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Thursday, September 19, 2024
Cast announced for DIAL M FOR MURDER at Arizona Theatre Company
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival presents IN REAL LIFE by Charlayne Woodard
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival presents...
In Real Life by Charlayne Woodard
October 4-6, 2024
Phoenix Hostel
Phoenix, AZ
December 14, 2024
La Posada Hotel
Winslow, AZ
After a successful spring 2023 run in Phoenix, Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival returns to the valley again, this time with In Real Life by Charlayne Woodard. In Real Life is a one-woman show starring Racquel McKenzie and directed by Bray Lawrence.
In Real Life follows a young African-American woman in the late 70s named Charlayne Woodard, who, after “graduating from drama school in Chicago, eagerly packs her bags and heads for New York City to live with her boyfriend and pursue an acting career. Her family is concerned about this move—to say the least. Although Charlayne imagines she will be living in a fabulous East Side apartment, she finds herself in a tiny fifth-floor walk-up with a bathtub in the kitchen. Unfazed, she sets out to have a career as a ‘serious actor.’ Instead, she’s cast in the original company of the hit Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin'. In Real Life cannily chronicles Charlayne’s initial seduction into the thrills of [show business] as well as the physical and emotional price of sustaining the energy to do so night after night. In Real Life explores what happens, in the words of Langston Hughes, to ‘a dream deferred.’”
Although the show has just one actor, McKenzie will portray an array of characters, from Charlayne herself, to her mother, to the colorful members of the Ain’t Misbehavin’ cast, and many more. The play has been well received, garnering reviews such as:
“Luminous...” —The New York Times.
“Positively symphonic...Life affirming...Hugely enjoyable...” —Los Angeles Times.
“A joyous affair...” —Associated Press.
“Hilarity reigns...” —Seattle Post Intelligencer.
The show will perform for one weekend at the Phoenix Hostel in Phoenix, Arizona October 4-6 (7 pm Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday, and 2pm Sunday) and again for one night only in Winslow, Arizona on December 14. More info and tickets available now at FlagShakes.org/IRL.
Show art by Essie Windham.
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Review Highlights: MRS. DOUBTFIRE - National Tour/ASU Gammage
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| Rob McClure photo by Joan Marcus |
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 22
"...a heartwarming and humorous adaptation of the beloved 1993 film comedy. ...While there isn't anything majorly different in the musical from the hit film, the national tour features Rob McClure, who starred in the Broadway run of the show and received a Tony nomination for his efforts, and his performance is superb....Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell's book is sharp and funny and features a delightful mix of comedy and heartfelt moments, staying true to the spirit and the most of the plot of the original film while updating the setting to the current time period and adding a few fun and fresh elements. Jerry Zaks' direction ensures the humor doesn't overpower the heartfelt moments in the show, including a nice coda at the end that echoes the heartwarming film ending. ...However, while the performances and creative designs shine, the musical numbers in Mrs. Doubtfire are only somewhat average. This is surprising since Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, who wrote the score, were also responsible for the catchy music and hilarious and smart lyrics for Something Rotten!. " - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)
"Many will come to Mrs. Doubtfire: The Musical out of nostalgia for Robin Williams or the heartwarming story of family and redemption. While the stage adaptation delivers an enjoyable experience, it does so more for its emotional pull than for memorable music or innovative storytelling. Written and adapted for the stage with the primary goal of entertaining and touching the audience’s hearts, it succeeds in leaving a lasting impression through endearing storytelling. " - Angela Kabasan-Gonzalez, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Review Highlights: 'NIGHT MOTHER - Order Chaos Theater Company
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| Rachel Weiss and Janis Webb Photo by Todd Sandberg |
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 29
"Marsha Norman's 'night, Mother is a realistic, harrowing, and deeply emotional exploration of mental health and the complexities of family dynamics. With refined, natural, and sensitive performances from Rachel Weiss and Janis Webb, Order Chaos Theater Company is presenting a very solid production of this heartbreaking drama. The play centers around Jessie, a middle-aged woman who lives with her mother Thelma in her modest home. At the very beginning of the play, Jessie calmly announces to Thelma that she intends to end her life by the end of the night. ...Norman won the Pulitzer Prize for her play, and her dialogue and plot poignantly follow the emotional battle between a mother's desperation to save her child and a daughter's quiet resignation to what she believes is an inevitable end. ...These characters are exceptionally well-drawn, and under Jean-Paoul C. Clemente's tender direction the refined performances make the play especially impactful. ...The dynamic between the two characters, including Thelma's optimism, denial and disbelief versus Jessie's quiet acceptance of her fate, is fascinating to watch and witness throughout. Order Chaos is presenting a beautiful production of this raw and intimate portrayal of two women grappling with the unspeakable." - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)
Auditions for ELF, THE MUSICAL JR at Spotlight Youth Theatre announced for October 26 & 27
All kids ages 7-17 are welcome to audition for Elf Jr on October 26th and 27th, with callbacks on October 29th! Audition form registration will be available soon.
For more information including audition requirements and production team, visit https://sytaz.org/elf-jr
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