For more information on this production that runs March 22nd through click here
Saturday, February 28, 2015
audition notice - THE WIZARD OF OZ & TARZAN - Hale Centre Theatre - March 21
On March 21st, Hale Centre Theatre will hold auditions for both The Wizard of Oz playing May 21, 2015 – July 3, 2015 and Tarzan playing July 9, 2015 – August 22, 2015 . The shows are produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, directed by Cambrian James, and music directed by Lincoln Wright. Performances are Thursday – Saturday nights with Saturday matinees.
Click here for more information and to schedule your audition
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Like so many girls her age, little Dorothy Gale of Kansas dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination.
TARZAN
Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan's life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe's territory and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.
AUDITION INFORMATION: Saturday March 21st, 2015 at 10:00 AM
● Be prepared to sing 16 bars of music.
● Bring your own sheet music; an accompanist will be provided.
● A headshot and resume is required.
CALL BACKS
● Call backs for The Wizard of Oz will be held Saturday March 28th at 10:00 AM with the first read through scheduled for Monday April 6th at 7:00 PM.
● Call backs for Tarzan will be held Saturday April 11th at 10:00 AM with the first read through scheduled for Monday May 25th at 7:00 PM.
AUDITION LOCATION
Auditions will be held at the theater located at 50 West Page Avenue in Gilbert.
Click here for more information and to schedule your audition
Friday, February 27, 2015
audition notice - 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE - Desert Stages Theatre - March 8th
from our friends at Desert Stages Theatre:
Time to get your word on!
TEENS ages 12-20! Come audition for this fun and hilarious comedy!
Auditions: Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 pm
Callbacks: Monday, March 9th at 6:00 pm
Show dates are:
Thursdays, April 30th , May 7th and May 14th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 2nd, May 9th and May 16th at 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 3rd, May 10th and May 17th at 6:00 pm.
Performed in the Actor's Cafe
Directed by Lisa Barton
Register on online at desertstages.org
Please prepare 16-32 bars of music. Can be sheet music or karaoke style CD
Time to get your word on!
TEENS ages 12-20! Come audition for this fun and hilarious comedy!
Auditions: Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 pm
Callbacks: Monday, March 9th at 6:00 pm
Show dates are:
Thursdays, April 30th , May 7th and May 14th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 2nd, May 9th and May 16th at 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 3rd, May 10th and May 17th at 6:00 pm.
Performed in the Actor's Cafe
Directed by Lisa Barton
Register on online at desertstages.org
Please prepare 16-32 bars of music. Can be sheet music or karaoke style CD
Thursday, February 26, 2015
audition notice - 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE - Fountain Hills Theatre - March 21/22
Audition Dates: Saturday, March 21st at 1:00pm and Sunday, March 22nd at 6:00pm
Callbacks: Following Sunday Auditions if needed
Production dates: Friday, May 8th - 24th
Performances: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm
Possible additional extension weekend May 29th - 31st
Call for appointment: (480) 837-9661 x3
Auditioners should prepare:
-16-32 bars of a song that best shows off their voice
(Bring sheet music in appropriate key. No CD’s)
-1 to 2 minute comedic monologue
-Headshot and resume if available
-List of possible rehearsal conflicts
Cold readings and singing from the script will take place at callbacks if necessary.
CASTING:
CARL Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.
CHIP TOLENTINO An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
DAN the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
DOUGLAS PANCH The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
LEAF CONEYBEAR The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.
LEAF'S MOM, DAD, and SIBLINGS All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUNENIERRE (SCHWARTZY) Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.
MARCY PARK A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year’s nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the poster child for the Over-Achieving Asian, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry.
MITCH MAHONEY The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
OLIVE OSTROVSKY A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
OLIVE'S DAD A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
OLIVE'S MOM A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
RONA LISA PERETTI The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward.
WILLIAM BARFEE A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive.
Callbacks: Following Sunday Auditions if needed
Production dates: Friday, May 8th - 24th
Performances: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm
Possible additional extension weekend May 29th - 31st
Call for appointment: (480) 837-9661 x3
Auditioners should prepare:
-16-32 bars of a song that best shows off their voice
(Bring sheet music in appropriate key. No CD’s)
-1 to 2 minute comedic monologue
-Headshot and resume if available
-List of possible rehearsal conflicts
Cold readings and singing from the script will take place at callbacks if necessary.
CASTING:
CARL Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.
CHIP TOLENTINO An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
DAN the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
DOUGLAS PANCH The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
LEAF CONEYBEAR The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.
LEAF'S MOM, DAD, and SIBLINGS All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUNENIERRE (SCHWARTZY) Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.
MARCY PARK A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year’s nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the poster child for the Over-Achieving Asian, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry.
MITCH MAHONEY The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
OLIVE OSTROVSKY A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
OLIVE'S DAD A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
OLIVE'S MOM A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
RONA LISA PERETTI The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward.
WILLIAM BARFEE A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive.
two roles still needing to be cast for LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR - Fountain Hills Theater
From our friends at Fountain Hills...
We still need to cast the roles of Kenny (wonder boy comedy writer) and Ira (comedy writer and hypochondriac) for our production Laughter on the 23rd Floor.
Great, fast-paced funny script!
Please call us if you are interested at (480) 837-9661 Ext 3
Show runs Friday, March 20th – Sunday, April 5th, 2015
We still need to cast the roles of Kenny (wonder boy comedy writer) and Ira (comedy writer and hypochondriac) for our production Laughter on the 23rd Floor.
Great, fast-paced funny script!
Please call us if you are interested at (480) 837-9661 Ext 3
Show runs Friday, March 20th – Sunday, April 5th, 2015
cast announcement - BLEACHER BUMS - Fountain Hills Theater
Chad Campbell Marvin
Michael LeSueur Greg
Andrew Lipman Zig
Iris Lochner Kid
Walt Pedano Decker
Jeremiah Power Ritchie
Melissa Powers Melody
Sue Stegemoller Rose
Michael Stewart Cheerleader
Perfromances start next week on March 6th
For more information on this production click here
Michael LeSueur Greg
Andrew Lipman Zig
Iris Lochner Kid
Walt Pedano Decker
Jeremiah Power Ritchie
Melissa Powers Melody
Sue Stegemoller Rose
Michael Stewart Cheerleader
Perfromances start next week on March 6th
For more information on this production click here
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
auditions- CYT - WIZARD OF OZ, Feb. 27 / 28
Using the version that is most like the original movie and performing at the lovely Mesa Arts Center - you can count on a spectacular trip to Oz! Let your imagination take you over the rainbow with the songs and characters you love.
So many great roles to be filled to make this adventure come to life!
COME JOIN THE FUN!!!
AUDITIONS FEBRUARY 27
FOR MORE INFO - CLICK HERE
Scottsdale's Community Arts Grant Program
from our friends at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts...
APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 24 FOR SCOTTSDALE’S
COMMUNITY ARTS GRANT PROGRAM
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – The Scottsdale Cultural Council is now accepting applications for its Community Arts Grant Program, which provides funding to Scottsdale and Valley nonprofit arts and cultural organizations for projects that serve the Scottsdale community. The grants are funded by the City of Scottsdale.
Applicants may submit grant requests for activities that will take place between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016. The application deadline is Friday, April 24, 2015. An all-volunteer committee of arts, community and business leaders will review the applications and make recommendations for funding to the Scottsdale Cultural Council’s board of trustees.
An information session for grant applicants will be held on Friday, March 20, at 9 a.m. in the Scottsdale Cultural Council conference room at 7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, Suite 200. To attend, RSVP by Friday, March 13, to Community Arts Grant Administrator Kelly Hicks at 480-874-4660 or kellyh@sccarts.org.
Additional information, guidelines and applications are available online at www.sccarts.org/community_arts_grant1.aspx.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
CYT Spring Classes
REGISTER NOW to secure your spot!
Join us for a super fun CYT Class starting the week of Feb 23 and lasting 10 weeks.
Our teaching artists are excellent!
Classes offered this session for ages 6-18 including Acting, SInging, a Newsies themed class, Technical Theater and Music Theater Dance.
See the complete list HERE.
Theater Works FOLLIES gala - this Saturday, February 28
from our friends at Theater Works:
LAST CHANCE to dress up and experience the Follies with our 2015 Theater Works Gala this Saturday. If feathers are your fancy make sure to snag a ticket to this splendid evening. Starting off with a cocktail hour and then a selection of the hits of Follies followed by dinner, dancing and live auctions, it's a great way to give back to the performing arts and young talent. Come out to this soiree and support the talent that graces our stage!!!
Grab tickets here: http://tickets.theaterworks.org/single/EventDetail.aspx…or call the box office at 623.815.7930
THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE announced for Mesa Encore Theatre's next Second Sunday Play Reading - March 8
For March, we are going to take a left turn and presenting a black comedy recommended by our artistic director, Debra Jo Davey.
Synopsis: “On a lonely road on the island of Inishmore, someone killed an Irish Liberation Army enforcer’s cat. He’ll want to know who when he gets back from a stint of torture and bombing in Northern Ireland. He loves his cat more than life itself, and someone is going to pay.”
~ No Admission Charge ~ $5 Donation Recommended ~
Warning: adult language and violence
NOTE: The Second Sunday readings take place at the Black Box on Brown, which is next to Native New Yorker on the NW corner of Brown Rd. and Mesa Drive
Sunday, March 8th 7:30pm
at the Black Box on Brown, 318 E Brown Rd #101, Mesa AZ 85201
DIRECTOR: Mike Traylor
CAST: Michelle Chin, Fred Gerle, Greg Lutz, Devon Nickel, Timothy Pittman, Tim Shawver, Trevor Starkey
Synopsis: “On a lonely road on the island of Inishmore, someone killed an Irish Liberation Army enforcer’s cat. He’ll want to know who when he gets back from a stint of torture and bombing in Northern Ireland. He loves his cat more than life itself, and someone is going to pay.”
~ No Admission Charge ~ $5 Donation Recommended ~
Warning: adult language and violence
NOTE: The Second Sunday readings take place at the Black Box on Brown, which is next to Native New Yorker on the NW corner of Brown Rd. and Mesa Drive
Sunday, March 8th 7:30pm
at the Black Box on Brown, 318 E Brown Rd #101, Mesa AZ 85201
DIRECTOR: Mike Traylor
CAST: Michelle Chin, Fred Gerle, Greg Lutz, Devon Nickel, Timothy Pittman, Tim Shawver, Trevor Starkey
reviews - FOLLIES - Theater Works
Kelli James (photo: Alastair Gamble) |
"Follies is about a reunion. Among the many characters, the show centers principally on two unhappily married couples, Ben and Phyliss (Rusty Ferracane and Shari Watts) and Buddy and Sally (Scott Hyder and Beth Anne Johnson). Even though the couples haven’t seen each other for years, they share history, and it’s their past that was so full of hope for the future that’s explored, and it comes with devastating results. History and feelings repeat themselves, and not altogether for the best. From time to time there’s a moment in a Broadway show when show-stopping history is made. In Follies there isn’t just one of those great moments, there are several. Carlotta’s "I’m Still Here," as performed by Kelli James, is the sensational crowd-pleaser you want it to be. When Beth Ann Johnson performs "Losing My Mind," the song’s poignancy is like a stab to the heart. Johnson also has the gift of a second show-stopper. Her rendition of "In Buddy’s Eyes," a song that is pure Sondheim, is simply perfect. Those three moments alone are enough to secure a standing ovation, but with a production such as this, crammed with theatrical treats throughout, Follies constantly surprises by continuing to deliver so much more. Witness Shari Watts perform "Could I Leave You" and know that you’re watching something special. Follies is not necessarily for everyone. Audience members with only a mild interest in theatre may find the subject matter of little interest – but make no mistake; this Theater Works version truly is something special; an unexpected treat that can’t fail to impress. Follies is a gift not only to the performers who here are given the opportunity to excel, which they do, but also to us, the audience, who are given the opportunity to watch them." -David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage (click here to read the complete review)
"Led by a first rate cast of many Valley favorites, with clear direction by Phillip Fazio, the Theater Works production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies is receiving an almost perfect production. This is the first time the musical has been presented in Phoenix by a major theatre company and it is a welcome premiere of this classic Sondheim show. The musical is set in 1971 at a reunion of "Weismann Follies" showgirls in the crumbling New York theatre where their show closed 30 years before. The building is about to be torn down to make way for a parking lot. Our four main characters are two couples who find their marriages crumbling as well, and their lives are on the brink of being torn apart. They are all unhappy in their marriages, with Sally still in love with Ben, the husband of her follies roommate Phyllis. The other supporting characters were "Weissman girls" during the various years the Follies ran. The beautiful theatrical conceit used to represent the past is to have actors portray younger versions, or ghosts, of the follies girls as well as the two main couples. This is a show that makes you seriously think about "the road you didn't take." Follies is a musical that must be viewed and perceived differently depending on the age of the audience member, as anyone under 30 who hasn't had to face some of the questions the main characters ask wouldn't clearly understand the point of the story. The ghosts conjure up memories for the four leads, some which they clearly wish they could forget. The memories also make the couples question the choices they made, knowing that, had they made different decisions, their lives wouldn't have turned out the way they did. Director Phillip Fazio does an exceptional job of incorporating the ghosts seamlessly into the story, but without hitting you over the head with their significance. His use of scrims and shadows to show the younger versions of the characters, as well as having them move throughout the audience, is quite effective. While this is a magical and truly enjoyable evening, there are still some problems with the book, which is more a series of vignettes between the people at the party, and how some of the songs, as great as they are, seem a bit shoe-horned into the show. But this cast, under Fazio's assured direction, really delivers. It took over 40 years for Follies to make it to Phoenix and while the musical and this production may not be completely perfect, the production is well-cast, well-acted, and most likely one of the best productions and best casts that Phoenix will ever get for this show." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
"Follies is Sondheim’s masterpiece and it is one of the most difficult musicals to produce. The extremely complex characters require superb singer/dancers to perform the telling emotional songs and execute the extravagant follies numbers that made these performers stars. The show requires two looks, one is the stark reality of the performers failed lives, while the other must bring the elaborate follies routines to life. The show’s disappointing design fails to bring either the crumbling reality of the once grand theater these performers called home to life and the showy Loveland numbers that feature the former follies stars in their superficial numbers are drably handled. Without a vibrantly beautiful production, the musical numbers fall flat and although the performers sing well, they fail to bring these complex characters to believable life. Only the superb orchestra brings the rich score to melodic life. Theater Works earns two stars out of five because the production misses so many of Follies essentials. Theatergoers who never saw the original Follies will wonder why musical theater aficionados have made this show a classic." -Chris Curcio, KBAQ (click here to read the complete review)
"In any good rendition — which Theater Works' Arizona-premiere production, now onstage in Peoria, certainly is — one of the chief pleasures of Follies is the parade of secondary characters who take the spotlight to deliver bittersweet showstoppers, then drift back into the shadows. The biggie is "I'm Still Here," sung with thrilling passion and precision by former Broadway actress Kelli James Chase, but equally memorable are Patti Davis Suarez's overeager "Broadway Baby" and Heather Fallon's "Who's That Woman?" The heart of the show, though, lies in the relationships — and the unfinished business — among two couples. The charmingly caddish Ben Stone (Rusty Ferracane) has become a success in business and politics, and although his wife, Phyllis (Shari Watts), longs for the idealistic romance of their youth, she makes do with the physical comforts (and the impunity) that affluence affords. Meanwhile, Sally (Beth Anne Johnson), who remains the naive girl-next-door after all these years, is still holding a candle for Ben that her husband, Buddy (Scott Hyder), can't outshine no matter how hard he (sometimes) tries. New York-based director Phillip Fazio, who regularly returns home to lead such Valley productions as Theater Works' "Ragtime" and Mesa Encore Theatre's "August: Osage County," has proven he knows how to deliver an emotional wallop onstage, and "Follies" is no exception. Among the leads, Ferracane and Johnson are the standout singers, the latter with an ingenue-perfect soprano, the latter with a honey-smooth baritone, but what really matters is the push-and-pull as the characters measure the distance between what they once desired and what life has delivered, and this cast nails it. If there is a weak spot in the production, it's the youthful ensemble players, who sing well but don't always have the dance chops to conjure full-on Broadway razzle-dazzle, especially in the big tap number. But they do rise to the occasion for the big finale of "Loveland," which gives a final say to each of the central characters. In a quintessential bit of Sondheim irony, this suite of songs surrounds the leads with the showbizziest dance and sparkle as they sing the most brutal truths, finally breaking through the theatrical illusions upon which they've built their lives. It's a wow moment and then some." -Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic (click here to read the complete review)
"Under the direction of Philip Fazio, Stephen Sondheim's Follies is receiving Arizona's first fully produced production at Theater Works. Mr. Fazio has pulled out all the stops to stage an extravaganza that in Broadway lore has been dubbed one of the great milestones of musical theater. Perhaps it was at the time, and so may Sondheim's 1971 opus be both an inspired and innovative homage to the world of the theater and a story of love's failed expectations. However, this 2015 version feels like a smorgasbord of sketches interrupted by the occasional gem. Conceptually, Follies has the ingredients and the theatrical devices that can make for a great show, but, live and on stage, the production feels cluttered with circus-like excesses that distract from the core story; movement that, at times, is not as sure-footed as it needs to be; and singing that is way too pitchy. The brilliance of this production lies rather in its outstanding technical aspects, in large part attributable to Mr. Fazio's artistic vision. There are simply times when less may be more and the old chestnuts may not stand the test of time. This won't mean that there are audiences that won't fall in love with the extravagance of this production." -Herbert Paine, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)
reviews - PLUTO - Stray Cat Theatre
Yolanda London, Cole Brackney and Neda Tavassoli (photo: John Groseclose) |
"You can’t help but salute Stray Cat Theatre for introducing such fascinating works to the valley – without both Stray Cat and Nearly Naked Theatre, that certain edge required in any major city’s theatre community would here be missing – but that doesn’t mean to say that all audiences will take to Steve Yockey’s play. It’s a difficult watch; its force can be more like a punch in the face than a night at the theatre, but there’s no denying the affecting power behind Yockey’s theme. While you can admire all the performances, plus Ron May’s assured direction, the standout is Neda Tavassoli. As the single mother trying desperately to reconnect with her ever increasingly distant son while shunning the reality of what has occurred that morning, Tavassoli’s Elizabeth breaks your heart. There are times when you want to reach out and assure her that no matter what, she’ll be fine in the end. Beyond a doubt, this is her play. Pluto, with its odd, supernatural elements, its mythology, plus its pace that never sags, is 90 minutes of non-stop, compelling viewing, but that compulsion to keep watching is akin to the same compulsion that drives you to glance at the aftermath of a terrible accident you’re passing on the interstate. You can’t help yourself; you have to look. It’s also one of the saddest plays you’ll ever see." -David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage (click here to read the complete review)
"Steve Yockey's thought-provoking and disturbing new play Pluto is receiving an exceptional production from Stray Cat Theatre. It is a deeply sad and slightly confusing, yet well-crafted piece of drama with a superb cast that delivers an emotional punch. Pluto shows an alternate view of the victims of a specific type of horrific event that happens too often these days—school shootings—and the impact on those who are affected by it, and who are left to pick up the pieces afterwards. Not everything about Pluto is clear. You may be unsure about the meaning of specific images or events in the play, or slightly upset about some of the things that happen, but it will get you thinking, which is one of the greatest things about theatre. To say very much about the plot or the characters risks taking away the emotional impact and joy of discovery Yockey has imbedded into his play. All you need to know is that single mother Elizabeth and her struggling college aged son Bailey try to go about the ordinary tasks of morning life in the kitchen of their house. Neda Tavassoli and Cole Brackney are outstanding as Elizabeth and Bailey. While Brackney is excellent, it is Tavassoli who creates a character so raw, emotional, and on the edge that you will most likely never see specific secondary victims of violence in the same way again. Yolanda London brings a certain amount of care and understanding to the talking three-headed dog Cerberus. Director Ron May allows the pace to flow effectively, so the revelations come naturally yet still pack a punch. He also gets performances from his actors that are smart, realistic, and effective in never threatening to take over the emotional impact of the story. Although it has tender performances, clear direction, and well-paced revelations, Pluto may not be for everyone due to the subject matter. For anyone who wants to experience a thought-provoking play that makes you ponder and question your preconceived notions about gun violence, Pluto is highly recommended." -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
"Pluto explores mother Elizabeth, son Bailey, his girlfriend Maxine, and the family dog as the distanced Mother tries to reconnect with her son. It’s been so long since the pair communicated so that challenge proves impossible. What a statement about communication’s importance. Artistic Director Ron May stages Pluto with a taunt lunacy that vividly realizes the small family’s weird take on life and how it impacts them. May brings out fine performances from Neda Tavassoli as the mother, Elizabeth, Cole Brackney as her rebellious son, Bailey, and Yolanda London’s masterful take on the family dog who is the most logical thinker on stage." -Chris Curcio, KBAQ (click here to read the complete review)
"The setting of Steve Yockey's Pluto is "a suburban kitchen" in the present day, "9:30 a.m.," but this is not your average kitchen-sink drama. Yes, the heart of the action is an awkward conversation over a dining table between a trying-her-best mom and her withdrawn, petulant man-child of a son. But then there's a full-size cherry tree, in bloom and hanging upside down in the corner of the room, its roots stretching delicately toward the rafters of the theater. Pluto, directed by company founder Ron May, delivers strong performances, including Neda Tavassoli as the overwhelmed mom, Cole Brackney as her alienated son, Yolanda London as Cerberus the dog and Michael Peck as a dapper and surprisingly empathetic specter of Death. And scenic designer Eric Beeck certainly deserves kudos for that lovely cherry tree. But although Pluto may be the most ambitious of the Yockey plays to hit the Stray Cat stage, it's the least successful because it ends up being the least mysterious. The dramatic question of the plot boils down to "What the heck is going on here?" and it's all too easy to figure out the answer. After that, the play ceases to make you think, and its unsympathetic and unconvincing characters are unlikely to make you feel much, either." -Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic (click here to read the complete review)
"If Pluto, now on stage at Stray Cat Theatre, comes across as one long fever dream, that's deliberate. The point of Yockey's surrealist story is that life isn't always neat and tidy; in fact, it can be downright scary and quite awful. Director Ron May and his impressive company of players find each and every comic moment in Elizabeth's dreadful day, and make the most of what little subtlety there is in his dramatic message, besides. This is a splendid production of a noteworthy play. May has created an appropriately traditional staging for a world-gone-topsy-turvy script, and wisely refrains from restraining his players, who climb over the top of each scene without once over-acting -- particularly Gabrielle Van Buren, whose full-throttle performance as a caterwauling mystery woman is both terrifying and delightful. Cole Brackney's sometimes frantic, ultimately heartbreaking performance as Elizabeth's oddball son makes the final moments of Yockey's peculiar story all the more touching. And Neda Tavassoli offers admirable restraint as a put-upon suburban mom whose life just doesn't make much sense, today." Robrt Pela, Phoenix New Times (click here to read the complete review)
Monday, February 23, 2015
WEEK AT A GLANCE - Feb. 23 - March 1
Click on any show title to get more information on that production
And Click Here for a complete day by day calendar of what shows are playing.
CONCERTS/ LIMITED RUN:
CLOSING:
FOOLS
Brelby Theatre Company
February 6 - 28, 2015
DREAMGIRLS
Desert Foothills Theater
February 13 - March 1, 2015
WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER
Paradise Valley Community College
February 20 - March 1, 2015
OPENING:
WILLY WONKA, JR
Actor's Youth Theatre
February 25 - March 7, 2015
RAMONA QUIMBY
Spotlight Youth Theatre
February 27 – March 8, 2015
UNCLE VANYA
Southwest Shakespeare Company
February 27 – March 21, 2015
ANYTHING GOES
Phoenix Theatre
February 25 to March 22, 2015
HELLO DOLLY
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
February 26 - March 28, 2015
MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL
Palms Theatre
February 25 - March 28, 2015
LOVE, SEX AND THE I.R.S.
Palms Theatre
February 25 - March 28, 2015
LES MISÉRABLES
Arizona Broadway Theatre
February 27 - April 4, 2015
STILL PLAYING:
PLUTO
Stray Cat Theatre
February 20 - March 7, 2015
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Fountain Hills Theater
February 13 - March 8, 2015
THE BOY WHO LOVED MONSTERS AND THE GIRL WHO LOVED PEAS
Childsplay
February 8 - March 8, 2015
And Click Here for a complete day by day calendar of what shows are playing.
CONCERTS/ LIMITED RUN:
CLOSING:
FOOLS
Brelby Theatre Company
February 6 - 28, 2015
DREAMGIRLS
Desert Foothills Theater
February 13 - March 1, 2015
WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER
Paradise Valley Community College
February 20 - March 1, 2015
OPENING:
WILLY WONKA, JR
Actor's Youth Theatre
February 25 - March 7, 2015
RAMONA QUIMBY
Spotlight Youth Theatre
February 27 – March 8, 2015
UNCLE VANYA
Southwest Shakespeare Company
February 27 – March 21, 2015
ANYTHING GOES
Phoenix Theatre
February 25 to March 22, 2015
HELLO DOLLY
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
February 26 - March 28, 2015
MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL
Palms Theatre
February 25 - March 28, 2015
LOVE, SEX AND THE I.R.S.
Palms Theatre
February 25 - March 28, 2015
LES MISÉRABLES
Arizona Broadway Theatre
February 27 - April 4, 2015
STILL PLAYING:
PLUTO
Stray Cat Theatre
February 20 - March 7, 2015
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Fountain Hills Theater
February 13 - March 8, 2015
THE BOY WHO LOVED MONSTERS AND THE GIRL WHO LOVED PEAS
Childsplay
February 8 - March 8, 2015
January 23 - March 15, 2015
FOLLIES
Theater Works
February 20 - March 15, 2015
DISNEY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR.
Desert Stages Theatre
February 20 - March 29, 2015
MY FAIR LADY
Hale Centre Theatre
February 19 - April 4, 2015
LATE NITE CATECHISM
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
January 9 - April 15, 2015
FOREVER PLAID
Hale Centre Theatre
January 19 - April 21, 2015
FOLLIES
Theater Works
February 20 - March 15, 2015
DISNEY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR.
Desert Stages Theatre
February 20 - March 29, 2015
MY FAIR LADY
Hale Centre Theatre
February 19 - April 4, 2015
LATE NITE CATECHISM
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
January 9 - April 15, 2015
FOREVER PLAID
Hale Centre Theatre
January 19 - April 21, 2015
COLM WILKINSON with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra - date change.
Colm Wilkinson has rescheduled his concerts with The Phoenix Symphony on February 27 and 28 due to illness. We are happy to announce that we have scheduled the new dates.
Colm Wilkinson will join The Phoenix Symphony on Thursday, June 4, 2015 and Friday, June 5th, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall.
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