Cast announced for SHREK THE MUSICAL at Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona

 

Cast announced for SHREK THE MUSICAL at the Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona

MTAA is excited to introduce the incredible performers bringing Shrek the Musical to life.

November 7 at 7:00 PM

All Saints Lutheran Church

Tickets are available now at bit.ly/MTAA-SHREK

About the Show

When a solitary ogre’s swamp is suddenly overrun by fairy tale refugees, Shrek demands his space back—only to be sent on a reluctant quest by Lord Farquaad. Joined by an overly talkative Donkey, he sets out to rescue Princess Fiona and return to the life he knows. What begins as a simple deal quickly unravels into a journey filled with surprises, complications, and shifting alliances.

Based on the hit film, this stage version leans into comedy and spectacle while expanding the relationships at its core. As Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey collide in increasingly unexpected ways, the story challenges assumptions about identity, appearance, and belonging—revealing that people are rarely what the world assumes them to be.

This production will be approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.

SHREK THE MUSICAL is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

About Showcase

MTAA’s Showcase offers a unique kind of theatre experience. You’ll see a full musical performed with a live orchestra—but without sets, costumes, or choreography. Instead, the focus is on the music, the characters, and the story. With just two rehearsals, there’s a fresh energy to every production. Performers carry scripts, scenes are minimally staged, and what unfolds onstage is part concert, part storytelling, and entirely in the moment. It’s a one-night-only glimpse into the heart of a musical, performed by singers and instrumentalists from across the state.

Learn more at https://theatricallyaz.org/

Review Highlights: ANNIE - Hale Centre Theatre

 Ryann Monn and Adam Guinn
Photo by Nick Woodward-Shaw

 

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 November 21

"With its memorable songs, heartwarming story, and hopeful message, Annie is a beloved musical that can, unfortunately, sometimes veer into overly sentimental territory. Thankfully, Hale Centre Theatre's production features a very talented cast who embrace the show's optimism without making its characters overly saccharine or cloying. The performers, including Ryann Moon who is fantastic in the title role, find the humanity beneath these familiar characters, allowing the humor, hardships, and heartfelt moments to shine. The end result is an incredibly solid production that delivers an entertaining and satisfying take on this enduring musical."   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

Your first look at A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Tempe Family Theatre

 

photos by Sissy Van Den Handel

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through November 1

Cast announced for RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: THE ENCHANTED EDITION at Shine Theatre Company

 

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs November 5-8

Your first look at MEAN GIRLS at Mesa Community College

 

photos by Nick Woodward-Shaw

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs October 30-November 8

Casey Likes Returns to Arizona with concert performance on December 9 at the Phoenix Theatre Company

 

Casey Likes Presents: Back to the Past

Where: Hormel Theatre

When: Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Time: 7:30pm

From Arizona stages to Broadway stardom, Casey Likes is coming home for one unforgettable night of music, memories, and a little time travel.

Fresh off the announcement that he’ll star as Luther in Warriors, the highly anticipated new Broadway musical from Hamilton and In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, Arizona native Casey Likes returns home with Back to the Past. Before traveling through time as Marty McFly in Broadway’s Back to the Future: The Musical, captivating audiences in Almost Famous, or bringing the iconic J.D. to life in Heathers Off-Broadway, Casey was a kid growing up in Chandler, Arizona, with big dreams and an even bigger love of music. Now, he takes audiences on a one-of-a-kind musical journey through the songs, stories, and influences that shaped him into the Broadway star he is today.

Blending powerhouse vocals, personal stories, humor, and a few surprises, Casey takes audiences on a time-traveling adventure through his life, from the music of his childhood to the experiences that brought him to Broadway. Featuring everything from early 2000s pop and rock ‘n’ roll to R&B and musical theatre favorites, this intimate cabaret celebrates the artists, family, friends, and unforgettable moments that made him who he is.

And because no trip through time is complete without a few unexpected twists, audiences can look forward to special guests and surprises along the way.

Orchestrations by Ted Arthur

CLICK HERE for more information

Auditions for THE PRINCE OF EGYPT at Center Stage Academy announced for November 5 & 6

 

Center Stage Academy - 2335 S Lindsay Rd #102, Gilbert, AZ 85295

AUDITION INSTRUCITONS:  Thursday November 5th & Friday, November 6th

Please prepare a 32 bar vocal piece from any musical or Disney movie. We ask that you not sing content from Hunchback of Notre Dame or Prince of Egypt. 

Please bring marked sheet music for our pianist. 

Please also prepare a 30-60 second monologue of any genre. Please avoid themes of violence or self-harm.

Call Backs will be held the evening of Monday, November 9th.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Rehearsals:

   •    Thursdays, beginning November 12th 6:30–9:30 pm (Call times may differ each week) 

   •    Encore Mini Summit: February 27th (All Cast)  3pm-9pm 

   •    Encore Leads Only: March 5th (Leads) 5pm-9:30pm

Show Week: March 29–April 3, 2026 (Daily call time 4:30 pm; Saturday call time 11:00 am)

CLICK HERE for more information

Review Highlights - WATER FOR ELEPHANTS - National Tour/ASU Gammage

Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski 
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

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 November 1

"With its combination of romance, drama, and high-flying acrobatics, the musical Water for Elephants delivers a bright theatrical experience that brings the colorful yet often harsh world of a Depression-era traveling circus to life on stage. Based on Sara Gruen's bestselling novel of the same name, the national tour production features an appealing cast, imaginative staging, and impressive physical performances. While the storytelling and score do not always reach the same heights as the production's visual and athletic artistry, the end result is still engaging and filled with theatrical magic."  - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

"When the show builds toward its climactic circus chaos, the theatrical machinery roars thrillingly to life. The final upheaval, part spectacle, part emotional release, delivers the kind of pulse-quickening moment that reminds you why live theater can feel more electric than any other forum for telling a story. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS may not be a perfectly balanced musical, but as a piece of theatrical spectacle where acrobats fly and a circus flickers into life, it offers something undeniably magical. And if, as a child, you’d ever felt the urge to run away and join the circus, or at least spend two hours pretending you did, this touring production offers a generous invitation."   - David Appleford, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)

Your first look at DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE at Black Theatre Troupe

 

photos by Tim Trumble

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through November 8