The American Heritage Dictionary defines “creation” as “an original product of human invention or artistic imagination.” One of the things that makes creation in art so exciting is that you never know quite where the experience will take you. The Arizona State University theatre department’s current presentation of two one-acts–Angel…
In Jim Carrey’s first star vehicle, the hit Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, the comedian was “on” every second. He worked himself into a demented frenzy on every line, and in the pauses between the lines. A number of bright people I know assured me that it was a riot, and…
“It’s a simple battle between good and evil.” So says Lon Mabon, chairman of the Oregon Citizens Alliance, of the struggle to pass the title initiative in Heather MacDonald’s documentary Ballot Measure 9. He’s right. There are fewer shades of gray between good and evil in MacDonald’s movie than in…
thursday november 16 Salome: Arizona Opera presents Richard Strauss’ lusty drama about evil doings in the court of King Herod, climaxing with the deadly dance of the seven veils. Performances, in German with English subtitles, are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Symphony Hall, 225…
at the opry Tom Chapin’s Kids Koncert: The family-oriented singer-songwriter, brother of the late Harry Chapin, performs his third annual Koncert, sponsored by Camp Fire Boys and Girls, at 11 a.m. Saturday at Red River Opry, Mill and Washington in Tempe. Tickets are $8, available at the scene and Dillard’s;…
Remember the days before political correctness, the days when we weren’t afraid to talk topeople for fear of offending them? Well, Arizona Jewish Theatre Company is presenting a delightful, slice-of-life comedy, King of the Kosher Grocers, which serves to remind us of those bygone days. Originally produced in 1992, Joe…
The older I get, the more people I meet, the more I realize how fortunate I am with regard to family. I come from a fairly large, working-class brood, and while there is never a shortage of minor squabbles, as far as I know there are no significant grudges or…
At the beginning of Feast of July, we see a pregnant young woman, alone, stumbling through cold, desolate moors and mountains. She takes refuge in a run-down, deserted shack, where, wailing loudly, she delivers herself of a stillborn child. She then buries the body in the rocks outside and continues…
thursday november 9 Bob Dylan: The living legend, who was mumbling brilliantly while R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe was still in knickers, performs on Thursday at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams; see Coda on page 106. Ian Moore Band shares the bill. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.50 and $30.50, available…
hello doll Barbie Blowout: In conjunction with the opening of the Health ‘n’ Home store at Arrowhead Towne Center, 75th Avenue and Bell Road in Peoria, Ruth Handler, inventor of the Barbie doll, makes a personal appearance and autographs her popular creations from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday. A limited…
Arizona Theatre Company opens its 1995-96 season with an intriguing, eclectic version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In an attempt to bring Shakespeare to a short-attention-span audience, director David Ira Goldstein has used scores of nontraditional approaches to Shakespeare’s work. The result is a must-see for Valley theatregoers. A…
Sporting some of the most lackluster acting this Valley has seen in a long time, the current play by Phoenix Theatre has proven that a wonderful story and a well-crafted script cannot save poor execution onstage. PT’s second production of this season, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, turns into…
Woody Allen and Mel Brooks both started out in movies by making wacky, hip slapstick farces. Allen later grew to be such a snob about comedy that, for an unfortunate period (happily over), he seemed to regard being funny as a form of Jewish self-hatred. Brooks, conversely, has kept dumbing…
Unlike Southeast Asia last week, Agnieszka Holland’s new film Total Eclipse has nary an eclipse, total or partial, in its length. A pity–astronomical phenomena would have provided a bit of diversion. The film concerns the tempestuous relationship between the prodigal French poet Arthur Rimbaud (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his older, sort-of…
thursday november 2 Arizona State Fair: The annual corn-dog carnival continues daily, through Sunday, at the fairgrounds, bounded by McDowell Road and Encanto Boulevard between 17th and 19th avenues. Along with the usual attractions–midway rides and games, livestock and agricultural exhibits, etc.–this year’s fair features Thunder Lagoon, a manmade “rain…
at the fair Arizona Super Bowl XXX Kids’ “In” Zone: Interactive tests of skill and games are planned during regular hours Friday and Saturday at Arizona State Fair. Highlights of the event, sponsored by the NFL and the Arizona Cardinals, include the Jerry Rice Super Bowl Touchdown Game, Gamemaster inflatable…
Even in this fast-paced world of ours, are we ever able to embrace change? Imagine going back to 1948 to a small Kentucky town in the Cumberland River Gorge, to find people who know little of change. These are the characters currently being examined by Arizona State University’s theatre department…
To celebrate its 45th theatre season, Grand Canyon University continues to emphasize the works of Shakespeare with the pastoral comedy As You Like It. This whimsical tale of love is filled with all the unbelievable characters and situations we have now come to expect on TV sitcoms, but they are…
After rumors that Louis Mall’s Vanya on 42nd Street would open in the Valley proved baseless, there seemed little to do but wait for it to arrive on video. But if you’d rather not see the film in your living room, you can at last catch its Valley premire at…
Kevin Smith’s debut feature, Clerks, was about two young slackers hanging out at their boring counter help jobs, mooning about women, wrangling with skewed customers and ruminating upon bizarre philosophical notions. Smith’s sophomore effort, Mallrats, is about two young slackers hanging around a shopping mall, mooning about women, wrangling with…
orange crush “Boo! At the Zoo”: This sixth annual event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park. Highlights include the “Trick-or-Treat Trail,” costume parades, a hay maze, a “best dressed” contest, live entertainment, crafts and face…
thursday october 26 Arizona State Fair: The annual corn-dog carnival continues daily, through November 5, at the fairgrounds, bounded by McDowell Road and Encanto Boulevard between 17th and 19th avenues. Along with the usual attractions–midway rides and games, livestock and agricultural exhibits, etc.–this year’s fair features Thunder Lagoon, a manmade…
