Gilbert Theater Examiner examines the Mesa Arts Center

View of the theaters from outside the Mesa Arts Center

Mesa Arts Center Photo © Mesa Arts Center and City of Mesa, used with permission

Let's take a look around. You already know the cultural prominence of the Valley of the Sun. Let's look a little closer at the East Valley performing arts centers and what is happening over the next few weeks. First, let's head to Mesa, Maricopa's second largest city.

Mesa's crown jewel is MAC, the Mesa Arts Center. MAC is a multimedia paradise, the “Lincoln Center” of the South West, catering to all facets of the arts. Designed by the architecture firm BOORA, and very much in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright and his Scottsdale home Taliesin West, MAC's architects took their design inspiration from Arizona's landscape and climate.

Ikeda Theater interior Mesa Arts Center Photo ©  used with permission

In addition to a Contemporary Art Gallery and 14 Art Studios, within MAC's walls are four theaters. The largest, the stunningly beautiful Ikeda, is contemporary in design “emphasizing,” in MAC's apt words, “the eroded sandstone walls of a desert canyon.” The Ikeda was built to accommodate larger theatrical productions: national tours, concerts and the symphony. The other theaters include the smaller Nesbitt Elliott Playhouse (home to the SW Shakespeare Company), the Piper, designed as a theater for young audiences as well as the tiny Cox Farnsworth Studio. All of the theaters are home to a variety of talented local companies in addition to world-class touring entertainment.

SW Shakespeare Logo

Established in 1994, the renowned Southwest Shakespeare Company's mission from the outset has been to help make the Bard's plays more accessible to as many people as possible. In their own words: “ Southwest Shakespeare Company opens doors by exploring the intricacies of language through the vibrant and passionate performance of works of classical theatre. We exist to entertain, educate, inspire and elevate the general public and educational communities of Arizona.” Among it's long list of major awards are an astounding 39 AriZonis.

SW Shakespeare Company Jared Sakren as Mme. Arcati

Get out your Ouija boards, up next for the SW Shakespeare Company is an intimate staging of Noel Coward's classic supernatural comedy Blithe Spirit. Blithe Spirit will play in the Farnsworth Studio space. Performances begin March 4 and will continue through March 20.

Artistic director Jared Sakren will assume the role of Madame Arcati.. Mr. Sakren will be following comedic greats Margaret Rutherford and Bea Lillie. Doubtless, his performance will be in drag but promises not to be a drag!

Rene Foss in Around the World in a Bad Mood

Beginning March 23 MAC will host a revised version of the hilarious Off Broadway hit Around the World in a Bad Mood. The flighty comedy about flying will continue through April 3 at the Elliott Nesbitt Playhouse before taking off to parts known and unknown.

The production will feature returning, real life flight attendant Rene Foss along with newly added cast members Hector Coris and Rachael Lee. Get ready for singing flight attendants, perturbed passengers, and crazy characters not seen before.