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PERFORMING ARTS SEASON PREVIEW
by ON Media
Valley arts organizations are excited to re-open their doors to live performances and new experiences for patrons starved for connection after more than a year of closures and limitations due to the pandemic.
The return of award-winning theater, live concerts and dance, and evocative visual arts is testimony to the art world’s creativity and resilience.
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Arts administrators made use of the time apart to make improvements to infrastructure and to forge new partnerships that will enhance their offerings to the public.
Audiences will enjoy gallery renovations, new rigging and lighting, and joint exhibitions such as “Chihuly in the Desert,” the result of a collaboration between Desert Botanical Garden and Taliesin West, which both will display stunning glass installations by artist Dale Chihuly from December 3 to June 19.
The 2021-2022 season promises to be better than ever! Here are just a few of the highlights. For more, read the stories inside.
THEATER
Two world premieres are among the lineup for Arizona Theatre Company at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix. They are how to make an American Son — exploring immigration, family and the American Dream — and Justice, a new musical focusing on US Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sandra Day O’Connor.
ASU Gammage presents the long-awaited Hamilton, followed by a string of other popular hit musicals and dramas, including Tootsie and The Lion King.
The Phoenix Theatre Company was forced by the pandemic to shut its doors for the first time in its 100-year history. The 2021-22 season is back full force, offering 10 classic productions plus a Festival of New American Theatre in partnership with ASU.
In Peoria, Arizona Broadway Theatre also has a full roster of hits, starting in September with Chicago, a tale of murder, greed and corruption set in the Roaring Twenties.
WELCOME BACK!
Presenting the 2021-22 season: Live and in-person
MUSIC
Arizona Musicfest will produce its largest season ever with 30 concerts in North Scottsdale between November and April. Popular entertainers such as Paul Anka, LeAnn Rimes and Kenny G will perform. Classical music includes Festival Orchestra Week in February 2022.
In the southeast Valley, ASU Kerr returns with jazzy shows, plus new bar service and Crescendo garden space. Guitars From Spain on October 28 is the first public performance with alcohol service.
Mesa Arts Center offers jazz, classical and pop concerts, starting October 9 with Grammywinner Emmylou Harris. Jazz icon Wynton Marsalis performs January 20.
Arizona Opera presents its 50th anniversary season this fall statewide with a host of inspired performances of compelling stories ranging from the traditional Carmen to newer works like The Copper Queen.
VISUAL
Phoenix Art Museum’s diverse lineup explores topics from Arizona mining history to Southwest car culture.
Scottsdale Arts also offers a wide variety of exhibits and experiences at its venues. The popular outdoor Canal Convergence returns in November with the theme Art and Technology.
DANCE
Contemporary Moves marks the start of Ballet Arizona’s 36th season. At the holidays, The Nutcracker will be presented with live music from The Phoenix Symphony. An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden closes the season.
