The days weigh heavy. Compounding. Each, somehow, heavier than the last. Saturated in monotony. Accompanied by a novel loneliness that can only come from seclusion at an epic level. Days, weeks, months without social gathering. An oddly unsettling guilt for having taken weekly family brunches, happy hours with friends, and live communal entertainment for granted for so long. This is the new normal in the time of COVID-19. This is our new normal…
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Critic’s Picks: Best of Local Theatre 2019
by Rebecca Rudnyk
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The decade ascends into history, and we enter 2020 anew. Another year of incredible local theatre comes to a close…
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Radio Phoenix Broadcast of The YabYum Hour: Rebecca Rudnyk
YabYum Theatre Critic Rebecca Rudnyk joined hosts Anna and Bonnie with some show tunes and local music sing-alongs on this edition of The YabYum Hour. Hear all about some of Rebecca’s favorite musicals from both past and present as well as the vibrant theater community that Phoenix has to offer by checking out this Radio Phoenix broadcast…
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Phoenix Theatre Company’s Annual Festival of New American Theatre Brings Promising New Plays to Light
by Rebecca Rudnyk
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As a lover of theatre, and everything that goes into developing a production, nothing quite compares to experiencing a new work as it comes together. From concept to paper. From paper to initial performance. From cold read to fully-staged. So the Phoenix Theatre Company’s Festival of New American Theatre is a dream come true event for anyone who loves the forum and appreciates the process…
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‘Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical’ Inspires Audiences at Valley Youth Theatre
by Rebecca Rudnyk
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Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) began its 30th season with a huge bang, producing a beautiful spectacle with Newsies. Its second show of the season, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, is much more understated. That is not to say it is without vibrancy and talent, because it is jammed full of it. But Polkadots is a different type of show…
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‘Fun Home’ Musical Brings Intimate Self Discovery to Phoenix Theatre
by Rebecca Rudnyk
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I still remember the first time I listened to the cast album for Fun Home. In reaction to buzz in the Broadway channels, I downloaded it, somewhat unsure of what to expect. Almost immediately, I understood why people were so excited…
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Arizona Broadway Theatre Stuns with Bridges of Madison County
by Rebecca Rudnyk – Every time I step into the mainstage at Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT), I am stunned with how beautiful the space is. Part...
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Hamilton Comes to Tempe
by Rebecca Rudnyk – So let’s be honest. If you’re reading this, a formal introduction is likely not necessary. In my lifetime as a dedicated theatre nerd,...
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The Arizona Theatre Company Brings The River Bride To Life
by Dale I. Rasmussen – This week, around the Valley, children will return to their parents’ homes, families with gather around dining room tables, and proclamations...
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The Arizona Theatre Company Opens New Season with Neil Simon’s Chapter Two
by Dale I. Rasmussen – Around most of the country, Spring gets a lot of recognition as a time of new beginnings, but here in the...
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Pan Productions Revisits Labyrinth in The Goblin King’s City
by Carly Schorman Senior Editor – The good people who brought you the film-to-stage version of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Firehouse and the musical...
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Arizona Theatre Company Kicks of 50th Season with King Charles III
by Carly Schorman Senior Editor The Arizona Theatre Company kicked off its 50th Season this past weekend with King Charles III. The play centers on the...
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