PHX Stages

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Review Hightlights: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - National Tour at the Orpheum Theatre

Jonathan Hashmonay and Maite Uzal
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 December 4

"the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof, which is at the Orpheum Theatre this weekend and is based on its recent Broadway revival, is a soaring success....The non-Equity tour cast is wonderful, with all delivering strong performances that are realistic. Jonathan Hashmonay is warm and grounded as Tevye, with an exceptional singing voice that brings nuance and emotional depth to each lyric he sings. Tevye is the rock of the show, and it would seem of Anatevka, and Hashmonay has a beautiful and natural connection with all of his fellow cast mates. ...As Tevye's wife Golde, Maite Uzal, who has been with this tour for a few years, is equally as good as Hashmonay. Golde is a strong woman but also a wife and mother who is overworked and constantly complains... Like Hashmonay, Uzal is delivering a rich performance of this classic character....While Fiddler on the Roof may tell the story of the Jewish residents from a small village in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, it is a universal story that practically anyone can relate to, no matter what religion you are. It's a timeless tale about those who are oppressed and forced by others out of their homes, which, unfortunately, is something we've seen daily on the news for months now with the war in Ukraine. ...It's a powerful piece of musical theatre and the national tour production is wonderful, with an exceptional cast that beautifully show how a community can come together to not only celebrate the happy moments they share but also to face head on the unpleasant moments they must endure." - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

Desert Foothills Theater to Host Holiday Fundraising Events December 10

Desert Foothills Theater is raising funds – and sharingholiday fun and entertainment – with two special events on Dec. 10 at The Holland Center, located at 34250 N. 60th St. in Scottsdale.

“We have been hard at work planning events that will bring the holidays to life for kids and adults while also raising much-needed funds for our theater,” said Sandi Carll, DFT’s producing artistic director. “These fundraisers also give us a chance to show off the talent of our performers with an incredible lineup of live holiday musical numbers.”

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the community theater company will present Oh What Fun! A Holiday Family Festival, an open-house style event featuring live musical numbers from DFT’s youth performers along with a full lineup of holiday-themed treats and activities. Kids and families can enjoy photo opportunities, cold-weather snacks, a hot chocolate bar, holiday games and a make-and-take craft. Guests also are invited to bid on raffle baskets created expressly for family fun.

Tickets for the Holiday Family Festival are $25 each or $100 for a family five-pack. Children 3 and

under are free.

Later that night, local actor and musical director favorite, Ken Goodenberger will join New York City jazz vocalist Kimberly Woods to host Oh What Fun! After Dark, A Holiday Cabaret. From 6:30 to 10 p.m., adults can enjoy a grown-up fundraiser featuring performances from Woods, who has sung in major venues nationwide, along with DFT’s teen and adult ensembles. Guests also can enjoy holiday crafted cocktails, savory bites provided by the Creek Patio Grill, a dessert and espresso bar and a variety of silent auction items.

The After Dark event, recommended for adults 21 and up, is $75 per person or $125 per couple.

All proceeds from the events will benefit DFT. Funds will offset the huge array of costs the theater incurs to host classes and camps and produce stage productions. Guests who attend the events, bid on raffle items or make cash donations will help cover a multitude of expenses, from costumes and set builds to teaching artists and scholarships for children and teens whose financial circumstances would otherwise preclude them from participating in the arts.

“It takes a lot of hard work, dedicated people who are passionate about the arts, talented performers and support from our community to run a theater and stage quality productions, but we are here for the long haul,” said Carll. “With the help of our hardworking committee of DFT supporters, we know these fundraisers will give us a much-needed boost as we continue our 2022-23 ‘Season of Laughter’ and prepare for the months and years ahead.”

DFT is an award-winning community theater that has been presenting work in the North Valley ince 1975. The nonprofit organization, which earned 14 ariZoni nominations for its most recent season, is part of the Foothills Community Foundation. The theater invites participation through open auditions for all adult and youth shows; through a variety of educational opportunities including classes, camps, post-performance talkbacks and pre-performance meet ups; and by providing volunteer opportunities in all areas and aspects of theater production. DFT is committed to providing a positive, welcoming and supportive environment.

To purchase tickets for DFT’s holiday fundraisers or to learn about upcoming auditions and stage

productions, visit dftheater.org.

Friday, December 2, 2022

Cast announced for BLACK NATIVITY at Black Theatre Troupe

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through December 18

Audition for SLEEPING BEAUTY at Valley Youth Theatre announced for December 7 & 8

Written By: Blanche Marvin, Set to Tchaikovsky’s Classic Ballet

Directed and Choreographed by: Nathalie Velasquez

For all roles: Dance Training Helpful -- while not a full ballet, there will be numerous ballet sequences. All levels welcome!

Characters

Prince – Male, age 16. Charming, charismatic, and goofy. The hero, and storyteller of the show; speaks directly with the audience (especially the children).

Ladies, Lords, Soldiers, Page– a variety of comical characters that make up the royal court.

Princess - Female, age 16. The heroine of our story. Falls under Barbel’s evil spell, making her sleep for 100 years until a handsome prince comes to wake her up.

Emilia- The Princess’s lady-in-waiting.

King and Queen - The Princess’s kind and loving mother and father.

Cook - A bossy, impatient individual, responsible for preparing all the royal meals. Physical comedy required.

Boy – The Cook’s (rather unhelpful) young assistant. Physical comedy required.

Fairy Queen, First Fairy, Second Fairy – The good fairies who protect the infant Princess from Barbel’s evil curse.

Barbel (The Wicked Fairy) – The villain of our story. Casts an evil curse on the Princess and the kingdom.

Jester – The entertainer of the royal court. Physical comedy and dance required.

Synopsis

Valley Youth Theatre’s production of Sleeping Beauty is a restoration comedy, based on the play by famed children’s author Blanche Marvin (New York City’s Merri Mimes), and set to Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet.

Dates

Auditions are in person on December 7th and 8th. Doors open at 3:30pm for registration. The audition will begin at 4:00 with a dance audition and then actors will be asked to read sides before being released. Please bring dance shoes if you have them and wear something you are comfortable moving in. You may pre-register on our website.

Approximate rehearsal dates are December 19 – December 23, 2022 and January 2-February 9, 2023, Monday through Thursday evenings and Saturdays. Before tech, evening rehearsals will be 5p - 9p; tech rehearsals will be potentially until 10pm. We understand that some students may have conflicts where they may miss rehearsals, must arrive late or leave early. However, cast members will not be able to miss rehearsals during tech week or the run of the show. Tech rehearsals start February 4, opening night is February 10, 2023 and runs through February 26, 2022 with several weekday matinees for schools in addition to the traditional evening and weekend performances.

For more information, a full schedule, and pre-registration, please visit https://www.vyt.com/auditions/sleeping-beauty/