STUNG! - Desert Foothills Theater - April 17-19 2026

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Written by Andrea Markowitz

Starring Pat Drapac

A Full-Length Solo Biodrama about a Real-Life Con Woman

Scottsdale, Arizona con woman Sue Ellen Allen steps out of Perryville Prison and into the spotlight, reborn as a champion of criminal justice reform. Inspired by Sue Ellen's personal narratives, her con victim's recollections, and other actual events, STUNG! blurs the lines between performance and testimony, and between transformation and redemption. Insisting she was innocent of all charges, Sue Ellen rallies against an inhumane incarceration system that she’s determined to redress. While her prison reform advocacy finds success, her self-advocacy falters. In her zeal to appear blameless, she confesses to more than she intends, leaving her audience to wonder if the suffering she witnessed and endured behind bars ignited a noble new calling, or just another con. Darkly funny and full of surprises, STUNG! is a stunning posthumous tell-all from a woman who lived more than one life.

Limited Engagement April 16-19, 2026

Show Location: The Holland Center, 34250 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266

Ticket Link: https://www.dftheater.org/stungtickets

Info and box office: 480-488-1981

ANNIE - Desert Foothills Theater - March 26-29, 2026

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including "Tomorrow."

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.

With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

TICKETS ARE $30.00 EACH

THURSDAY, MAR. 26 AT 7PM

FRIDAY, MAR. 27 AT 7PM

SATURDAY, MAR. 28 AT 2PM

SATURDAY, MAR. 28 AT 7PM

SUNDAY, MAR. 29 AT 12PM

SUNDAY, MAR. 29 AT 4PM

GENERAL ADMISSION

DOORS OPEN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO SHOWTIME.

Seating is first come, first served.

NO REFUNDS. THANK YOU.

NEED ASSISTANCE OR HAVE QUESTIONS?

CONTACT MACKENZIE@AZFCF.ORG

OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE

480-488-1981

CLICK HERE for more information

 

THE MOUSETRAP - Desert Foothills Theater - February 6-8, 2026

DFT is celebrating season 50 by honoring a show from season 1! 

Directed by Ric Alpers

Presenting the world's longest-running play!

After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. A police detective, arriving on skis, interrogates the suspects: the newlyweds running the house; a spinster with a curious background; an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army major; a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift; and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate.

This record-breaking murder mystery features a brilliant surprise finish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time.

Shows February 6-8 at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center

Tickets at https://www.dftheater.org/mousetraptickets

SHREK THE MUSICAL, KIDS - Desert Foothills Theater - October 9-12, 2025

Fall in LOVE with this FAIRYTALE all OGRE again!

Don't miss this happily-ever-after show by kids for kids!

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure, Shrek KIDS features music by two-time Tony winner Jeanine Tesori (Shrek JR., Kimberly Akimbo) and a sidesplitting book by Tony winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek JR., Kimberly Akimbo). 

Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek KIDS is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

 

Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. When he finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions, Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront him. But when he challenges Farquaad, he is then handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted.

Directed by Mackenzie Moller

Choreographer, Rachael Madden

Music Director, Jackie Paul

Shows at The Holland Center

34250 N. 60th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85266

October 9-12, 2025

Tickets now on sale at DFTheater.org

We hoofed and we poofed and we got the greatest kids cast ever!

Congratulations!

Abigail Magid: Young Fiona/Ensemble

Addison Lyon: Dulocian

Adelyn Jenkins: Dulocian

Andrew Zeleznak: Guard Captain

Ava Bedard: Guard

Avery Oehring: Bishop/Ensemble

Brooklyn Yang: Wicked Witch

Cassidy Beckwith: Dragon/Guard

Charlotte Hanson: Dulocian

Charlotte Holwerda: Storyteller 1

Christian Cupo: Young Shrek/Ensemble

Elizabeth Grimm: Dulocia

Ella Cupo: Peter Pan

Ella Mueller: Dragon/Guard

Elle Radwick: Lord Farquaad

Ellie Takawaki: Pig 1

Ethan Bedard: Papa Bear

Harper Herman: Dulocian

Isabel Sanchez: Dulocian

Josephine Nicholson: Rooster/Ensemble

Judah Yang: Dwarf/Ensemble

Justice Ulrich: Baby Bear

Katherine Milligan: Storyteller 3

Logan Billings: Pinocchio

Makayla Osuch: Pig 2

Maren Wilwerding: Mama Bear

Milo Currier: Shrek

Oliver Currier: Donkey

Olivia Henricks: Pig 3

Owen Radwick: Big Bad Wolf

Penelope Phelps: Mama Ogre/Ensemble

Penny Currier: Teen Fiona/Ensemble

Rayna Sweeney: Fiona

Scarlett Bowers: Ugly Duckling

Sofia Berger: Gingy

Tyler Fridlund: Papa Ogre/Ensemble

Helena Ganser: Storyteller 2

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

Desert Foothills Theater's 2025-2026 Season!

 

Presenting Desert Foothills Theater’s 50th Anniversary Season

2025-2026

LEGALLY BLONDE (TEENS)

Performers ages 15-18

Auditions: June 21

Shows at The Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center

August 14-17, 2025

Directed by Andrew Cupo

SHREK, THE MUSICAL, KIDS!

Performers ages 7-13, No-cut/Auditions for lead roles

Shows at The Holland Center

October 9-12, 2025

Directed by Mackenzie Moller

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (CONCERT EVENT)

Adult Performers 18+

SPECIAL EVENT DETAILS COMING SOON

November, 2025

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (CHILDREN'S PLAY)

Performers ages 6-12

After School Program, No-cut

Shows at The Holland Center

December 11-13, 2025

Directed by Mackenzie Moller

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE MOUSETRAP (ADULT PLAY)

Adult Performers 18+

Shows at The Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center

February 6-15, 2026

ANNIE JR.

Ages 8-17- Audition Based

Shows at The Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center 

March 26-29, 2026

STUNG, ORIGINAL PLAY PREMIERE!

ONE-WOMAN SHOW (ADULT)

The Holland Center, April 17-19, 2026

Written and Directed by Andrea Markowitz

SPECIAL EVENT GALA ANNIVERSARY SHOW!

Performers and musicians- All Age Production

Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion

May 2, 2026

DFTheater.org

Desert Foothills Theater Office

The Holland Center

34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85266

Info and box office: 480-488-1981