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December 31, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Anything Goes

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre production of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," a 1934 show with a silly story that is used to present the all-hit score of wonderful songs and explosive production dance numbers.



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December 17, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Nutcracker

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Ballet Arizona's annual production of "The Nutcracker." Clara has a dream that whisks her off to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairies after receiving a Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve.



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December 09, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Caroline, or Change

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Black Theatre Troupe's local premiere of "Caroline, or Change," a new musical about racial bigotry and injustice.



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December 06, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Holiday Shows

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ's Theater Critic Chris Curcio gets us into the holiday spirit with his reviews of Actor's Theatre "A Christmas Carol,", Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre's "Sounds of Christmas," and the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular."



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December 02, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Metamorphoses

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ's Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Nearly Naked Theatre production of Mary Zimmernan's contemporary play "Metamorpheses." The play uses 10 Greek myths and parallels them to contemporary life situations.



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November 19, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Altar Boyz

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Phoenix Theatre production of "Altar Boyz", an off Broadway spoof of Christian rock n' roll boy bands. "Altar Boyz" traces the band's final performance and reveals the relationships between five band members.



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November 11, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Touch the Names

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Theatre Company production of "Touch the Names: Letters to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The playwrights went through hundreds of mementos left at the base of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and fashioned these tributes into a play that gives respect to veterans who lost their lives in the War.



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November 05, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Dog Sees God

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Stray Cat Theatre's area premiere production of "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," that takes Charlie Brown and his friends and places them in more realistic life situations.



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October 29, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Pursuit of Happiness

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Actors Theatre production of Richard Dresser's new comedy, "The Pursuit of Happiness," that explores a middle-class family and how they question the values they have worked hard to achieve.

Herberger Theater Center Herberger Theater Center
"The Pursuit of Happiness" plays through November 11 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. For tickets, call the Herberger Theater Center box office at 602-252-8497.



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October 21, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Story

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Black Theatre Troupe's season premiere, "The Story," a drama about Yvonne, a young black woman and reporter, who goes against her powerful editor to create a sensational story about a murder that Yvonne later admits, is not true. "The Story" plays through October 28th at the John Paul Theatre on thr Phoenix College campus in downtown Phoenix. For tickets, call the Black Theatre Troupe box office at 602-258-8128.



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October 14, 2007

This links opens to an audio file George Gershwin Alone

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Theatre Company's season premiere, "George Gershwin Alone," a solo show created by star Hershey Felder that puts the American composer into a biographical context. Following the composer's death at age 38, Felder drops the show's initial context and creates an audience sing-along of the composer's works. "George Gershwin Alone" plays through October 28th at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. For tickets, call the Arizona Theatre Company box office at 602-256-6995 or go online at www.arizonatheatre.org.



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October 08, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Swing

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre production of the musical revue, "Swing," that is a collection of over two dozen popular jumpin' dance band era songs and the jivin' dance styles that characterize this period. "Swing" plays through November 17 at Mesa's Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at Brown and Higley roads. For tickets, call the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre box office at 480-325-6700 or gon online at www.broadwaypalmwest.com.



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October 04, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Jersey Boys

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway in Arizona production of the Broadway hit musical "Jersey Boys," the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and how these guys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations. "Jersey Boys" plays through October 14th at ASU Gammage in downtown Tempe. For tickets call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or go online to www.asugammage.com.



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September 30, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Taming of the Shrew

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Southwest Shakespeare Company season opener, "The Taming of the Shrew," the Bard's romantic comedy that takes a playful and boisterous look at two unlikely lovers, Petruchio and Kate. "The Taming of the Shrew" plays through October 13th 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 24, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Crazy for You

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Phoenix Theatre season opener, "Crazy for You,", the "new" George Gershwin musical that uses 1930's "Girl Crazy" with an updated playbook, elaborate dance numbers and aditional Gershwin songs that frame a harmless story of young love. "Crazy for You" plays through October 14th at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix. For tickets, call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151 or go online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.



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September 20, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Lieutenant of Inishmore

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the actors theater season opener, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore." The play by Martin McDonagh is a farce that takes on the IRA and the irish political struggles using gore hysterically. "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" plays at the Herbeger Theater Center in downtown phoenix through September 30th. Tickets are available at the Herberger Theater Center box office, 602-252-8497.



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September 17, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Charlotte's Web

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Childsplay season opener "Charlotte's Web." The play is adapted from E.B. White's classic childrens story about a runt pig, Wilbur. "Charlotte's Web" plays through October 14 at the new Tempe Center for the Arts by Tempe Town Lake. For tickets, call the Tempe Center for the Arts box office at 480-350-2822 or go online at www.chi;dsplayaz.org.



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September 09, 2007

This links opens to an audio file A Number

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Stray Cat Theatre's season opener, "A Number," Caryl Churchill's one act drama that explores human cloning as well as father and son relationships. "A Number" plays through September 22 at the EXIT Theatre @ Metro Arts in Downtown Phoenix. For tickets, call the Stray Cat Theatre box office at 480-820-8022 or go online at www.straycattheatre.org.



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August 23, 2007

This links opens to an audio file 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 a Greek island. "Mamma Mia!" is an extra attraction in the new Broadway in Arizona series at ASU Gammage where it plays through August 26. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 480-774-4444 or go online to www.ticketmaster.com.



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August 09, 2007

This links opens to an audio file

This links opens to an audio file Sweet Charity

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the new revival of "Sweet Charity," a 1966 musical that traces the life and loves of Charity Hope Valentine, a New York City dance hall hostess in 1966 with a heart of gold. The touring production, starring Paige Davis, plays at Gammage Auditorium on the ASU campus in downtown Tempe through August 12. For tickets call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444.



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August 06, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Beehive

This links opens to an audio file Beehive

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the '60s musical revue, "Beehive," a 40 song tribute to the girl groups and the female artists of this era. The production plays at Mesa's Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through September 22. Call tthe Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre box office at 480-325-6700 or go online to www.broadwaypalmwest.com for tickets.



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July 23, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Vegas Revue part two

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the second four of nine Las Vegas shows he attended while he was there in June. Chris reviews "The Blue Man Group" and three Broadway musicals cut down and spectacled up for the extended Las Vegas run, "Phantom, the Las Vegas Spectacular," "Monty Python's Spamalot," and "The Producers."



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July 15, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Vegas Review

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the first of nine Las Vegas shows he attended when he went to Sin City in June. In this installment, he reviews the four Cirque du Soleil shows he saw, "O", "Zumanity", "Ka" and "Love", plus another review, "Le Reve". These shows play in various Las Vegas strip hotels indefinitely. For Cirque du Soleil tickets, call 702-792-7777, and for "Le Reve" tickets, call 702-770-WYNN.



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July 10, 2007

This links opens to an audio file New Works Festival

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ's Jon Town talks with resident playwrite Dick Warren about Phoenix Theatre's New Works Festival, which celebrates it's 10th season with staged readings of four new plays. After each reading the audience is invited to share their thoughts and ask questions of the writer, director and actors. The New Works Festival runs from Friday, July 13th through Saturday, August 4th with performances at 7:30pm Friday & Saturday plus Saturday matinees at 3pm at Phoenix Theatre in the Little Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Get tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com or call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.



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June 14, 2007

This links opens to an audio file All Shook Up

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the local premiere of the new musical "All Shook Up," which uses 24 Elvis Presley song hits in a simple boy meets-girl-plot set in the midwest during 1955. The touring musical plays at Gammage Auditorium on the ASU campus in downtown Tempe through Sunday, June 17th. For Tickets call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or buy them online at www.asugammage.com



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June 11, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Bat Boy

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona premiere of the Nearly Naked Theatre production of "Bat Boy," an off Broadway musical that focuses on an animal/man character who lives in a small town with a family and tries to become fully human. "Bat Boy" plays through June 30th at The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix. For tickets call the Phoenix Theatre box office, 602-254-2151.



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May 20, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Pillowtalk

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Hale Centre Theatre stage production of the famous Doris Day/Rock Hudson moview "Pillowtalk." The play keeps the stage comedy intact if it lacks the movie's implied sexuality. "Pillowtalk" plays through June 30th at the Hale Centre Theatre in downtown Gilbert. For tickets call the Hale Centre Theatre box office at 480-497-1181.



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May 17, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Light in the Piazza

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Broadway touring production of "The Light in the Piazza," a musical version of Elizabeth Spencer's 1960 novella about Margaret Johnson and her daughter Clraa's trip to Florence where Clara falls in love with an Italian, Fabrizio Naccarelli. "The Light in the Piazza" plays through May 20 at Gammage Auditorium on the ASU campus in downtown Tempe. For tickets call Ticketmaster at 480784-4444 or go online at www.asugammage.com.



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May 13, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Bad Seed

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews iTheatre Collaborative's 50th anniversary tribute to Maxwell Anderson's "The Bad Seed," a murder mystery that focuses on eight year old Rhoda Penmark and some nasty things she does. "Bad Seed" plays through June 2nd at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown phoenix. Call the iTheatre Collaborative box office, 602-347-1071 for tickets or visit their website, www.itheatrecollaborative.org.



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May 07, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Rep Fest

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the last two plays in this years Arizona Theatre Company's Rep Fest, "I Am My Own Wife", which traces the life of transvestite Charlotte von Mahlsdorf who managed to live in Germany through the Nazi and Communist regimes, and "Molly's Delicious," which looks at the lives of three people in a small Minnesota town where raising Molly's Delicious apples is the prime attraction.

www.arizonatheatre.org www.arizonatheatre.org
"I Am My Own Wife" continues through May 20th and "Molly's Delicious" through May 27th, both at the Herberger Theater Center. Get tickets by calling the Arizona Theatre Company box office, 602-256-6995, or purchase them online at www.arizonatheatre.org.



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April 30, 2007

This links opens to an audio file The Pillowman

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the local premiere of the award-winning drama, "The Pillowman", a play that looks at storytelling, children and the vile things that can happen to them and different views of the truth. It also debates censorship. "The Pillowman" plays at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through May 13. You can purchase tickets at the Herberger box office, 602-252-8497, or by calling Ticketmaster, 480-784-4444 or on their website, www.ticketmaster.com.



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April 23, 2007

This links opens to an audio file "Love, Janis"

( Phoenix, AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Theatre Company state premiere production of "Love, Janis," a musical about the late singer that includes 17 of her famous song hits. "Love, Janis" plays at the Center Stage of the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through May 19th. Ticketa are available by calling the Arizona Theatre Company box office, 602-256-6995.



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April 15, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Forever Plaid

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ's Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Hale Centre Theatre production of "Forever Plaid", a musical revue that spoofs '60s male harmony groups that focused on that decade's upbeat music as well as pop '50s songs. "Forever Plaid" plays at the Hale Centre Theatre in downtown Gilbert through May 12th. Call the Hale Centre Theatre box office for tickets, 480-497-1181.



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April 09, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Cyrano de Bergerac

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Southwset Shakespeare Company's production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" and it's ill fated central character's love of his cousin Roxanne. "Cyrano de Bergerac" plays through April 14th at the Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater at the Mesa Arts Center. Call the Mesa Arts Center box office, 480-644-6500, for tickets or buy them online at www.mesaartscenter.com.



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April 02, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy

( Phoenix,AZ )

Stray Cat Theatre had their local premiere production of Alana McNair and Kate Wilkinson's "Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy" that spoofs the movie. The play looks at the illicit affair between an unsatisfied businessman and business woman that turns bizarre and turns it into a hysterical comedy. KBAQ's Theater Critic Chris Curcio was in the audience and gives us his impression of the play. "Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy" plays at the Exit Theatre at Metro Arts in downtown Phoenix through April 21.



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March 26, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Frozen

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio tells us his impression of iTheatre Collaborative's production of Bryony Lavery's disturbing new play "Frozen". "Frozen" plays at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through Sunday, April 1st.



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March 18, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Augusta

This links opens to an audio file Augusta

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews Actors Theatre's production of "Augusta", Richard Dresser's new comedy about the foibles of big business through the eyes of impoverished workers. "Augusta" plays at Stage West in the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix through March 25.



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March 12, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Beauty and the Beast

This links opens to an audio file Beauty and the Beast

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Arizona Opera premiere local production of Andre Modeste Gretry's 1771 version of "Zemire and Azor" or "Beauty and the Beast". The opera was an early adaptation of the popular story that is very different than the more familiar Walt Disney version. "Beauty and the Beast" played at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix and closed Sunday, March 11.



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March 04, 2007

This links opens to an audio file Betty's Summer Vacation

( Phoenix,AZ )

KBAQ Theater Critic Chris Curcio reviews the Nearly Naked Theatre production of Christopher Durang's "Betty's Summer Vacation" that slams every social norm through wacky characters and the weird things they do. "Betty's Summer Vacation" plays at The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre in downtown Phoenix through March 10th. For tickets call the Phoenix Theatre box office at 602-254-2151.



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February 26, 2007