A lot of experimental theater is quite sociopolitical in its messages, be they overt or subtle. Chris Danowski, whose plays are mostly on the not-your-father’s-Oldsmobile side, has indeed written plays like that, which are critical and thought-provoking, while still funny and entertaining (FrogWoman, for instance, which despite everything is the…
The Color of Stars at Tempe Center for the Arts doesn’t shy away from adult themes. The play, by Tempe Children’s Theatre playwright in residence Dwayne Hartford, is set in rural America during World War II. Acting, directing, and set design all combine to create a beautiful production, writes New…
With his new play, The Color of Stars, Dwayne Hartford offers fulfilling, adult entertainment that doesn’t pander to kids. Much as I did with Hartford’s gorgeous adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities a few years ago, I found myself wondering whether children would even much like this…
Because a few shots of tequila take at least 15 minutes and a power hour takes, well an hour, allow David Edwards, a French American scientist, to introduce his latest spray innovation — an alcoholic spray that’ll instantly make you drunk. Each dose of WA|HH Quantum Sensations comes with 0.075…
I know I’ve lost an arm-wrestling match with a classic piece of literature if I can easily follow a story from beginning to end and don’t feel confused, yet just can’t shake that feeling of not knowing what the big effing deal was. But you know you’ve been lucky enough…
Lisa Starry has made a name for herself in the Phoenix metro dance scene with her highly sought-after choreography, her annual cult classic production of A Vampire Tale, and of course, her long running Scorpius Dance Theater. This month, Starry and her dance team will premiere the much-anticipated performance Kick-A. The…
It’s a piece of cake for the organizers of the 11th Annual Phoenix Improv Festival to pack a lot into a little — that’s kind of a holy principle of comedy. So yes, the entire event fests your ass off between now and Sunday afternoon, April 29, and it doesn’t…
Oy, where to start? Well, first, for the sake of clarity, Soul Invictus’ The Golden Gays is not presented by our beloved AZ Gender Outlaws — so, for example, it’s neither the same show nor the same performers as this word-for-word drag re-enactment of an episode of The Golden Girls…
Subject matter isn’t one of the generally accepted elements of drama (such as plot, character, theme, and dialogue) that we’ve ticked off on our fingers since classical times — maybe because every play has it, and excellence doesn’t really depend on exactly what it is. But it is an attribute…
If renowned mushroom-picking, multidisciplinary avant-garde composer John Cage were still alive, he’d be 100 this year. If his spirit was reincarnated in another being after his death, that being turns 20 this year. It’s more straightforward to commemorate the former, so that’s what performance collective 7 Ate 9 is doing…
Attendees of the 29th Annual Glendale Blues and Jazz Festival over the weekend weekend received an unexpected blast of interpretive dance, digital art, social commentary and marriageable dogs to accompany the slide guitars and saxophones on stage. Something to Write Home About sent 28 ASU student artists, guided by Herberger…
There are plenty of reasons to like comedian and writer Michael Ian Black. His tweets. His penchant for referring to himself as “very famous.” The fact that he sports Crocs on the cover of his new book, You’re Not Doing It Right. But let’s move on to the more pressing…
The House of the Spirits, now at ASU’s Galvin Playhouse is based on Isabel Allende’s bestselling, first novel, and is a “splendid production” writes New Times contributor Robrt Pela, in this week’s stage review. Pela writes: On a single glorious set that fluidly shifts locations and time, a triumvirate of stunning…
It’s no one’s fault but my own (okay, and maybe that of the design of Actors Theatre’s promo poster below) that I’d really hoped Annie Baker’s Body Awareness would delve deeply into the topic of body acceptance even while being funny, moving, and well-acted. It doesn’t in particular. For example,…
The Bill of Rights Monument Project is not only a celebration of one of the United States’ most important values, it’s also affording Arizonans an opportunity to donate by attending the Phoenix Comedy Festival. On Sunday, May 13, comedians including Lewis Black, Bill Engvall, Bobcat Goldthwait, Dick Gregory, Kathleen Madigan,…
Caridad Svich’s theatrical translation of Isabel Allende’s bestselling The House of the Spirits arrives on the stage as a mere shadow of its former self. Which isn’t to say that the production, now at ASU’s Galvin Playhouse, is anything other than praiseworthy. It’s just that there’s so very little left…
Comedian Jeffery Ross has a killer wit, impeccable timing, a razor-sharp tounge, and no sense of decency whatsoever. All of these attributes have allowed the stand-up comic to become the star of celebrity roasts everywhere and have earned him the title of “roastmaster general.”Anyone who’s watched Comedy Central’s celebrity roasts…
Blogger-turned-comedian Aaron Karo gave up a life of suits and class warfare on Wall Street to pursue funny stuff. On April 12, the comedian will stop by Martini Ranch to entertain a live audience, but we caught up with him over the weekend to talk about the release of his…
Claiming Dane Cook sucks has been in vogue since around 2004. He does, granted, but as many comics will admit, the guy is funny. Unfortunately, the reasons why he’s funny are also the reasons why we hate him. Here’s why:5. The Douche Bag FactorIf you’ve listened to Cook’s comedy album, you’ll…
Some great works of literature are challenging to read, even if you enjoy reading fiction. And sometimes an excellent film or play can introduce you to an enjoyable book or author you might not otherwise have happened upon. But I’m afraid that the effect of Arizona Theatre Company’s production of…
Cringe now or forever hold your peace. Today has been dubbed World Whisky Day, and while there are no official events registered in Phoenix, whisky lovers around the world are encouraged to celebrate by grabbing their best tumbler, knocking a few back, and sending a picture or two to the…
When one writes of her here, she is “Broadway’s Kathy Fitzgerald.” In New York, for which she left us more than a decade ago, she is one among a few: a character actress who’s always in demand; who’s appeared in Broadway shows like Wicked, 9 to 5, and in the…
