Arizona Theatre Company
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Good for Kids: No
11 Reviews for Arizona Theatre Company
To Kill a Mockingbird, March 27, 2008
What a performance by the Arizona Theatre Company! I was swept off my feet. To Kill a Mockingbird is a moving and thought-provoking story about race in America. It is set in America in the 30's in the South and the actors easy took me to that place.
The play was so wonderfully acted and produced. I was impressed by every detail; from the Reverend and Calpernia's singing to the dirt on the poor farm characters to the cries of Robinson's mourning wife. Daria LeGrand, who played Scout, stole the show with her pure and powerful performance. I instantly loved John Rensenhouse who played Scout's father, Atticus. But each and every actor in this show put their very best foot forward and treated me to an enchanted evening.
This is the second play by ATC that I've seen and it was even better than the first (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). I can't believe I've lived in Phoenix this long and have been missing out on such great theater. Thank goodness for me that's changing.
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First of all, I want to thank the powers that be for the comped tix. See you in April as a paying spectator.
I really enjoyed the performance... but at first I didn't get it... until I realized that they used the same actors to represent multiple characters.
I couldn't take my eyes off of Anna Bullard, who played Elizabeth. What is it about women with long ringlets of red hair, who go weak in the knees at the sight of your dagger which you hold menacingly to their throats?
Thank you ATC for letting me feel cultured and refined, if even for only one enchanted evening.
But the guy in me still wishes there was more karate... and a pirate.
[Updated March 31 2008]
I was invited back to watch the opening night of To Kill A Mockingbird, and had great seats (4th row). This time, the kids stole the show, especially Daria as Scout.
I admired John's character, Atticus; despised Scott's character, Bob; and jumped about three inches out of my seat when someone thought it would be a good idea to bust a cap.
I told my co-worker about it, and he purchased 4 balcony seats, first row.
If I can find a date, I'll go back... providing they are not sold out! Any takers?
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5 stars + a standing ovation!
Just like Doug T., I also attended the January 5th performance of The Pajama Game. However, I actually showed up in my pajamas! At first, my friend DeDe and I thought we may be the only ones in our PJs, but there were a handful of others too...
The show was a lot of fun... extremely talented cast, so much energy, great retro colorful costumes, and songs that I loved without even knowing the words to! The orchestra and cast worked really well together and there were certain acts in the show that reminded me more of a 'Stomp' type of show with the movements and sounds really in sync.
As Doug mentioned, the lead roles of Sid Sorokin and Babe Williams really shined - they had great chemistry on stage! This was a wonderful show. It may have been my first experience seeing an Arizona Theatre Company production. but it definitely will not be my last. Go see The Pajama Game while it's still in town - it's here until January 20th! After that, they've got some other shows that I'm excited for as well...
One more thing - the Herberger Theater Center is a wonderful venue; just make sure to give yourself a little extra time for parking before the show.
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To Kill a Mockingbird - March 27, 2008
Another 5 star performance on this adaptation of Harper Lee's classic novel. I attended this performance without expectation; I didn't really remember the story from the 'Cliff's Notes' version I'd read in high school. Aside from the challenge of hearing some of the dialog with the deep southern drawl, I thoroughly enjoyed this show.
I agree with Erica L in saying that 'Scout' was adorable and totally in character through the entire show - I loved her enthusiasm and no doubt she's got a future full of acting. Atticus and Calpernia were standouts as well.
Adult Scout's narration of the show made the play flow... I totally felt compassion and mixed emotions during the show. The racial divide has improved since the '30s when this story took place, but I think there's still more that can be done. If only more people could be like Atticus Finch. Go see this show while it's here - you will not be disappointed!
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I went to my first ever ATC play "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" last night and it was a fun experience. I dragged some friends with me and we made it a classy night. Classy with a C, that is. They are a great local theater company worthy of praise. I found the adaptation featuring four different Hydes (incl. a woman) to be very entertaining and compelling.
The credentials of each of the actors were impressive and while there were moments of cheese in the acting, overall the acting was pretty decent. The man in front of us bailed after the first act, so I guess not everyone shared that opinion.
The crowd, like most performing arts audiences, was much older on average, so if that's not an issue for you, you should enjoy it.
Our comped seats were much better than I expected. I thought I was gonna be in nosebleed heaven, but we were in the 12th row of the Orchestra section. Not bad, not bad. I wish every comped ticket in LYFE was that good.
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When a job offer brought me to Phoenix in the late '80s, I was fortunate enough to fall in with a group of coworkers who did not retreat to far-flung suburban homes in places like Gilbert or Peoria every day at 5 PM. These colleagues had a season ticket subscription to Arizona Theater Company and invited me to join them. Without having seen a single production, I told them I was in. I had enjoyed repertory theater in college and grad school and being alone in an unfamiliar city, I welcomed a guaranteed night out six times a year.
The timing couldn't have been better because the first production I saw, "Quilters," was not only an excellent night of theater, but also ATC's debut in the Herberger Theater, which has been its home ever since. Prior to the 1989 / 1990 season, ATC had performed in functional but less impressive venues such as Phoenix College. The Herberger is no longer new, but it's still a top-quality facility in an ideal Downtown location.
After nearly two decades of subscribing, I've learned to expect a few things from ATC each season: First, the set design is always striking. One of the pleasures of going to an ATC show is taking in the scene before the first actor even comes on stage. Pretty sets, however, are of no value without good acting and directing, and fortunately ATC is consistent in delivering those. I usually walk away after a night at an ATC show with a positive feeling about what I've just seen. On those rare occasions when I don't, it's due more to what I consider a badly written play than a bad production of a good play.
Second, I've come to expect a varied repertoire each season. There are usually one or two classics, one or two comedies, a musical revue, and a wildcard production or two. My favorites are often the musical revues (as opposed to musicals). In the past few years, I've had the pleasure of seeing plays in which biographies of legends like Hank Williams and Janis Joplin have been paired with great renditions of their classic songs.
I have equally positive memories of knockout productions such as "Dracula," "Quilters," and "Fully Committed," along with dozens more that I can't remember by name. The last two decades of subscription have been a good investment, and even though my original theater group splintered a few years ago, my wife and I continue to subscribe on our own. At this point, that means conscripting a grandparent for babysitting duty six times a year, but in the future, we hope to share this tradition with the next generation.
One tip for those new to ATC: Like most theater companies, ATC schedules most of its shows at 8 PM with a few 2 PM matinees. A lesser-known alternative is ATC's 4 PM twilight show, which is a relatively recent addition and my favorite way to see an ATC play. The problem with an 8 PM show is that it usually means dinner is a rushed experience before curtain time. A 4 PM show, on the other hand, allows a leisurely dinner after the show and an opportunity to reflect with your theater companions about the play you have just seen.
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On Feb 7th, 2008 I attended the "world premiere" performance of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. I loved it! The cast was extremely talented and diverse (I like it when ladies play male roles). I found the material to be engrossing, dark and sophisticated. It seemed to be hit or miss with the audience... I saw some people leaving during intermission, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I'll be recommending it to others.
Along with a handful of other Yelpers, I also attended the January 5th performance of The Pajama Game. Now, let me preface this by saying that I'm not a big fan of musicals, but I did have an ok time. The cast was a gifted group and bursting with energy! The set and costumes were colorful and creative and the 7-person orchestra was wonderful! The story itself is the only thing that didn't thrill me... as to be expected for a musical, the plot is just fluff.
Overall I give 5 stars to the skilled group of actors that make up the company. I can't wait to see more (I'll just steer clear of the musicals)!
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Best ATC performance I have seen in a long time! Upbeat, fun show and you can go in your PJ's....How can you beat that?
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Can you give the production 4 1/2 stars and give the play 0? I thought the production was terrific, but I hated the play. And unfortunately, the experience requires both to be good.
When you walked in the stage set was spare, but well utilized and intriguing.
Lighting and sound were spot on. Being in the back row, I could hear every cue given by what I assume was the stage manager in the booth behind the audience, but if the play had kept my attention, I might not have noticed.
The performances were strong. I especially enjoyed the woman who was playing several male characters.
But the material was torturous. This was a mean and confusing interpretation of the story, which the author bragged about in the program. Transitions from character to character and actor to actor were muddy. And I must admit I was so not enjoying the play that I left at intermission, so perhaps it got better at the end. The couple sitting next to us said they didn't blame us when we said goodnight, the woman looked a little wistful.
The production was terrific, but it could not rise above the play. I actually hope that this production is NOT seen by people who have not been to an Arizona Theatre Company performance before, I would hate to see them lose audience for their productions on the basis of poor material.
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The Jan 5 performance of The Pajama Game was a crowd pleaser to a full house on an evening where the weather cooperated and didn't rain as had been predicted. The play was accompanied by a seven instrument orchestra and the acting & singing were in sync to the seldom heard songs "Hernando's Hideaway" and "Hey There..." and even less heard to "Steam Heat". The lead roles were skillfully acted throughout but with greater laughter after intermission. Kevin Morrow was a very energetic Sid Sorokin with an excellent voice while Kelly McCormick was equally entertaining as Babe Williams as head of the grievance committee. The 7 & 1/2 cent call for a strike by the garment union was enjoyable but makes one wonder what it really should be today with the recent run-up in oil prices. There were few patrons in pajamas but there was a feel good ending with the colorful pajamas on stage to a standing ovation. Other than almost forgetting an umbrella the only glitch we encountered was locating the car on Blue B which was actually stairwell 5 vs. trying to find it on stairwell 4 where Blue C was located. Go Figure.
I also attended the opening night performance (Feb 7) of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and felt it was slow at first but picked up after intermission with a particularly effective shadow sequence with a cane. The acting grew more intense and for some reason the actor playing Dr. Hyde reminded me of Richard Dryefus of Jaws fame. Hyde had a response for every situation that seemed logical but deranged. For my taste musicals like the Pajama Game with more stage props and color are more entertaining but the acting in Jekyll and Hyde was top notch as noted in B F.'s review. From a personal taste point of view I would give it 2 stars and 4 stars for a clean performance yielding an overall 3. Some of the audience stood but I wouldn't call it a standing ovation which in part could be due to the subject matter vs musicals.
I remember seeing a B &W movie version growing up and in checking Amazon found at least 4 versions (1920, 1932, 1941 and 1982). Since 1982 was color it had to be one of the others. It was so long ago I don't recall the details but the play didn't give me an adrenalin rush like the movie with elaborate makeup, dark scenes and "scary" music.
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To Kill a Mockingbird - It was FABULOUS!! The entire play was well done, great sets, great acting, great portrayal of a great American Classic. Highly recommend it!!!
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Hubby and I attended the January 5, 2008 Opening Night of the Pajama Game- in our pajamas. The majority of the patrons did not, however, and we got some weird looks, but they either did not read the New Times article encouraging such attire, or were too stuffy to dare.
I should start by saying that cheery musicals have never been my thing (if it needs to be a musical, give me Sweeney Todd). However, that does not mean I can't appreciate excellent performances and choreography. The basic premise of the show is union workers at a pajama factory gearing up for a strike for a 7-1/2 cent raise, but centers on a romance between Babe, the grievance committee, and Sid, the new supervisor. The Arizona Theatre Company struck gold when they got Kevyn Morrow to play Sid as he gave the stand-out performance of the night. Joel Newsome was very funny-and creepy- as Prez, and Emily Mulligan-Ferry's Mae had the biggest personality among the girls (extra props to a fellow teacher!). I liked the chemistry between the time-keeper Hines (played by an absolutely hilarious Bob Sorenson) and the big boss' secretary, Gladys (Michelle Aravena) even more than that between Sid and Babe and their "Jealousy Ballet" near the end was one of my favorite numbers. The choreography was especially great in "Once a Year Day," "Steam Heat," and "Hernando's Hideaway." The sherbet colored set and the vibrant costuming (especially for the ladies) added to the atmosphere, and the timing of orchestra and the actors was wonderfully in sync.
Overall, The Pajama Game was a fun show and the Herberger is a great venue. Parking at the garage on 2nd St. and Monroe seems best, and unless there is another major event going on, there should be ample spaces. It was pricier at $10 than it has been at other times. I'm looking forward to ATC's upcoming shows "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."
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