By Richard Schultz, October 2015 Issue
In our daily lives, smartphones and social media reign king. Yet, in this midst of our technology-driven society, live performances are more sacred than ever before.
While production styles and genres vary, the dynamic and immediate communication between a performer and audience is a guarantee. And divergent themes strike up a diverse array of palpable emotional responses for audiences.
So, whether you’re looking for a harmonious blend of music and lyrics, craving a hearty laugh or wanting to be moved by the searing reality of drama, the upcoming theater season offers strong contenders in each of the following genres.
Musical
Company, ASU Lyric Opera Theatre
Sept. 25-Oct. 4
Stephen Sondheim’s game-changing musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern, adult relationships. From musical theater’s most renowned composer, Company is largely regarded as a trailblazer of the dark-comedy, modern-musical genre and is the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics and Best Book. On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried state. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks and even a wedding, his married friends explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse. And the habitually single lead character is forced to question his adamant retention of bachelorhood during a hilarious array of interactions.
Tucson: Nov. 28-Dec. 19 | Phoenix: Dec. 30-Jan. 17
This new romantic musical comedy blends some of the best-loved songs from composer Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway shows (Wicked and Godspell) with some of his lesser-known gems. Meet Sue and Dan, a couple who have drifted apart after 20 years of marriage. Together, they discover a box of photographs that leads them to relive the memories of their past selves. Snapshots re-imagines favorites from Stephen Schwartz’s vast catalogue in new and exciting ways in a story in which every couple will see themselves.
Feb. 5-20
In this daring musical, that takes you on a journey across boundaries of place, identity and theatrical convention, Stew brings us the story of a young bohemian who charts a course for “the real” through sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Book, this funny and moving coming-of-age tale offers a vivid look at a middle-class Los Angeles teenager who grows up to be a singer-songwriter. His route takes him from the church choir to a punk band and from sexual liberation in Amsterdam to an artistic straitjacket in a Berlin arts commune — a hell from which he emerges with an epiphany. Loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion, this show takes audiences on a quest for personal discovery and artistic authenticity.
City of Angels, Theater Works
Feb. 19-March 6
This clever and multi-Tony award-winning musical is well overdue for a revival. It’s actually two shows in one, with two interwoven plots – one dealing with the writing of a screenplay and the other, the enactment of that screenplay. Set in glamorous and seductive 1940s Hollywood – the world of film studios and flimsy negligees – the show chronicles the misadventures of Stine, a young novelist, attempting a screenplay for movie producer/director, Buddy Fidler. Interestingly, the show boasts two musical scores: one provides the cast with numbers to help reveal certain emotions or to celebrate particular moments in the way that only music can and the “other” score was written to emulate a period movie soundtrack. It’s entirely appropriate, then, that the final curtain comes down on this sidesplitting musical comedy with two happy endings.
May 27-June 19
It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes. But the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled strip into just another capitalist strip mall. The score features hits by rock bands like Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more.
Comedy
Sex with Strangers, Arizona Theatre Company with Stray Cat Theatre
Phoenix: Sept. 24-October 11 | Tucson: February 11-21
Letting a stranger in can always be dangerous. A new comedy about the calculations people are making to find love or fame in an age of social media, brightly-lit phone screens and blogging. A raging snowstorm traps two beautiful strangers in a secluded cabin. Opposites instantly attract, undeniable chemistry ignites, and sex is imminent. As dawn rises, however, what could have been just a one-night stand transforms into something much more complicated.
Oct. 30-Nov. 15
Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada and it almost doesn’t exist because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it’s just … Almost. One cold, clear Friday night in the middle of winter, while the northern lights hover in the sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found and confounded. And life for the people of Almost, Maine, will never be the same. This romantic and whimsical play by John Cariani is ideal for any date night!
Deathtrap, Mesa Encore Theatre
Jan. 8-24
Seemingly comfortably ensconced in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a “dry” spell, which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college – a thriller which Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway hit. Sidney’s plan, which he devises with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student. The younger man quickly accepts. Thereafter suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness.
March 12-26
You’ve never seen Chekhov’s The Seagull like this. Irreverent, contemporary, smart, inventive and very, very funny, playwright Aaron Posner’s bold and cheeky sort-of update thrusts audiences into a country house where unrequited desire is drowned in equal parts alcohol and sarcasm. In true Chekhovian fashion, actresses, playwrights, doctors, and novelists bare their souls as they search desperately for the truth of love and art. This bold script skillfully remixes the renowned “subtext” of the classic play into exuberant and hysterical scenes and songs.
Tucson: April 9-30 | Phoenix: May 5-22
This laugh-out-loud, whip-smart new comedy takes the third U.S. President, the author of A Christmas Carol and the author of War and Peace, locks them in room with no exit and has them hash out their views of scripture and the true meaning of existence. This provocative and funny play is a fascinating insight into the spiritual lives of three of the most creative thinkers that ever lived. This blistering battle of wits from Scott Carter, executive producer of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” also prompts a look into all our lives as they ponder if they were able to do enough with the lives they led – and if they didn’t, what about the rest of us?
Drama
Oct. 9-25
The biggest cola company in the world is about to shock America. This engaging drama by Frank Higgins tells the story of how the announcement of the company’s bold new idea is affected by the very distinctly different cultural backgrounds of three women in the company. Jewel, an African American ad executive who came of age in the ‘60s, is thrust into a role in the company by her former college roommate, Mary. As the second in command of the company, Mary must balance her Asian sensibilities against the “Old World” style of the company’s aging leader, Clair. This intense game of survival and success leads to the question: “What would it take for your best friend to betray you?”
St. Joan, Space 55
Oct. 9-24
Expect this edgy local theater company to boldly redefine a classic of the modern theatre. This production poses the question: “Is it God or conviction and belief that allow a teenage girl to lead an army and crown a king?” Space 55’s take on George Bernard Shaw’s drama traces the life of Joan of Arc and explores the themes of faith, nationalism and Protestantism. From the time she appears to her regional governor, the production follows her during her visit to the Dauphin (where she is undeceived by his disguise), to the siege of Orleans, to Charles VII’s Coronation at Rheims, to her trial and recantation and culminates with her death at the stake.
Nov. 12-15
This original collection of seven short plays, written by Sheworxx ensemble members, offer fresh takes on the iconic female characters. Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and the various witches of these well-known tales will share their uncensored stories in site-specific performances across the campus of an indoor/outdoor venue. Audiences will move through the show, interacting with each of the short performances in its own unique environment. Sheworxx is an evolving community of Tucson-based theater makers, playwrights, directors, actors, dramaturgs and designers building gender parity in theater locally and globally through community engagement, mentoring, peer education, and the production of works by female-identified and feminist playwrights.
Jan. 15-31
Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart has not quite in it. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma, an idealistic but confused college dropout, arrives to volunteer, her reckless mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley to the breaking point. With keen humor and startling compassion, this fascinating play, written by Heidi Schreck, navigates the mystery of faith, the limits of forgiveness and the pursuit of something resembling joy.
Looking Over the President’s Shoulder, Black Theatre Troupe
Feb. 5-21
Based on the real-life story of Alonzo Fields – this production revisits Fields’ career – from being forced to give up his dream of becoming an opera singer to accepting a job at the White House where he was quickly appointed Chief Butler. This production is set on the eve of his last day on the job and Fields reflects on his 21 years of service to his country with humor and pride. Culled from Fields’ private papers, diaries and interviews, this unique perspective details how he served four U.S. presidents and their families, as well as their famous guests, including Winston Churchill, Marian Anderson, Errol Flynn and the king and queen of England, through the years.
