audition notice -GHOST, THE MUSICAL - Brelby Theatre Company - June 4 & 5

Come audition for Brelby's next musical!

We're seeking a diverse cast.

Our ensemble will need to be able to dance and move.

The actor playing Sam needs to be able to play the guitar. Come show us what you've got!

Auditions for Ghost will be held from 9am-12pm on June 4 & 5.

Auditioners will be expected to come prepared with a 1 minute monologue and 32 bars of music prepared. (You will be expected to provide a backing track or sheet music, no a capella auditions will be accepted.)

Callbacks will be held by invitation only on June 18th from 9am-12pm.

Rehearses: Sat July 23 & 30 (11am-5pm), August 14-Sept 29 (Sun-Thurs 6:30pm-10pm, with some Sunday rehearsals from 2-8PM)

Performs: Sept 30, Oct 1, 7-8, 14-15 @ 7:30pm & Oct 2, 9 @ 2pm

To secure your audition spot, please email auditions@brelby.com. Include your digital headshot, resume, and your availability for auditions.​

reviews - ROCK OF AGES - Arizona Broadway Theatre

Laurie Elizabeth Gardner and Seth Hunter
Photo by Joe Samplin

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 June 19th.

",,,ABT’s production of Rock of Ages is so much giddy fun.  It’s full of glorious bad taste, big hair, loud guitar licks, songs you’d forgotten you ever knew, and it’s all very, very funny.  But more importantly, at ABT under Kurtis W. Overby’s lively direction and fun, hands-clenched-in-the-air choreography, plus Mark 4Man’s loud synth and heavy metal musical direction, it’s also done very well....Chris D’Arienzo...hasn’t simply bridged popular 80’s songs with a plot that serves merely as a way of getting to the next big number, he makes almost every line spoken in one way or another funny....Casting is good and appropriate throughout, not just the leads but the whole supporting ensemble ...Matthew Mello’s hilarious mullet-wearing narrator Lonny...Laurie Elizabeth Gardner...is an outstanding Sherrie...ABT’s production of Rock of Ages delivers exactly what Poison promises, Nothin’ But A Good Time. ..." -David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage (click here to read the complete review)

"...This story of an innocent boy and a small-town girl...is a sordid and campy, but also heartwarming and hilarious, celebration of all things sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Arizona Broadway Theatre presents the local regional premiere of the Tony nominated musical with a terrific and exceptionally hard-working cast and sublime creative elements that are all on par with the recent Broadway production. The show is set in 1987 in Los Angeles, in the time and place of big hair and big dreams, where Drew, a wannabe rock star, and Sherrie, a hopeful young actress, suffer life's trials, tribulations and setbacks, both romantic and professional....However, Rock of Ages isn't without its faults. The first act is a little bumpy, mainly in the somewhat forced plot developments and in how many of these hit songs aren't sung in their entirety, with several combined with other songs or just ending abruptly...Fortunately, the second act lets the songs stand alone with back to back duos ...and the entire show culminates in a joyous, kick-ass, and emotionally satisfying conclusion. The ABT cast is exceptionally talented. Seth Hunter brings a huge dollop of genuine vulnerability to the part of good-guy Drew. ...Laurie Elizabeth Gardner is superb as the sweet and fresh-faced Sherrie...The duo create characters you root for and their many moments together, including a rocking duet of "Higher," are excellent. Matthew Mello is sublime as Lonny, the narrator who is both lewd and mischievous yet completely funny and full of charm....Kurtis W. Overby's direction is solid, instilling sincerity, conviction, and a wink to the '80s parody from his cast, and his choreography is full of energy and fire...Mark 4Man's music direction draws stellar vocals from the cast, and his conducting of the five piece band is spotless. ABT's creative and production elements just keep getting better and this show achieves brilliant Broadway-level results from the talented designers. ...Rock of Ages is clearly not Oklahoma! as far as being a traditional musical, so it may not appeal to everyone. Musical theatre purists or those who didn't grow up in the 1980s or aren't fans of the power rock anthems and head-banging music of that era may actually find it a miserable experience. However, even while the book is slight and the plot predictable, at its core Rock of Ages treats its characters and the time period with respect, and when performed with passion and power, and produced with superb creative aspects, which this ABT production has in spades, it all amounts to an incredibly good time."  -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)

promo photos - MOON OVER BUFFALO - Desert Stages Theatre

For more information on this production, which runs from June 3rd to July 24th, CLICK HERE

KatiBelle Collins and Ted Frumkin

photos: Wade Moran

Actors Youth Theatre's Spring Showcase Fundraiser

http://ayt.ticketleap.com/spring-showcase2016/

WEEK AT A GLANCE: May 30 - June 5

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:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFENDERS: MUSIC FROM SOUTH PARK
Theatre Artists Studio
May 20 - June 5, 2016

OPENING:

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
June 2 - July 9, 2016

CINDERELLA: A ROCK-N-ROLL FAIRYTALE
Spotlight Youth Theatre
June 3 - June 19, 2016

MISS MINNIE'S MELODRAM-ODEON!
Fountain Hills Theater
June 3 -June 12, 2016

MOON OVER BUFFALO
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
June 3 - July 24, 2016

OLIVER!
Starlight Community Theater
June 3 - 12, 2016

NEXT TO NORMAL
Nearly Naked Theatre
June 4 - 25, 2016

STILL PLAYING:

WHEN YOU WISH: THE STORY OF WALT DISNEY
Phoenix Theatre
May 18, 2016 - June 12, 2016

ROCK OF AGES
Arizona Broadway Theatre

May 27 - June 19, 2016

SHREK THE MUSICAL, JR.
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
May 20 - June 26, 2016

ME AND MY GIRL
Hale Centre Theatre
May 19 - Jul 2, 2016

ON GOING:

CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION

various weekend dates from

September 26, 2015 - June 4, 2016

MURDER AND A MEAL DINNER THEATRE 

Friday and Saturday nights

OPENING SOON:

AVENUE Q
Phoenix Theatre
June 8, 2016 - July 10, 2016

DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID
Valley Youth Theatre
June 10 - 26, 2016

NEWSIES
ASU/Gammage
June 14-19, 2016

Nearly Naked Theatre seeks a Spotlight Operator for NEXT TO NORMAL

Nearly Naked Theatre is in search of a Spotlight Operator for their upcoming production of Next to Normal.

Tech week is this week and performances of the show run June 3rd through June 25th

Send your resume and any questions to info@nearlynakedtheatre.org

reviews - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFENDERS: MUSIC FROM SOUTH PARK - Theatre Artists Studio

Elyse Wolf, Tony Robinson, Alex Kunz, Patti Suarez, Josh Vern, and Brenda Goodenberger
Photo by Mark Gluckman

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 June 5th.

 "For almost twenty years, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have been lampooning religion, race and ethics with their relevant social commentary in their hit TV show "South Park." ...Husband and wife Tony and Mary Robinson...have taken some of the best songs from the show, as well as numbers from the duo's feature films and their hit musical The Book of Mormon, and crafted an original concert entitled Equal Opportunity Offenders: Music from South Park. This Theatre Artists Studio production features a talented group of singers contributing to a fun, foul mouthed and joyful evening...the 90-minute show features close to 30 tunes, including many of Parker and Stone's most popular songs. It also gives a fairly in-depth overview of the main characters and plot elements of "South Park" and also of the highlights in Parker and Stone's careers. ..The cast of six features some very talented singers from the Valley with each delivering a solo or two and providing backup vocals throughout...Patti Suarez's take on "Blame Canada" gets a rousing performance. Joshua Vern's stellar vocal abilities and ease with performing different character voices in his singing form a perfect comical take on... "It's Easy MMMkay" and "I'm Super,"...Tony Robinson's smooth voice achieves some lovely sounds on "Up There," ...and Alex Kunz's performance of "Kyle's Mom's A Bitch" is filled with an exuberant amount of energy. Brenda Goodenberger's soaring soprano voice delivers a poignant take on the TV show's "I Remember When We Fell in Love" ...Elyse Wolf's stunning delivery of "This Side of Me" ...A trio of numbers from The Book of Mormon ...include Wolf's superb and moving version of "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" and Kunz's powerful "I Believe."  While the mix of songs is good, there are a few faults in the structure of the evening. The balance of the solo performances is a bit off, with Vern getting almost all of his solo moments in the first half of the evening and Wolf virtually non-existent until the last quarter. Also, while Tony Robinson's narration is informative and his delivery varied, he is mainly the only one to speak, delivering virtually every line. It would be more effective if the narration were dispersed amongst all six performers....While I may have a few quibbles with the concert, this Theatre Artist Studio production still amounts to a lot of fun and is a loving homage to Parker and Stone's silly, campy and comical yet also beautiful and poignant musical numbers."  -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)

"... Trey Parker and Matt Stone only have one Broadway show under their belt ...But their songbook is deeper than that, in more ways than one....The concert-style show gathers 29 irreverent, often profane numbers from “South Park,” ..as well as their movies and “The Book of Mormon.” And even if it’s not the most imaginative presentation, the songs are so funny and tuneful that they make for a rollicking 90-plus minutes of F-bombs, potty humor and social satire....introduces the audience to the kids from “South Park” and explains their true-life inspirations from the experiences of their creators. It’s a bit of a Wikipedia dump, but it’s effectively jazzed up with images from the original shows as well as the lively singing of a cast that includes local standouts Brenda Goodenberger and Patti Suarez....makes for an impressive collection of melodies....every single one of these 29 tunes are stickily sing-along-able..."  - Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic (click here to read the complete review)

Don Bluth Front Row Theatre's 2017 Shows!

Don Bluth Front Row Theatre has announced the shows in their 2017 Season as well as the return of their crowd pleasing subscription package, CLUB 500.

	Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. Did we mention the bevy of beautiful show girls?  Jan 12 - Feb 11, 2017
	Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's beloved musical JOSEPH AND THE TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT follows Joseph, who is his father's favorite son, and a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged.  Feb 16 - Mar 18, 2017
(Youth Show)	In THE LITTLE MERMAID, Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above and bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. April 1 - April 29
	CRAZY FOR YOU is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be ex-fiancée, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include Bidin' My Time, I Got Rhythm, Naughty Baby, They Can't Take That Away from Me, But Not for Me, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me. May 4 - June 10
	The 1960's French farce BOEING BOENING, adapted for the English-speaking stage, features self-styled Parisian lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German, and American fiancees, each beautiful airline hostesses with frequent "layovers". He keeps "one up, one down and one pending" until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris and Bernard's apartment at the same time. June 15 - July 15
	LUCKY STIFF revolves around an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit $6,000,000.  Jul 20 - Aug 19
	The only play to win both the Pulitzer Prize for Best Play and the Academy Award for Best Picture, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU details what happens when two very different families are united.  Throw in the IRS and the FBI and the fireworks really start to go off!  Aug 24 - Sep 16
	Mel Brooks brings his famous movie to the stage in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.  Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked side-kick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. Sep 21 - Oct 21
	Oct 26 - Nov 18 Visit www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com for future updates!!
	In the holiday classic IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, George Bailey comes from the small town of Bedford Falls. His dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty. George's guardian angel descends on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to show him what the world would have been like had he never been born.  Nov 30 - Dec 30

CLUB 500 is Back

Our Season Ticket program, CLUB 500, will be available for purchase (or renewal) on
August 1st of this year.  The CLUB 500 membership offers a seat to all of our 2017 shows (Youth production not included), for only $18 per show (regular priced ticket = $25).

Senior and Student Discounts
Now Available Online!

Discounts are now available for online purchase!  Seniors and Students can now reserve their seats and purchase them right from our website with ease; just click your preferred seat, choose the discount option, and continue with the payment process - it's that easy!

For more information, visit www.donbluththeatre.com

audition notice - DISNEY'S MY SON PINOCCHIO, JR - Musical Theatre of Anthem - June 6

No-cut production for ages 9-14

Auditions: June 6, 2016
Performances: June 16-19, 2016
Rehearsals: June 6-19, 2016 from 9:00am - 3:00pm

This new musical, which retells the classic Disney story from Geppetto's perspective, features the beloved classic songs "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "I've Got No Strings," alongside a host of new songs by Oscar- and Grammy Award-winner and master melodist Stephen Schwartz, tackling timely issues about what it means to be "the perfect child" – and what it means to be "a real father." Join the Blue Fairy, Stromboli and a lively cast of characters as Geppetto journeys beyond the toy shop to discover the meaning of family. When the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto's wish to bring his beloved puppet to life, the new father quickly learns that being a parent is full of challenges. He struggles to make his son "the perfect boy" only to lose him to a gang of Roustabouts. It is only when faced the thought of never seeing Pinocchio again that Geppetto truly learns the joys of being a father and loving your child unconditionally.

CLICK HERE to Register

THE DAN SCHAY NEW WORKS FESTIVAL - Theater Works - July 8 - 24, 2016

In honor of Theater Works’ late Executive Director, the Fourth Annual New Works Festival will be named after Dan Schay. Dan was dedicated to providing new experiences for playwrights, actors and our community through the New Works Festival each year. It is in his honor that tradition is continued by presenting the work of five playwrights and three young playwrights beginning Friday, July 8 in the McMillin Theater of the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. The New Works Festival is a platform for artists to launch their new work. Each work will be performed as a staged reading.

The Dan Schay New Works Festival celebrates the development of new theatrical work by playwrights Kirt Shineman, Luke Gomez, Richard Warren, Ben Tyler and Grant Woods as well as three one-act plays by the winners of the Arizona Thespian Playworks Annual Young Playwrights Competition.

The Dan Schay New Works Festival Schedule:

Junction Creek by Kirt Shineman

Friday, July 8 at 7pm
Saturday July 9 at 2:30pm

In 1983, when 18-year-old Julie-Ann begins college her ‘choices’ are front and center, and yet, she discovers that being an adult doesn't always present right and wrong options. Julie-Ann is given the choice to attend class, drink, take drugs, and have sex, but the trouble with ‘choice’ is that her choices don’t necessarily empower her, or do they?

The Love and Violence Trilogy by Luke Gomez

Saturday, July 9 at 7pm
Sunday, July 10 at 2:30pm

Three hard edged one-act plays by one of Arizona’s new generation of young playwrights that examines and then obliterates the thin line that sometimes exists between desire and pain in the 21st century.

3 student one-acts by AZ Thespian Playworks Annual Young Playwrights Competition winners!

Friday, July 15 at 7pm
Saturday, July 16 at 2:30pm
(Free performance)

Reimagining the Greek Gods for today’s world, feminism run amuck, an intense interview where everything is not as it seems.  Theater Works proudly presents the winners of the Arizona Thespian Playworks Annual Young Playwrights Competition!  Proof beyond a doubt that the future of theatre in Arizona is in good hands! Sponsored by the Arizona Thespian Society

In the Valley of the Sun by Richard Warren

Saturday, July 16 at 7pm
Sunday, July 17 at 2:30pm

Set in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains over the ten-year period, 1987 to 1997.  Maria leaves her cowboy lover Steel to follow her dream of dancing on Broadway.  Years later she returns with her five-year-old daughter Sasha only to find her best friend Trudy living with Steel.  Surprising revelations and startling requests are made.  Tensions mount as each struggles to maintain their friendship.

Sperm by Ben Tyler

Friday, July 22 at 7pm
Saturday, July 23 at 2:30pm

This is the true story of Ben Tyler’s adventures as a sperm donor who is keeping it all in the family. Share his year-long quest in the attempt to impregnate his sister-in-law. In the end, Ben learns much about permanence, in life and in art. Which lives longer, a statue or a play? Ben will be performing this piece on Broadway at the United Solo Festival in New York City this October.

The Things We Do by Grant Woods

Saturday, July 23 at 7pm
Sunday, July 24 at 2:30pm

A very clever and very real comedy telling the story of Bill, Sarah, Ted and Alice, a group of not-so-young professionals discovering once the kids are grown, you may find yourself searching for very different things in life.  Follow their journey as they discover the intricacies of modern love and the myriad ways humans deal with the complexity of our associations.

All performance tickets are $12. The three one-act plays by AZ Thespian Young Playwright Winners are free to attend.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.theaterworks.org or call the Theater Works Box Office at 623.815.7930 Monday - Friday 10am to 4pm.  Theater Works is located at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (8355 W. Peoria Ave, Peoria).

photos - ROCK OF AGES - Arizona Broadway Theatre

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

Photos by Joe Samplin

promo photos - NEXT TO NORMAL - Nearly Naked Theatre

for more information on this production, which runs June 4th to June 25th . CLICK HERE

photos: Laura Durant

video interview with the director of Arizona Broadway Theatre's ROCK OF AGES Kurtis W. Overby

Gil Benbrook sat down with Kurtis W. Overby, the director and choreographer of Rock of Ages, playing at Arizona Broadway Theatre through June 19th...


for more information on this production CLICK HERE

Phoenix Theatre announces THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS as their TBD show next season!

Uniting in the name of arts and activism, Black Theatre Troupe and Phoenix Theatre proudly announce their collaboration to bring the true story The Scottsboro Boys to the stage – a musical with a book by David Thompson, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The final masterpiece by musical theatre greats Kander and Ebb, The Scottsboro Boys is hailed as one of the most visionary pieces to grace the Broadway stage. Nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards, The Scottsboro Boys will compel you to stand and shout for justice in one of the most infamous cases in American history.

Using the arts and humanities as a vehicle to raise social awareness, create dialogue,and spark positive change, The Scottsboro Boys production will be accompanied by an informative and educational series of free events open to the public. Events will include post-show talkbacks and a series of community panels to engage audiences in conversation, heighten community engagement, and present further opportunities for involvement.

More information on the educational series will be forthcoming. The interactive curriculum will be facilitated by our partners ASU Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and Arizona Humanities, who are collaborating with Phoenix Theatre and Black Theatre Troupe.