Thereβs still plenty to keep theater lovers busy.
Reviewed
The Fantasticks β Winding Road Theater Ensemble. See story.
Opening
SalomΓ© β The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre. See story.
Latin Standards β Steinfeld Warehouse, 101 W. Sixth St. Borderlands Theater has a primo treat in store: The company is bringing the talented Marga Gomez to town for four performances of her solo play, βLatin Standards.β
The play is a tribute to her father, Willy Chevalier, a 1950s-β60s entertainer, producer and songwriter who penned songs about love and obsession. And you could dance to them.
The award-winning playwright, actress and comedian tells of her fatherβs triumphs and his decline, and weaves in her own story, punctuated with struggles and successes.
The play β and Gomez β has won fans around the country.
Thereβs this from the New York Times: βAnd as βLatin Standardsβ underscores with winning heart and humor, Ms. Gomez clearly owes her own love of performing, and her ability to plow over the speed bumps that are inevitable in show business, to her father, who took it all in stride and kept striving.β
New Yorker magazine calls it βA hilarious memoir,β and the San Francisco Chronicle had this to say: βElegantly structured and cleverly staged, itβs both touching and funny.β
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, Feb 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Tickets are $16-$30 at borderlandstheater.org or borderlandstheater.org.
Black Pearl Sings — Invisible Theatre, 1400 N. First Ave. Playwright Frank Higgins based his play on the legendary folk singer Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, who was in prison in the 1930s when he was discovered by folklorist John Lomax. The play centers on Susannah, a Library of Congress librarian specializing in folk music, and the jailed Pearl, an African-American singer with an encyclopedic knowledge of the songs Susannah collects. It’s packed with more than 20 songs and stars a couple of strong talents — Katherine Byrnes and To-Ree-Nee Wolf. Susan Claassen directs. It previews at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and opens 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 25. There’s an additional matniee at 3 p.m. Feb. 24. The preview is $20; regular performances, $34. 882-9721 or invisibletheatre.com.
Last chance
The House of Blue Leaves — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. John Guare’s dark comedy about a zookeeper who longs for songwriting fame. Trouble is, he isn’t very good. And he’s got a wife who is mentally unstable — that complicates things. But he also has a blond girlfriend who encourages him, and an old friend who is a big Hollywood director. The story takes place on Oct. 6, 1965, in New York City — the day the pope came to town. The large cast includes Keith Wick, Avis Judd and Shanna Brock; Roberto Guajardo directs. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8-10. $20. 327-4242. livetheatreworkshop.org.
Outside Mullingar — Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Arizona Theatre Company’s production of John Shanley’s romantic comedy has a perfect cast and the story charms and even provokes tears. It is about farmers in rural Ireland, inheritance, and overcoming obstacles such as shyness and the ownership of a strip of land. ATC’s new Artistic Director, David Ivers, has steered this production, his first for the company. It bodes well for what’s ahead. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb.8 and 9; 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 10. $25-$63. 622-2823 or arizonatheatre.org
Continuing
The Lone Stranger — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. The Lone Stranger tries to tame the wild frontier. He brings along his white stallion, Thunder, and his sidekick, Tonka. Expect eye-rolling humor and good old-fashioned fun. Various times through March 25. $21.95. 886-9428. thegaslighttheatre.com.
Doubt, A Parable — Marroney Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. Arizona Repertory Theatre stages John Patrick Shanley’s Tony- and Pulitzer-winning drama set in a Catholic school in the Bronx during the mid ‘60s. The story centers on the very conservative school principal, Sister Aloysius, and the progressive priest who is teaching there, Fr. Flynn. She is convinced he molested a boy; Fr. Flynn is pretty angry about the accusation. It’s a powerful play performed by University of Arizona theater students. No children 12 and under permitted; teens permitted with parent or adult guardian. Various times through Feb. 25. $15-$28. 621-1162. theatre.arizona.edu.
Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at kallen@tucson.com or 573-4128. On Twitter: @kallenStar
