Urban Electra @ The Promenade

 

 

 

 

Friday, April 19th started the new season of concerts at the Promenade with Urban Electra performing.  Hubby likes to play Name That Tune when listening to this group.  Last year he was pretty good, but this year he sucked.  Hardly got any of them...but he always gets White Wedding in just a few notes.

Desert Botanical Garden



 

 

The lovely weather continued on Sunday, April 14th, and I went to one of my Meet-Up Group meetings that afternoon.  But in the morning I went over to the Desert Botanical Gardens to check out the Spring Butterfly Exhibit. 

 

 

 

I also checked out American artist and filmmaker Philip Haas’

monumental sculpture installation, The Four Seasons.

 

 

 

Also, scattered all around the garden are sculptures by Carolina Escobar. 

Oh look!...there is a nice chemtrail in this photo.

 

 

 

 

The best part of visiting the garden in the Spring is

The Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail. 

This year it was exceptionally brilliant with all the

vibrant colors of the wildflowers.

The Great Arizona Picnic

I have not been to the Great Arizona Picnic in about 10 years. In the past we would always go with a bunch of friends, but stopped going because honestly it grew tiresome.  On Saturday, April 13th hubby and I had no plans at all, and made a very last minute decision to go over to the Great Picnic by ourselves.  We got there a little after 3:00 pm and stayed till after 8:00.  The weather was absolutely perfect, we had some good eats, drinks and heard some great music.  Now I know the key to enjoying the Great Picnic without it becoming tiresome...don't go with a bunch of people.  We had a fabulous time...just the two of us. 

The Foreigner @ Desert Stages Theatre

March Madness is over...no I don't mean the NCAA basketball tournament...there is one more day of that left...I mean no more out of town folks visiting us.  When you live in the Valley of the Sun and your friends and family live in Chicago...they come, and especially in March during Spring training.  So today I had a completely FREE day to myself...even hubby was busy doing his mother's taxes.  So what to do...what to do.  I had a few choices...I could have gone to 1) the Tempe Festival of Arts, 2) Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Origination: A Festival of Native Cultures, 3) the el Pedregal and heard the country band Desert Dixie, 4) Scottsdale Desert Stages to see the comedy The Foreigner, or 5) stay home and clean my house and do laundry.  Okay, #5 was never really a choice...that can wait. 

So this morning I made a last minute decision to go see The Foreigner at Desert Stages.  If I did not see this play today, I would have definitely seen it sometime during its nine week run...but today was the day. I was not familiar with this play, but just looking at the above photo of those seven wacky people...you know you are in for a very off the wall and zany good time.  The whole cast was sidesplittingly hilarious and gave stellar performances...I had a great time.

In February I saw The Elephant Man at Desert Stages and was not 100% sure, but I thought I was sitting next to Michelle Hoffman, Drama Critic for the Arizona Republic.  Today the same woman was sitting behind me at the theatre taking notes.  So at intermission I asked her if she was indeed Michelle Hoffman...and she was.  I'm glad I did because we had a nice chat about local community theatres here in the Valley. I recognized her from her picture in the newspaper...yes I still read the actual newspaper, and not the online edition.  :-)

On a side note:  I was one of the highest bidders for Desert Stages Pink, Black and Blonde Gala silent auction on Saturday.   Okay, I was really the only bidder for this particular item...but I got it!  I'll blog about what I won someday when I get a chance to use it. 

La Cage aux Folles @ Phoenix Theatre

On Saturday afternoon was part two of my Ollie at ASU Phoenix Theatre Series Course where we had another insightful talk with Pasha Yamotahari the Phoenix Theatre's Director of Production, and then we saw the full theatrical production of La Cage aux Folles.   I loved getting a "behind the scenes" course on this production...it made it even more impressive when you know all what goes into getting an elaborate musical like this on stage. 

This was the third time I have seen the musical La Cage.  I saw it for the first time in New York in June of 1985 at the Palace Theatre with the original Albin played by George Hearn, and Van Johnson playing Georges.  This was my first time visiting New York, and I went with three girlfriends for my bachelorette weekend...I was getting married later in the summer.  Since there was no internet back then, it took a little more time planning and researching a vacation, so we divided up the responsibilities. One friend was in charge of booking us the best airfare and hotel to stay.  Another friend researched restaurants and the best clubs for us to visit.  Another friend was in charge of researching sightseeing activities, museums and shopping.  Since it was my bachelorette weekend I picked to research and book what was the most important to me...Broadway shows.  We only had time to see two shows but I knew the one show we were definitely going to see was La Cage aux Folles which recently won the Tony Award for Best Musical.  And back in 1985 La Cage did not disappoint...it was like nothing I had ever seen before...it was big, flashy, very funny, but most of all it was extremely moving and inspiring with its message of LOVE.

Twenty-eight years later seeing it again, La Cage is just as touching to me, and once again brought me to tears with this beautiful love story, and also with the love of family.  The Phoenix Theatre production was absolutely outstanding.  The entire cast really shined thanks to their enormous talent.  Plus, the fabulous costumes, set design and lighting made this production extraordinary.

Check out the lighting, costumes and sets  HERE...there're all fabulous! 

Also, check out those high kicks from those men? women?...see the show for yourself and find out.

 

Disney The Little Mermaid @ Desert Stages Theatre

 

On Saturday afternoon I attended the 1:00 pm show of Desert Stages Production of The Little Mermaid.  Since I don't have children, I have never seen the Disney movie.  Well, I have seen bits and pieces of it numerous times while baby sitting my good friends daughter who is now 26 years old, but never saw the movie all the way through.  So as usual I got the DVD from the library and watched it before seeing the musical. 

 

I brought my very good friend from Chicago with me, who now lives here in Arizona.  She also does not have any kids, but like me...is a BIG kid herself.  This was her first time to Desert Stages Theatre.  When the two kids from the cast came out before the show and sang Happy Birthday to a member of the audience she was already impressed with their zest.  I knew she would be floored by what was to come.  Needless to say she was overwhelmed with all the performances and so was I. 

 

I did not realize it until I came home and read my program, but the actor who played Scuttle, Zachary Denious was the kid who played Oliver in their 2011 production of Oliver!.  I didn't even recognize him...kids grow up so fast.

 

I told my girlfriend to definitely save her program because she will be glad one day when she can prove that she saw the famous actor/actress when they were young and doing a community theatre play.

Fountain Hills Theater ~ The Full Monty ~ Second Viewing

From Left to Right:
Alex Gonzalez, Chad Campbell, William H. Broyles IV,
Andrew Lipman, and Jared Gregg
Not Pictured unfortunately is Jesse Berger as Jerry

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!
PLEASE!

 

I saw The Full Monty two weeks ago with hubby at the Fountain Hills Theater, and while walking out of the theater I was already thinking of who I could invite with me for a second viewing. This production of this musical was just too good to not see again.  I stated in my last post that there are not enough superlatives to describe this fabulous and talented cast.  This musical is not just fun and entertaining, but the characters will tug at your heart strings, and you become so emotionally invested in them.

 

So for my second viewing this afternoon I invited my friend and neighbor to go along with me.  As we were walking out of the theater she turned around to me and said, "DAMN!  I wish this wasn't their last show.  I know of so many people who would love to see this. "  My sentiments exactly.  So I can only wish and hope that like their hit show The Producers, the Fountain Hills Theater will have  an encore performances of this show over the summer with all the same cast. Come on...do it again... PLEASE.



 

Silhoutte @ The el Pedregal ~ Carefree Sundays

This past week we heard the news that TV star Valerie Harper has a rare type of brain cancer and will live only about three more months.  If I heard this week that I only have three more months to live...what would I be doing with the time I have left?  Exactly what I did today...spending a glorious afternoon listening to one of my favorite bands...Silhouette. If the end is near...what a way to end...on a sweet note.

The Full Monty @ Fountain Hills Theater

On Sunday afternoon I went to see The Full Monty at the Fountain Hills Theater, and I brought hubby with me.  I first saw the film back in 1997 after it was nominated for Best Picture.  It was up against the film Titanic so it did not have a chance in hell to win.  I remember the gist of the film but like always got the DVD from the library to watch it again before seeing the musical version on stage.  I'm glad I saw the film again, because I had forgotten a lot of little key parts. I really enjoyed the movie much more now than I did when I first saw it in 1997, probably because I watched it with the subtitles on, so I could truly follow everything they were saying...their British accents were pretty heavy. The musical version is set in Buffalo New York, so no thick accents.  :-)

Anyway, the Fountain Hills production of The Full Monty in one word....FUN!  I can sincerely say this was the most fun I have had in a live theatre production.  The show was 3 hours long, but it did not feel that long at all because it was so damn fun and entertaining.  Plus, I felt way more emotionally invested in the characters in this production than I did just watching the movie all thanks to one hell of GREAT cast. There are not enough superlatives to describe this cast...every single person in the cast was fantastic.  This is one production I would go see again during its run...it's that good.  So next time I think I will leave hubby home and ask some girlfriends to join me. 

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.