KING JOHN, Southwest Shakespeare Company, October 10 – 25, 2014

This is an Arizona Premiere! Shakespeare’s thrilling story of the “game of thrones” that occurs upon the death of Richard The Lionheart. Two hours of hair-raising suspense, warfare, love, hate, wit and humor–the way only Shakespeare can do it.  As John desperately tries to hold onto power, the legitimacy of his reign is questioned by Constance, who asserts that her son Arthur is the true heir to the throne. Considered by many to be Shakespeare’s most underrated play, King John is a rare performance of one of Shakespeare’s best.

Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse

Mesa Arts Center

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Southwest Shakespeare Company, November 29 – December 20, 2014

Special Event
Photo by Devon Christopher Adams

Relive this timeless classic with the whole family! A Christmas Carol is the ultimate family holiday experience. Traditional music, songs, dancing, and special effects make this moving tale an extraordinary evening for the whole family! Don’t miss the adventures of Scrooge as he is once again visited by the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

November 29 – December 20, 2014

Special Event 

Playhouse On The Park
1850 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004
http://www.playhouseonthepark.com

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

KING LEAR, Southwest Shakespeare Company, January 16 – 31, 2015

Considered by many as one of the most profound plays in the English language, King Lear tells the story of an aging King and his three daughters, and the tragic consequences that ensue when he decides to divide his kingdom. Alternating between scenes of immense physical and psychological brutality and overwhelming humanity and beauty, this production is the theatrical event of the year and a rare production our patrons will not want to miss.

January 16 – January 31, 2015

Winterfest Repertory
Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater

Mesa Arts Center

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

Winterfest Repertory
Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater
Photo by Mark Gluckman

AS YOU LIKE IT, Southwest Shakespeare Company, January 17 – 31, 2015

Escape with Rosalind and Celia into the Forest of Arden, a world where love is turned upside down and inside out. They will be joined by a host of memorable characters, including the inimitable Jaques who tells us, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Featuring music, dancing, wrestling and romance, this most theatrical of Shakespeare’s works is a perfect pairing for King Lear.

January 17 – January 31, 2015

Winterfest Repertory
Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater

Photo by Mark Gluckman

UNCLE VANYA, Southwest Shakespeare Company, February 27 – March 21, 2015

This acclaimed new adaptation of Chekhov’s classic from critically acclaimed playwright Annie Baker, author of Body Awareness, Mirror Circle Transformation, and The Flick, brings colloquial language and a new intimacy to this internationally beloved story of human relationships and yearning. Written with the “goal of creating a version that sounds to our contemporary American ears the way the play sounded to Russian ears during the play’s first productions in the provinces in 1898,” Ms. Baker’s Uncle Vanya introduces 21st century audiences to Chekhov’s enduring wit, insight, and emotional depth.

February 27 – March 21, 2015

Farnsworth Studio Theater

Mesa Arts Center

Translated and Adapted by Annie Baker and Margarita Shalina

SPELLBOUND!, Southwest Shakespeare Company, May 07 – May 24, 2015

Princess Imogen’s stepmother wants to kill her. Her father, King Cymbeline, is no help. Meanwhile, Imogen’s banished love, Posthumus, thinks she’s cheating on him. What’s a wronged royal to do? Swap the skirts for pants and run away disguised as a boy into the magical wilds of Shakespeare’s ancient Britain, that’s what. In true fairy tale style, the improbable becomes probable in an epic, adventurous romance filled with kind strangers, dastardly villains, ghosts, gods and lost princes. The high road to happily-ever-after awaits.

Note: Special pricing will be offered to season subscribers (not part of the subscription package).  

Special Event 

Desert Botanical Garden Event Plaza
1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008-3490

Music by Shishir Kurup, Book by Michael Flachmann (from Shakespeare), Direction and Adaptation by Jared Sakren

NARNIA - Valley Youth Theatre, October 10 - 26, 2014

LIVE On Stage at Valley Youth Theatre

OCTOBER 10 thru 26

Based on a story by C.S. Lewis, this musical features creatures of mythic proportions!

Showtimes:

Friday, October 10 & 24 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, October 11, 18 & 25 @ 12 & 3:30pm

Sunday, October 12, 19 & 26 @ 12:30 & 4pm

Tickets On Sale Now! ORDER ONLINE or by
calling the VYT Box Office at 602.253.8188 x2

For FIELD TRIP dates and info click here

LEND ME A TENOR, Desert Foothills Theater, September 5-14, 2014

By Ken Ludwig

Directed by Mark-Alan C. Clemente

Desert Foothills Theater has a reputation for knowing how to produce a good farce and Lend Me a Tenor is one of the best!

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This wild romp of mistaken identity, slamming doors and non-stop double entendre combine for an evening of side-splitting hilarity. It is 1934 and the Cleveland Grand Opera Company anxiously awaits the arrival of the world-famous Italian tenor, Signor Tito Merelli, known to legions of fans as Il Stupendo. This benefit performance of "Othello" is the most important fundraiser of the season, so of course Merelli arrives too late to rehearse, has a huge fight with his wife and is mistaken for dead (the result of an accidental double dose of tranquilizers). What is this opera company to do with a sold-out crowd and the clock ticking toward show time? Like all good farce, through a series of desperate measures and compromising positions, everything falls apart and miraculously comes back together in the end.

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Directed by Mark Clemente
Vocal Couching: Daniel Kurek
Scenic Design: Martin Treinen
Properties Design: Kate Horner
Costume Design: Aurelie Wisdom
Lighting Design: Daniel Kersh
Hair & Makeup Design: Jacob Hamilton
Sound Design: Alex Cozza
Stage Manager: Jennifer Blom

Cast (in order of appearance):
Max: Matt Newhard
Maggie: Melissa Powers
Saunders: Harold LeBoyer
Tito: Roy Hunt
Maria: Janis Webb
Bellhop: Jonathon Perry Brown
Diana: Lindsay Newhard
Julia: Cynthia Elek
Voice Over: Alex Cozza

A WINNIE-THE-POOH CHRISTMAS TAIL, Valley Youth Theatre, December 5 - 23, 2014

Tickets On Sale NOW!

Showtimes:

Friday, Dec. 5 @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 13 & 20 @ 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20 only @ 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 7, 14 & 21 @ 12:30 & 3:00 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22 @ 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec 23 @ 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. 

THE DRACULA ROCK SHOW, Desert Foothills Theater, October 3-12, 2014

A Desert Foothills Youth Theater Production (cast ages 8-14)

By Malcolm Sircom

When the zombies and vampires tire of being cooped up underground, their master Count Dracula has a great idea!  They'll all go to rock concerts where no one will even notice them.

But when Inspector Shirley Holmes and pathologist Dr. Watson become intrigued by an outbreak of anemia in young women, things take a turn for the worst (if there is anything worse than being a zombie).

With a dynamic rock score embracing 60s rock with a touch of 70s disco accompanying a hilarious plot overflowing with eccentric characters, The Dracula Rock Show is a sure hit!  Those who loved The Rocky Monster Show will love The Dracula Rock Show!

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES, Valley Youth Theatre, February 6 thru 22, 2015

Tickets On Sale Dec. 1

Showtimes:

Friday, Feb. 6, 13 & 20 @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7, 14 & 21 @ 12:00 & 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 8, 15 & 22 @ 12:00 & 3:00 p.m. 

ANYTHING GOES, Desert Foothills Theater, November 14-23, 2014

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay

and Russel Crouse

Directed by Sara Bernstein

It's a farce with singing and tap dancing!

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Aboard the S.S. American are Billy Crocker, a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who in turn is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, nightclub singer and former evangelist Reno Sweeney, and Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin, who is posing as a minister. A series of comical mistaken identities ensues as the passengers and crew sing and dance their way across the Atlantic.

Anything Goes is a shining example of classic musical theater, complete with amazing tap numbers, campy jokes, unlikely happy endings and eminently hummable songs like “De-Lovely,” “I Get a Kick Out Of You” and “Anything Goes,” courtesy of the unforgettable score by Cole Porter.

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY, Valley Youth Theatre, April 10 - 26, 2015

April 10 thru 26, 2015 at Valley Youth Theatre

Tickets On Sale Feb. 2

Showtimes:

Friday, Apr. 10 @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Apr. 11, 18 & 25 @ 12:00 & 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, Apr. 12, 19 & 26 @ 12:30 & 4:00 p.m. 

HAIRSPRAY, Desert Foothills Theater, January 9-18, 2015

A Desert Foothills Youth Theater Production (cast ages 13-19)

Music by Marc Shaiman

Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman

Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan

Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters

Directed by Chris Hamby

The 1950's are out and change is in the air!

HAIRSPRAY, winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs.

It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire -- to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her 'do!

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

INTO THE WOODS Valley Youth Theatre, June 12 - 28, 2015

June 12 thru 28, 2015 at the Herberger Theater Center

Tickets On Sale April 6

Showtimes:

Friday, June 12, 19 & 26 @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 13, 20 & 27 @ 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 14, 21 & 28 @ 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 18 & 25 @ 7:30 p.m. 

DREAMGIRLS, Desert Foothills Theater, February 13 - March 1, 2015

Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyer

Music by Henry Krieger

Original Broadway Production

Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett

Produced on Broadway by Michael Bennett, Robert Avian, Geffen Records and The Shubert Organization

Directed by Damon Bolling

Music Direction by Daniel Kurek

Choreography by Lynzee 4Man

At a time in history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music to create a new American sound a girl group set their sites on making their dreams of stardom come true.

They are well on their way when they get their big break at an amateur competition and find themselves singing backup vocals for James "Thunder" Early.  But when their agent, Curtis Taylor, Jr. makes Deena, not Effie, the star of the group that will become known as the "Dreams", things begin to spin out of control.

DREAMGIRLS is not just about the singing and the dancing and the performing. The play is also about the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry-the business part of show business that made possible this cultural phenomenon.

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB, Desert Foothills Theater, March 20-29, 2015

By Jeffrey Hatcher

Directed by Amy Serafin

In the heart of London, behind the impassive facade of a windowless house, some of Europe’s most powerful men gather to play a game. The game is murder and this is The Suicide Club. But the Club has a new member: Sherlock Holmes—brilliant, perceptive, the greatest detective in the English-speaking world. Does Holmes wish to die? Will he have to kill? Can his old friend Dr. Watson save him? Or doesn't Holmes want to be saved?

The World Premiere was commissioned by Arizona Theatre Company.

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.

THE WIZARD OF OZ, Desert Foothills Theater, May 8-17, 2015

A Desert Foothills Youth Theater Production (cast ages 8-19)

By L. Frank Baum Adapted by Frank Gabrielson With Music and Lyrics of the MGM motion pictures score by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart

Directed by Mark-Alan C. Clemente

Music Direction by Daniel Kurek

Ever wonder what lies over the rainbow?

Dorothy dreams of escape from her dreary life but never expects what is waiting for her when a cyclone transports her and her house to the Land of Oz.  This version of the show includes songs from the popular movie that starred Judy Garland.

The Wizard of Oz has been thrilling families for generations. Bring someone you love to see this fabulous production!

Click here for tickets and additional information.

Cast, photos and review links will be added when available.