Opening
“The Musical World of Disney, Vol. 2” — Arizona Rose Theatre, 4500 N. Oracle Road. Last season, Arizona Rose staged a joyful revue of Disney songs. They are doing it again, this time with all new songs, dance and fun. 7 p.m. Aug. 25; 2 p.m. Aug. 26; continues through Sept. 2. $15. 888-0509.
“The Adventures of Sparkle and Steven: Two Unlikely Best Friends” — Roadrunner Theatre, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. Princess Maribel and her cat, “Sparkles,” are at a pageant when the Evil Wizard tries to stop it. Load up the kids for this one. Script by Taylor Steger. 11 a.m. Saturdays through Sept. 29. $12. 207-2491.
Last chance
Clockwise from top left, Jon Thuerbach, Avis Judd, Emille Foster and Steve Wood perform in Live Theatre Workshop’s production of “The Effect,” which concludes its run Aug. 25.
“The Effect” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Connie and Tristan are enrolled in a drug research program, testing a new antidepressant. When they fall for each other, they can’t help but wonder — is it real or the drug? Maryann Green directs a fluid production that finds the humor and the heart of the piece. The cast is solid all around: Emilee Foster and Steve Wood play the conflicted lovers; Avis Judd and Jon Thuerbach portray the doctors conducting this ethically questionable research. Contains adult language and themes. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23-25. $20. 327-4242. livetheatreworkshop.org.
The delightfully silly “Gnatman” is at Gaslight Theatre. Expect eye-rolling wonderful humor and plenty of puns.
“Gnatman” — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. The Gaslight brings back the delightfully silly Peter Van Slyke play. And that’s a good thing. Here’s what the Star’s review had to say about the 2011 production: “Holy cornball, Gaslight’s done it again. ‘Gnatman’ has returned. And Gnatboy. And Gnatgirl. And all the bad guys. This isn’t a sequel, but essentially the same show that Gaslight presented about this time five years ago. It was funny then; it’s funny now. Oh, not a sophisticated, witty, Noel Coward kind of funny. No, this is Peter Van Slyke kind of funny — the writer/director of ‘Gnatman’ has made every other line a groaner.” Sometimes the jokes change, but the groanable humor we love rarely does. It is various times through Aug. 26. $21.95. 886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com. $21.95. 886-9428.
Matt Walley in Scoundrel & Scamp’s one-person offering, “Oaf.”
“Oaf” — The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, 738 N. Fifth Ave. The theater company reprises the piece of physical theater — sans words — by Wolfe Bowart and Matt Walley. Walley tells of the life of a carnival’s beleaguered strongman, whose quiet demeanor couldn’t be further from the feats of strength he displays for a living. It’s clever and witty and engrossing, but the real joy in this piece is watching Walley, who is a talented physical clown. His face contorts, his body bends, his hands tell captive tales. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24-26, and 2 p.m. Aug. 25; $12-$28. 448-3300. scoundrelandscamp.org.
“Solid Gold Seventies: A Musical Revue” — The Community Playhouse, 1881 N. Oracle Road. This revue takes a look at the music of the 1970s and touches on solo careers launched after the break-up of a group, one-hit wonders and chart-topping artists. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25; 2-3:30 p.m. Aug. 26. $18. 887-6239.
“Chach” Snook and Jodi Darling appear in “The Last Five Years.”
“The Last Five Years” — Roadrunner Theatre, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. Jason Robert Brown’s wonderful musical about a love told from two perspectives — hers from the end backward, his from the beginning forward. Talented Josè “Chach” Snook and Jodi Darling play the couple, and their voices are sublime. But Mark Klugheit’s misguided direction robs the story and the actors of a real impact. Final performances are 7 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25; 2 p.m. Aug. 26. $25. 207-2491. roadrunnertheatrecompany.org.
