Arts on the Town

Sara Bernstein, education manager for Arizona Theatre Company, discusses the importance of ATC’s latest production, “Raisin in the Sun.”

“Raisin in the Sun”

Before he passed away in December at the age of 94, “Man of La Mancha” author Dale Wasserman talked with us about his life, his career, and his latest play. The result was so mesmerizing that we dedicated an entire show to it.

Dale Wasserman, pt. 1

Dale Wasserman, pt. 2

Dale Wasserman, pt. 3

Dale Wasserman, pt. 4

Garry Marshall has done about everything there is to do in show business — act, write, direct, produce. But he is probably best known for creating a certain ’70s hit TV series that transported viewers back to the 1950s and introduced us all to The Fonz.  “Happy Days” is back as a new stage musical, and ASU Gammage has it for one week: Nov. 18 - 23. Before you go, check out our interview with Marshall, the man behind the TV show — and the musical.

Garry Marshall’s “Happy Days”

It’s not a drag show, exactly, but actor-singer Alan Palmer portrays Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews, Mary Martin, Carol Channing, Patti Lupone and many others in the new show, “Alan Palmer’s Divas of Broadway,” now playing in Gilbert, Arizona.

Alan Palmer’s “Broadway Divas”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” America’s favorite Shakespearean comedy, is now a full-length ballet with choreography by Ib Andersen. Click below to hear Ballet Arizona’s Chelsea Wilcox talk about her role in this world premiere production.  (”A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be performed by Ballet Arizona Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at Phoenix Symphony Hall, with Mendelssohn’s music performed by The Phoenix Symphony.)

Chelsea Wilcox of Ballet Arizona

Scorpius Dance does it every fall: “A Vampire Tale,” choreographer Lisa Starry’s tribute to those toothy villains so popular with the ladies. Click below to hear Lisa tell us about this year’s production, running now through Nov. 8.

Scorpius’ Vampire Tale

Actors Theatre of Phoenix has a reputation for being the edgiest of the Valley’s Equity theaters. Longtime artistic director Matthew Wiener tells us about what to expect from its 2008-09 season.

Matthew Wiener of Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Pt. 1

Matthew Wiener of Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Pt. 2

Phil Barley, who plays Dean Martin in “The Rat Pack” at ASU Gammage, talks with us about preparing for the role. (The interview starts about 3 minutes in, following some opening comments.)

Phil Barley, a.k.a. “Dean Martin”

The Scottsdale Film Festival is one of the Valley’s great jewels. On Thursday night (Oct. 9), for example, you can see a screening of Mike Lee’s newest film, courtesy the festival. Hear director Amy Ettinger discuss film, the festival, and the hundreds of entries she gets every year.

Amy Ettinger

“The story of a marriage in 75 minutes” is how chanteuse Shana Bousard describes the show, “Together Forever,” which she put together with her father and her husband.  Shana talks about the show (playing through Oct. 11 at Theatre Artists Studio) and her talented family.

Shana Bousard