They can sing, they can dance, after all this is -- well, okay, it's not France, but Phoenix will get its fair share of talented actors taking to the stage for the spring season. Between Broadway musicals, Shakespearian adaptations, and centerstage comedies, we've found 15 good reasons to start buying your theater tickets now.
See also: ASU's Native Now Festival Returns to Deer Valley Rock Art Center April 11
Chicago
The Broadway classic with such famous musical numbers as "All That Jazz" and "Razzle Dazzle," is coming to Tempe for one weekend only with an all-star cast including Bianca Marroquin as Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly, and John O'Hurley at Billy Flynn. Chicago showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27; 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29 at ASU Gammage. Tickets run between $40 and $145. For details, visit asugammage.com or chicagothemusical.com.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
The late rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly comes to life on stage in the jukebox musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Featuring Todd Meredith as Buddy Holly, Mike Brennan as The Big Bopper, and Eddie Maldonado as Ritchie Valens, this touring show features such numbers as "Peggy Sue," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," and "That'll Be The Day." Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, and 2 and 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. Visit www.orpheum-theater.com.
Skulk
An antisocial gamer named Steven is pushed from the PC world to the real one with the help of an ex-coworker and a new online acquaintance who prefers to meet in person, ultimately changing the way this outsider interacts with the world around him. Skulk, Canyon Stewart's Senior Capstone, runs from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 19. More details will be announced through www.binarytheatre.org.
Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals
The Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals is returning for its 17th year, having selected five new works out of over a 150 script submissions for stage readings. This year's featured works are Sally Jo Bannow's The Boob Show, Donna Hoke's Christmas 2.0, Y York and Amanda Jacobs' The Up Side of Down, Kris Bauske's The Nearly Final Almost Posthumous Play of the Not-Quite-Dead Sutton McAllister, and Angelica Howland's Forward. The festival will also offer the Composer/Lyricist Cabaret and the 24 Hour Theater Project and An Evening of Short Plays, featuring playwrights Brandon Wicke, Michael Yichao, and Ann-Giselle Spiegler. The event runs from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 29 at Phoenix Theatre. Passes can be purchased for $40 per week or $60 for access to the five featured stage readings. Visit www.phoenixtheatre.com/festival for details.
Rumors
Neil Simon's 1988 cathartic comedy Rumors is coming to Desert Stages Theatre. This farcical play depicting New York's well-to-do involves guns, gossip, and all the other good makings of a memorable party and even more enjoyable stage experience. Rumors will run Friday, June 5, through Sunday, July 26. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors and students. Visit desertstages.org.
Buyer & Cellar
Phoenix Theatre is bringing Jonathan Tolins' Off-Broadway comedy Buyer & Cellar to the main stage. This one-man show set in the basement of a Hollywood A-lister / diva depicts a struggling Los Angeles actor willing to take on even the most bizarre gigs to get what he wants. Buyer & Cellar runs Wednesday, April 15, through Sunday, May 3. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays, and occasional matinees on Saturdays. Tickets range from $30 to $75. Visit /www.phoenixtheatre.com.
Pinhead Number One
An outcast finally gets some social acceptance only to have her conformity questioned when she finds herself in love with a transgender playwright. Now she must choose between following her heart and keeping her reputation. Pinhead Number One is an original one-woman show written and performed by Pina, directed and developed by Kim Porter. Its one and only performance is at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 1. General admission is $10. Visit www.space55.org.
A Weekend with Pablo Picasso
Artist Herbert Siguenza takes on the role as both writer and actor in his one-man portrayal of an iconic artist with A Weekend with Pablo Picasso. Emotions and paint fly in this intimate look at at artist whose work moved many. A Weekend with Pablo Picasso runs Thursday, April 30, through Sunday, May 17 at Herberger Theater Center. Regular showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 and 7 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range between $35 and $60. Visit www.arizonatheatre.org.
The Velocity of Autumn
Eric Coble's 2014 production, The Velocity of Autumn, is coming to Theatre Artists Studio. The dark comedy which debuted in Washington D.C. just last year tells the tale of an estranged son's efforts to coax his elderly but feisty mother out of a Brooklyn home that she is determined to keep, going so far as to barricade herself inside and setting up a defense of molotov cocktails -- basically, your typical family antics. The Velocity of Autumn runs from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 27. Showtimes have not yet been announced. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for military, seniors, and groups of 10 or more, and $10 for students ages 25 and under. Visit www.thestudiophx.org.
Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus
Peter Story brings John Gray's New York Times best-selling book to the stage at Mesa Art Center with comical vignettes that tackle everything from sex and marriage to singles searching for love. Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus runs Thursday, April 16, through Saturday, April 18. Tickets are $54. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. For details, visit www.mesaartscenter.com.
Ain't She Brave
Following its debut at the New York City Fringe Festival last year, the Black Theatre Troupe is bringing Ain't She Brave to the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center. In this contemporary work, playwrights Erika and Ntare Ali Gault tell the story of the modern day American back women is told on stage using an artful blend of poetry, music, dance, and spoken. Ain't She Brave runs Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 26. Regular showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. General admission is $35. Visit blacktheatretroupe.org.
SpellBound!
Evil parents, jealous lovers, plotted revenge, wrong-doers in disguise... No, this isn't the next Shonde Rhimes primetime drama, it's Southwest Shakespeare Company's SpellBound! the magical adaptation of William Shakespeare's Cymbeline will feature actors from around the Valley and the country and present at Desert Botanical Garden. SpellBound! runs at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 7, through Sunday, May 24.Tickets range between $60 and $65 for VIP tables, $50 and $55 for regular tables, and $35 to $40 for general admission. Visit swshakespeare.org or www.dbg.org for more information.
The Tomkat Project
Their relationships was as hard to believe as Scientology itself and, thanks to the imagination of playwright Brandon Ogborn, audiences now have a comical inside look at the ridiculous love triangle that was Katie Holme, Tom Cruise, and L. Ron Hubbard's Hollywood cult. The Tomkat Project will perform at Stray Cat Theatre Friday, April 24, through Saturday, May 9. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays, and 7 p.m. Thursdays. Tickets are $20 in advance for adults ($25 at the door), $15 for students in advance ($18 at the door), and $18 for seniors in advance ($20 at the door). Visit www.straycattheatre.org for more information.
Bat Boy: The Musical
Inspired by the pages of the The Weekly World News, this dark comedic musical tells a tale of young love, acceptance, and of course being half bat, half human. Bat Boy: The Musical performs at the John Paul Theatre Mainstage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 23 through May 2, with a special matinee performance at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 1. General admission is $20, alumni admission is $15, and student admission $10. Visit www.phoenixcollege.edu.
Sweet Charity
Neil Simon's book turned broadway production and feature film is finding its way to Arizona Broadway Theatre. Sweet Charity tells the story of a women who just can't catch a break when it comes to finding love and finding a new life for herself. This production directed by Seth Reines and choreographed by Kurtis W. Overby, will run Friday, April 17, through Sunday, May 10. Showtimes are 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and noon, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets range between $62 and $87.50. Visit azbroadway.org.
Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version with new information.
