Performing Arts Season Spotlights 2014-2015

Tucson’s theatre scene is the opposite of bland. Eclectic, exciting, lively, raucous, serious, hilarious, heartbreaking, sweet, sensual, over-to-top, and down-to-earth, the blend is more wide-ranging and diverse than the current line-up of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors. The variety speaks to the amazing amount of creative energy in the Old Pueblo, with performance companies that cater to both affluent patrons and audience members on a budget. The breadth truly is remarkable, so buy some tickets and embrace your town’s artistic, dramatic flair this year!

Sit back, relax, peruse Zócalo’s season snapshots and start booking some dates. We hope to see you at the show!

– Jamie Manser

Stage/Theatrical

Arizona Onstage Productions
Coming off of its highly-lauded rendition of Les Misérables, which ran Aug. 9-17, the company dedicated to musical theatre has three productions scheduled for this season. Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings offers Christmas standards that have all been “Plaid-erized.” The boys are back to do their Christmas Special. At first Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky don’t know why they’ve returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they’re needed to put some harmony into a discordant world. Shows are Dec. 5-20. Come Feb. 8-9, AOP presents Broadway Musicals, A Jewish Legacy. Based on the PBS Documentary, this show examines the unique role of Jewish composers and lyricists in the creation of the modern American musical and features the work of Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim. AOP closes its season with And the World Goes ‘Round March 20-April 5, a musical revue showcasing the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The revue takes its title from a tune the songwriting team wrote for Liza Minnelli to sing in the film New York, New York. The show consists of an eclectic collection of love songs, torch songs, and acerbically witty comic numbers. All performances are at the Temple of Music and Art’s Cabaret Space, 330 S. Scott Ave. See ArizonaOnstage.org for details and tickets.
– Zόcalo

Arizona Opera
Our fine state’s opera company is again delivering an impressive season of performances for audiences in both Phoenix and Tucson. With six operas spread out over the 2014-2015 season and a mixture of classics and lesser-performed works to choose from, this season is quite exciting. Most anticipated in many circles are two classic works: Verdi’s Rigoletto, (Nov. 22/23) a dark tale set in 16th century Italy featuring a court jester with revenge on his mind, and the Mozart classic The Magic Flute (March 7/8) which features some of the composers most famous music and wonderful sets and is always a crowd favorite. However, it is the company’s first performance of the year that is of historic significance. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna is the world’s first mariachi opera to hit the stage, with only two Tucson performances (Oct. 18/19). Featuring Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, the story “revolves around a modern immigrant family struggling with issues of home, family and identity.” Visit AZOpera.org for more information and tickets or ring (520) 293-4336. All shows take place at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. – Herb Stratford

Arizona Rose Theatre Company
The home-grown, family-run company lists three productions on its website for the 2014-15 season, including: Robin Hood – The Musical (Oct. 10-12); Crazy For You (Feb. 20-22) and Steel Magnolias (April 18-19). The first two shows are at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd., and the last performance is at Temple of Music and Art’s Cabaret Space, 330 S. Scott Ave. Visit ArizonaRose.cc or call (520) 888-0509 for updated information. – Zόcalo

Arizona Theatre Company
Tragedy, love and art appear to be the central themes of the 2014-2015 season at the Arizona Theatre Company. With thrillers like Wait Until Dark (Oct. 18–Nov. 8) and tragedies like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Feb. 28–March 21) on tap we’ll like need the respite of the madcap comedy Murder for Two (Nov. 29–Dec. 20) to lighten the mood with its 13 characters played by just two actors. Another season highlight is the world premiere of Five Presidents (Jan. 10–Jan. 31) that imagines the scene when five past presidents are all gathered in a room prior to Richard Nixon’s funeral. Productions take place in both Phoenix and Tucson. The local digs for ATC are at Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. More details and tickets available by calling (520) 622-2823 or online at ArizonaTheatre.org. – Herb Stratford

Borderlands Theater
Celebrating its 29th season, Borderlands was formed as an official non-profit in 1986 and its “mission from the start was to present the diverse voices of the U.S./Mexico Border region.” Continuing with that goal, the company brings to the stage three plays for 2014-2015, two of which are world premieres. They Call Me a Hero, by Guillermo Reyes, starts the season and is based on Daniel Hernandez’s memoir of the same title. Hernandez, credited with saving the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords during a 2011 shooting spree, was thrown into a whirlwind of publicity after he became a national hero. Reyes examines how, “as his private life becomes public, Daniel’s family and upbringing in South Tucson provide the backbone that empowers him.” The show runs Sept. 25-Oct. 5. Absence/El Ausente is a drama about three generations of a Mexico City family who endure the absence of a son, husband, and father who have left for the United States in search of work. As the family’s situation deteriorates, a sighting of their absent loved one catapults the play to its surprising ending. Performances alternate between English and Spanish, Feb. 12-March 1. Closing the season April 9-19 is the world premiere of River City by Diana Grisanti. Shaken by her father’s death, Mary sets off to uncover three generations’ worth of secrets buried in the West End of Louisville, Kentucky. All performances are at ZUZI’s Theatre, 738 N. 5th Ave. Call the box office at (520) 882-7406 for tickets or go to BorderlandsTheater.org for more details. – Zόcalo

Broadway In Tucson
Since relocating from the Tucson Convention Center’s Music Hall to UA’s Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd., Broadway in Tucson continues to present world class Broadway productions for the Tucson market. This season again features a mixture of revivals; Guys and Dolls (Feb. 24–March 1), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Jan. 7-11), and hot current Great White Way favorites like Once (March 31-April 5) and Flashdance (Nov. 4-9). But perhaps the most anticipated show may be Beauty and the Beast, on stage Dec. 12-14. Further information and tickets are online at BroadwayInTucson.com or call (520) 903-2929. – Herb Stratford

The Community Players
Previously located at the Red Barn Theatre on Main Street south of Speedway Boulevard, as of this past summer The Community Players have a new location and a new name. The group strives to provide affordable, quality plays, musicals and revues for the community, by the community. This season brings several productions: 6 Rms Riv Vu (Sept. 12-28), Gypsy (Oct. 31-Nov. 23), A Community Christmas: A Holiday Revue (Dec. 12-21), Guys On Ice (Jan. 9-25), Duets Revue (Feb. 13-22), The Complete History of America (abridged/March 6-22), and Rumors (May 8-24). The new location is at 1881 N. Oracle Rd. Get more details by calling (520) 887-6239 or visiting CommunityPlayersTucson.org. – Zόcalo

Gaslight Theatre
This is, without a doubt, Tucson’s home for melodrama and old-fashioned theatre hi-jinks. The 2014-2015 season features a few not-to-miss shows like Cronan The Barbarian from Sept. 4–Nov. 9 and The Secret Santa from Nov. 13–Jan. 4. The Gaslight’s interactive theatre experience is a real family treat with excellent writing, acting and performances; their innovative stage design is not to be missed. It also hosts concerts throughout the year, so keep an eye on their website for those. This is one Tucson institution that never gets old, book tickets for the Christmas show months ahead or be left out in the cold. The theatre is located at 7010 E. Broadway Blvd., by phone at (520) 886-9428 and online via TheGaslightTheatre.com. – Herb Stratford

Invisible Theatre
This Tucson institution is celebrating its 44th season with a slate of six different shows and two special events. IT’s unique mixture of comedy, mystery, drama and unique storytelling is unmatched by any other theatre company on local stages. Highlights this year include four Southwest premieres and two Tucson premieres as IT presents tales of family guilt (Cannoli, Latkes and Guilt), murder mystery (Sheer Madness) and family comedy (A Kid Like Jake). Performances take place at with the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd., or at IT’s stage, 1400 N. 1st Ave. Visit InvisibleTheatre.com or dial (520) 882-9721 for details. – Herb Stratford

Live Theatre Workshop
For two decades, LTW has worked to provide “performance and education to entertain, enlighten and uplift our community and to develop theatrical talent.” It maintains a year-round schedule, with the 2014-2015 starting this past June and running through June 2015. Mainstage productions include: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged and revised, Sept. 4-Oct. 6), 9 Parts of Desire (Oct. 16-Nov. 15), The Game’s Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays (Nov. 20-Dec. 28), The Savannah Disputation (Jan. 8-Feb. 14), Move Over Mrs. Markham (Feb. 19-March 28), Enchanted April (April 2-May 10), and The Columnist (May 14-June 13). LTW also hosts a family series, All Together Theatre, with four performances running from September through June 2015. It all happens at 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. Details are available by calling the box office at (520) 327-4242 or visiting LiveTheatreWorkshop.org. – Zόcalo

The Rogue Theatre
This season marks the company’s tenth anniversary, which has developed a reputation for presenting classic stage works with a unique twist. This year includes plays by luminaries such as Clifford Odets (Awake and Sing, Sept. 11-28), Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot, Jan. 8-25), Virginia Woolf (The Lady in the Looking Glass, Feb. 26-March 15) and William Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice, April 30-May 17). The Rogue’s intimate space at 300 E. University Blvd. in the Historic “Y” is an ideal location to re-experience the classics. Go to TheRogueTheatre.org for more information or ring (520) 551-2053.  – Herb Stratford

UA Repertory Theatre
An often overlooked gem on the local theatre scene, the University of Arizona’s Repertory Theatre program presents an annual season of shows that are excellent in their execution, and that also provide a chance for the public to see the next generation of professional stage talent right here in town before they make their way to the Great White Way. This season they will present six shows, including: Frankenstein (Oct. 19–Nov. 9), The Full Monty (Nov. 9–Dec. 7), and Othello (March 8–April 5). Shows take place on the UA campus in the intimate Tornabene Theatre black box space and in the Marroney Theatre, just off Speedway Boulevard and Park Avenue. Find the full season’s schedule, and tickets, at Theatre.Arizona.Edu. – Herb Stratford

Winding Road Theatre Ensemble
According to its website, “WRTE has a particular commitment to developing new work by American playwrights. We fulfill our mission by producing seasons of contemporary and classic works representing diverse styles, themes, and perspectives; and by presenting readings, workshops, and full productions of new plays.” This season it brings three productions. From Nov. 6-23 is Arthur Miller’s classic Death of a Salesman; United, by Toni Press-Coffman,hits the stage Feb. 5-22 and “explores the lives of the passengers and crew members of United Flight 93, who came together on September 11, 2001 in an attempt to take back the plane from terrorists, and saved the lives of an incalculable number of people.” Rough Magic, by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, rounds out the season April 16-May 3 with its “hilarious contemporary riff on The Tempest, it presents a Caliban who has escaped Prospero’s island and is on the run from his powerful master. He finds himself in modern-day New York where he joins forces with a dramaturg with magical powers and a love-struck lifeguard who might just be the child warrior fated to save the world.” Performance locations, tickets and more details are available at WindingRoadTheater.org or by calling the box office at (520) 401-3626.
– Zόcalo

Dance

Artifact Dance Project
Artifact Dance Project begins their 2014-2015 season on a high note, having relocated their home base over the summer to a historic Downtown warehouse at 17 E. Toole Ave. While most of their performances will still take place at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1713 E. University Blvd. on the UA campus, one season highlight is sure to be the fundraiser performance Wearhouse, which is taking place at the troupe’s headquarters on Oct. 24. The warehouse is the company’s home for classes and business operations and will no doubt be inspiring many works to come in the future. As in the past, Artifact continues to offer unique collaborations this year with local composers and artists to create performances which are unlike any other group in town. Collaborative concerts this year include: Down In Town (Dec. 13), An Artist’s Proof (Jan. 9-11), Until (Feb. 6-7) and the return of Speak Easy (April 3-5). Get specifics and tickets at ArtifactDanceProject.org. – Herb Stratford

Ballet Tucson
Tucson’s only professional ballet company kicks off its season with a triple bill premiere performance of the Phantom of the Opera along with Joplin and Boler-O. The Phantom piece is an original piece inspired by the 1925 silent film, and should be a real treat when it hits the stage at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1713 E. University Blvd., Oct. 17-19. Two other highlights of the 2014-2015 season, its 11th as a fully professional company and the 29th overall, include the presentation of The Nutcracker at the TCC, 260 S. Church Ave., on Dec. 26-28 and the group’s presentation of Sleeping Beauty on May 2-3 at Centennial Hall. See BalletTucson.org for complete details and tickets. – Herb Stratford

University of Arizona School of Dance
This year the UA Dance Ensemble celebrates 10 years of performing in the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1713 E. University Blvd., with six productions slated for the 2014-2015 season. First up is JAZZ in AZ, featuring a fast-paced show with a sampling of jazz, tap and contemporary dance from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Following is Premium Blend, an amalgam of several pieces being presented Oct. 23-26 and Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Next is In Focus–Student Spotlight, concerts showcasing student creativity through choreography and performance, on stage Dec. 4-7. Color Wheel is another presentation with a fusion of dance performances happening Feb. 18-22. Another student spotlight, titled Boundless, takes place April 23–May 2. Spring Collection offers new multi-genre works by faculty from April 24-May 3. Get more information at Dance.Arizona.edu. – Zόcalo

ZUZI! Dance Company
The non-profit community arts organization is a professional dance company, a school for dance and movement arts, and a theater for the performing arts community. The group is committed to “affirming diversity and collaboration through educational programming, community participation, and local and national outreach and exchange,” according to their website. Three events of note are on its calendar this fall. First up is the annual No Frills-Cheap Thrills Dance Happenin’, set to take place Oct. 24-25 at 7:30pm. The yearly Family and Friends Sharing event is Dec. 6 and the Solstice Celebration happens from December 19 to 21. All shows take place at the ZUZI! Theater, located in the Historic Y, 738 N. 5th Ave. Find out more at ZUZIMoveIt.org. – Herb Stratford

Music

Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
According to its press release, AFCM has, since 1948, “brought internationally renowned musicians to Tucson, presenting exquisite chamber music in the comfort of a small concert hall — one where the audience becomes part of the performance. It is intimate, engaging, and friendly…..a world-class experience!” Performances happen at the Tucson Convention Center complex’s 511-seat Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. AFCM offers a three-part season: the Evening Series, Piano & Friends and the 22st Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. The 67th annual Evening Series features six concerts, the 20th season of the Piano & Friends series hosts four concerts and the Winter Chamber Music Festival runs from March 15-22. Affordable season and individual concert tickets are available online at ArizonaChamberMusic.org or by calling the box office at (520) 577-3769. – Zόcalo

Tucson Pops Orchestra
This season, Tucson Pops celebrates its 60th Anniversary of Music Under the Stars™. The 2014 Fall Concert Series takes place on Sundays in September at 7 p.m. at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park. Sept. 7 hosts the Conductor’s Choice with Music Director/Conductor László Vere presenting a wide-range of favorites; Sept. 14 sees Orchestral Favorites, again with László Vere at the helm and Sept. 21 features Rob Wright, one of the premier four-string banjoists in the world. There is a limited amount of seating at DeMeester, which fills up quickly. Bring folding chairs or a blanket. The Parks and Recreation Department runs three shuttles from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. from the parking lot at El Con Mall. Find out more at TucsonPops.org. – Zόcalo

Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Each year the Tucson Symphony presents an ambitious mix of programs for the community that combine classics, pops programs and innovative new work. This year is no exception as their 2014-2015 slate features works by Gershwin and Copland (Sept. 26/28), Tchaikovsky and Greig (Oct. 24/26), Brahms and Mozart (Jan. 10/11) Ultimate Symphonic Rock (Feb. 7/8), Texas Tenors (Feb. 28/March 1) and The Canadian Brass (March 21). Also not to miss this year is a performance by Pinchas Zukerman and Amanda Forsyth on March 31. With performances at the Tucson Convention Center and other Tucson locations there’s no excuse not to have a symphonic art experience this year. See TucsonSymphony.org for the full schedule, ticket and location information. – Herb Stratford

Variety

Black Cherry Burlesque
Tucson’s longest running burlesque production hosts a live, theatrical production involving the art of striptease. Many performers pay homage to the extensive history of burlesque with vintage style costumes and classic 30s and 40s music of burlesque’s heyday. 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. On Sept. 19, BCB debuts a new production, Burlesque For The Soul, a benefit for Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Doors are at 7 p.m., the show is at 8 p.m. with an encore at 10 p.m. $10 cover at the door, $20 VIP seating available for advance purchase at BlackCherryBurlesque.com. Call (520) 882-0009 for more details. – Zócalo

Carnival of Illusion
One of the hottest tickets in town for the past three years has been Carnival of Illusion’s intimate parlor magic experience. Having sold out the last three seasons in a row, the Tucson-based magic duo of Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed have expanded their base to include performances in Phoenix and Mesa. Their sixth season opens locally at the Doubletree by Hilton, 445 S Alvernon Way, on Sept. 26. It is a not-to-be-missed show due to its intimate and fun nature as well as the quality of the stage work. Tickets and dates are online at CarnivalOfIllusion.com. – Herb Stratford

Comedy
We admit we haven’t been hipped to the local comedy scene, and we hope the 2014-2015 season changes that! A few local comedy troupes are currently on our radar. Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed, online at UnscrewedComedy.com, hosts weekly improv shows at its new mid-town digs at 3244 E. Speedway Blvd. every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The LaughingStock Comedy Company, Laughing.com, brings their unique brand of improvisational comedy to two Tucson venues in October. On Oct. 3 at Tanque Verde High School, 4201 N. Melpomene Way, LaughingStock performs at 6 p.m. to raise money to benefit the TVHS Theatre Department in their efforts to purchase new curtains. The Saturday, Oct. 4 7:30 p.m. performance at St. John on the Desert Presbyterian Church, 2695 N. Houghton Road, to raise funds for the church’s missions and outreach. Tucson Improv Movement (TIM, TucsonImprov.com) recently moved to a location on 4th Avenue, click here for the Zócalo story. Of course, we can’t cover comedy without mentioning Tucson’s mainstay Laff’s Comedy Caffe! Running continuously since 1988, Laff’s has live stand-up shows by nationally touring comedians every Friday and Saturday night – with two shows a night. Laff’s also hosts a weekly “Open Mic Nite” every Thursday, “where you can get a glimpse at some of the Southwest’s up and coming stars in the comedy world and even jump on stage yourself.” Laff’s is located at 2900 E. Broadway Blvd., online at LaffsTucson.com and by phone at (520) 32-FUNNY.
– Zócalo

Fox Theatre
Dubbed as Downtown’s crown jewel, the historic Fox Theatre (17 W. Congress St.) is offering a robust line-up of heavy hitters in the live music events category, several variety shows and classic films for its 2014-2015 season. Highlights include: Mavis Staples, Sept. 5; Last Comic Standing, Sept. 16; La Musique TYP annual Fashion Show, Sept. 19; Stand Up to Stop Violence IV, Sept. 21; Get The Led Out/Led Zepplin Tribute, Sept. 28; Kansas, Oct. 3; Nils Lofgren, Oct. 4; Paul Reiser, Oct. 9; Girls Night: The Musical, Oct. 11; Asia, Oct. 13; Lee Ann Womack, The Way I’m Livin’ Tour, Oct. 16; Tucson fashion Week, Oct. 18; Ray Lamontagne, Oct. 23; David Broza, Oct. 30; Darlene Love, Nov. 2; David Sedaris, Nov. 6; James Van Praagh, Nov. 7; Senegal Gospel Choir, Nov. 9; Late Night Catechism, Nov. 22; Judy Collins, Dec. 2; Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Dec. 6; Dr. John, Dec. 7; Merry-Achi Christmas, Dec. 18; The Fab Four: Ultimate Beatles Tribute, Jan. 17; Dianne Reeves, Jan. 18; The Hot Sardines, Jan. 23; Roger McGuinn, Feb. 13; Audra McDonald, March 15; Ladies Sing the Blues, April 18. Specifics on the events are available at FoxTucsonTheatre.org or by calling the box office at (520) 547-3040. – Zócalo

Odyssey Storytelling
Every month, this Tucson institution hosts community storytellers bringing their slice of life to local audiences. As its website states, “The act of sharing stories about our journey connects us to other people and in this way, the audience is a vital part of the event. Odyssey Storytelling provides the container to bring together a collection of diverse tellers.” Topics on the docket for the fall are: Sept. 10, Out of this World: Amazing, Supernatural or Unforgettable (at the University of Arizona’s Flandrau Science Center); Oct. 2: Peer Pressure; Nov. 6: Breaking Bread; Dec. 4: OMG! The Cringe Show. All shows are at 7 p.m. at Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 414 E. 9th St., unless noted. Learn more at OdysseyStorytelling.com or call (520) 730-4112. – Zócalo

UAPresents
UApresents’ season is again full of different and interesting offerings this year with a few familiar returning shows mixed in as well. Back for a third year is the family-friendly Zoppe Family Circus (Jan. 9-18), along with other perennial favorites Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre (April 12) and the KODO drum group (Feb. 8). Other shows of note include singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega (Feb. 22 at Fox Theatre), A Conversation with Alec Baldwin (Nov. 15), Comedian Jay Leno (Oct. 25) and perhaps the hottest ticket of the season Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly (Oct. 26). Shows are at the Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. on the UA Campus, and at other locations around town. Find further details at UAPresents.org. – Herb Stratford

Category: Arts, Entertainment