Patron Feedback
Testimonials
re: Miss Saigon
After seeing your version of Miss Saigon last week, I sent the following email to friends and former Army colleagues. I served two tours with the US Army in Vietnam. Just thought you might be interested in how your production impacted me. My email relates what I thought I was hearing and feeling.
"Interesting experience the other night that took me back 39 years (has it really been that long? Wow!)
Went to see Miss Saigon at our local Glendale dinner theater. Very heavy but very good with some of the outstanding actors out of NYC. I knew that a major scene in the big theatres of the world was the landing of a helicopter on the stage during the evacuation of Americans from Saigon scene. Big question of course was how the hell are they going to do that in our relatively small theatre here. There was even a discussion on the subject in the director's notes in the program - but the notes didn't say how they were going to do it.
So the big scene comes in the darkened theatre. It's night and you hear the unmistakable sound of a UH1-D big engine Huey approaching, getting louder and louder. Now the sound of one Huey is pretty common. But in the dark theatre, sitting at a table with white tablecloth and in casual dress, I realize that what I hear is the sound of at least two Hueys landing. Then behind the dramatic action on the stage, You see the front silhouettes of two Hueys with landing lights landing behind the stage. The noise is deafening, with blade pop and turbine whine, and the incredible pounding of the rotor blades - and then the pounding and blade pop increases as a third Huey silhouette descends between the other two. The landing lights are blinding, the rotor blades are pounding so hard your head is vibrating. The only thing missing was the wind and the dust. And then when the three stage Hueys pulled pitch and rose out of sight together, I'm telling you, I knew there were no rotor blades, I knew those were spot lights and not landing lights, I knew I was in a theatre - but there was no doubt in my mind that I was back on an LZ in the middle of a troop extraction - and I wasn't even a combat Soldier. And it wasn't even an IMAX movie.
Amazing!"
Thank you, I guess, for taking me back. This was a great production - even besides the helicopters.
Warren Field
Peoria, AZ
re: Miss Saigon
Hi,
I just wanted to congratulate you all again for another wonderful performance!!!!!!!!
We loved Miss Saigon and the staging was excellent again!
But I especially wanted to let you know how much we enjoy the performances of Mark DiConzo “the Engineer” he was marvelous and stole the show and also Angelo Rios who played John, eaht a wonderful voice…Please bring the both back in future performances, they were great.
Thanks,
Janice New
re: CABARET
"We thought the show was incredible! From the moment we took our seats to the time we exited the building I was immersed in the show and the overall experience of the Arizona Broadway Theatre. The attention to detail is apparent in every corner of the organization. I have loved CABARET since I first saw it in a movie form in the early 70s…this performance outwitted everything I have seen prior. I was captivated by the unexpected twists in the costuming and the unique perspectives on traditional characters. It was the perfect escape from the busy everyday world and you can count me as a new fan of the Arizona Broadway Theatre!"
- Melanie Michaels, President, Shopping A to Z TV (KTVK-TV Channel 3)
re: CABARET
"I had a wonderful time last Friday evening...the food was incredible, the service was wonderful, and the performance was really excellent. I’ll definitely be coming back."
- Ashlea Deahl, Editor, PHOENIX MAGAZINE
re: CABARET
"The west valley is fortunate to host a superb venue like Arizona Broadway Theatre. The cast of the show are true professionals, and the dinner delicious and of the highest quality. Clearly, every detail of the experience is important to management and it shows in the place settings, the service-focused wait staff, the wide aisles and of course, the show itself. Set design is realistic with impeccable attention to detail. Dinner and a show at this venue is truly a remarkable experience."
- Melissa, Glendale, AZ (11/5/08)
re: CABARET
“I must admit that “Cabaret” has never been one of my favorites... but WOW, did you ever win me over! That was a phenomenal performance! A big shout out goes to Kurtis W. Overby as the Emcee -- just the right touch of camp, erotic, degeneration, shocking and a bit creepy. Athena Hunting and James Page -- such pros -- such a joy to watch on the stage, live out their sweet, sad and doomed romance. Her soulful "What Would You do?" broke our hearts. Andy Meyers as Ernst, great casting, great performance -- so friendly and innocent, such a sweet face, he couldn't be anything but nice, could he? -- How easily they were sucked in -- led to a discussion at our table during intermission of how easily we are sucked in. I'm sure you didn't know what the political and economic climate would be when the performance dates came for “Cabaret” -- but what perfect timing. With our government suddenly become a socialist state -- how easily we are sucked in! And, straight out of our own headlines is the degeneration of society, the lack of being shocked, financial collapse... but I must stop ranting... And Jason -- great performance as the frustrated, conflicted, confused, weary writer. And Sally Bowles brought the house down with her huge voice and her powerful intensity. The band was great... the Kit Kat Girls and "Boys" were spot on... the sets, the costuming, the makeup, the casting... as professional as it comes. Directors and choreography and lighting -- all excellent. Not to forget sound, which if done right, is forgotten and not noticed. Great job all. ...And the food and service were excellent. You are to be commended by the way you have continued to strive for and achieve excellence with every performance. You have come such a long way from the earliest performances where we could see the EXIT sign lit backstage, and you had to cater the meals in. We have hung in there with you because we wanted so badly for you to excel and succeed. And boy, have you! I didn't think you could top "Jekyll & Hyde" or "Fiddler" or "Music Man"... but you really wowed us with this one! We're so glad to be season ticket holders. We raise our glass to salute you, and look forward to a wonderful 2008 - 09 season together!”
- Judy Martin, Peoria, AZ (10/22/08)
re: CABARET
"Bravo to Arizona Broadway Theatre for stepping up to deliver a powerful production of Cabaret as their opening show this season. This exceptional performance of the Tony Award winning production from 1967 is a must see for Valley theatre audiences…This writer will be back for an encore performance, and highly recommends you get a friend and catch Cabaret. It's been twenty years since the last revival of this production, and the story's wisdom and teaching on the human condition is as timely now as it was in '67."
- Nicholas Connell, AZ Weekly Entertainment Magazine (10/16/08)
re: CABARET
"A show not to be missed! I recently saw this production of Cabaret thinking that it would be a rip off of the revival, as has been the trend in local versions of the show. I was very pleasantly surprised to have seen a fantastic hybrid of the original staging and the revival. The Emcee was by far my favorite person in the show. He had amazing charisma and spoke to the audience as if they were old friends. The choreography was absolutely fantastic and very fitting to the grit and mood of story. Sally Bowles was a pleasant surprise and definitely delivered the vocal intensity that is required to pull this role off. The ensemble also stood out with a magnetic energy and a sexual presence that you could not ignore. Overall, it was one of the best productions of this show that I have ever seen."
- PeoriaTheatreFan, Peoria, AZ (10/6/08)
re: NUNSENSE
"Thank you for your hospitality, great food, and very entertaining and professional show."
- Diane and Brian, Best Group Tours, Arizona
re: NUNSENSE
"Oh my, God! Funny....This is the funniest show I have ever seen. The actors were excellent! I left there wanting more."
- Monika Robinson, Tempe, AZ (August 14, 2008)
re: Academy For Young Performers Summer Program 2008
"My daughter Katie was recently enrolled in the Academy workshop 'Broadway Grooves.' I just wanted to let all of you at Arizona Broadway Theatre know how much she enjoyed the experience. I felt that she learned more in one week with you than at any other camp. I attended the performance and was greatly impressed with it. All the kids were great and the performance showed how much work and dedication went into just one week. Katie can't wait to take more workshops from Arizona Broadway Theatre and I will not hesitate to enroll her. Thank you for all of your hard work ."
- Cindy Higgins , Glendale, Arizona (August 14, 2008)
re: MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS
"I thought that the show was very well put together. The love story between Mendel and the crazy woman with the wig was great! Both actors delivered great performances as well as did a great job directing the production. The young boy did a fantastic job. Brought me to tears. Marvin, delivered a very passionate performance. The role of Wizar was forgettable, but the actor had a wonderful voice. Highlights in the show were, "Four Jews in a Room Bitching,""Breaking Down," and "I Never Wanted to Love You."
- David Fostel, Glendale, AZ (from showup.com 7/28/08)
"Great! This was an extremely strong production of a tough show! Almost perfect and it was both thoroughly funny and touching. Highly recommended!"
- E, Phoenix, AZ (from showup.com 7/26/08)
re: WIZARD OF OZ and THE MUSIC MAN
"We went to see the children's performance of The Wizard of Oz. (This is how we found out about ABT. GREAT children's show)! We were so amazed with the venue we decided to bring our family to see "The Music Man". I cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed ourselves. The food was excellent, the costumes were amazing, the actors were AWESOME and the show was foot stomping, hand clapping fun. We will go back to see other shows that ABT has to offer for sure."
- Molly Watson, Glendale, AZ (July 21, 2008) on showup.com
re: THE MUSIC MAN
"I've seen at least eight ABT productions and this one is at the top of my list! The lead's were of course good, but the supporting cast can make or break the performance, and this one made it great! Marian has a remarkable voice, the mayor's wife and "ladies" gave me some belly laughs, the choreography was very entertaining, the quartet had powerful voices that took me to a different era and the children brought sparkles to my eyes. The set designs were great and set changes were seamless - I couldn't believe it was intermission already! The costume changes, of which there were a lot, were sugary sweet and the ladies were audacious! I loved the energy on stage! What a great way to drift away to a simpler era. Some of the cast members even come out to greet you. I watched several guest children in awe! It's a great place to have some family fun and enjoy real 'NY Broadway' entertainment!"
- Judy, Glendale, AZ (July 23, 2008) on showup.com
