Putting the "community" in community theater, Teatro Bravo launches its Triple Rep Fest this weekend, addressing "important contemporary, even urgent issues of concern to various segments of our community," according to artistic director Guillermo Reyes. Arizona's only bilingual theater company opens the curtain Friday, September 12, with an 8 p.m. pay-what-you-can performance of José Casas' 14. The ASU graduate interviewed people living near the Arizona-Mexico border and built his play from real-life reactions to the deaths of migrants in the desert.
The West Hollywood Affair, Reyes' play addressing the issue of gays in the military during wartime, opens September 19, and Los Monólogos de la Vagina premières September 21, marking Phoenix's first all-Spanish performance of Eve Ensler's groundbreaking Vagina Monologues.
The plays continue in repertory through October 5 at the Playhouse on the Park inside the Viad Corporation Building, 1850 North Central. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors; call 602-258-1800 for reservations. - Jill Koch
Courageous Acts
Play examines life after 9/11
Thu 9/11
One consequence of the events of September 11, 2001, is the reverence of firefighters. In Anne Nelson's play The Guys, the main character, Nick, experiences an uncomfortable fame after the loss of many men in his unit. The play examines his own survival set against the loss of many of his colleagues, as well as his position as a spokesperson for them. Arizona Theatre Company presents a free 7 p.m. performance of The Guys on Thursday, September 11, at Desert Ridge Marketplace, Tatum and Loop 101, as part of a larger celebration that evening. Call 602-256-6899, extension 6202, for more details. - Maidi Terry
Dancin' in September
Concert features Asian dancers
9/17-9/21
Beginning with a special preview performance on Wednesday, September 17, ASU's Herberger Mainstage Dance series opens with the "September Concert." Featuring the artistry of Ying Yang of China, Min Kim of Korea, Siew Kong Wong of Malaysia, and Yeongwen Lee from Singapore, these works not only will challenge your ideas of Asian dance culture, they will excite you as well. Blending Chinese folk dance, modern movements, Mongolian folk music, and elements of ballet and technology, these choreographers reflect some of the most cutting-edge ideas in modern dance. Claudia Murphey, chair of the ASU Department of Dance and the concert's artistic director, says, "This is a unique view into Asian culture from both a traditional and contemporary standpoint as it relates to dance."
Performances run through September 21 at the ASU Dance Theatre on the main campus in Tempe. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for students. Call 480-965-6447 or visit http://herbergercollege.asu.edu. - Maidi Terry
