All That Is Lizz

Night in the 40’s Dance in 2010

Lizz — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:00:27 +0000

A 1940’s WWII Musical Show performed by the Kathy Donald Jazz Ensemble, Saturday, March 20, 2010, with singers and a professional trio of piano, bass, and drums, featuring Kathy Donald, formerly of The Art Royer USO Show. Accompanying Kathy will be Susan Gerkin and Lizz Reeves. Show starts at 5:30pm until 7:00pm at the Falcon Field Airport, Arizona Wing Hangar. The Sun Lakes Big Band performance, composed of 15 veteran big band players, to follow USO show. Doors open at 4:30pm for pre-show dancing.

B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey on display along with other warbirds. Come dressed in the styles of the 40’s for the costume and dance contests. Call (480) 924-1940 x111 for more information.

Ticket Prices are $35.00 in advance and $40.00 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased on the Night in the 40s Dance website, http://www.bigbanddance.com soon, and at the Museum Gift Shop, 10:00am – 4:00pm, seven days a week:

Arizona Wing CAF Aircraft Museum
2017 N. Greenfield Rd
Mesa, AZ 85215

Night in the 40’s Dance

My Fair Lady

Lizz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:24:51 +0000

Chris Fidler will be performing the role of Freddy Eynsford-Hill and Elizabeth Reeves Fidler will be performing as Maid #1/Cockney Flower Girl in My Fair Lady at Fountain Hills Community Theater.

Henry Higgins made a bet that if he could get Eliza Doolittle, a poor girl who sells flowers, to speak the English language properly, she would fit into the higher class. She messes up on her first trip to the Ascot races (although she does catch the attention of Freddy), and when she goes to the Embassy Ball, she does so well that a speech professor proclaims her to be a Hungarian princess.

Jan 15 – 31, 2010

Possible extension through February 7th!

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays – 8:00 PM
Saturday (1/23 only) – 2:00 PM Matinee
Sundays – 2:00 PM Matinee

Fountain Hills Community Theater
11445 N. Saguaro Blvd.
Fountain Hills, AZ 85269

Box Office : (480) 837-9661 x3
Visa/MC/Amex/Discover

Email Order: play@fhct.org
We’ll call you back to complete your order. Be sure to include your phone number!

Printable Order Form
Fax to: 480-837-5972
or Mail to: FHCT Box Office, P.O. Box 18312, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269

NEW! Online Ticketing – CLICK HERE!

Review: Intertwining Lives Produce Hit

Lizz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:13 +0000

I am so glad that someone finally had the vision to produce RAGTIME in the Valley of the Sun! This is one of the most beautiful shows I have ever seen in every sense of the word. It is the quintessential story of America at the turn of the 20th Century, the melting pot of the world. Based on the classic novel by E. L Doctorow, RAGTIME has a magnificent message, a gripping story, glorious music and enough history to satisfy any one. Here we meet the likes of Booker T. Washington, Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Evelyn Nesbit, Admiral Peary as well as a future scion of the motion picture industry. Here we watch the interweaving of three important ethnic groups who have made America strong – the WASP backbone of the country, the immigrants who flocked to these golden shores and the African Americans who finally came into their own in the middle of the 20th Century. This is their story told with stirring song and intricate dance. Desert Stages is to be commended and lauded for telling their story.

And Director Terry Helland deserves Kudos galore for his coup in presenting this broad based, gigantic show in a theater not much bigger than my living room! At one point I counted almost 50 people on stage at once. This is no small feat – to do this Helland made use of every inch of space, even staging several scenes in the eaves of the room high above us. Another clever use of space was the revolving circular stage in the center of the floor. Helland and Choreographer Katy Callie were absolutely ingenious in their designs and staging. It almost was a shame that they could not have had more space in which to work their magic. They did well with what they had, but I kept imagining what they could do with a roomier venue.

There were few if any weak links in the huge ensemble; even the young people knew their roles well and deserve praise. But of course, there were a few standouts. Miguel Jackson, a newcomer to the area, was clearly the star of the show as he sang and acted his role of Coalhouse Walker Jr., the ragtime piano player who falls in love with Sarah and with the idea of America but who is thwarted at every turn by bigotry and prejudice. In true tragic fashion, he loses in the end, but he puts up a stellar fight. He has a fascinating voice which captured the role beautifully. And opposite him was Brittany Bradford in the role which made Audra MacDonald famous, beautiful Sarah, another tragic figure representative of the fate of the Negro in the early 20th Century. Her voice was a delight. In the role of Tateh, the Jewish immigrant who met nothing but poverty until he accidentally hits on the idea of moving silhouettes was Jeff Davey, a natural who portrayed this bedeviled man to the hilt. Both his characterization and his much improved singing voice was perfect for his part. Then there was Elizabeth Reeves as Mother, the Victorian woman subservient to her husband, who discovers what life should be all about as she rebels, much like the heroine of A DOLL’S HOUSE written at this same time period. Reeves has a beautiful voice and a charming, serene characterization which was just right. Sean Taylor as Younger Brother was suitably rebellious and symbolic of the change in attitude that was taking over in America at the time. And in several small roles, Wade Moran, and all those playing the famous Americans listed above did a spectacular job of bringing these icons to life. The only weak link I found was Mickey Courtney as the Grandfather who simply did not meet the level of those he was playing with.

Technically, the costume design is a real winner. True to the period, the designer, Lisa Suico-Scheir, produced stunning dresses for Mother, accurate clothing for a slew of immigrants and typical dress for the African American group. And the choreographical staging played up the intermingling of the three groups so well with the costuming adding to the mix. It was a delight to watch. Musically the ensemble was very strong and well trained for which Terry Temple is to be thanked. Lighting was good except in the very few places where the segues from scene to scene appeared to be a little rough. The set was necessarily simple due to the lack of space and the number of actors that graced the stage. The one area where I felt ther could have been some improvement was in some of the props. When Sarah had her baby, it was appropriate for a small doll wrapped in a blanket be used, but 6 to 8 month later and then a year or more later, it was very annoying to see the same tiny baby being carried around the stage. Didn’t he grow at all during that time? Again, perhaps a small thing, but the camera used by a reporter was definitely not from the right period and I doubt if people at the turn of the 20th Century would have used plastic suitcases.

But don’t let these few very small items deter you from going to see a truly excellent show; RAGTIME at Desert Stages should be on your must see list now before it closes on November 1. You will adore the music, marvel at the staging and agree that the actors deserve all the plaudits they can get. The intertwining of the author’s characters and the talents of those who make them come to life are superb.

Paula Shulak
The Theater Maven

Ragtime Trailer is here!

Lizz — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:52:32 +0000

Ragtime Teaser (DST Arizona) from Daniel Sontag on Vimeo.

Ragtime Cast performs at Opening of Barney’s

Lizz — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:00:49 +0000

Ragtime Cast at Grand Opening of Barney’s on 10/16/09 at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall.

Interview: He sings like nobody’s business

Lizz — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:00:45 +0000

Goodyear resident Miguel Jackson went to audition for the musical, Ragtime at Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale with one role in mind.

“I was hoping to get the role of Coalhouse Walker; it’s rich and has a lot of meat on it,” he said of the Harlem musician. “It’s a very important role in terms of race. And being so far away, it was [that role] or nothing.”

It turns out; the 31-year-old had nothing to worry about.

“There was no doubt,” Ragtime director Terry Helland said of who would land the part of Coalhouse Walker, one of the show’s three leads, after the audition process. “He [Jackson] was an obvious choice because of his stature and how well he sang. He got it right away.”

Since then, the recent Canadian transplant has become very familiar with Arizona freeways, making the 45-minute trek – the time it takes without traffic – at least four days a week to rehearse.

“I give full credit to my wife to put up with the three months it has taken,” Jackson said.

Jackson’s wife, Elissa, is a third-grade teacher at Sonoran Sky Elementary in Glendale. So by the time she gets home from school, Jackson is ready to head out for rehearsal.

“It is really a commitment for her as well,” he said. “She has been patient with me and the time it has taken.”

Fortunately for her, Ragtime opened Oct. 9 and all that is left for Jackson to do are the remaining 12 performances.

Turn-of-the-century America
Ragtime is the story of three groups in turn-of-the-century America: African-Americans, upper-class whites and European immigrants. The story also has appearances from several historical figures, including Henry Ford, Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington and Evelyn Nesbit.

It is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. It first appeared on Broadway in 1998, lasting two years. The musical is set for a Broadway revival Nov. 15, marking the first musical from the 1990s to be revived.

Desert Stages’ production runs through Nov. 1.

“It’s an important story,” Hellman said of Ragtime.

It tells of the “clash between the races and the conflicts that each American faced during those days,” the director said. “It will make you cry; men cry during the performance. It is pretty powerful.”

Jackson said he feels the story is relevant.

“Especially with the tension you see in everyday life,” he said. “It feels like there is a lot of tension out there and the show mirrors that tension, but there is a sense of relief.”

“[Ragtime] is one of the most beautiful shows I’ve seen in my life,” said Helland, who is also the artistic director for Desert Stages. “So I wanted to give it a try.”

The director placed Jeffrey J. Davey (Tateh) and Elizabeth Reeves (Mother) in the other two leads.

“They are all amazing,” Helland said, though his praise didn’t end with the leading actors.

“It has the most powerful vocals and incredible music of any show I’ve done,” the 30-year theater veteran said. “It’s a powerhouse.”

“There is a lot of talent in the cast, no question about that,” Jackson said. “The cast is incredible vocally and artistically, and I don’t say that a lot.”

Singing like nobody’s business
It appears Jackson picked a winner for his first Arizona performance.

The Canadian and his wife – who has dual citizenship – moved to Arizona in November 2008 from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, which is across the border from Detroit.

“I think we made the right choice,” he said of the move. “My friends are shoveling snow and I’m in shorts on my balcony.

“A lot of people warned me [of the heat],” Jackson said. “I was told for eight months of the year it is the Valley of the sun, and the other four months it’s the surface of the sun.”

He survived his first summer, though, and with a job working behind-the-scenes at a Phoenix TV station in place, said he is excited for his future in Arizona, which might include additional theater performances.

“My wife and I will have to sit down and discuss that,” he said of possibly being in other productions. He admits, “The [theater] bug, when it bites, is pretty hard.”

Jackson has been performing in theater for about four years, although he has been in front of audiences much longer, getting his start in church choirs as a youngster.

“I’ve always been very comfortable going in front of people making a fool of myself; whatever to get the job done,” Jackson said.

He is definitely getting it done for Desert Stages.

“He sings like nobody’s business,” Helland said of the Canadian, “Who doesn’t have much of a Canadian accent, so that helps, too.”

Plus, Jackson knew his lines, his music and is nice to work with, he said.

“That part needs a huge singer,” the director said of Coalhouse Walker. “It is one of the best roles for a male in a musical; it’s a role of a lifetime.”

Rich Ott, Assistant Editor
West Valley View
October 16, 2009

Rich Ott can be reached by e-mail at rott@westvalleyview.com.

Interview: To 11/1 – Hit musical ‘Ragtime’ gets new twist at Scottsdale theater

Lizz — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:01:20 +0000

Since its 1998 Broadway debut, Tony Award-winning musical “Ragtime” has been seen by millions worldwide.

The musical gets a new twist in Scottsdale Desert Stages’ “theater in the round” setting. A rectangular stage with rotating sets is surrounded by seating on all four sides, creating entrances and exits in all corners of the theater.

“The simple fact that we are doing it in this venue changes it so dramatically that it can’t be anything but new and fresh,” said director Terry Helland. “The challenge is to include 360 degrees of people.”

Based on E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel of the same name, “Ragtime” tells the stories of three families and their oddly intertwined lives at the turn-of-the-century.

After an upper-class housewife takes in a struggling young mother and her newborn baby, the infant’s father, Harlem musician Coalhouse Walker Jr., fights to win her back and survive in a changing world. Also chronicled is the struggle of a Jewish immigrant and his daughter to find a place in a strange new land. The three paths are all connected by dreams of a brighter future.

Filled with themes of hope and love in the face of social injustice and economic hardship, “Ragtime” has remained relevant.

“We’ve all been in situations where we’ve felt the whole world was against us,” said Miguel Jackson,who plays Coalhouse.

Handling difficult matters such as racism and hate, “Ragtime” forces audiences to evaluate themselves and the world they live in.

“It deals with the human condition,” said Elizabeth Reeves, who plays the part of Mother. “It deals with, unfortunately, things that will probably never go away.”

Helland said that with the 360-degree format, the fast-paced action and quick scene transitions made the production particularly challenging. Helland said it’s the hardest show he has ever directed.

“I strive to bring a level of energy from beginning to end that suspends the show in an unwavering state of believability,” he said.

With a Broadway revival of “Ragtime” opening in mid-November, Desert Stages’ production will be one of the last regional productions of the show for a few years. While a show is on Broadway, it cannot be produced nationally, Reeves said.

Tyler Lockman
The Arizona Republic
October 13, 2009 03:01 PM

Desert Stages Theatre ready for ‘Ragtime’

Lizz — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:05:14 +0000

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre presents “Ragtime,” Oct. 9-Nov. 1, the turn-of-the-century tale of three families from different worlds who collide during an age of industrial enterprise and societal shifts.

The musical brings the year 1906 to life through a prosperous family, an immigrant father and daughter and a black musician.

“Ragtime” comes fresh off DST’s critically acclaimed “Jekyll & Hyde.”

In addition, a special “Ragtime” performance Nov. 6, benefits Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre and the American Diabetes Association in “A Night of American Hope.” Tickets are $150 through DST box office, 480-483-1664. A fine wine and food reception sponsored by Optima CamelView Village precedes the 8 p.m. show at Optima CamelView. Other sponsors include Posh Improvisational Cuisine restaurant, Prestige Wines and Desert Parking. A dessert reception follows the show in the DST lobby.

Among “Ragtime” cast highlights is Goodyear resident, actor Miguel Jackson, who plays the pivotal role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. and makes his Phoenix theater debut since moving here from Canada. Elizabeth Reeves stars as Mother. Mesa veteran performer Reeves has starred in “Smokey Joe’s Café” and “The Taffetas,” with other credits as diverse as a recent musical performance during High Mass at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Basilica, among others.

Tickets for “Ragtime” are $22 in advance by phone, 480-483-1664; or $25 day of performance at Desert Stages box office, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road, north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square, next to Coco’s restaurant. “Ragtime” performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. In anticipation of another blockbuster, DST has added Saturday matinees for the show, which will be 2 p.m. Oct. 17, 24 and 31.

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre is a nonprofit organization that produces live, innovative theatrical entertainment, led by co-founder and executive director Laurie Cullity; business manager and cofounder Joan Thompson; and artistic director Terry Helland. Included in each DST season are children’s productions of original scripts, musical scores and lyrics by co-founder Gerry Cullity, whose work is still relished five years after his death. Upcoming for the Children’s Theatre in Cullity Hall is Cullity’s original adaptation of “The Snow Queen,” Nov. 20-Dec. 20. And in DST’s intimate Actor’s Café is “Arsenic and Old Lace” Nov. 6-Jan. 10.

Staff Report
Your West Valley
2009-09-30 12:13:33

Ragtime

Lizz — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:13:05 +0000

Lizz plays the lead role of “Mother” in this epic musical that paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of life in turn of the century America. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel, Ragtime intertwines three distinct stories that poignantly illustrate history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and love and hate. This 1998 Tony award winning show for best score, book, and orchestrations, features such show stopping songs as “Getting Ready Rag,” “Your Daddy’s Son,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Till We Reach That Day,” “Back To Before,” and “Make Them Hear You.” This momentous musical is sure to inspire actors and audiences alike!

DATES: Oct 9 – Nov 1, 2009
TIMES: 7:30 pm Fridays & Saturdays; 2 pm Saturdays & Sundays (No 2pm show on 10/10)

Tickets are $22 in advance ($20seniors/students) and $25 the day of show. Reservations are recommended. Please mention that Elizabeth “Lizz” Reeves sent you!

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
4720 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Night in the 40’s Dance

Lizz — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:00:04 +0000

Lizz performs in a 40’s style USO Show with the Kathy Donald Jazz Ensemble at 5:30pm until 7:00pm for the Arizona Wing CAF Commemorative Air Force – Night in the 40’s Dance. Big Band orchestra performances to follow USO show. B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey on display along with other warbirds. Come dressed in the styles of the 40’s for the costume and dance contests. Call (480) 924-1940 or email pio@azcaf.org for more information. Tickets are available on the Night in the 40s Dance website, http://www.bigbanddance.com, and will be available at these locations: Arizona Wing Hangar, 2017 N. Greenfield Rd, Mesa AZ, Comerica Bank at 1825 South Val Vista Drive, Mesa AZ, and Comerica Bank at 925 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ. Ticket Prices are $35.00 in advance and $40.00 on the day of the event.

Arizona Wing CAF Commemorative Air Force – Night in the 40’s Dance, Sat Mar 21, at Falcon Field Airport, Arizona Wing Hangar, 2017 N. Greenway Road, Mesa, AZ 85215. Doors open at 4:30pm.