Review
“Godspell 2012” — St. Francis Theatre, 4625 E. River Road. Director Jose “Chach” Snook has pulled together a cast that overflows with talent and energy and a commitment to give audiences a really good time. The musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak is a series of parables pulled from The Gospel of St. Matthew. It can be thoroughly silly, and there are flaws in the script and the shoestring-budget production. But this cast makes you not care. It’s worth going just to hear Erin Anderson’s powerful rendition of “Bless the Lord,” or Matt Holder sweetly crooning “All Good Gifts,” and Jodi Darling’s take on “Day by Day,” or Jeremy Vega’s hopeful “Beautiful City.” Oh, every quirky moment is worth it — the cast makes you fall in love with each of them. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 18. $20. 505-1856.
Opening
“Three Tall Women” — The Rogue Theatre. See story.
“The King and I” — Broadway in Tucson. See story.
“Low Down Dirty Blues” — Arizona Theatre Company. See story.
“The Merchant of Venice” — Tornabene Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. Arizona Repertory Theatre takes on this difficult Shakespeare play about Bassanio, a Venetian merchant who longs to woo the wealthy heiress, Portia. He needs money to do that. He asks his friend Antonio, who is cash poor. So he suggests Bassanio go to the moneylender, Shylock, and Antonio will guarantee the loan. Shylock is not too keen on Antonio because of his habit of berating the Jewish moneylenders in town. He lends the money, but if it is not paid back, Shylock will take a pound of Antonio’s flesh as payment. As is usual with Shakespeare, there are big ideas and gorgeous language, such as: “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.” Brent Gibbs directs. Ages 6 and up. Previews are 7:30 p.m., March 12-13; opening is 7:30 p.m. March 14.Continues through April 1. $17-$28. 621-1162 or theatre.arizona.edu.
“Abeyance: A State of Temporary Disuse or Suspension” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Talented University of Arizona theater student Tyler West first presented this show at the Tucson Fringe Fest. Primarily wordless, West takes us into a waiting room where he is about to have the most important job interview of his life. Of course, nothing goes smoothly as he waits. This is presented through Etcetera, Live Theatre’s late night arm. Ages 16 and up. 10:30-11:30 p.m. March 9 and 10. $10. 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org.
“Musical Mayhem: Page to Stage Chapter 2” — Unscrewed Theater, 3244 E. Speedway. Under-rehearsed and over-dramatic musical comedy revue featuring songs from musicals based on books or songs sung by literary characters. $7; $10 at the door. 6-8 p.m. March 11. 270-9534 or unscrewedtheater.org.
Last chance
“The How and the Why” — Temple of Music and Art Cabaret, 330 S. Scott Ave. Something Something Theatre Company shows no fear: It has taken on Sarah Treem’s dense and challenging play, packed with biology and feminism and big ideas. Christine Peterson is Rachel, a graduate student in evolutionary biology; Kathleen McGrath is Zelda, a famous scholar in the same field. The story opens up with the two meeting for the first time. The tension is thick. Rachel is very angry; Zelda soft and almost contrite. Their discussions about menstruation, obligations and the grandmother hypothesis are never dull. Jasmine Roth directed with a sure hand, seeing that the story moves swiftly and clearly. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. March 9 and 10, and 2 p.m. March 11. $22. 468-6111 or somethingsomethingtheatre.com.
“I Hate Hamlet” — Roadrunner Theater, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. A television actor has moved to New York and into an apartment once occupied by the great actor John Barrymore. Convenient, as our actor has been cast in “Hamlet.” Barrymore’s ghost is conjured up to give him some tips. Roadrunner’s production of the comedy, directed by Mark Klugheit, is wonderfully over the top. Cast members include Chris Koval, Lucas Gonzales, Ellie Vought, Clark Andreas Ray, Renata Rauschen and Andrea Hickey. Final performances are 7 p.m. March 9 and 10 and 2 p.m. March 11. $20. 207-2491 or roadrunnertheatrecompany.org.
Continuing
“The Best Brothers” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Stephen Frankenfield and Steve Wood star in this comedy about two brothers dealing with their mother’s death and its aftermath. The Daniel MacIvor comedy isn’t profound, but in the actors’ hands, it is tender and heartfelt. Forgiveness and family are at the heart of this tale, directed by Sabian Trout. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays through March 24. $20. 327-4242.
“RAPunzel” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. The tale of Rapunzel — she of the long locks — is given a rap turn by Tucson playwright Richard Gremel. It’s geared toward kids. 12:30 Sundays through March 18. $10. 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org.
“The Lone Stranger” — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. The Lone Stranger fights to bring justice to the lawless frontier with his white stallion, Thunder, and friend Tonka. Call for dates and times. Through March 25. $21.95. 886-9428.
