I haven't posted for a while and for that I apologize.  I have a good reason though,  I've been trying to set up "AndyPalooza 2008" for all of the folks that read my blog,  unfortunately all of the phone booths in the Phoenix area are already booked for the summer. 

Phoenix is a big city.  I've been here since I was 7,  and it's hard to believe how it's gone from a relatively small metropolitan area,  to a gigantic megalopolis that stretches for close to 100 miles (try driving from Morristown to Gold Canyon Ranch).  Phoenix has all of the big city trappings,  teams in all 4 major sports,  world class resorts,  more movie theatres per capita than any other market,  lots of enormous shopping malls,  casinos, blah,  blah, blah.  We also have a number of noted performance spaces,  the Dodge Theatre,  Grady Gammage Auditorium,  The historic Orpheum Theatre,  Celebrity Theatre, the list goes on and on.  We have a decent opera company,  an up and coming ballet company,  and a First Class symphony with a number of recordings. 

What we don't have is regular Broadway quality theatre.  We do get most of the bus and truck shows,  we've had Wicked play here for a month,  Phantom,  Les Mis,  Miss Saigon,  and pretty much everything else that's been put back out on the road.  But unlike San Diego,  Los Angeles,  San Francisco and Seattle,  we don't have long runs of Broadway quality shows.  We do have numerous local theatre organizations,  most amateur,  and a few professional. 

Dinner Theatre - it evokes images of bad buffet food,  followed by the bus staff going on a poorly lit stage to perform "Come Blow Your Horn" or "Plaza Suite".  I remember going to the old Windmill Dinner Theatre to see Robert Morse (of "How to Succeed in Business" fame) in "The Odd Couple" some 30 years ago.  He was good,  the setting and the production not so much. 



Last night I went to a "Dinner Theatre" for the 1st time since seeing old Bobby Morse those 30+ years ago.  What an extraordinarly pleasant shock.  The production was "Little Shop of Horrors" and it was,  in a word,  outstanding. 

A little background - just before I moved to North Scottsdale,  construction started near my old home in Peoria on the "Arizona Broadway Theatre".   It is a very impressive structure from the outside,  obvious fly space,  beautiful building etc.  No indication it is going to be a dinner theatre,  just looks like another nice theatre for Phoenix.  Turns out (according to the owners) this is something unique - a dinner theatre that is a combination of a world class theatre,  and gourmet dining.  It was all that.  The stage was a full size proscenium stage.  The sound and lighting were first class,  and the sets were extraordinary.  The theatre also has a full set shop,  and a full-time set designer,  and the set was very impressive.  The show made full use of the ample flyspace,  as well as using turntables,  trap doors, and moving platforms.  There was a 5 piece orchestra,  but apparently they use whatever size orchestra is recommended for the performance,  and have staged shows with up to 21 orchestra members.  The theatre seats 400 people,  in a nicely tiered house,  with plenty of room between tables and seats. 

The food was wonderful.  The theatre has a staff of 40 people,  one of them a "4 star chef",  who runs a 3000 sq. ft. kitchen.  My salmon (oh god,  but I love salmon) was perfect,  as was the salad,  veggie,  breads etc. 

Finally,  the performance was wonderful.  The theatre is recognized by Actors Equity,  and about 1/2 of the cast were Equity members,  and the others were local professionals.  They were all convincing actors,  and there were some outstanding voices amongst the cast.  I'm guessing that Audrey II is rented and moved from show to show,  because it was amazing to watch,  and the voice behind the plant was every bit as good as the voice in the movie.  How this gigantic "puppet" can eat people whole is amazing.  The theatre has it's own costume designer,  and the costumes were "fun",  particularly those for the "Greek Chorus".  


Here are the ABT's Seymour and Audrey (1?) -
both outstanding (and Audrey was definitely
easy on the eyes)

The bottom line - once the house lights go down,  if you look straight ahead,  it' not difficult to imagine that instead of the Arizona Broadway Theatre,  you're at the Winter Garden,  or the Majestic on Broadway.  I've seen a number of shows on Broadway,  as well as in Chicago,  Seattle,  Los Angeles,  and this was a comparable experience.  Throw in a nice meal,  and the ability to drink your coffee,  or iced tea (or a nice bottle of wine for that matter) while watching a good musical,  well it doesn't get much better than that.  If you ever visit Phoenix,  I highly recommend you see the current production at ABT - call me,  I'll be glad to go with you!!