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The Arts Return to Stage
Performances Return to Stage
COMPILED BY VALLEY VIBE STAFF WRITERS info@valleyvibenews.com
After an unusual year of canceled performances and a shift to virtual platforms, area performance troupes have announced plans for a return to the stage this fall with live audiences.
Schedules as of press time provided by MTA, NVSO, Starlight & ProMusica. Check websites for any changes due to COVID-19.
MUSICAL THEATRE OF ANTHEM ‘Matilda Jr.’
Thursday, Sept. 30–Sunday, Oct. 3 High energy dancing and catchy songs help tell the story of a girl dreaming of a better life among a youth cast of ages 6–18. Matilda’s courage and cleverness shine throughout the production as she navigates a cruel home life, faces encounters with a mean school headmistress, but manages to impress her school teacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey.
Thursday, Dec. 2–Sunday, Dec. 5 An adaptation from Hans Christian Andersen’s popular fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid,” this musical tells the story of a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. The story will test the strength of love against the forces of prejudice, hatred and death. MTA Venue & Information
42201 N. 41st Drive
Suite B100, Anthem 623-336-6001 www.musicaltheatreofanthem.org mtatickets@yahoo.com $25/Individual Ticket $20/Groups of 15 or more Season Tickets: $160/7 shows See times online.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. A celebration of the return to live performances, featuring performances by full orchestra, brass, winds, and strings. Music includes Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Rossini’s Overture to “The Barber of Seville,” Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” Holst’s “S, Paul Suite,” Strauss’s “Overture to Die Fledermaus,” and Raff’s “Sinfonietta for Winds.”
Saturday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. A family-friendly performance of Christmas favorites, a sing along and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Arrangements from Trans Siberian Orchestra, Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” and Balamage’s “Festive Fanfare.” NVSO Venue & Information
North Canyon High School 1700 E. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix 623-980-4628 www.nothvalleysymphony.org $5/Concert or $15/Season pass for 4 concerts MTA’s “Once on this Island Jr.”
ProMusica Conductor Patti Graetz
North Valley Symphony Orchestra
PROMUSICA ARIZONA ‘Let Music Live!’
Saturday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.* & Sunday, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.* & Sunday, Dec. 5, 3:30 p.m.
Celebrating the joy that music brings to our lives, the concert opens with “The Awakening” by the choir and orchestra, followed by performances from the chorale and Women in Song. The orchestra will play Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture,” Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance #5” and a short Haydn symphony. The ensembles will join together for a meaningful finale.
*North Phoenix location not yet determined. Traditional holiday music, as well as works by local composers. Cowboy boots and hats are encouraged.
ProMusica Venue & Information
American Lutheran Church 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City www.pmaz.org, info@pmaz.org 623-326-5172 $25/Adults; $23/Seniors & Military $12/Students 16–22 years Free/Children 15 and under
STARLIGHT COMMUNITY THEATER ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’
Friday, Sept. 10–Sunday, Sept. 19 A theatrical adaptation based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey tells the story of a man who manages to serve a short sentence in an airy mental institution rather than in a prison.
Friday, Dec. 3–Sunday, Dec. 19 SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face annihilation in this musical based on the Nickelodeon series. Starlight Venue & Information 1611 W. Whispering Wind Dr., Phoenix 623-252-6815 www.starlightcommunitytheater.com info@starlightcommunityttheater.com $15/General admission See times online. The youth production of “Hamlet and Zombies” originally scheduled in October has been postponed due to the pandemic.
