James Reel Archives


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My Favorite Martian
In his guidebook to the Red Planet, Tucson's William K. Hartmann writes like a native. (08/21/03)

Circus Act
The corporate owner of Cirque du Soleil sues Tucson's Flam Chen for using the word 'cirque' in a performance title. (08/14/03)

Bungled Recipe
An Italian family cooks, fights, eats and makes up in "Saturday, Sunday, Monday." (08/07/03)

Digging Through What's Left
Homeowners return to the Summerhaven area to see what the fire destroyed--and spared. (07/24/03)

Preacher Power
Irene's latest dinner theater production features powerful words--but it's not a play. (07/24/03)

Stage Spoof
Live Theatre Workshop does A.R. Gurney's "The Fourth Wall" justice. (07/24/03)

Fun for the Soul
Gaslight Theatre continues its tradition of over-the-top and purposefully hokey entertainment. (07/10/03)

Good Books
In predominantly Mormon community St. David sits an eclectic, open-to-the-public Catholic library. (07/03/03)

High Notes
Arizona Onstage Productions' "Falsettoland" exudes professionalism and a lot of heart. (07/03/03)

Animated Life
Live Action Cartoonists' multi-media show comes together before your eyes. (07/03/03)

Up in Smoke
What's in store for Summerhaven and Mount Lemmon? (06/26/03)

The Inn Crowd
Invisible Theatre crams an ambitious lineup into a cabaret series at the Arizona Inn. (06/26/03)

Rumor Mill
UA's Arizona Repertory Theatre offers a Neil Simon play worth talking about. (06/26/03)

Hanky-Panky
There's Moor than meets the eye in Paula Vogel's 'Othello' spin-off. (06/19/03)

Uneven Steps
Irene's Dinner Theater treads into the darkness of black comedy "Ruffian on the Stair." (06/19/03)

Political Potluck
Jamie Smith's evolving one-woman show explores current events in a burlesque way. (06/12/03)

A Pox Upon Thee
Tucson author Jennifer Lee Carrell revives smallpox. (06/05/03)

Clueless
Invisible Theatre valiantly tries to close the gaps in an empty-headed murder mystery. (05/29/03)

Jewel of a Season
The TSO is not letting economic doldrums ruin its diamond anniversary. (05/22/03)

A Good Match
Live Theatre Workshop's "The Matchmaker" pairs the audience with a quality play. (05/15/03)

True Grit
After some obstacles, Irene's Dinner Theater admirably presents its first production. (05/08/03)

Strings of Gold
Violinist Robert McDuffie plays his million-dollar instrument with verve and appreciation. (05/01/03)

Comedic Turn
Catalina Players' production of "Crimes of the Heart" highlights comedy over troubled emotions. (05/01/03)

Harmony Lost
KUAZ radio changes to a news format, causing a stir among some jazz fans. (04/24/03)

The Joy of Sax
Tucson-based Michael Hester is one of the finest classical saxophonists around. (04/24/03)

Dark Matter
Arizona Theatre Company's "Copenhagen" looks into the minds of scientists. (04/24/03)

Dream Team
UA students work together smoothly in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." (04/24/03)

True Trio
Arizona Theatre Company offers three plays that examine the truth through storytelling. (04/17/03)

Tattered Pages
Two writers vie for the last word in IT's compelling "Collected Stories." (04/10/03)

Lonely Wives Club
"A Coupla White Chicks" exposes the dark side of love. (04/10/03)

Boxed In
Fancy footwork gets characters off the ropes in Elaine Romero's 'Barrio Hollywood.' (04/03/03)

Mariachi, Female-Style
D. R. Ransdell blends musical talent and humor in a new CD. (03/20/03)

Way Out West
Mae West provides over-the-top inspiration for lovesick geeks in "Dirty Blonde." (03/13/03)

Juiced
"The Cider House Rules, Part 2" squeezes out fine performances from a compelling script. (03/13/03)

Bleak House
Love, orphans and abortion rule John Irving's Dickensian "Cider House." (03/06/03)

Crook Book
Can a writer steal the souls of black folk? (02/27/03)

Meal Ticket
The Catalina Players prove that dinner theater isn't dead. (02/20/03)

Love's Labor's Last
The brain rests while the heart frolics in Live Theatre Workshop's version of "As You Like It." (02/20/03)

Polly Gone?
The party's not over for Polly Bergen, who brings her cabaret show to Tucson. (02/06/03)

Lenny Lives!
The Tucson Symphony devotes February to the Bernstein legacy. (02/06/03)

Moonstruck
Eugene O'Neill's tragicomic "Moon for the Misbegotten" illuminates a love unfulfilled. (01/30/03)

Full Cycle
Anne-Marie McDermott surveys Prokofiev's nine piano sonatas. (01/30/03)

Grappling with the Issues
"The Wrestling Season" takes a look at life through the eyes of teen-agers. (01/23/03)

Moscow on the Hudson
Vladimir Feltsman and the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society explore the Soviet underground. (01/16/03)

Identity Crisis
Live Theatre Workshop asks, "Who's your daddy?" (01/09/03)

An American Melody
Pianist James Tocco performs works of U.S. composers in addition to European masters. (01/09/03)

Red Hot Yiddische Mama
Sophie Tucker returns to life at Invisible Theatre. (01/02/03)

Curtain-Raiser
NAThalia Stage Ensemble debuts with "Six Windows, One House." (01/02/03)

Dressed for Success
Gayle Castañeda has everything she needs for her museum of ethnic costume, except a building. (12/26/02)

All For the Good
'A Tucson Pastorela' shows goodness is possible among imperfect people in a troubled world. (12/19/02)

Fresh Breath
Daniel Asia's approach to the voice is lyrical, if not tuneful. (12/12/02)

Beating the Odds
Fine performances save 'The Fantasticks' despite nonsensical material. (12/05/02)

Home on the Range
You can't say no to the UA's production of "Oklahoma!" (11/28/02)

Dinnertime Din
Can equal portions of food and love keep this loud family together? (11/28/02)

Striking Display
"The Miss Firecracker Contest" explodes with a full array of humor and colorful performances. (11/21/02)

Ale and Spirits
An Irish pub serves up haunting tales in "The Weir." (11/21/02)

In With The Old
Lutenist Paul O'Dette adopts a Spanish accent. (11/07/02)

Blue Notes
Colorful family members veer from the harmonic path in ATC's "Blue." (10/31/02)

Classical Hits
Percussionist Evelyn Glennie drums up enthusiasm for new music. (10/24/02)

Hispanic Passion
Tucson is a station of the cross-country tour of "La Pasión según San Marcos." (10/17/02)

Hearts Astray
Arizona Opera's "La Traviata" loses its way at the end. (10/17/02)

Waiting to Exhale
After 26 years, Scott Carter returns to Invisible Theatre for "Heavy Breathing." (10/10/02)

Call Me Bwana
African music is boss for John Williams and friends. (10/10/02)

Leave It to Biber
Violinist John Holloway seeks the modern along Baroque byways. (10/03/02)

Best of Tucson
(09/27/02)

Ado Indeed
ATC puts Shakespeare in a place worth being, and seeing. (09/26/02)

Spinster Cycle
It's never too late for the right kind of love at Invisible Theatre. (09/26/02)

Mind Power
'The Sins of Sor Juana' highlights the life of an intellect before her time. (09/19/02)

Highbrow Jocularity
Live Theatre Workshop has an inviting production. (09/19/02)

The Stories We Tell
Arizona Theatre Company's Samantha Wyer prefers plays where people confront life honestly. (09/12/02)

Elements of Style
The Sonoran Consort mingles many genres in music all its own. (09/05/02)

Truth Be Told
Ana Consuelo Matiella talks fact and fiction about Nogales, Sonorans and Mexican-Americans. (08/29/02)

Labor Pains
Three local documentaries zoom in on workers' struggles. (08/22/02)

Rooks and Pawns
'Endgame' plays at the chess-game swindle that is life. (08/15/02)

Two's a Crowd
The lead actors carry the show in Live Theatre Workshop's "Odd Couple." (08/08/02)

Long-Distance Love
Kaija Saariaho's "L'Amour de loin" is the object of desire this summer in Santa Fe. (08/01/02)

Buzz Cuts
'As Bees in Honey Drown' satirizes America's love of fame without achievement. (07/25/02)

Well Versed
The UA Poetry Center's new director nurtures the voice of creativity. (07/18/02)

Deutsch Treat
German traditions now shape George Hanson's conducting. (07/11/02)

Star-Spangled Banter
Live Theatre Workshop provides a stiff breeze for a limp Neil Simon comedy. (07/04/02)

Prophet Sharing
"Elijah" holds forth at the UA. (06/27/02)

Hell's Kitchen
Arizona Repertory Theatre serves up food for thought. (06/20/02)

Drinking Problem
Members of Humane Borders carry out a mission to provide water to migrants on a deadly trek. (06/13/02)

Flying on the Edge
Thomas Bowen's book chronicles the exhilarating flights of pilot Ike Russell. (06/13/02)

Appealing Debut
Beowulf Alley comes out swinging with two sharp comedies. (06/06/02)

Pairing Off
Invisible Theatre charms with an imperfect musical about couples. (05/30/02)

Numbers Racket
Budget crunch may prompt UA freshmen to take required courses at Pima Community College. (05/23/02)

Brain Trust
Kim Lowry recovers from a severe head injury with help from Bloodhut. (05/16/02)

Strong Accents
The Tucson Symphony learns the musical language of Latin America. (05/09/02)

The Master Builder
"Work Song" shows that Frank Lloyd Wright was his own most controversial creation. (04/25/02)

The Beat Goes On
Ghosts of the Beat generation crash a poetry slam. (04/25/02)

Plane Facts
Cockpit recordings inspire a terrifying air-disaster play. (04/18/02)

Time Warp
The University of Arizona's "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" puts Shakespeare in the disco era. (04/11/02)

Cinemania
Don't think too hard about the deeper meanings of the Arizona International Film Festival; that way madness lies. (04/11/02)

String Fling
A hot Gen-X quartet plays new music by Tucsonans Daniel Asia and Dan Coleman. (04/04/02)

Full of Mystery
Live Theatre Workshop has a funny way of filling in Agatha Christie's "The Hollow." (04/04/02)

Good to the Last Drop
But nobody's likely to fall down when UA dancers present 'Premium Blend.' (03/28/02)

Visitation Rites
No good deed goes unpunished in 'Visiting Mr. Green.' (03/28/02)

One Flute over the Cuckoo's Nest
In the crazy world of jazz, Holly Hofmann is flying high. (03/21/02)

Xtreme Language
Poetry slams into Tucson. (03/21/02)

Book 'Em
Bob Sorenson takes reservations, but no prisoners, at ATC. (03/14/02)

Flamenco in the Pink
Antonio Márquez keeps flamenco dance healthy, although its habitat is changing. (03/07/02)

Voices in Her Head
Ann Hampton Callaway performs classic songs with a flourish. (03/07/02)

Themeless Variations
This time, the Winter Chamber Festival trades unity for diversity. (02/28/02)

Habits of Thought
An operatic convent confronts grace, idealism and the French Revolution. (02/21/02)

Sons and Losers
Arthur Miller's first triumph is the latest success at Live Theatre Workshop. (02/21/02)

Between the Sheets
Demetria Martínez' greatest love affair is with language. (02/14/02)

Slaves of Love
Revolution and ardor share the stage as the Grigorovich Ballet presents "Spartacus." (02/07/02)

Newsreel
(01/31/02)

Fearful Symmetry
ATC enters the math-and-madness race with confident "Proof." (01/31/02)

Newsreel
(01/24/02)

All in a Day's Work
Old Pueblo Playwrights stages a frantic festival. (01/24/02)

Head's Up
In her new show at Invisible Theatre, Susan Claassen successfully creates a complicated, balanced, living character. (01/24/02)

Newsreel
(01/17/02)

Web of Intrigue
Borderlands Theater warmly embraces "Kiss of the Spider Woman." (01/17/02)

Newsreel
(01/10/02)

Head Case
Susan Classen fills Edith Head's shoes. (01/10/02)

Newsreel
(01/03/02)

Newsreel
(12/27/01)

Newsreel
(12/20/01)

High Anxiety
A sobering experience for local teens. (12/20/01)

Newsreel
(12/13/01)

White Washed
Next year's concert stages may be much less colorful. (12/13/01)

Newsreel
(12/06/01)

Female Persuasion
Arizona Theatre Company takes on transformation with "My Fair Lady." (12/06/01)

Newsreel
(11/29/01)

History Lesson
Author John Bret-Harte paints a portrait of Tucson. (11/29/01)

Nuts to You
Ballet Arizona brings the season's first Nutcracker to town. (11/29/01)

Newsreel
(11/22/01)

Family Affair
Invisible Theatre presents a comedy about dynastic disruption. (11/22/01)

Newsreel
(11/15/01)

Merry Mayhem
Live Theatre Workshop's stripped-down production of "Twelfth Night" lustily emphasizes the play's frivolity. (11/15/01)

Clarinet Coda
Remembering John Denman. (11/15/01)

Newsreel
(11/08/01)

Wild America
Our history gets potted. (11/08/01)

Newsreel
(11/01/01)

Newsreel
(10/25/01)

Tomorrow Show
The UA's Arizona Repertory Theatre reminds us the future ain't what it used to be. (10/25/01)

Newsreel
(10/18/01)

Schuur Thing
Diane Schuur wakes up the Reveille Gay Men's Chorus. (10/18/01)

Newsreel
(10/11/01)

Newsreel
(10/04/01)

Chew on This
Rube Goldberg meets Pilobolus on the Food Network. (10/04/01)

Beyond Therapy
Bloodhut Productions experiments with a new 'Recipe.' (10/04/01)

Newsreel
(09/27/01)

Piano Men
Arizona Theatre Company presents a merry melody. (09/27/01)

Newsreel
(09/20/01)

And Baby Makes Trouble
Invisible Theatre follows in the footsteps of young parenthood. (09/20/01)

Newsreel
(09/13/01)

Mightier Than the Sword
Pens and brushes combat violence in a program for homeless kids. (09/13/01)

Newsreel
(09/06/01)

Newsreel
(08/30/01)

Newsreel
(08/23/01)

Ex Marks the Spot
Local playwright Stuart Bousel pens a sexy comedy about romantic entanglements. (08/23/01)

Newsreel
(08/16/01)

Chamber of Horrors
Discordant times for a local orchestra. (08/16/01)

Newsreel
(08/09/01)

Missionary Position
Green Thursday's tale of sin and salvation falls flat. (08/09/01)

Newsreel
(08/02/01)

Comedy of Manners
Live Theatre Workshop sticks a quivering fork into gelatinous middle-class English values. (08/02/01)

You've Got Male
Borderlands Theater explores the men's movement. (08/02/01)

Newsreel
(07/26/01)

Newsreel
(07/19/01)

Newsreel
(07/12/01)

Newsreel
(07/05/01)

Triple Play
With Invisible Theatre, life's a cabaret. (07/05/01)

Newsreel
(06/28/01)

Juan for the Road
To hell with George Bernard Shaw. (06/28/01)

High Notes
The UA pops the cork on two festive concerts this weekend. (06/28/01)

Season's Greetings
(06/28/01)

Newsreel
(06/21/01)

Orient Express
UA Opera tackles Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Mikado'. (06/21/01)

Newsreel
(06/14/01)

Newsreel
(06/07/01)

Newsreel
(05/31/01)

Sister Act
The University of Arizona highlights sopranos with a pair of one-act Puccini operas this weekend at Crowder Hall. (04/26/01)

Newsreel
(04/19/01)

Painting by Numbers
Playwright Steven Dietz wields a brilliant technique, but fails to make an emotional connection in "Inventing Van Gogh." (04/19/01)

Newsreel
(04/12/01)

Royal Flush
Borderlands Theater presents a dreamy production of "Sueño." (04/12/01)

Newsreel
(04/05/01)

Newsreel
(03/15/01)

Winged Victory
Arizona Repertory Theatre takes flight with "Angels in America." (03/15/01)

Newsreel
(03/08/01)

'Center' Holds
Invisible Theatre's latest comedy isn't just another Southern Gothic tale of hell's belles. (03/08/01)

Newsreel
(03/01/01)

Newsreel
(02/22/01)

Opening Note
Music Theatre Arizona makes its debut with Sondheim, sans helicopters. (02/22/01)

Newsreel
(02/15/01)

A Gray-Day Monologue
Has Spalding Gray turned into a family man? (02/15/01)

Newsreel
(02/08/01)

Clothes Make the Woman
Linda Andresano showcases her versatility in 'Dressing the Part.' (02/08/01)

Newsreel
(02/01/01)

Newsreel
(01/25/01)

Well Donne
ATC's "Wit" explores the last days of a scholar of sonnets. (01/25/01)

Wild at Heart
Maurice Sendak's creatures are on the loose. (01/18/01)

Newsreel
With the New Year come a few very subtle cosmetic changes in the Tucson Weekly. (01/04/01)

Mano a Mandolin
A celebration of somewhat obscure strings. (01/04/01)

Island Life
Invisible Theatre opens its doors to the immigrant experience. (01/04/01)

Newsreel
(12/28/00)

Magical Mystery Tour
Exploring the invisible world at Invisible Theatre. (12/14/00)

Smooth Sailing
Arizona Theatre Company launches a ship-shape production of "H.M.S. Pinafore." (12/07/00)

Songs Of The Season
The hills are alive with the sound of holiday music. (11/30/00)

In The Air
Adriel Heisey captures the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with flying colors. (11/23/00)

Decisions, Decisions, 2000
Our brain trust doles out advice on ballot propositions facing local voters. (11/02/00)

Hunger And Heaven
Arizona Theatre Company's latest is a work of love and integrity. (10/26/00)

Peek-A-Boo
The Fox Theatre opens its doors this weekend for a sneak preview. (10/26/00)

Luca Ciarla
Luca Ciarla's "Sister Classican And Brother Jazz" (10/12/00)

Chance To Dance
NEW ARTiculations samples wine and work. (10/05/00)

Gay Abandon
Swine take flight at Invisible Theatre. (09/28/00)

Unstill Life
Arizona Theatre Company deftly renders Art. (09/21/00)

Urbane Renewal
Live Theatre Workshop revives Noel Coward's triple play. (08/10/00)

Ship Shape
Looks like smooth sailing for the UA Opera's summer crowd pleaser, "H.M.S. Pinafore." (06/22/00)

Playwright Of Passage
ATC artist-in-residence Elaine Romero brings stories and communities to life. (06/01/00)

Leaps And Bounds
Orts, UA Dance and ZUZI! Move It stage concerts this weekend. (04/27/00)

Hughes And Cries
Four performance artists come together for Voices From The Margins. (03/23/00)

Spirits Rising
Centennial Hall invokes a higher power with Joyful Noise and Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. (03/16/00)

High Notes
A recap of this year's Winter Chamber Music Festival. (03/16/00)

World On A String
Latin composers enjoy prominence in this year's Winter Chamber Music Festival. (03/02/00)

Grand New Opera
The company's season-opening performance of "Turandot" should illustrate what contemporary opera presentation is all about. (09/30/99)

Double Play
Composer Daniel Asia is getting a lot of local attention these days. (09/23/99)

Black Light
ATC opens the season with mixed results. (09/16/99)

Rural Renaissance
Violinist Luca Ciarla and pianist Sean Schulze, artists-in-residence in Chamber Music America's Rural Residence Program, bring both the finer and fun points of chamber music to Safford. (07/22/99)

Delivering The Dirt
Grievously flawed, boring, infuriating, this may be one of the century's great novels. (07/22/99)