Phoenix Metro Theater Reviews

Review: JOHN LOVES MARY at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre
by Herbert Paine - February 05, 2024

Under Diedra Celeste Miranda’s fast-paced, robust, and thoroughly entertaining direction, Don Bluth Front Row Theatre's production of JOHN LOVES MARY is a fun affair. The show runs through March 2nd....

Review: JAGGED LITTLE PILL at Gammage Auditorium
by Tim Shawver - February 04, 2024

In a landscape flooded with jukebox musicals, (Four of them in this ASU Gammage season!) JAGGED LITTLE PILL stands out as the first artistically and socially responsible integrated catalog musical. It is a gem that deserves recognition....

Review: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at The Phoenix Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - January 30, 2024

The Phoenix Theatre Company's production of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY is a must see ~ a quintessentially American morality tale, directed by Rod Kaats and featuring knockout performances by Josh Clark, Michael Stewart Allen, and Michael Kary. Runs through February 11th....

Review: ON THE TOWN at Arizona Broadway Theatre
by Herbert Paine - January 21, 2024

BroadwayWorld Guest Contributor, David Appleford, reviews Arizona Broadway Theatre's production of ON THE TOWN and applauds it as an “undeniable triumph.” Runs through February 24th....

Review: THE OTHER PLACE at Theatre Artists Studio
by Herbert Paine - January 16, 2024

Sharr White’s THE OTHER PLACE benefits from Debra Rich's poignant and nuanced performance as the play's struggling protagonist. Theatre Artists Studio's production runs through February 4th....

Review: THE WIZ at ASU Gammage
by Herbert Paine - January 04, 2024

BroadwayWorld Guest Contributor, David Appleford, gives high marks to the pre-Broadway tour of THE WIZ at ASU Gammage through January 7th....

Review: SCROOGE! at Arizona Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - December 10, 2023

Arizona Theatre Company's adaptation of SCROOGE! ~ the most notable element missing in this largely unsuccessful adaptation is any sense of a true Dickensian backdrop. Runs through December 30th....

Review: LES MISERABLES at ASU Gammage
by Herbert Paine - December 09, 2023

BWW Contributor Timothy Shawver's take on the North American Tour production of LES MISERABLES: A solid rendition of the epic musical and a talent showcase for performers and designers. Runs through December 10th at ASU Gammage in Tempe, AZ....

Review: POTUS at Stray Cat Theatre
by Herbert Paine - December 06, 2023

Selina Fillinger's POTUS, directed by Katie McFadzen, is fast-paced but leans too far into slapstick at the expense of nuance and its fuller potential at harpooning the patriarchy. At Stray Cat Theatre through December 16th....

Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Arizona Broadway Theatre
by Herbert Paine - November 30, 2023

The spirit of the Yuletide season is in full and pleasurable bloom at Arizona Broadway Theatre with the company’s sparkling production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, directed by Rob Watson. The show runs through December 30th....

Review: ELF THE MUSICAL at The Phoenix Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - November 25, 2023

A large dose of seasonal good cheer is precisely the kind of theatrical diversion that ELF THE MUSICAL fulfills in The Phoenix Theatre Company’s production, running through December 30th....

Review: THE VANDAL at Theatre Artists Studio
by Herbert Paine - November 21, 2023

Hamish Linklater's THE VANDAL receives an engaging and moving treatment at Theatre Artists Studio. Directed by Carol MacLeod, the play runs through December 10th....

Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at ASU Gammage
by Herbert Paine - November 15, 2023

AIN'T TOO PROUD at ASU Gammage ~ the enjoyment of watching synchronized moves performed under the bright, intense spotlights while hearing Motown songs sung and sounding every bit as good as the originals. Runs through November 19th....

Review: THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS at Order Chaos Theatre Company
by Angela Kabasan-Gonzalez - November 12, 2023

What did our critic think of THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS at Order Chaos Theatre Company?...

Review: THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS at Black Theatre Troupe
by Herbert Paine - October 31, 2023

Black Theatre Troupe’s production and David Hemphill’s inspired direction lift THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS to grand heights, aloft with emotional impact, a message about the timeless quest for redemption, and the profound ability of gospel music to elevate the human spirit. Runs through November 12th....

Review: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at Arizona Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - October 24, 2023

Arizona Theatre Company's production of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK may aim to reconnect audiences with Neil Simon’s sophisticated and clever turns of plot and words, but, notwithstanding the cast’s determined efforts, the show feels tired and dated, save for a stunning performance by Kyra Kennedy....

Review: MACBETH at Southwest Shakespeare Company
by Herbert Paine - October 23, 2023

Southwest Shakespeare Company's MACBETH is the stuff of great drama, thick with psychological import, mad acts of violence, and the fog of war....

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Hale Centre Theatre
by Herbert Paine - October 22, 2023

Hale Centre Theatre's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, directed by Cambrian James, brings magic to the classic with full-bodied, robust-sounding voices and solid performances by its leads....

Review: Arizona Opera Presents FRANKENSTEIN ~ A Masterpiece of Horror and Humanity
by Herbert Paine - October 17, 2023

Arizona Opera's production of Gregg Kallor’s FRANKENSTEIN is an absolute triumph and a significant addition to the operatic repertoire. The world premiere continues at The Temple of Music and Art in Tucson, October 21 and 22....

Review: TIANANMEN: A NEW MUSICAL at The Phoenix Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - October 16, 2023

TIANANMEN: A NEW MUSICAL is The Phoenix Theatre Company's ambitious but modest effort to honor the courageous student protesters of Tiananmen Square. The show runs through October 29th....

Review: TINA ~ THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL At ASU Gammage
by Herbert Paine - October 11, 2023

TINA ~ THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL ~ At show's end, with the sound of Tina's music still echoing in one's mind, the most that may be remembered is why there wasn't more of the explosive high energy and volume of a live concert. At ASU Gammage through October 15....

Review: JADE at Chelsea Film Festival
by Herbert Paine - October 11, 2023

JADE is a refreshing and uplifting film that gives an empathetic face to black fatherhood. Directed by NAACP Theatre Award winner Robert Manning Jr. and featuring Luke Tennie and Noam Shapiro, the film will have its East Coast premiere at the Chelsea Film Festival on Friday, October 13th....

Review: AGNES OF GOD at Theatre Artists Studio
by Herbert Paine - October 09, 2023

Theatre Artists Studio delivers a riveting production of John Pielmeier’s AGNES OF GOD, directed by Judy Rollings. In a cerebral play that pits faith against reason and is a murder mystery to boot, Rollings's cast keeps the audience invested in a drama that is well-paced and loaded with gravitas....

Review: GLORIA At Stray Cat Theatre
by Herbert Paine - October 03, 2023

Under the astute and inspired direction of Dolores E. Mendoza, GLORIA (Stray Cat Theatre’s 22nd Season opener) the lines and action of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's play are transformed into a jarring high-voltage theatrical experience. Runs through October 14th at Tempe Center for the Arts....

Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Arizona Broadway Theatre
by Herbert Paine - October 01, 2023

Arizona Broadway Theatre's production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, directed by Ken Urso, featuring Jazmin Noel Moehring as the show’s Narrator, and supported by the non-stop energy of an outstanding ensemble, is a thrilling musical theatrical experience....