All stories by Gil Benbrook on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 23, 2016

"When You Wish" Walt Disney bio-musical debuts in Phoenix by Gil Benbrook

While the story evokes the imagination, genius, and risk taking that Disney took in the first half of the 20th century, and the production has a capable cast and good creative aspects, the m…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 04:12PM
Monday, May 4, 2015

"End of the Rainbow" by Gil Benbrook

... Arizona debut in a fine production from Phoenix Theatre with a crackerjack performance by Jeannie Shubitz as Judy Garland.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 02:29PM
Monday, February 16, 2015

Black Theatre Troupe of Phoenix Premieres "Conviction" by Gil Benbrook

With a premise that touches upon interesting topics and over a dozen of [Billy] Strayhorn's tunes, with a few tweaks I believe this play could have quite a life.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 10:35AM
Monday, February 9, 2015

Arizona Theatre Company World Premiere: "Five Presidents " by Gil Benbrook

[Rick] Cleveland sets his play at the 1994 funeral of Richard Nixon and the actual meeting that happened that day between the four living ex-Presidents at that time, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reag…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 04:34PM
Tuesday, December 9, 2014

"Year of the Rooster" by Gil Benbrook

Year of the Rooster, while it may not have exactly the ending that one hopes for, is an intense, funny play and Stray Cat Theatre's production of it is quite a winner.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 08:57AM
Sunday, November 23, 2014

Practically Perfect "Mary Poppins " by Gil Benbrook

... this is an exuberant, lively musical with fun songs and memorable characters that families can enjoy together. Phoenix Theatre's production of Mary Poppins is simply perfect.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 10:51AM
Tuesday, September 23, 2014

MEMPHIS in Phoenix by Gil Benbrook

The musical Memphis was a bit of an underdog when it started performances on Broadway in the Fall of 2009. There were no big �name� actors in the cast; the score came from �Bon Jovi� drummer…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 08:34PM

The Tales from the Arabian Nights by Gil Benbrook

The origin of theatre began with people telling stories to a captivated audience and one of the greatest pieces of literary storytelling is the classic collection of engrossing tales The Ara…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 08:32PM
Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Arizona Broadway Theatre "Peter Pan" by Gil Benbrook

The ABT production is appropriately light and comical but with a huge heart at the core.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 10:15PM
Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Black Theatre Troupe "Purlie" by Gil Benbrook

While the show is very dated and the musical is a fairly simple send up of the racial types of characters of the period, the score does include a couple of moving gospel inspired numbers and…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 08:32AM
Friday, March 7, 2014

"Equivocation" Arizona Premiere by Gil Benbrook

There is an abundance of mystery, drama, intrigue and humor in Bill Cain's fascinating play Equivocation.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 03:03PM
Friday, February 21, 2014

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" in Scottsdale by Gil Benbrook

[D]irector Sara Bernstein decided to make one significant change�updating the setting to modern day Las Vegas.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 02:56PM
Thursday, February 6, 2014

"Dial M for Murder" at Desert Stages Theatre by Gil Benbrook

If you're a fan of well-crafted murder thrillers, or just looking for a fun theatrical experience, I highly recommend the well-directed and acted Dial M for Murder at Desert Stages. If you'v…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 03:25PM

"The Wizard of Oz" the Tour by Gil Benbrook

The show is a perfect musical for families and those who love the film, and the touring production has a very capable cast and excellent creative elements and is a nice way to hear the lovel…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 03:24PM
Friday, December 20, 2013

Stray Cat "All New People" by Gil Benbrook

Braff has come up with four characters that we are interested in finding out more about and he has written some big R-rated laughs as well.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 03:48PM
Friday, November 29, 2013

Phoenix Theatre "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" by Gil Benbrook

With wonderful Irving Berlin songs, a fun "let's put on a show" plot, and an engaging and extremely talented cast, the Phoenix Theatre production is top notch.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 07:28PM
Tuesday, November 26, 2013

"Fifty Shades of Felt" by Gil Benbrook

... the all-puppet theatrical parody of the series, Fifty Shades of Felt, a co-production of Nearly Naked Theatre and All Puppet Players, is a hysterical, raunchy and extremely fun night out…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 05:20PM
Sunday, November 24, 2013

"The Mountaintop" Arizona Premiere by Gil Benbrook

This Arizona Theatre Company / Penumbra Theatre Company co-production is well cast and directed, and the play takes the audience on quite a journey.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 10:19AM
Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Actors Theatre of Phoenix "A Steady Rain" by Gil Benbrook

... the production running at the Actors Theatre of Phoenix through November 9th has two skilled actors, good direction, and is not to be missed for those seeking a fiercely dramatic play th…

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 08:49PM
Monday, October 21, 2013

Southwest Shakespeare Company "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" by Gil Benbrook

While there are plenty of plot developments and foreshadowing of what Shakespeare would create with his later works, at its core, Verona is a simple play, with simple characters and language.

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 02:27PM
Thursday, October 17, 2013

Phoenix - "Hairspray" by Gil Benbrook

Hairspray may just be the best musical comedy to have opened on Broadway in the last fifteen years. With an infectious score, a very accessible and hilarious book, characters you can easily …

SOURCE: TalkinBroadway at 04:02PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic