Next Season at Phoenix Theatre, Part Two: the second three!

Phoenix Theatre is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. When asked about this remarkable accomplishment, Producing Artistic Director Michael Barnard said “Can you believe it? 90 years old and still going strong?” Barnard added,“Phoenix Theatre is proud to serve our community and the many charities we partner...We celebrate everyday the lives we influence with the art we create.”  

When asked the same question pointing to the theater's incredible and productive longevity, Managing Director Dan Schay responded,“Generations have enjoyed our comedies, dramas and musicals, and hundreds of thousands of young people have been touched by our educational and outreach programs. We're grateful to the Valley for generations of support, and proud to be alive and kicking up our heels with this great season at 90!"

The other day I wrote about the first three productions that will start this landmark season. To summarize, the award winning magic will begin with the play, acknowledged as the funniest comedy ever written, Noises Off, running from August 25 to September 12. For a different kind of musical experience, get ready for Three Redneck Tenors: Broadway Bound, playing from September 29 to October 17. The musical Hairspray arrives next, playing from November 10 though December 12. To read all about these three gems, please click HERE. 

January 12 through January 25

Get ready for PT to show its dark side! January 12 will see the opening of the musical No Way to Treat a Lady. This menacing musical comedy thriller is by Douglas J. Cohen. Cohen based his musical on both the very successful 1968 film, adapted to the screen by John Gay, and the best selling novel by William Goldman. The film stars Rod Steiger, Lee Remick and George Segal. Its plot concerns a publicity crazed actor turned serial killer and the charming detective who pursues him. The musical is a wicked blend of humor, romance and murder. It is guaranteed to slay you! Oh, maybe that was not the right choice of word!

The New York Post called the show, "A fine way to treat a musical! A real winner." The LA Times went even further exclaiming that it is, “An unabashedly histrionic romp with plenty of laughs, a fair share of romance and a welcome abundance of drollery.”

No Way to Treat a Lady runs through January 25. 

February 23 through March 20

From February 23 through March 20, the award winning musical Avenue Q is taking up residence at Phoenix Theatre, creating its vividly imaginary realm of Brooklyn as you are never likely to know it. You would be advised to check your reality at the door before entering the theater. Don't worry, your reality will be patiently waiting for you at the final curtain.

Avenue Q was conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who collaborated on the score. The book is by Jeff Whitty. The musical is written in the style of the beloved PBS children's program Sesame Street but the authors emphatically disclaim any real connection. Really? It is no secret that the show openly addresses adult topics including racism, pornography and homosexuality.

Avenue Q beat all Broadway odds winning the 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. The original production closed on September 13, 2009 after an impressive six year run of 2,534 performances, transferring, almost immediately, to Off-Broadway's New World Stages where it continues to this very day.

The Examiner review of the recent National Tour of Avenue Q merrily exclaimed, “Schadenfreude [one if the show's delightful songs] is German for pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. Considering that Avenue Q was David to Wicked's Goliath, do you wonder if the creative team of Avenue Q felt any schadenfreude when they stole Wicked's steamrolling thunder, beating the odds and winning all the top [2004] Tony Awards?”

If you would like to read the entire Examiner review of Avenue Q, you will find it by clicking HERE.

April 13 through May 8

Did you see the unfortunate film version of the musical NINE? Phoenix Theatre closes the 2010-11 season with a new production of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit's NINE and will, I am sure, return this award winning musical back to its rightful place as an iconic Broadway work.

The original Broadway production opened May 9, 1982 at the 46th Street Theatre, where it ran for 729 performances, directed by Tommy Tune and starring Raul Julia. The musical won five 1982 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

On April 10, 2003, NINE returned to Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre starring Antonio Bandaras. This revival ran for 283 performances, winning two 2003 Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical Revival.

Yeston and Kopit based their story on Federico Fellini's classic semi-autobiographical film 8½, co-scripted by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, and Brunello Rondi. Set in early1960's Venice, it focuses on film director Guido Contini who is waging a criticl battle against a midlife crisis that is crippling him creatively and entangling him in an endless web of romantic difficulties.

NINE opens April 13 and will run through May 8, 2011.

I can say, unequivocally and without hesitation, that Phoenix Theatre has a remarkable, innate understanding of what makes the Broadway musical tick. It is not uncommon for their productions to exceed expectation and, in fact, surpass the Broadway original. PT's reputation as Arizona's premier musical venue is without question and most deserved. Happy Birthday!

All graphic artwork courtesy of Phoenix Theatre.