Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Hale Centre Theatre seeks actor (age 40-50) to play Caractacus Potts in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG


Hale Centre Theatre is seeking a Caractacus Potts for their production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, playing Jul 5, 2019 – Aug 17, 2019.

CARACTACUS POTTS: (LEAD; 40-50; Male; A3-G5) An eccentric, brilliant, English inventor and loving father and son. His inventions and children are his life. Must sing and dance.

All ethnicities are encouraged to audition. Union and Non-Union welcome to apply.

The show is produced by David & Corrin Dietlein, directed and choreographed by Cambrian James & music directed by Lincoln Wright. Performances are Wed thru Sat nights, with Fri & Sat matinees at 3pm.

If interested, please email your head shot, resume, and video reel (which includes singing, reading, and dancing) to auditions@haletheatrearizona.com

Baker Performing Arts' May 2019 Events

 BAKER PERFORMING ARTS: UPCOMING MAY 2019 SHOWS & EVENTS

2035 S. Alma School Rd. at Baseline Rd., Mesa. (Centrally located by Loop 101 & US 60)

(Tickets available at www.BakerPerformingArts.com )

FUNDRAISING GALA & AWARDS PRESENTATION, May 3rd at 7pm. Cory McCloskey, Fox10 News - Guest Speaker, performances by all 6 casts of our upcoming productions of Frozen Jr., Lion King Kids & Swan Lake the Play. Tickets are transferable for 1-week of summer camp, summer musical, summer play or transferable as a gift to any child!

DISNEY’S LION KING, KIDS MUSICAL, May 7, 8, 9 & 11 at 7pm: The African savannah comes to life on stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.

SWAN LAKE PLAY, May 13th at 7pm: Prince Siegfried must chose a bride by the end of his twenty-first birthday, but the princesses assembled by the queen and Lord Chamberlain just won’t do! So Siegfried escapes later that evening for a quick hunting expedition into the woods, where he nearly shoots at what turns out to be his one true love, Odette. Unfortunately for her and Siegfried, Odette is under a spell of evil sorcerer Von Rothbart and is doomed to spend her days as a swan, taking her human form only at night. It’s all part of the master plan for Von Rothbart, who will stop at nothing to gain power over the kingdom — including using his daughter Odile to trick Siegfried and capture the throne. Luckily, just when it looks as though Von Rothbart will have his way, true love prevails.


DISNEY’S FROZEN JR. MUSICAL, May 18th at 4pm & 7pm: The enchanting modern classic from Disney Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

SUMMER CAMP, June 3 – August 1. Pick 1-week or up to 8-weeks! M-Th, 9am-3pm (doors open 8:30am) $125/week, aftercare available 3pm-6pm $5/day for campers only (pay at drop off as needed) Sing, Act, Dance, Guitar, Piano. We conclude every week of summer camp on Thursday with a FREE showcase performance at 2:30pm!!

supplemental auditions for YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at Limelight Performing Arts


Supplemental Auditions: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown with Limelight Performing Arts

Performances: June 26-30

Rehearsals begin: Fridays & Saturdays in May starting May 10, and additional rehearsal dates in June.

Casting ages 18 and under.

To Schedule an audition: email limelightartsaz@gmail.com

2019 Tony Award Nominations


Nominations for the 2019 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

Marking 73 years of excellence on Broadway, The Tony Awards, hosted by James Corden, will be broadcast live from the Radio City Music Hall on CBS, on Sunday, June 9th, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay). 

Best Play

Choir Boy
Author: Tarell Alvin McCraney
Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove

The Ferryman
Author: Jez Butterworth
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Neal Street Productions, Ronald Frankel, Gavin Kalin Productions, Roy Furman/Benjamin Lowy, Scott M. Delman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Ron Kastner, Starry Night Entertainment, Kallish Weinstein Creative, Scott Landis, Steve Traxler, Richard WInkler, Rona Delves Broughton/Bill Damaschke, 1001 Nights, Burnt Umber Productions, Rupert Gavin, Scott Rudin, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler, Sam Levy/Lauren Stevens, Ramin Sabi/Christopher Ketner

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Author: Taylor Mac
Producers: Scott Rudin, Barry Diller, Eli Bush, Eric Falkenstein, Suzanne Grant, No Guarantees, Universal Theatrical Group, James L. Nederlander, Columbia Live Stage, John Gore Organization, Spring Sirkin, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Jamie deRoy, Wendy Federman, Barbara Manocherian, Al Nocciolino, Bruce Robert Harris & Jack W. Batman, Adam Rodner, Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson

Ink
Author: James Graham
Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove, The Almeida Theatre, Rupert Goold, Denise Wood, Sonia Friedman Productions, Diane Benjamin

What the Constitution Means to Me
Author: Heidi Schreck
Producers: Diana DiMenna, Aaron Glick, Matt Ross, Madeleine Foster Bersin, Myla Lerner/Jon Bierman, Jenna Segal/Catherine Markowitz, Jana Shea/Maley-Stolbun-Sussman, Rebecca Gold/Jose Antonio Vargas, Level Forward, Cornice Productions, Lassen Wyse Balsam, Nederlander Presentations/Kate Lear, Clubbed Thumb, True Love Productions, New York Theatre Workshop


Best Musical

Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Producers: Ira Pittelman & Tom Hulce, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, EMI Entertainment World, Inc., Josh Berger, Ken Schur, Ron Simons, Stephen Byrd, Alia Jones, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Cheryl Wiesenfeld, Harriet Newman Leve, Jeffrey Finn, Stephen & Nancy Gabriel, Darren Bagert, David Binder, Wendy Federman, Susan Quint Gallin, Mickey Liddell, Robert Ahrens, Christopher Maring, David Mirvish, Stacy Jacobs, Marianne Mills, Loraine Alterman Boyle, deRoy-WInkler, Karmazin-McCabe, Koenigsberg-Krauss, Zell-Kierstead, Deborah Barrera, Robyn & Larry Gottesdiener, The Araca Group, Rashad V. Chambers, Mike Evans, Hani Farsi, John Gore Organization, Mike Karns, Willette & Manny Klausner, Gabrielle Palitz, No Guarantees, Sheldon Stone, Stuart Weitzman, Universal Music Theatrical

Beetlejuice
Producers: Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Langley Park Productions, Jeffrey Richards, Jam Theatricals, IMG Original Content, Rebecca Gold, Benjamin Lowy, James L. Nederlander, Warner/Chappell Music Inc., ZenDog Productions, deRoy Federman Productions/42nd.club, Latitude LInk, Mary Lu Roffe, Terry Schnuck, Marc Bell & Jeff Hollander, Jane Bergère, Joanna Carson, Darren DeVerna & Jere Harris, Mark S. Golub & David S. Golub, The John Gore Organization, Ruth & Steve Hendel, LHC Theatrical Fund, Scott H. Mauro, Networks Presentations, No Guarantees, Gabrielle Palitz, Pierce Friedman Productions, Iris Smith, Triptyk Studios

Hadestown
Producers: Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, Tom Kirdahy, Carl Daikeler, Five Fates, Willette & Manny Klausner, No Guarantees, Sing Out, Louise! Productions, Stone Arch Theatrical, Benjamin Lowy/Adrian Salpeter, Meredith Lynsey Schade, 42nd.club, Craig Balsam, Broadway Strategic Return Fund, Concord Theatricals, Laurie David, Demar Moritz Gang, Getter Entertainment, Deborah Green, Harris Rubin Productions, Sally Cade Holmes, Marguerite Hoffman, Hornos Moellenberg, Independent Presenters Network, Jam Theatricals, Kalin Levine Dohr Productions, Phil & Claire Kenny, Mike Karns, Kilimanjaro Theatricals, Lady Capital, LD Entertainment, Sandi Moran, Tom Neff, MWM Live, Patti Sanford Roberts & Michael Roberts, Schroeder Shapiro Productions, Seriff Productions, Stage Entertainment, Kenneth & Rosemary Willman, KayLavLex Theatricals, Tyler Mount, Jujamcyn Theaters, The National Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop

The Prom
Producers: Bill Damaschke, Dori Berinstein, Jack Lane, James & Catherine Berges, Nelda Sue Yaw, Natasha Davison, Joe Grandy, Kimberlee Garris, Lisa Morris, Terry Schnuck, Jane Dubin, Rosalind Productions, Inc., FAHS Productions, Seth A. Goldstein, Mike Kriak, Don & Nancy Ross, Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra & Stephen Della Pietra, Cliff Hopkins, Masie Productions, Vivek Shah, Three Belles & A Bob, Arment-Tackel, Armstrong-Manocherian, Fakler-Silver, Fox Theatricals-Mosbacher-Lonow, Palitz-Stern-Smedes, Nancy & Ken Kranzberg/David Lyons, Larry & Elizabeth Lenke/Elizabeth L. Green, Iris Smith/Instone Productions, Kuhlman-Ketner/Wallace-ATxRandomProductions, The John Gore Organization, The Shubert Organization, Independent Presenters Network, Margot Astrachan, Darren P. DeVerna & Jeremiah J. Harris, Reagan Silber

Tootsie
Producers: Scott Sanders, Carol Fineman, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Columbia Live Stage, Sally Horchow, James L. Nederlander, Benjamin Lowy, Cindy and Jay Gutterman/Marlene and Gary Cohen, Judith Ann Abrams Productions, Robert Greenblatt, Stephanie P. McClelland, Candy Spelling, Jam Theatricals, Roy Furman, Michael Harrison/David Ian, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler/Wendy Federman/Heni Koenigsberg, JAA Productions/Stella LaRue/Silva Theatrical Group, Toho Co. Ltd., Jonathan Littman, Peter May, Janet and Marvin Rosen, Seriff Productions, Iris Smith, Bob Boyett Thomas L. Miller, Larry J. Kroll/Douglas L. Meyer, Victoria Lang/Scott Mauro, Brunish/Caiola/Fuld, Jr./Epic Theatricals, Ted Liebowitz/Lassen Blume Baldwin, The John Gore Organization, Ronald Frankel, Char-Park Productions, Chris and Ashlee Clarke, Fakston Productions, The Woodland Hills Broadway Group, 2 Js and an A. Inc., Tom McGrath/42nd.club, Drew Hodges and Peter Kukielski, Jim Fantaci, Frederike and Bill Hecht, Brad Lamm, Independent Presenters Network


Best Revival of a Play

Arthur Miller's All My Sons
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers, Steve Dow

The Boys in the Band
Author: Mart Crowley
Producers: David Stone, Scott Rudin, Patrick Catullo, Aaron Glick, Ryan Murphy

Burn This
Producers: David Binder, Ruth Hendel, Big Beach, Sharon Karmazin, OHenryGS Productions, Ken Schur, Jayne Baron Sherman, Cynthia Stroum, Barbara Whitman, Richard Willis, Adam Zotovich, The Shubert Organization, Ambassador Theatre Group, Eric Schnall, Wendy Orshan, Jeffrey M. Wilson

Torch Song
Author: Harvey Fierstein
Producers: Richie Jackson, Eric Kuhn & Justin Mikita, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ken Fakler, David Mirvish, Lassen Blume/Karmen Boyz Productions, CJC & Priest/Judith Ann Abrams, Burnt Umber/True Love Productions, Caiola Productions/Torchbearers, Jujamcyn Theaters, Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman, Casey Reitz

The Waverly Gallery
Author: Kenneth Lonergan
Producers: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Columbia Live Stage, Eric Falkenstein, Suzanne Grant, James L. Nederlander, Universal Theatrical Group, John Gore Organization, Len Blavatnik, Peter May, Stephanie P. McClelland, Benjamin Lowy, Al Nocciolino, Patty Baker, Wendy Federman, Barbara H. Freitag, Heni Koenigsberg, David Mirvish, Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson



Best Revival of a Musical

Kiss Me, Kate
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers, Steve Dow

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Producers: Eva Price, Level Forward, Abigail Disney, Barbara Manocherian & Carl Moellenberg, James L. Nederlander, David Mirvish, Mickey Liddell & Robert Ahrens, BSL Enterprises & MagicSpace Entertainment, Berlind Productions, John Gore Organization, Cornice Productions, Bard Fisher/R. Gold, LAMF/J. Geller, T. Narang/ZKM Media, R/F/B/V Group, Araca/IPN, St. Ann's Warehouse, Tamar Climan, Bard Summerscape


Best Book of a Musical

Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, Dominique Morisseau
Beetlejuice, Scott Brown & Anthony King
Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell
The Prom, Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin
Tootsie, Robert Horn


Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Be More Chill, Music & Lyrics: Joe Iconis
Beetlejuice, Music & Lyrics: Eddie Perfect
Hadestown, Music & Lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell
The Prom, Music: Matthew Sklar, Lyrics: Chad Beguelin
To Kill a Mockingbird, Music: Adam Guettel
Tootsie, Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Paddy Considine, The Ferryman
Bryan Cranston, Network
Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird
Adam Driver, Burn This
Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Annette Bening, Arthur Miller's All My Sons
Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet
Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton
Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom
Derrick Baskin, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice
Damon Daunno, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Santino Fontana, Tootsie


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show
Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom
Beth Leavel, The Prom
Eva Noblezada, Hadestown
Kelli O'Hara, Kiss Me, Kate


Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Bertie Carvel, Ink
Robin De Jesús, The Boys in the Band
Gideon Glick, To Kill a Mockingbird
Brandon Uranowitz, Burn This
Benjamin Walker, Arthur Miller's All My Sons


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Fionnula Flanagan, The Ferryman
Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird
Kristine Nielsen, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Julie White, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Ruth Wilson, King Lear


Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

André De Shields, Hadestown
Andy Grotelueschen, Tootsie
Patrick Page, Hadestown
Jeremy Pope, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Ephraim Sykes, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations


Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Lilli Cooper, Tootsie
Amber Gray, Hadestown
Sarah Stiles, Tootsie
Ali Stroker, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Mary Testa, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!


Best Scenic Design of a Play

Miriam Buether, To Kill a Mockingbird
Bunny Christie, Ink
Rob Howell, The Ferryman
Santo Loquasto, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Jan Versweyveld, Network


Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Peter England, King Kong
Rachel Hauck, Hadestown
Laura Jellinek, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
David Korins, Beetlejuice


Best Costume Design of a Play

Rob Howell, The Ferryman
Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet
Clint Ramos, Torch Song
Ann Roth, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Ann Roth, To Kill a Mockingbird


Best Costume Design of a Musical

Michael Krass, Hadestown
William Ivey Long, Beetlejuice
William Ivey Long, Tootsie
Bob Mackie, The Cher Show
Paul Tazewell, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations


Best Lighting Design of a Play

Neil Austin, Ink
Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Peter Mumford, The Ferryman
Jennifer Tipton, To Kill a Mockingbird
Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden, Network


Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, The Cher Show
Howell Binkley, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Bradley King, Hadestown
Peter Mumford, King Kong
Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini, Beetlejuice


Best Sound Design of a Play

Adam Cork, Ink
Scott Lehrer, To Kill a Mockingbird
Fitz Patton, Choir Boy
Nick Powell, The Ferryman
Eric Sleichim, Network


Best Sound Design of a Musical

Peter Hylenski, Beetlejuice
Peter Hylenski, King Kong
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Drew Levy, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, Hadestown


Best Direction of a Play

Rupert Goold, Ink
Sam Mendes, The Ferryman
Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird
Ivo van Hove, Network
George C. Wolfe, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus


Best Direction of a Musical

Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown
Scott Ellis, Tootsie
Daniel Fish, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Des McAnuff, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Casey Nicholaw, The Prom


Best Choreography

Camille A. Brown, Choir Boy
Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me, Kate
Denis Jones, Tootsie
David Neumann, Hadestown
Sergio Trujillo, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations


Best Orchestrations

Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, Hadestown
Simon Hale, Tootsie
Larry Hochman, Kiss Me, Kate
Daniel Kluger, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Harold Wheeler, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations


Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories

Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Rosemary Harris
Terrence McNally
Harold Wheeler 

Special Tony Awards
Marin Mazzie
Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company
Jason Michael Webb

Regional Theatre Tony Award
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
Palo Alto, CA

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award
Judith Light

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre
Broadway Inspirational Voices - Michael McElroy, Founder
Peter Entin
FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9
Joseph Blakely Forbes

Monday, April 29, 2019

WEEK AT A GLANCE: April 29- May 5

Click on any show title to get more information on that production

CLOSING:


THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Scottsdale Musical Theater Company
April 25-May 5, 2019

BLITHE SPIRIT 
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre 
March 21-May 4, 2019

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN 
Stray Cat Theatre 
April 12–May 4, 2019

PIPPIN 
Fountain Hills Theater 
April 19–May 5, 2018

OLIVER! 
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre 
April 5-May 5, 2019

WICKED 
April 3-May 5, 2019 
ASU Gammage

CONCERTS / LIMITED RUNS:


SWEENEY TODD 
Musical Theatre of Anthem 
May 2-5, 2019

OPENING:

COOKIN'S A DRAG
Phoenix Theatre
May 1-May 26, 2019



BRIGHT STAR 
Stage Left Productions 
May 10-19, 2019

STEEL MAGNOLIAS 
Almost Famous Theatre Company
May 9-12, 2019

SEUSSICAL, JR. 
Desert Foothills Theater 
May 10-19, 2019

DISENCHANTED! 
Fountain Hills Theater 
May 10-26, 2018

WOLVES OF SHERWOOD
Brelby Theatre Company 
May 10-26, 2019

THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE 
Arizona Theatre Company 
May 16-June 2, 2019

DISNEY'S NEWSIES 
Hale Centre Theatre 
May 16-June 29, 2019

DEATHTRAP 
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre 
May 16 - June 29, 2019

Lea Salonga 
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 
May 17, 2019

The Texas Tenors
Phoenix Symphony Orchestra
May 17, 2019 - May 19, 2019

DISNEY ALADDIN, JR. 
Pinnacle Creative Arts Studio 
May 17-19, 2019

IN THE HEIGHTS 
Mesa Encore Theatre
May 17-June 2, 2019

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! 
A/C Theatre Company
 May 17-June 2, 2019

BE MY LITTLE BABY 
Space 55
May 17-June 9, 2019

LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL 
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre 
May 17-June 16, 2019


photos - BROADWAY BOUND - Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre

CLICK HERE for more information on production, which runs through June 9











photos by Renee Ashlock

photos - LOVE AND MONEY - Theatre Artists Studio

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through May 19








photos by Mark Gluckman

review - PIPPIN - Fountain Hills Theater

Lacey Dixon, Skyler Washburn and Kathi Osborne
Photo by Stephanie Tippi Hart
by Carolyn Thomas

The play-within-a-play format still continues to thrive in theatre, and for good reason. With a unique take on the setting, placing the 'players' in a movie studio in the golden age of film, there's no lack of creativity in Fountain Hills Theater's production of Pippin. Still, creativity alone isn't always enough. While there are a few standouts in the cast curious, the sets and costumes are often confusing, but ultimately (and most importantly), the heart of the show comes through in the end.

Originating in 1972, Pippin boasts music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, well before his Wicked fame, a book by Roger O. Hirson, and was originally directed by Bob Fosse, who also contributed to the liberetto. Fosse's influence on the show is undeniable. Choreographer Jenny Lynne Iverson keeps the dancing very true to its source, though unfortunately at the cost of clean execution. The choreography in this production works best when at its simplest.

Pippin presents a delightful challenge as a production, and offers many opportunities for designers to play. Pippin, a young prince, yearns to be "Extraordinary" and pursues greatness in his life, but struggles to find his place in the world. He is a player in a group of actors, but the lines between Pippin's story and the players' begin to blur.

Director Peter J. Hill's choice to set his players in a movie studio during the golden age of film provides his designers with many places to shine, though the bold choices made don't always benefit the overall experience. This production fortunately uses the revised 1998 ending, coined by Mitch Sebastian, which gives a more satisfying conclusion to the show when compared to the original version. Noël Irick's costume designs take advantage of the chance to play, but reach far into many directions to the point of confusion. At the start, the plethora of vests, bow-ties, and androgyny are charming and fresh to the palette. We're whisked into the Middle Ages, but the costumes don't all seem to agree on what time period they're in and this continues as the show progresses. The only unifying threads are Pippin himself and the Leading Player, but even The Leading Player seems out of any time or place, despite the other players staying firmly rooted in their golden age of film when not part of the 'show'. There are many lovely, exciting costume pieces, and the hair and makeup by Gina Hoyt compliment the costumes.

Skylar Ponmai Washburn, as Pippin, brings a youthful exuberance and a bright, clean voice to the title character. Noël Irick grabs the audience as soon as she takes the throne as Berthe. She embodies everyone's favorite sassy grandmother with flair, and blends into her other, smaller roles with ease. The choice of casting a woman as The Leading Player is a delightful one, though not original since the Broadway revival also cast a woman in the part, and Kathi Osborne brings flavor to the role, though that flavor comes off a little packaged. Lacey Dixon is enjoyable as Catherine, the kindly widow, but few other actors stand out from the cast in this production.

Ultimately, the creative direction taken with Fountain Hills Theater's Pippin outshines the production itself. I stand by the idea that taking a risk in theatre is always worth doing, and can find little fault in the bold approach to this musical, only in the execution. Bravo for going bold.

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through May 5