Review
“Three Tall Women” at the Rogue Theatre. See story.
Opening
India Osborne and John Keeney portray lovers with some explaining to do in the comedy “There Is a Happiness That Morning Is,” staged by Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre. Osborne was restrained and unforgettable, Keeney passionate and perfect.
There Is a Happiness That Morning Is — The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, 738 N. Fifth Ave. Two professors have a hot and very public sexual encounter. They’ve got some explaining to do. The audience in this Mickle Maher play are the students as the profs try to rationalize their lusty undertakings.
It’s funny, touching, and in rhyming pentameter.
The Austin Chronicle says it is a “ bizarre, brilliant play that is capable of reordering your brain a bit.”
Bryan Rafael Falcón directs; John Keeney and Carol Osborne play the lovers. The preview is at 7:30 p.m. March 15, opening is 7:30 p.m. March 16. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through April 1. Preview is $18, all other performances are $22. $15 for students and teachers with identification. 448-3300 or scoundrelandscamp.org.
“The Mermaid Hour” poetically tackles important issues facing families with transgender children.
The Mermaid Hour — Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theater, 330 S. Scott Ave. Parenting isn’t easy. Neither is trying to understand and guide a preteen who has come to grips with her gender identity. Those issues are at the heart of this Borderlands Theater play, part of a rolling premiere. They are serious subjects, but playwright David Valdes Greenwood knows how to balance the story with humor. Glen Coffman directs and the cast includes Alida Holguín Gunn (who has been too long away from Tucson stages), Sean William Dupont, Jay Garcia, Eddie Diaz and Kat Mcintosh. It previews at 7:30 p.m. March 15, and opens 7:30 p.m. March 16. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through April 1. The preview is $13, all other performances, with the exception of March 21, are $27, with discounts available. The March 21 show is “pay what you will.” 882-7406 or borderlandstheater.org.
LAST CHANCE
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 it to go just to hear Erin Anderson’s powerful rendition of “Bless the Lord,” or Matt Holder sweetly crooning “All Good Gifts,” 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. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. March 16-17 and 3 p.m. March 18. $20. 505-1856 or artmeetsheart.com.
Laura Michelle Kelly portrays Anna in “The King and I,” which is ending it’s Tucson run this weekend.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I — Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. Set in 1860s Bangkok, the story focuses on the unconventional relationship between the King of Siam and a British schoolteacher. Broadway in Tucson brings the road show to the Old Pueblo. Ages 8 and up. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. March 15; 8 p.m. March 16, 17; 2 p.m. March 17; 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. March 18. $29. 1-800-745-3000.
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. Final performance is 12:30 March 18. $10. 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org.
Continuing
Broadway veteran Felicia P. Fields is Big Mama in ATC’s production of “Low Down Dirty Blues.”
Low Down Dirty Blues — Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Blues musicians are winding up a gig at a blues bar and gather for some after-hours jamming in this Arizona Theatre Company production. And what they jam with are the earthy, sexy blues, full of double entendres, heartache and lusty soul. Songs such as “I’d Rather Go Blind,” “Good Morning Heartache,” and the title tune. Music by such blues gods as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Ma Rainey. That’s a lineup one should not turn to with a deaf ear. Various times through March 31. $25-$73. 622-2823 or arizonatheatre.org.
Connor Griffin, left, Kelly Hajeck and Alec Michael Coles are part of stellar cast in Arizona Repertory Theatre’s “The Merchant of Venice.” The comedy runs through April 1.
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 goes to his friend Antonio, who is cash poor just then. 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 makes the loan, 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. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 15-17, 22-23; 1:30 p.m. March 18. Continues through April 1. $17-$28. 621-1162 or theatre.arizona.edu
Stephen Frankenfield, left, and James Wood in Live Theatre Workshop’s “The Best Brothers.”
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. 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 and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 24. $20. 327-4242.
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. Various times through March 25. $21.95. 886-9428.
