Reviews
“Buried Child” — Winding Road Theater Ensemble. See story.
“How the World Began” — Something Something Theatre Company. See story.
Opening
Lesley Abrams, left, and Carlisle Ellis lead the cast in Live Theatre Workshop’s “Miss Witherspoon.” The production begins with previews on May 10 and 11.
“Miss Witherspoon” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Christopher Durang. Just saying the playwright’s name can conjure up laughter, dark images, and plays with substance. Those three things are in Durang’s “Miss Witherspoon,” Live Theatre Workshop’s current offering. Miss Witherspoon has killed herself, and in Durang’s dark universe, why wouldn’t she? But there’s a hitch: She’s sent back to Earth to learn what life has to offer her. She’s not happy about it. An Indian spirit guide helps. Lesley Abrams and Carlisle Ellis lead the cast, which also consists of Bree Boyd, Drew Kallen-Keck and Carley Preston. Previews are 7:30 p.m. May 10 and 11, opening is 7:30 p.m. May 12. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through June 9. Tickets are $20. 327-4242, livetheatreworkshop.org
The Roadrunner Theatre Company’s “How the Other Half Loves” is a classic sex farce.
“How The Other Half Loves” — Roadrunner Theater Company, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. In the world of farces, Alan Ayckbourn’s name is revered. The British playwright is a master of the genre. “How the Other Half Loves” is one of his classic sex farces: Frank and Fiona are in a chilly marriage, which may be why she is having an affair with Bob, who happens to be Frank’s boss. Bob and his wife, Teresa, have a volatile relationship and she feels he doesn’t pay enough attention. Both Bob and Fiona explain their absence from their spouses by citing William and Mary Featherstone — Fiona claims she has been with Mary, comforting her because her husband is having an affair, and Frank says he has been with William because his wife is having an affair. When the Featherstones come to dinner at each couple’s apartments on successive nights, things can get, well, wacky. Michael Woodson directs and Larry Fuller, Carrie Silverman, Vincent O’Neill, Robin Carson, Nicolette Shaffer and Mike Saxon make up the cast. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through June 3. $20. 207-2491, roadrunnertheatrecompany.org.
Last chance
Anna Lentz plays the title role in Arizona Theatre Company’s “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which ends May 12. Director David Ira Goldstein has made the fear of discovery, of Anne and the others hiding from the Nazis, and the claustrophobia palpable.
“The Diary of Anne Frank” — Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Arizona Theatre Company closes its season with this stirring production of the play based on the diary of Frank, who is one of the most prominent victims of the Holocaust. It tells the story of the nearly two years that the teenage Anne, her parents and four others were cramped in an annex of an Amsterdam building, hiding from the Nazis who have taken over much of Europe. David Ira Goldstein directed and he has made the fear of discovery and the claustrophobia palpable. There are strong performances all around, especially from Steve Hendrickson, who brought wisdom and warmth to the role of Anne’s father, Otto Frank. Final performances are 2 and 7 p.m. May 10, 7:30 p.m. May 11, and 2 and 8 p.m. May 12. $41-$63. 622-2823 or arizonatheatre.org.
Matt Bowdren, left, with Patty Gallagher, Joseph McGrath as the declining king and Ryan Parker Knox in The Rogue Theatre’s production of “King Lear.”
“King Lear” — The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd. The Rogue’s solid production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy stars Joseph McGrath in the title role. The story centers on an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters. Jealousy, war, murder and madness follow. Cynthia Meier directs. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. May 10-12 and 2 p.m. May 12 and 13. $38. 551-2053, theroguetheatre.org.
Continuing
Tyler West, left and Trenton Hilliker in Live Theatre Workshop”s “Spaceman Zero.”
Spaceman Zero — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Live Theatre’s family arm is chock-full of talented writers and composers whose works have premiered at LTW and then been published and performed by children’s theaters around the country. That is an impressive claim. And all the more reason why you and the kids want to rush out to see this new musical about Casper, a sixth-grader totally taken with space. So, being a smart, industrious kid, he builds a rocket ship. And launches himself in it. While everyone on Earth is trying to figure out how to get him back, Casper is having a fine adventure. The story is by Kristian Kissel, who also directs, and the music is by David Ragland. The cast includes Bree Boyd, Evan Cipra, Sarah Drottz, Trenton Hilliker, Austin Killian and Tyler West. Performances are 12:30 p.m. Sundays through June 3. $10. 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org.
“Rock-A-Billy Raceway” — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. Slip back into the 1950s, when cars were cool, T-shirt sleeves were rolled up, and hair glistened with gel. Various times and dates through June 3. $21.95. 886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com.
