2013-2014 Performing Arts Season Spotlights

The depth and breadth of Tucson’s artistic offerings never ceases to amaze us! Our burg hosts organizations that span the gamut of entertainment genres, from the passionate theatrics of opera to home spun stage shows and pretty much everything in between. We want to give a big bravo to these companies for finding creative ways to hang in during this Great Recession and to the arts patrons for providing economic support. Of course a deep bow must go to the audiences and fans – without whom there would be no reason to for these productions to be brought to the stage.

Please join us in celebrating and enjoying all of the Old Pueblo’s cultural aspects; we are blessed to have so many delightful entertainment options that suspend our daily troubles and toils, even if just for a few hours.

Stage/Theatrical

Arizona Opera fans in Tucson caught a lucky break with the 2013-2014 season thanks to an anonymous donor. The state company, which performs in both Tucson and Phoenix, was set to deliver one fewer production in Tucson this year due to budget constraints, but a generous patron has made sure the entire season will take the stage. Look for classics from Gilbert and Sullivan (HMS Pinafore, Oct. 19-20), Wagner (The Flying Dutchman, Nov. 23-24) and Verdi (La Traviata, March 8-9). Also, the tragic and immensely popular La Bohème from Puccini is on deck Feb. 1-2. Visit AZOpera.org for more information and tickets. All shows take place at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. – Herb Stratford

Arizona Rose Theatre Company is a 27-year-old, locally established, family-run affair with a couple of shows on the books. As of press time, its holiday production was venue-less, but info will be on the ArizonaRoseTheatre.com website once it all gets ironed out. In February, ART is producing Barefoot in the Park, by Neil Simon, at the Temple of Music & Art’s Cabaret Theatre, 330 S. Scott Ave., Feb. 14-16, 2014. The spring will see performances of Tombstone: The Musical, by Terry and Brandon Howell, on the Berger Performing Arts Center stage March 21-23. Tickets available online or by calling 888-0509. – Zócalo

Despite the headlines and management changes at the Arizona Theatre Company, 2013-2014 looks to be promising for the “state’s theatre.” With the return of longtime ATC managing director Jessica Andrews and artistic director David Ira Goldstein, professional theatre will continue to take the stage at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. This year, three Arizona premiers are on tap: The Mountaintop, which details a re-imagining of the events just prior to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King (Oct. 19–Nov. 9); Other Desert Cities, the Broadway smash about a family crisis over an impending tell-all book (Jan. 18–Feb. 8); and Venus in Fur, which is about an audition and the interaction between the playwright and potential star (April 5–26). For the full schedule visit ArizonaTheatre.org. – H.S.

Led by Michael Fenlason, the Beowulf Alley Theatre Company is presenting a great lineup of productions for their intimate space. Look for The Little Dog Laughed, by Douglas Carter Beane from Oct. 4-20, Savage Bond from Nov. 8-24 (by 2012 Arizona Playwright award winner Steve Holiday); Tartuffe by Moliere (March 14-30) and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo from April 4-20, directed by Eva Tessler from Borderlands Theatre. Beowulf Alley is located at 11 S. 6th Ave., online at Beowulfalley.org, and at 882-0555. – H.S.

Borderlands Theater had yet to announce its season as a press time, but some website sleuthing unearthed a few shows currently scheduled. In October, 10-20, is Grounded – about a “F16 pilot whose pregnancy ends her career in the sky, and is re-assigned to maneuver drones from an air-conditioned trailer near Vegas; it’ll target our assumptions about war, family, and the power of storytelling.” From Feb. 13-March 2, are “Two New Transnational Plays” – Maria’s Circular Dance and Trash. March 27-April 13 sees performances of Burning Patience. These shows take place at the Zuzi Theatre, 738 N. 5th Ave. Get more details at BorderlandsTheater.org or call 882-7406. – Zócalo

Broadway In Tucson moves into a new home this season at the University of Arizona’s Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd., following their “breakup” with the city-run Tucson Convention Center’s Music Hall due to scheduling conflicts in previous years. Show highlights for the 2013-2014 run include fan favorite Sister Act, Oct. 8-13, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz (Feb. 25-March 2) and Jersey Boys from June 17-22. Given the recent movement to turn Jersey Boys into a film, this is a great chance to see how it plays on stage first. Also of note this year are two special events: Green Day’s American Idiot, Dec. 7-8, and the Broadway smash Mamma Mia! running Dec. 27-29. More information with the full schedule is available at BroadwayInTucson.com. – H.S. 

Invisible Theatre continues its astounding history with a full plate of performances this season. Since 1971, the company has been a touchstone for local and regional playwrights and has presented some of the most fun and exciting works in Southern Arizona. This year the schedule includes: a musical (Good Rockin’ Live, Jan. 11-12), a mystery (Dead Guilty, Feb. 6-23), a comedy about Buddy Hackett (Buddy – March 8-9), and of course an obligatory mad-cap performance (Olive and the Bitter Herbs, April 17-May 4). The Invisible Theatre productions mostly take place at their space, 1400 N. 1st Ave., but some performances are at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. Visit InvisibleTheatre.com for complete details and ticket information. – H.S.

The Rogue Theatre — a recipient of the 2012 American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company grants — is unlike any other theatrical entity in Tucson. For its ninth season, “The Season of Lust,” the company will again present a rich and diverse mix of classic fare from various eras on its intimate and comfortable stage at 300 E. University Blvd. Highlights include: Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure (Nov. 7-24), Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, about affairs of the heart, mind and cosmos (Jan. 9-26), and Betrayal, by Harold Pinter (Feb. 27-March 16), which details the collision of passion against marital fidelity. But also don’t miss the presentation of Dante’s seminal work Purgatorio, April 24-May 11, which is a poetic re-telling of the classic visit to hell as guided by the poet Virgil. Find out more at TheRogueTheatre.org or call 551-2053. – H.S.

UofA’s Arizona Repertory Theatre is an oft overlooked local theatrical presenter. The university’s School of Theatre, Film and Television presents a series of dramatic works every year at the Marroney and Tornabene Theatres on campus. This year the schedule includes standards such as The Fantastics (Oct. 20-Nov. 10), the musical Oklahoma from March 9-April 6, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on April 13-May 4. One newer show of note is the Broadway hit Boeing Boeing, the season opener, which is on stage Sept. 22-Oct. 13. With excellent student performers and a crack technical staff, these shows are every bit as professional and entertaining as any other theatrical performances in town. Visit TFTV.Arizona.edu for the full schedule of performances and ticket information. – H.S.

Winding Road Theatre Ensemble’s mission is to “tell dynamic, theatrical stories that illuminate the human condition and celebrate the theater’s power to entertain us, to move us, and to bring us joy,” as well as “a special commitment to developing new work by living American playwrights.” The five plays showing at the Temple of Music & Art Cabaret Theatre appear to fill that charge. Continuing through Sept. 15 is The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion – based on her memoir; on stage Dec. 5-22 is Cabaret, “set in the seedy underbelly of the infamous Kit Kat Klub, and revolves around 19-year-old English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with a young American writer. A sub-plot involves a doomed romance between German boarding house owner Fräulein Schneider and her elderly suitor Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit vendor.” Boom, “Sex to Change the Course of the World,” runs Jan. 23-Feb. 9; Gruesome Playground Injuries has the same date run. More information at WindingRoadTheater.org and 749-3800. – Zócalo

Dance

In late August, Artifact Dance Project was hard at work getting ready for its performance and late night dance party on Saturday, Sept. 7, happening from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event, apropos of its name “wear.house” takes place at LoveSmack Studios along the Toole Avenue Warehouse District. Co-Artistic Director Ashley Bowman describes the event: “DJ SYNC will provide his unique sound of spinning big bass drum, bass vibes and soulful electronic music which ADP artistic directors, Claire Hancock and Ashley Bowman, will set new choreography of ‘installation-like’ pieces on professional dancers throughout the entire night. The idea of this one-night-only event is to gather people together in the warehouse district of the downtown Tucson area for an all-night experience.” Get more at ArtIfActDanceProject.com. – Zócalo

Ballet Tucson is kicking off its 10^th season with fall concert performances, Oct. 11-13, which include the works Dracula, Under My Skin and Gemini in matinee and evening shows at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre on the UA campus, 1737 E. University Blvd. Holiday classic The Nutcracker is on stage at UA’s Centennial Hall, Dec. 14-15, followed by the Winter Concert with three different dances, in collaboration with Tucson Desert Song Festival, Feb. 15-16 at the Temple of Music and Art. The Dance and Dessert concerts will again return to the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre with the traditional pairing of desserts from Tucson’s finest restaurants and a mélange of ballet favorites on April 4-6. For more details on these and other performances, visit BalletTucson.org or call 903-1445. – H.S.

Tucson’s ZUZI! Dance Company celebrates its 16^th season this year, an impressive accomplishment for any dance company. Known locally for both ground and air-based dance work, ZUZI offers a unique and exciting expansion on traditional modern dance works. Headquartered in the Historic Y, at 738 N. 5th Ave., their events are a unique and an exciting blend of dance, music and culture that feature both youth and adult dancers. Highlights of the upcoming season include: No Frills-Cheap Frills Dance Happenin’ Oct. 25-26, the annual Solstice Celebration on Dec. 19-21, and the Spring Concert on April 24-25. Find more information at ZUZIMoveIt.org or by dialing 629-0237. – H.S.

Music

Nested in the 511-seat Leo Rich Theatre are the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music performances, which showcase the “world’s finest chamber musicians” playing both classic pieces and new, commissioned works. AFCM offers a three-part season: the Evening Series, Piano & Friends and the 21st Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. Evening Series’ highlights include: two concerts by the Jerusalem Quartet (Oct. 15-16), Vienna Piano Trio (Nov. 13) and Imani Winds with Anne-Marie McDermott on piano (Feb. 19). The Piano & Friends series hosts Hye Jin Kim (violin) & Ieva Jokubaviciute (piano) on Nov. 10, Jonah Kim (cello) & Sean Kennard (piano) on Jan. 12, Ravinia on the Road Voice Concert on Feb. 1, and Nikita Mndoyants (Finalist of the Van Cliburn Piano Competition) on April 13. The Chamber Music Festival runs March 16-23. Visit ArizonaChamberMusic.org or call 577-3769 for more details. – Zócalo

Celebrate with the Arizona Repertory Singers as they inaugurate their 30th anniversary season with performances of J. S. Bach’s Magnificat in D major and Respighi’s distinctive yet seldom-heard work, Laud to the Nativity, on Dec. 8 (St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 5150 N. Valley View Rd., 2 p.m.), Dec. 13 (Benedictine Monastery, 800 N. Country Club, 7:30 p.m.) and Dec. 15 (Benedictine Monastery, 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m.) ARS will perform a choral music and artistic multimedia celebration for the 30^th Anniversary of ARS in late April/early May of 2014 with the Voices at an Exhibition, featuring original commissioned compositions that demonstrate the relationship between choral music, written text and visual media. Call 792-8141 or visit ARSingers.org for further details and ticket information. – Zócalo

Tucson Symphony Orchestra, per its norm, is presenting Tucsonans with a full schedule of excellent shows in a variety of programs from classics to pops. No discussion of the 2013-2014 season can begin without first mentioning the performance of violin master Itzhak Perlman, performing with the TSO for the first time in 30 years. That performance — one night only — is Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. The eight Classic Works concerts will feature world-class soloists and works by the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff. The Masterworks series features iconic works by Schubert, Strauss, Beethoven and others. Neil Sedaka will join the symphony on March 15. Additionally, the symphony’s award winning Just For Kids! Series continues with free, intimate gatherings at TSO’s HQ, 2175 N. 6th Ave., that expose children to the instruments and music of a symphony. Visit TucsonSymphony.org for more details on the company’s robust schedule, and its performance venues. – H.S.

Variety

Black Cherry Burlesque is Tucson’s longest running burlesque production, headquartered at the Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. BCB was started by the pub’s owners, Inga Kaboom and Stephka von Snatch, in 2006 after they fell in love with the art of burlesque. The show features a wide variety of performers, styles, themes and music. Performances are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Additionally, Black Cherry Raw shows are on the third Friday of the month, also at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Contact info is 882-0009 and TucsonBurlesque.com. – Zócalo

Carnival of Illusion continues its record-breaking run of shows at the Doubletree Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Rd., starting Sept. 20. Last season the Carnival celebrated their 180^th sold out show, so one of Tucson’s best kept secrets may be finally out. The intimate parlor magic show is limited to just 50 guests per show, and has expanded with a regular Phoenix presence at the Historic Arizona Biltmore Resort. For the Carnival’s fifth season, it will continue to present vaudeville-inspired illusions that will leave you wondering how they accomplished such feats, especially since the audience is so close to the performers. Make sure to reserve your seats well in advance, visit CarnivalofIllusion.com for reservations and tickets. – H.S.

Fluxx Productions believes that queer people of all genders and sexual orientations deserve to party, and it aims to be accessible financially, emotionally and physically to all queers and non queers alike. Its special productions this fall include the Fluxx Fest, a three-day queer arts festival featuring performances, workshops, films, live music, art, vendors and dance parties – happening at the River Park Inn, 350 S. Freeway, Sept. 20-22. Get the full schedule and pricing info at FluxxFest.com. On Oct. 12 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. is the Pride After Party at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. “Dance, rejoice and make love with justice in mind,” emails Media Director Rachel Castillo. Details are at FluxxProductions.com. Its studio and gallery at 414 E. 9th St. hosts regular events. See the website for more information. – Zócalo

The Odyssey Storytelling Series hosts the ancient art of oratory on a mostly monthly basis at Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 414 E. 9th St. Events feature six storytellers (average folks, reflecting Tucson’s diversity) to tell 10 minute true, personal stories on a pre-determined theme. This fall’s schedule and topics are: Sept. 5 – Wild Kingdom: Animal Encounters, Sept. 19 – Tradiciones y Transiciones/Traditions and Transitions (collaborating with Wingspan for the Latin@ Pride Event), Oct 3 – The Spontaneous! Show (collaborating with Tucson Improv Movement), Nov. 7 – Revenge: Stories of Getting Even, Dec. 5 – Big Bad Words: The B*tch Show. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door or online at OdysseyStorytelling.com.  Call 730-4112 with inquiries. – Zócalo

The Ship is Sinking Normally is a play by Bryan Robert Sanders, being presented in September, featuring a special musical performance by Kiss the Killer – a supergroup formed for the occasion by Keli Carpenter and Taylor Bungard of The Tryst along with Derek & Amy Ross of Nowhere Man & Whiskey Girl. Kiss the Killer will play a set of originals and strange covers before a live production of the play – which incorporates acting, filmed elements and real time musical scoring by Paul Jenkins of Music Video. The play centers on the psyche and writing of novelist and essayist David Foster Wallace and is an attempt to explore the aftermath of Wallace’s suicide. Check it out at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 – for free! – on Cafe Passe’s back patio stage at 415 N. 4th Ave. Click on this Facebook.com page for performance details. – Zócalo

As usual, UApresents‘ new season is packed with “can’t miss” events at Centennial Hall. Starting with an opening night concert by Melissa Etheridge on Saturday, Sept. 7, the 2013-2014 season has highlights in a number of different performing genres. For classical music fans the rescheduled performance by pianist extraordinaire Lang Lang is a highlight set for Oct. 22. Also look for a strong crowd for diva Renee Fleming on May 4. Get the kids involved and inspired with The Zoppe Family Circus, (returning to Tucson for a third visit under their intimate tent on Jan. 11-12), and the Bahia Orchestra Project on Feb. 7. Dance fans should look forward to the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet on Feb. 6 and the Joffrey Ballet on March 23. Other shows of note include Bobby McFerrin on April 27 and Jungle Jack Hanna on Jan. 26, who is bringing with him 30 exotic animals. For the full schedule of events and specific ticket info visit UApresents.org. – H.S.

Category: Arts, Entertainment