production runs through June 3 at the Exit Theatre located at Metro Arts, 1700 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix. For tickets, call the Stray Cat Theatre box office at 480-820-8022 or go online to www.straycattheatre.org.
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May 15, 2006
Tuesdays With Morrie
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Theatre Company stage production of Mitch Albom's successful novel "Tuesdays With Morrie" that tells about the relationship between Morrie, a man dying of Lou Gehrig's Disease, and one of his college students, Mitch.
www.arizonatheatre.org
Tuesdays With Morrie runs through May 28 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix and then plays the Mesa Arts Center from June 2-11. For tickets call, the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 602-256-6995 or go online at www.arizonatheatre.org.
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May 08, 2006
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the iTheatre Collaborative production of Paul Zindel's 1970 Pulitzer-Prize winning play, "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds," which looks at a dysfunctional, weird family headed by Beatrice who uses bizarre controls on her daughters, Tillie and Ruth.
herbergertheater.org
"The Effect of Gamma Rays ..." runs through May 20 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown
Phoenix. For tickets call, the iTheatre Collaborative box office at
602-347-1071.
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May 01, 2006
The Goat or Who is Sylvia?
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Actors Theatre production of Edward Albee's new Pulitzer Prize winning play, "The Goat or Who is Sylvia?" The bizzarre play is about an architect with an unusual passion that Albee uses as a metaphor.
atphx.org
"The Goat" plays at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through May 14th. For tickets, call the Herberger Theater Center box office at 602-252-8497, call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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April 23, 2006
The Sword and the Stone
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company production of "The Sword and the Stone" that introduces the Arthurian legend to young audiences. Chris had a companion critic in 12-year-old Zoe Dennis and Chris will tell us their reaction to this production that marks the 25th anniversary of the Cookie Company.
phxtheatre.org
The production runs through April 30 at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call, the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151 or go online to www.phxtheatre.org
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April 17, 2006
The Women
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Phoenix Theatre production of Clare Boothe Luce's 1936 satiric comedy that looks at society matrons who have nothing better to do with their time than gossip and be bitchy.
www.phxtheatre.org
The production runs through April 30 at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call, the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151 or go online to www.phxtheatre.org.
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April 13, 2006
Golda's Balcony
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway in Arizona production of William Gibson's new solo play, "Golda’s Balcony," about Golda Meir's life as Israel’s leader.
www.asugammage.com
The production runs through April 16 at Gammage Auditorium on the Arizona State University campus in downtown Tempe. For tickets call, the Ticketmaster box office at 480-784-4444 or go online to www.asugammage.com.
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April 10, 2006
Much Ado About Nothing
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Southwest Shakespeare Company's season finale, "Much Ado About Nothing," the Bard's comedy that is based on numerous deceptions and multiple disguises to confuse and mislead characters. The play is most notable for the tempestuous relationship between Beatrice and Benedick.
www.mesaartscenter.com
The production runs through April 15 at the Mesa Arts Center in downtown Mesa. For tickets call, Mesa Arts Center box office at 480-644-6500 or go online to www.mesaartscenter.com
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April 03, 2006
Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the world premiere Arizona Theatre Company production of "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure." Steven Dietz's new adaptation of an 1899 play is about clever detective Sherlock Holmes crime solving escapade involving an opera star and Holmes dreaded enemy, the evil Professor Moriarty.
www.arizonatheatre.org
The production runs through April 16 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call, Arizona Theatre Company box office at 602-256-6995 or go online to www.arizonatheatre.org.
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March 27, 2006
The Importance of Being Earnest
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio doesn't usually review productions that open and close quickly. He made an exception for the Theatre Royal Bath's production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" that played last week at the Herberger Theater Center under the sponsorship of Arizona Theatre Company. The production will play a few other American engagements before returning home to play an extended run. The production starred Lynn Redgrave. Since we thought many listeners might have seen the production or be interested in it, we feature a review of this production.
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March 20, 2006
Corteo
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the latest touring Cirque du Soleil show, "Corteo," that is a joyous procession imagined by a clown that is performed by 55 artists from 16 countries.
www.cirquedusoleil.com
"Corteo" plays in a large blue and yellow tent at Westworld in Scottsdale through April 9 with a possible extension. For tickets, call the Admission Network box office at 1-800-678-5440 or go online to www.cirquedusoleil.com.
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March 13, 2006
Sordid Lives
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Nearly Naked Theatre's Arizona premiere production of Del Shores dark comedy, "Sordid Lives." It takes place in a small Texas town and looks at three generations of a family after the death of the family matriarch.
phxtheatre.org
"Sordid Lives" plays at the Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix through March 25. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.
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March 06, 2006
Benefactors
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Actors Theatre's production of Michael Frayn's "Benefactors" that explores public housing in London from 1968 to 1983 when the city was destroying old, architecturally significant homes to build new public housing.
atphx.org
"Benefactors" plays at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through March 19. For tickets, call the Herberger Theater Center box office at 602-252-8497, call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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March 02, 2006
Mamma Mia!
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the touring production of "Mamma Mia!," the musical with a score by ABBA that frames a simple romantic story set on Greek Island.
asugammage.com
"Mamma Mia!" is part of this season’s Broadway in Arizona series at Gammage Auditorium where it plays through March 5. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or go online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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February 27, 2006
I Love A Piano – The Songs of Irving Berlin
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Phoenix Theatre's production of "I Love A Piano – The Songs of Irving Berlin," one of two authorized musical revues to use the composer's catalogue of hit songs. This one loosely tells the story of his life.
www.phxtheatre.org
The production continues to March 19. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.
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February 22, 2006
Kimberly Akimbo
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Stray Cat Theatre production of “Kimberly Akimbo,” David Lindsay-Abaire’s new dark comedy about Kimberly, a teenager who has a rare medical condition that causes her to age four times faster than normal and who lives in a bizarre, dysfunctional family.
www.straycattheatre.org
The production continues to February 25. For tickets, call the Stray Cat Theatre box office at 480-820-8022 or go online to www.straycattheatre.org.
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February 13, 2006
Crowns
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the new Arizona Theatre Company production of "Crowns," Regina Taylor's adaptation of the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry that tells the story of why African-American women wear elaborate hats to Sunday religious services.
www.arizonatheatre.org
"Crowns" continues to February 26. For tickets, call the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 602-256-6995 or go online to www.arizonatheatre.org.
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February 06, 2006
Man of La Mancha
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the new Peoria dinner theater, Arizona Broadway Theatre's, production of "Man of La Mancha" that traces the imprisonment of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes during the Inquisition and his fanciful tale of Don Quixote, an errant knight, and his idealistic quest to find "The Impossible Dream."
Arizona Broadway Theatre
The production is the third for the theater and it continues to March 5. For tickets, call the Arizona Broadway Theatre’s box office at 623-776-8400.
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January 30, 2006
Kiss of the Spiderwoman
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Actors Theatre's production of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Manual Puig's play that looks at the uncomfortable and unusual relationship of two Argentine prisoners, one a Marxist journalist and political detainee and the other a gay window dresser, in 1976.
atphx.org
The drama plays in Stage West at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through February 5. For tickets, call the Herberger Theater Center box office at 602-252-8497 or Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444.
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January 16, 2006
The 1940's Radio Hour
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Phoenix Theatre production of "The 1940's Radio Hour," a nostalgic look back at the 1940s through a radio variety show that incorporates period music and commercials.
www.phoenixtheatre.org
The musical plays at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix through February 5. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.
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January 09, 2006
Oklahoma
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre's production of "Oklahoma," Rodgers and Hammerstein's first collaboration that is a rousing look at the territory about to become a state.
www.broadwaypalmwest.com
The musical plays at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at Brown and Higley Roads in Mesa through February 18. For tickets, call the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre box office at 480-325-6700 or go online at www.broadwaypalmwest.com.
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January 02, 2006
Hank Williams: Lost Highway
( Phoenix, AZ )KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Arizona Theatre Company's production of "Hank Williams: Lost Highway," Randal Myler and Mark Harelik’s biography of the country singer/composer's that intersperses his troubled life with over two dozen of his hit songs.
www.arizonatheatre.org
The production plays at downtown Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center through January 22 before moving to the Mesa Arts Center from February 3-12. For tickets, call the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 602-256-6995 or go online at www.arizonatheatre.org.
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