Reviews and Previews of What's Running Now

A A A Comments (0) By Robrt L. Pela Thursday, Jan 3 2008

Pajama Game: Word from Tucson, where Arizona Theatre Company debuted this recently revived Broadway favorite last month, is that the company has come up with another winner. With direction by ATC artistic director David Ira Goldstein, and a return from New York by local favorite (and former Phoenix native) Bob Sorenson, that doesn't seem unlikely. Sorenson plays grumpy factory timekeeper Vernon Hines and, therefore, gets to sing the delightful "I'll Never Be Jealous Again," one among a handful of songs from this show's original score (by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross) that people actually remember. That song was made over in the 2006 Broadway revival, which made a sweep of the most recent Tonys and is probably why Equity companies are suddenly interested again in this old fave, already a staple with every community theater in the country. ATC's production will play through January 20 at the Herberger Theatre Center, 222 E. Monroe St. Call 602-256-6899 for times and reservations.

Halpern and Johnson: Lionel Goldstein's play, originally presented as a telefilm in 1983 starring the rather odd pairing of Sir Laurence Olivier and Jackie Gleason, begins at the New York graveside of Florence Halpern, whose husband of 50-plus years is paying his last respects. He's joined there by a stranger bearing flowers, a fellow who may or may not have had an ongoing affair with Florence. Arizona Jewish Theater Company is presenting its first show of the new year through January 20 at its new facility, the Paradise Valley Community College center for the Performing Arts, at 18401 N. 32nd St. Call the box office at 602-264-0402 for ticket prices and show times.

Kevyn Morrow in The Pajama Game.

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Anything Goes: Not to be confused with the super-cheesy '70s game show of the same name (Remember? Pie fights and challenge rounds featuring The DeFranco Family?), this popular book musical is among the better composer-centric homages. Sing-along standards from Cole Porter like "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," "It's De-Lovely," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," and of course, the title tune, presented here as a show-stopper, are all neatly grafted onto a story of mistaken identities and a ship full of tap-dancing Marines. Through February 9 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road in Mesa. Call 480-325-6700 for ticket prices and dinner menus.