Best of Phoenix

Phoenix News Local News Blog Feathered Bastard Special Reports Ask a Mexican Archives Search Weekly Newsletter Get Mobile

ARCHIVES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Phoenix Events Top Picks Submit an Event Events Newsletter Get Mobile Entertainment Ads Tickets

Phoenix Music Music Blog Concert Calendar Phoenix Nightlife Submit an Event Music Newsletter Get Mobile

ARCHIVES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Phoenix Restaurants Food Blog Restaurant Reviews Find a Restaurant Menus Happy Hours Deals Dining Newsletter Get Mobile Restaurant Ads

ARCHIVES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Phoenix Arts Arts Blog Phoenix Theater The Advice Goddess Big Brain Awards Arts Newsletter Get Mobile Entertainment Ads

ARCHIVES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Phoenix Movies Showtimes Movie Trailers Film Festivals Film Newsletter Get Mobile Free Stuff

Things to do in Phoenix 2012 2011 2010 2009 Best Of Newsletter Get Mobile Best Of Ads

Phoenix Promotions Promotional Events Street Team Free Stuff Promotions Newsletter Get Mobile Deals Tickets

Phoenix Classifieds Jobs Living Spaces Alternative Lifestyle Advertiser Index Deals Newsletter Deals The Bulletin Board Circulation Locations

Best Classical Theater Troupe

Actors' Renaissance Theatre

A A A Comments (0) Thursday, Sep 26 2002

It's not easy getting an audience for Shakespeare in this town. And no one knows that better than Actors' Renaissance Theatre. This truly local troupe started (and still exists) on a shoestring but is held together by strong performances, well-planned seasons, and the passion of its founders, husband-and-wife team James and Ashley Barnard. ART offers up the classics of Austen, Wilde and Shakespeare, stages an annual Valley of the Sun Shakespeare Festival, and debuts original works, like its recent world première adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. None of these things is exactly known for selling hordes of tickets, but ART still manages to put on good, affordable theater without going under, and without the help of underwriting or grants. In our book, that deserves recognition.