Mesa Symphony is now “Symphony of the Southwest”

Posted November 19th, 2008 by
Categories: Classical Music, Opera and Jazz

The newly named executive director of the Symphony of the Southwest, Alycia de Mesa, talks about the group’s transition from its original brand, The Mesa Symphony.

Mesa Symphony is now “Symphony of the Southwest”

“Happy Days” — From hit TV series to new musical at ASU Gammage

Posted November 14th, 2008 by
Categories: Theater, Dance and Other

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”

The Phoenix Symphony’s Puppet Show “Petrouchka”

Posted November 6th, 2008 by
Categories: Classical Music, Opera and Jazz

Puppeteer Basil Twist joins The Phoenix Symphony this week for a Stravinsky favorite, “Petrouchka.” The 1911 original used dancers to portray puppets. Twist will portray the puppets with…puppets.

Puppeteer Basil Twist and “Petrouchka”

Alan Palmer IS the “Divas of Broadway”

Posted November 6th, 2008 by
Categories: Theater, Dance and Other

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”

Playing Beethoven, Explaining Beethoven

Posted November 6th, 2008 by
Categories: Classical Music, Opera and Jazz

Pianist Jeffrey Siegel talks about his popular “Keyboard Conversations” series at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and about his program this month focusing on Beethoven.

Jeffrey Siegel’s “Keyboard Conversations”

Shakespeare Meets Ballet Arizona

Posted October 29th, 2008 by
Categories: Theater, Dance and Other

“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

Ever see a vampire dance?

Posted October 29th, 2008 by
Categories: Theater, Dance and Other

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

Clark Olson on Phoenix Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden

Posted October 29th, 2008 by
Categories: Visual Arts

An Eric Fischl sculpture that shocked New Yorkers has a home at Phoenix Art Museum. Find out what the work is and where at the museum you can see it by clicking below to hear our latest interview with Arts on the Town’s docent-in-residence, Clark Olson.

Clark Olson on Phoenix Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden

The Phoenix Chorale: 50 years and still growing

Posted October 22nd, 2008 by
Categories: Classical Music, Opera and Jazz

The Phoenix Chorale – formerly known as the Phoenix Bach Choir – starts its 50th anniversary season with a “retro” concert and a new CD. Artistic director Charles Bruffy talks about the choir’s history, its progress, and the coming season.

(Note: Pt. 1 of the interview with Charles Bruffy opens with general comments from Susan and Ken; the interview proper begins at about 3 minutes in.)

Phoenix Chorale’s Charles Bruffy, Pt. 1

Phoenix Chorale’s Charles Bruffy, Pt. 2

Modern/contemporary gets new curator at Phoenix Art

Posted October 22nd, 2008 by
Categories: Visual Arts

Sara Cochran, the newly named curator for modern and contemporary at Phoenix Art Museum, talks about the excitement for new work here in the Valley.

Sara Cochran, curator of modern/contemporary at Phoenix Art Museum, Pt. 1

Sara Cochran, curator of modern/contemporary at Phoenix Art Museum, Pt. 2