Saturday, August 29, 2026

Review Highlights: THE PROM - Arizona Broadway Theatre

Lynzee Foreman, Dani Cleveland, Jamie Parnell,
Andy Meyers, and Cassandra Klaphake
Photo by Alexxis Grant, Timeless Present Photos
 
highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through September 13

"The musical comedy The Prom may not have had a lengthy Broadway run but it's found a second life at regional theatre companies; I've seen four productions in town over the past three years and there have been many others in Phoenix as well. It's a bright and winning comedy, with a big heart, so it's understandable why it's been produced by so many companies. The current Arizona Broadway Theatre production features astute direction and wonderful performances from many company veterans who have, collectively, appeared in dozens of shows at the Peoria theatre company over the years. This makes for a knock-out presentation of this witty show that is not only a love letter to musical theatre but also a touching reminder about the power of acceptance and inclusion."   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

"The 2018 Broadway musical THE PROM transforms what sounds like a groan-inducing premise into a sneakily moving musical; four self-absorbed Broadway actors descend on a small Indiana town to save a lesbian teenager and discover that becoming a decent human being requires more than finding the right cause on social media. Now shimmying and belting its heart out at Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria until September 13, writers Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin approach their musical as if BYE BYE BIRDIE was suddenly saddled with a social conscience.  It’s a valentine to golden-age musicals, but this time the themes and the jokes have teeth."   - David Appleford, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)

Auditions for PETER PAN at Tempe Family Theatre announced for September 3


 
Tempe Family Theatre is holding auditions for Peter Pan, adapted by Jennifer Reif.  The show is aimed at younger actors but is open to actors ages 7+.  The show is no-cut, so everyone who registers will be cast.  It is a great opportunity for young actors.  Rehearsal schedule is flexible but all actors must be available for all performances. 


Auditions: September 3rd, 5-7 PM at Tempe Escalante Center

Rehearsals: September 8 - September 23, M-Th 5:30-8:30 PM

Performances: September 24-26, Unity of Mesa

Register online and bring a headshot to auditions.

Your first look at SPINNING INTO BUTTER at Ghostlight Theatre











 

photos by Sheridan Wood 

Friday, August 28, 2026

Auditions for GODSPELL at Fountain Hills Theater announced for September 12 & 13



Auditions for Godspell
September 12th & 13th

Directed by Ross Collins
Musically Directed By Jay Melberg
Choreographed By Hilary Hirsch

A small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and hefty doses of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.

AUDITION DATES:

Saturday, September 12 at 12:00pm and Sunday, September 13 at 6:00pm
Callbacks (if required) Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00pm

Rehearsals Begin Monday, September 21

PRODUCTION DATES:
November 6 – 22, 2026
Performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm

Auditions for RUMORS at Paradise Valley Community College announced for September 8


Auditions for Rumors 
Directed by Gary Zaro 

Auditions: Sept. 8, 4:00-6:00pm & Sept. 10, 6:00-8:00pm in Studio Theatre 
Callbacks:  Sept. 11, 6:00-8:00pm 
Callbacks will be cold reads from the script.  

Studio Theater Building M-East 18401 North 32nd Street,  Phoenix, AZ 85032 

Go to www.paradisevalley.edu/theatre and select Auditions from left menu  
Sign up for a 5 minute audition time slot  

Headshot and Resume: Preferred but not required   

Actors will do cold reads from the script. They may also do a pre-prepared monologue.   

Rehearsals Begin: September 14th. 
Rehearsal schedule is M-F, 4:00-6:30pm (subject to change based on actor availability). 

Performance Times:   October 16, 17, 23, 24 @ 7:00pm and 18, 25 @ 2:00pm  

Play Synopsis: As their tenth wedding anniversary party commences, Charlie lies bleeding in another room, and his wife Myra is nowhere in sight. The first guests, lawyer Ken Gorman and his wife Chris, scramble to get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. 

AVAILABLE ROLES 
PVCC Theatre’s casting is open to include every race, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation and physicality.   

Ken Gorman – A well-respected lawyer and a close friend of Charlie and Myra. Ken is intelligent, quickthinking, and often tries to take charge when things spiral out of control. He is married to Chris. 

Chris Gorman – Ken’s wife. Chris is nervous, excitable, and prone to panic under pressure, but she is also caring and supportive, and tries to maintain order amid the chaos. 

Lenny Ganz – A sarcastic, sharp-witted accountant. Lenny is quick with a joke or a biting remark, especially when stressed. He is married to Claire. 

Claire Ganz – Lenny’s wife. Claire is elegant, observant, and enjoys sharing gossip. She is loyal to her friends and quick to offer her opinions. 

Ernie Cusak – A psychiatrist and amiable guest, Ernie is calm and tries to remain rational, often mediating disputes among the group. He is married to Cookie. 

Cookie Cusak – Ernie’s wife, a quirky and enthusiastic cooking show host. Cookie is dramatic, eccentric, and physically comedic, with a tendency for back spasms. 

Glenn Cooper – A rising politician with his fair share of insecurities and secrets. Glenn is imageconscious and ambitious, often concerned about his reputation. He is married to Cassie. 

Cassie Cooper – Glenn’s wife. Cassie is attractive and high-strung, spiritual, and believes in crystals. She is jealous and suspicious of Glenn, leading to frequent arguments. 

Officer Welch – A tough, no-nonsense police officer. Welch is skeptical of the group’s story and persistent in seeking the truth about the evening’s mysterious events. 

Officer Pudney – Welch’s junior partner. Pudney is quieter, less experienced, and mainly observes,

Paradisevalley.edu/theatre        602-787-6580


*All performers/crew are required to register for THP201AA, (1 credit) 

Fourth Wall Photo Studio & Order Chaos Theater Company announce Fall line up for their free IN FOCUS series


 
IN Focus

A Fourth Wall Photo Studio & Order Chaos Theater Company Collaboration Series

IN Focus is a FREE monthly event

Celebrating Creativity, Conversation, and community.

Inspired by the artistic salons of 16th-century Italy and 17th- and 18th-century France, IN Focus brings artists and audiences together in an intimate and welcoming environment where ideas, stories, and creativity can flourish.

IN Focus is more than a performance series—it's an opportunity to connect, ask questions, share perspectives, and gain a deeper appreciation of the creative process.

Admission is FREE and open to the public.

All Events begin at 4pm

September: Meet the Playwrights (Local Playwrights and their work)
October: The V Monologues Prelude
November: Set Painting Workshop & BYOB (in Partnership with the AriZoni Theatre Association)
December: A (re)telling of The (Last) Gift of the Magi

Come observe, be entertained, and become part of the conversation.

Fourth Wall Photography Studio 9119 N 7th St Ste 202, Phoenix, AZ 85020

*Venue is on the second floor with staircase access only

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Auditions announced for THE DROWNED COMPASS, TheaterWorks' immersive theatre experience, for September 4 & 6


AUDITION SIGN-UPS ARE OPEN FOR THE DROWNED COMPASS!

Something mysterious is stirring beneath the surface... and we’re looking for actors and singers ready to come aboard.

TheaterWorks is seeking performers ages 21+ for The Drowned Compass, our brand-new immersive theatre experience. This unique production will place audiences inside the story, and we’re looking for engaging, adventurous performers who are excited to help bring this mysterious new world to life.

Auditions: September 4 & 6
Stipend: Paid per performance
Availability: Strong availability October–March is preferred
Performances will take place multiple times Thursday–Sunday

Audition requirements vary by role, so be sure to review the full audition details and preparation requirements before signing up for a time slot.

Learn more & reserve your audition:

Questions? Our Production Manager, Courtney Stevens, would be happy to help at cstevens@theaterworks.org.

Are you ready to venture below the surface? 

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Auditions for DRACULA at Childsplay's YETi Announced for September 8

 
Director: Ricky Araiza
Stage Manager: Alexis Nomorosa
YETi Program Manager: Rachel McCabe

Questions? Email yeti@childsplayaz.org

The vampire Dracula flees Transylvania for London, where the teeming population provides ample fodder for his blood-thirst. Only Agatha Van Helsing, the world famous metaphysician, has a hope of stopping the Prince of the Undead. Can Van Helsing save the day? Or will her heroic efforts merely render her the next victim to Dracula’s deadly bite? A fresh new take on a timeless horror classic.

Video Auditions Due: Thursday, September 8th at 11:59 PM 
In Person Auditions: September 8th between 5 PM - 9 PM (time slots)
Callbacks: September 10th between 5 PM - 9 PM (Exact times TBD)
First Rehearsal/Table Read: Saturday, September 19th from 2:30 PM - 5:30PM
We will also have our Parent/Caregiver Meeting at the first rehearsal. A guardian must attend the first 30 minutes of the rehearsal to review the actor contract and ask any questions they might have about the rehearsal process. 

Rehearsals: 
Will meet on Saturdays between 2 - 5:30 PM, plus an additional 1-3 days a week (Generally Mondays and Wednesdays between 5:30 - 9:00 PM)

Rehearsals will take place at our campus in downtown Tempe: 900 S. Mitchell Drive, Tempe AZ 85281 

Exact rehearsal dates are determined based on availability/conflicts given by production staff and actors, we will have a preliminary outline by the first rehearsal 

Tech Week: November 8-11
Sun - keep this full day open
Mon – Wed Times: 5:30 PM – 10 PM 
Shows at Childsplay Campus of Imagination and Wonder, 900 S. Mitchell Drive Tempe AZ 85281: 
Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM   
Friday, November 13th at 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 14th at 7:00 PM
Friday, November 20th at 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 21st at 7:00PM
Sunday, November 22nd at 7:00PM

Character Break Down
Note: Depending on the number of performers, there may be understudies/swings, double cast characters, or actors playing multiple roles. 

Count Dracula – he is a vampire
Dorinaa – young Transylvanian woman, Dracula’s victim
Stefan – Dorina's lover, another victim
Zora Barbu – Dorina’s sister
Gustaf – Zora’s husband; an innkeeper in Bisritz
Jonathon Harker – a solicitor from London
Dr. Jack Seward – he is a friend of Harker, runs a lunatic asylum near London
Mina Seward – Jack’s sister, engaged to Harker
Lucy Weston – Mina’s best friend
Renfield – she is one of Seward’s patients, eats flies
Agatha Van Helsing – expert on diseases, Seward’s former professor
Guard – an attendant in the Asylum
Woman #1 – a vampire
Woman #2 – a vampire

Tempe Center for the Arts 2026/2027 Season!



SINGALONG BROADWAY!
Friday, September 25
7:30PM

Description: Join other Broadway fans and musical theater lovers in a wildly fun interactive night that's part concert and part party. Audiences of all ages and all experience levels will enjoy the high energy musical celebration featuring some of Broadway's most popular hits.



Childsplay's The Snowy Day
Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 11 am

The Snowy Day celebrates the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall! Incorporating innovative shadow puppetry, follow Peter and his friends as they romp and play in this imaginative musical play about the childhood joys and challenges of growing up.



Le Patin Libre: Melt
Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4
7:30PM & 2PM

Description: In a post-apocalyptic world, two skaters survive on humour and love. Melt blends figure skating virtuosity with contemporary dance in an intimate, surreal reflection on what truly matters in uncertain times.

 

The Filharmonic
Friday, October 16
7:30PM

Description: A Filipino-American a cappella group known for NBC’s The Sing-Off and viral appearances on The Late Late Show. Blending Hip Hop, pop, and R&B, they deliver high-energy performances on stages worldwide. 





Shoshana Bean
Saturday, October 17
7:30PM

Description: Don’t miss this rare evening with Shoshana Bean, the powerhouse vocalist and Tony-winning Broadway star whose award-winning albums and unforgettable stage presence have earned her acclaim from Carnegie Hall to the recording studio. With the raw emotional force of her Grammy-winning album Only Smoke and show-stopping renditions spanning musical theater, rock, gospel, and soul, she delivers an intimate, transformative concert unlike any other.

 


Orkesta Mendoza
Saturday, November 14
7:30PM

Description: Orkesta Mendoza brings an irresistible, energetic sound blending Latin rhythms with indie rock and brass. Led by Sergio Mendoza, this vibrant group delivers a bold, border-crossing musical experience you won’t want to miss.



The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show
Sunday, November 22
1PM

Get ready for a phenomenal fun fest of flying fur! The Canine Stars is an educational Stunt Dog Show featuring rescued dogs, inspiring compassion for the underdog. Audiences will be enthralled with non-stop action, interaction and inspection.  Featuring dock diving, agility, flying discs, flyball racing, and a post-show meet & greet where guests can ask the trainers questions and take selfies with the stars, this is an unmissable event for the entire family.



Swing Into The Holidays with Caity Gyorgy and Christian Wiggs
Friday, December 4
7:30PM

Description: Swing Into The Holidays is a festive evening of beloved holiday movie hits and classic carols, featuring Caity Gyorgy and Christian Wiggs. This family-friendly show invites audiences to sing along and celebrate the season in style.

 

Sounds of the Season with The Swingles
Sunday, December 20
4PM
Description: Enter a sparkling world of pitch-perfect holiday harmony as The Swingles transform classic and contemporary seasonal tunes into fresh, joyful, and unforgettable a cappella magic. With their Grammy‑winning vocal brilliance and signature warm, festive energy, this feel-good show delivers a nostalgic yet modern celebration that lifts and renews the spirit.


Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show
Sunday, January 10
7:30PM
Description: Strap in for Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show, presented by the multi-faceted and hilarious actor, writer, pianist and conductor Seth Rudetsky. This award-winning 90-minute tour-de-force breaks down brilliant performances, showcases medleys, highlights Barbra Streisand, and provides audiences with a knee-slapping smorgasbord of theater topics, all covered by Seth.

 

Dorsten
Friday, January 15, 2027
7:30PM
Description: Experience the spellbinding sound of Dorsten, the Phoenix-born sibling duo whose cinematic folk pop blends Sophie’s soaring vocals and Alex’s multi‑instrumental artistry into an emotional, unforgettable live performance. Fresh off major festivals, international tours, and sessions at RAK Studios and Abbey Road, this fast‑rising Arizona act returns to Tempe for one special night you won’t want to miss.
 

Lightwire Theatre’s The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Gen
Saturday, January 23 & Sunday, January 24, 2027
7:30PM & 2PM

Description: A fresh sequel to Aesop’s classic, this visually stunning production follows the next generation of the Tortoise and the Hare as they navigate a world of modern distractions. Featuring dynamic storytelling and music from classical to pop, the show brings new energy and heart to a timeless tale.

 

Gangstagrass
Saturday, February 6
7:30PM

Description: Blending bluegrass strings with hip‑hop flow, Gangstagrass delivers a high‑energy show that pulls every audience member into the moment.

 


Versa-Style Dance Company’s TRIBUTE: Guardians of Street Dance
Friday, February 19 & Saturday, February 20, 2027
7:30PM

Description: Experience Versa-Style’s 20-year journey through a dynamic celebration of West Coast Hip Hop and L.A.-born street dance styles, brought to life through powerful movement, music, and multimedia. Audiences are immersed in a living tribute honoring influential artists past and present who shaped global street dance culture.


 

Empire At Sea Virtual Reality
March 12-20, 2027

Description: An interactive augmented-reality drama experienced through AR headsets, where participants follow cinematic holograms and explore a futuristic city at sea on an interactive table. After a catastrophic event wipes out the mainland, stranded climate scientists must decide whether to welcome mysterious newcomers—testing their vision of survival, sustainability, and inclusion.
Empire at Sea is a Co-presentation with the ASU Gammage Beyond Series and co-commissioned by The Lincoln Center for the Arts and ASU Gammage.

 



Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy; Four on the Floor
Saturday, May 1
7:30PM

Description: Internationally renowned Celtic fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy return to the stage with an all-new show, joined by their two eldest children for a captivating night of musical magic.



NoGravity Theatre’s Divine Comedy
May 7 & 8
7:30PM

Description: A breathtaking, acrobatic reinterpretation of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Using Baroque illusions, flying, and vertical dance, performers defy gravity in a surreal vision of weightless souls and spiritual ascent.

Your first look at PERFECT ARRANGEMENT at B3 Theater








Your first look at THE PROM at Arizona Broadway Theatre


























 Photos by Alexxis Grant, Timeless Present Photos