Opening
Macbeth โ The Rogue Theatre. See story, Page 11 .
โShrewโ of different sort
Shakespeareโs โThe Taming of the Shrewโ is a tough sell these days. But Something Something Theatre Company aims to turn that around with its production.
โShrew,โ as Shakespeare wrote it, is about a strong-willed woman, Katherina, who isnโt considered marriage material because, well, sheโs strong-willed. That was called shrewish back in the old days.
Her younger sister, Bianca, is sweet and pliable and men are clamoring to marry her. Trouble is, Bianca canโt get married until Katherina does.
Enter Petruchio. He makes a bet that he can โtameโ Katherina and claim her for his bride. He attempts this by withholding food and subjecting her to what today amounts to mental abuse. One can see the problems staging it these days.
But director Esther Almazรกn has a plan. Sheโs set it in the Roaring โ20s and has mixed up expectations without sacrificing the script. In the process, the play goes from a comedy to a funny piece with tragic elements.
Now thatโs a gutsy director.
The production stars Naima Boushaki as Katherina and Nick Watts as Petruchio.
The play previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27, and opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 28. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 14 at the Steinfeld Warehouse Community Arts Center, 101 W. Sixth St. The preview is $15, regular performances, $22, with discounts available. Somethingsomethingtheatre.com or 468-6111.
Last Chance
Evita — Tornabene Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. Arizona Repertory Theatre gives a rousing production of this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about Eva Perón’s meteoric climb from the slums of Argentina to beloved First Lady. The cast is made up of massively talented University of Arizona students. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 29; 1:30 p.m. April 30. $20-$31. 621-1162. Theatre.arizona.edu.
Chekhov’s Three Sisters — Pima Community College Center for the Arts, 2202 W. Anklam Road. Chekhov’s classic play about three sisters who long for a grander life than the one they are stuck in in a small Russian town. Pima students perform the play. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. April 27-29; 2 p.m. April 30. $18. 206-6986. pima.edu.
Let’s Live A Little — Invisible Theatre, 1400 N. First Ave. Kathleen Clark’s play is a series of vignettes about the folks who live in a small New Jersey town. It is often funny and tender, and features a cast led by Jack Neubeck, Molly McKasson, Lucille Petty and Kathleen Erickson. Susan Claassen directs. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. April 27-29; 3 p.m. April 29 and 30. $32. 882-9721. invisibletheatre.com.
Continuing
The Curse of the Pirate’s Gold — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. Playwright and director Peter Van Slyke mixes it up with this play about pirates in search of a lost treasure. The bad guys keep shifting so we aren’t quite sure whom we should cheer. Or boo. But the songs are fun, and the olio, a spoof of “The Brady Bunch” television show, is a hoot. And the disco-era costumes are a good reminder that fashion was questionable in the 1970s. Performances are at various times through June 5. $21.95. 886-9428. thegaslighttheatre.com.
Below the Belt — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. You want to see this one. The comedy about the struggle for power in a factory that cares nothing for its employees and even less for the environment is very funny. 7:30 p.m. April 27-29 and May 4 and 5; 3 p.m. April 30. Through May 6. $20. 327-4242. livetheatreworkshop.org.
Be My Baby — Roadrunner Theater, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. Playwright Ken Ludwig is known for his farces. And we kind of wish he had made this play one. There are funny moments in this Roadrunner production, but it is a plodding, convoluted story about a Scotsman and an English woman who pretty much hate each other . But they have to tolerate one another because her niece is marrying his ward. When they have to fly off to San Francisco to pick up a child the younger couple is adopting, they discover a baby can change everything. Linda Andresano directs. 7 p.m. April 28, 29 and May 5; 2 p.m. April 30. $15-$20. 207-2491. Continues through May 14. roadrunnertheatrecompany.org.
Holmes & Watson — Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. After Sherlock Holmes’ “death”, Dr. Watson investigates frauds claiming to be Holmes. This is the last in Arizona Theatre Company’s 50th season, and the Jeffrey Hatcher play, directed by David Ira Goldstein, is full of suspense and first-rate acting. Continues through May 6. $25-$64. 622-2823. arizonatheatre.org.
The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show — Hilton Tucson East, 7600 E. Broadway. Dine and determine who the murderer is. Ages 15 and up. 6 p.m. Saturdays. $49.95. 1-866-496-0535. thedinnerdetective.com.
Encountering Chekhov and Acting Up โ Marroney Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. University of Arizona students perform scenes from modern American realism. 7:30 p.m. May 3. $7. 621-1162.
