We live in a day and age where instant gratification is no longer a privilege but an expectation. We get irritated when our DoorDash doesn’t arrive at the expected time. We get anxious when our internet stops in the middle of our Netflix binge. We squirm at the idea of having to wait in line […]
By Herbert Paine. Originally published by Broadway World. Arizona Theatre Company’s new production of Blues in the Night unfolds in a nameless, run-down 1930s hotel, where the weary and world-weary residents exist in a haze of longing and lost dreams. Stripped of names and bound by the same familiar struggles, characters drift through a never-ending […]
The musical revue is a dazzling celebration of powerhouse vocals and timeless blues. by Robert Encila-Celdran. Originally published by BroadwayWorld.com. ATC’s Blues in the Night sets the mood with a striking, multi-tiered scenic design by Edward E. Haynes Jr. It’s a masterful composition of four seamlessly integrated spaces, each primed for intimate storytelling. A jazz […]
An Intimate and Poignant Exploration of Wartime Romance. Arizona Theatre Company is set to unveil a powerful new play this spring – Bob & Jean: A Love Story, written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan. This deeply personal work offers a rare glimpse into the real-life courtship of Schenkkan’s parents, Bob and […]
By Cathalena E. Burch. Originally published on Tucson.com. There’s a lyric in one of the final songs in Arizona Theatre Company‘s production of Blues in the Night that director Ricardo Khan said kinda fits where we are in America today: “I got a right to sing the blues.” “I’m tempted to change it to ‘We […]
By Chloe Rabinowitz. Originally published on Broadwayworld.com. Arizona Theatre Company will welcome in 2025 with the Tony Award- nominated musical Blues in the Night by Sheldon Epps. With 26 torch songs to light up the stage, a cast of sizzling singers, and a legendary creative team, Arizona Theatre Company continues to bring outstanding creatives and […]
Tony Award-Winner Shuler Hensley and youth cast members of Arizona Theatre Company’s Holiday Musical, Scrooge! perform the National Anthem at the Phoenix Suns on December 25, 2024.
Bessie Smith: Known as the “Empress of the Blues,” Smith’s soulful voice and emotive performances defined the blues of the 1920s and 1930s. Her songs often told vivid stories of love and hardship, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer in American music. Duke Ellington: A legendary jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader, Ellington’s innovative style and […]
The music of Blues in the Night serves as the lifeblood of the production, weaving together the soulful, passionate, and often heartbreaking narratives of its characters. A jukebox musical at its core, Blues in the Night is a rich tapestry of blues and jazz standards from the early 20th century showcasing the timeless artistry of […]
Blues in the Night is a powerful musical that celebrates the emotional depth and history of the American blues genre. Created by acclaimed director Sheldon Epps, this musical revue blends the raw sounds of blues with deeply human narratives, captivating audiences with evocative storytelling and timeless music. Working with musical director Sy Johnson, Epps curated […]