This review aired on KBAQ October 25, 2012

GOOD OPERA AND THEATER PRODUCTIONS IN VIENNA

Vienna Theater and Opera

After a week of London theater, I was anxious to experience what Vienna theater and opera offered.  The city remains one of Europe’s richest cultural capitals and classical performing arts are more popular so two nights at the Wiener Staatsoper with traditional Verdi operas, “Don Carlo” and “I Vespri Siciliani,” plus a Broadway-style musical, “Elisabeth,” were the picks.  “Don Carlo” was a wonderful repertory production with fine singers in a traditionally staged production.  “I Vespri Siciliani” was weakly staged with mediocre singers.  The production needs … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ October 15, 2012

GREAT “NEXT TO NORMAL” IN DISAPPOINTING ATC SW PREMIERE STAGING

“NEXT TO NORMAL”
Arizona Theatre Company
Phoenix, AZ

“Next to Normal,” is a superb show that deals with the devastating impact of bipolar illness on Diana, the show’s central character, and her family.

On Broadway, “Next to Normal” gripped your heart and soul as you were pulled into the characters and their lives.  Nothing of the sort occurs in the Arizona Theatre Company’s disappointing production that marks the musical’s Southwestern premiere.

Not anything works here from a disappointing cast, to lethargic direction that allows the show to wallow instead … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ July 9, 2012

IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 2011/12 LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS SCENE DIVERSITY WAS THE KEY

I’ve been observing the local theater scene since 1979 and I’m glad that I’ve been able to watch the scene expand from a series of limited and often tacky community theater efforts to diverse offerings by several fine professional theaters.  We may not be New York, Washington, or even Los Angeles or San Francisco but we’ve come a long way.

Back when I arrived, the Valley didn’t even get touring productions of Broadway hits and there were no local professional … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ April 11, 2011

ARIZONA OPERA BRINGS STRONG SINGERS BUT PRODUCTIONS ARE WEAK

ARIZONA OPERA 40th SEASON IN REVIEW
Symphony Hall
Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Opera’s just concluded 40th season brought some remarkable opera singers along with sold out performances, strong ticket sales, and the company’s first financially profitable season.

Unfortunately, the penny-pitching that helped finances took its toll on “Carmen,” “Turandot,” “Otello,” and, last week’s season closer, “The Abduction from the Seraglio.” Lackluster stagings didn’t showcase the fine singing talent and the visual impacts were dismal. The season’s opener, Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “The Pirates of Penzance,” was reviewed earlier.

In “Carmen,” fiery … Continue Reading

This review aired on KBAQ February 1, 2010

BROADWAY PLAYS GOOD AND BAD; MET OPERA’S “STIFFELIO” WELL SUNG

“STIFFELIO,” The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, New York

“A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE,” Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th Street, New York

“TIME STANDS STILL,” Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th Street, New York

“RACE,” Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th Street, New York

The economic downturn is impacting Broadway. Last October, things on Broadway were still robust. Now, most Broadway shows have good crowds but discount tickets are readily available and restaurants around Broadway that recently required reservations now take walk-ins. And several Broadway shows closed while … Continue Reading