OLLIE at ASU ~ Phoenix Theatre Series

 

Spotlight on

La Cage Aux Folles:A Little More Mascara!

Lecture and backstage "behind the scenes" visit

 
 The best part of turning 50 years old last July is now I am able to take courses with OLLIE at ASU.  When I saw they were offering as part of their Cultural Exploration Series this Spring a course with the Phoenix Theatre for an in-depth and exclusive look at their professional production of La Cage Aux Folles I was so excited.  Not only do I love live theatre, but I am one who likes to study-up on the productions I see beforehand.   So this course was perfect for me, even though I have seen La Cage twice before, the first time in New York City in June of 1985 with the original Albin, George Hearn, and Van Johnson playing Georges.  I'll blog more about that next month.

Today was the first day of this two day course and Dr. Jeffery Kennedy, ASU West's musical theatre scholar presented a lecture on the history of La Cage along with the importance and effect of La Cage and the "drag musical" on American musical theatre both past and present.  Then Zoni Award Winner Michael J. Eddy gave an insightful lecture with a backstage look at the set designing, lighting and costuming of La Cage.  Then Phoenix Theatre's Director of Production, Pasha Yamotahari talked about the casting process as well as how a theatre goes about getting a license to do a show...all very interesting. 

Next month is day two of this course where it's all put together with another lecture by Pasha Yamotahari and then a full theatre production of La Cage Aux Folles.  I can't wait!

Dr. Jeffery Kennedy speaking today at the Phoenix Theatre. 

You can see the back of my head in this picture.

 

 



Ballet Arizona ~ Romeo and Juliet

On Sunday evening I saw the last performance of Romeo and Juliet presented by Ballet Arizona.  I love the Ballet, especially when I know the story, and I don't need to be able to hear in order to understand what is going on.  Hubby came with me for this one.  As much as I like going to things by myself, some things are better shared.

Circus Vargas

On Saturday afternoon I went to see Circus Vargas.  I loved the authentic old-time circus...under the Big Top, and especially with no animal acts in the show.  Well, there were some cute bunnies in the show, but they were stuffed animals thankfully. 

This was a pure Artist Date...me and my inner child.  I did not invite anyone to go with me to the circus.  My inner child had a GREAT time even though I did not buy her any popcorn or cotton candy.

The Scottsdale Philharmonic

 

 After seeing The Elephant Man at Desert Stages Theatre on Sunday afternoon I made a beeline over to Saguaro High School to listen for the very first time to The Scottsdale Philharmonic.  First off I was shocked at how nice and how large Saguaro High School's auditorium is...they even had a balcony section.  Anyway, what a nice way to end a great weekend...listening to music.  I will definitely be going back to hear more concerts.

 

I had a wonderful weekend...looking at artist's artwork at art festivals, listening to beautiful voices singing in a musical, watching great acting in a play, then hearing musicians making beautiful music in a concert.  Obviously all these people LOVE what they do, and it showed.

The Elephant Man @ Desert Stages Theatre

Saturday I saw one of the last performances of Sunset Boulevard at Desert Stages Theatre, but on Sunday afternoon I saw one of the first performances of The Elephant Man.  I saw this play in August of 1980 at the Blackstone Theatre in Chicago with David Bowie playing John Merrick, the Elephant Man.  So I knew going into seeing this play once again they don't use prosthetic make-up on the actor playing John Merrick.  They show you on screen pictures of the real John Merrick, so you know the extent of his extreme deformity, and they explain how his deformity caused his physical limitations.  Then it's up to an incredible actor to carry off this deformity without the help of any prosthetic make-up, and keep the audience believing they are seeing in front of them a disfigured body with many physical limitations.  Not an easy task, but actor Jimmy Shoffman really made you feel you were looking at the Elephant Man.  He did a marvelous job as well as the other members of the cast.   BRAVO!

On a side note:  I'm not sure, but I think Michelle Hoffman, Drama Critic for the Arizona Republic was sitting next to me at this performance.  If it was not her, then some woman was taking notes throughout the play for whatever reason.

Sunset Boulevard @ Desert Stages Theatre

 

 I had the most entertaining weekend.  I went to two art festivals, a play, a concert and the fabulous musical Sunset Boulevard on Saturday afternoon at Desert Stages Theatre. Every time I see one of their musicals I always say it was my favorite until I see their next musical, then that one is my favorite.  Their productions just keep getting better and better.  The last musical I saw there was Into the Woods which was phenomenal thanks in part to all the amazing singers in the cast.  Luckily, many of those sensational singers were also in Sunset Boulevard, plus some outstanding newbies as well.  The whole cast really shined...they were all extraordinary.