‘Church & State’
iTheatre Collaborative
May 4-19
Herberger Theater, Stage West
222 E. Monroe
602-252-8497
What happens when a politician speaks from his heart? In the wake of a school shooting in his N.C. hometown, a Republican U.S. senator makes an off-the-cuff comment that calls into question his stance on gun control and God—this, three days before his bid for re-election. As his wife and campaign manager try to contain the damage, this look at how guns, God, and social media influence our political system is, at once, funny, honest, heartbreaking, and uplifting. Tickets are $22-$27.50 plus fees.
‘Korean Dreams’ Exhibit
Through May 15
Modified/Arts Gallery
407 E. Roosevelt St.
602-462-5516
In this series, Canadian photographer and artist Nathalie Daoust has documented life in North Korea using a darkroom method that mimics the way information is transferred throughout the country – the photographs, as the North Korean people, are both manipulated until the underlying truth is all but a blur. For gallery hours, visit http://modifiedarts.org.
‘Eroica’
Ballet Arizona
May 15-June 2
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
602-381-1096
From the company that brought you “Topia” and “Round” comes this new world premiere, set to Beethoven’s iconic third symphony. Tickets start at $40; seating is general admission, but reserved tables of four are available. Visit www.balletaz.org.
‘Dear Listener: Works by Nicholas Galanin’
May 4-Sept. 2018
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
The mid-career retrospective of the provocative artist will be installed in the recently opened Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Grand Gallery, the Dennis Lyon Family Crossroads Gallery, and the Freeman Gallery. It will feature more than 10,000 square feet of new and existing works by Galanin including video installation, sculpture, performance art, works on paper, installation work, and fashion. The exhibition will be accompanied by a text titled “Let Them Enter Dancing and Showing Their Faces,” and will be available for purchase at Books & More. Visit https://www.dearlistener.org.
Organist Tom Winpenny Concert
4 p.m. Sunday, May 6
Trinity Cathedral
100 W. Roosevelt St.
602-254-7126
UK organist Tom Winpenny will present a program of solo organ music, including works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Messiaen, and Simon Preston. Winpenny is assistant master of Music at St Albans Cathedral (UK), where his duties include accompanying the daily choral services and directing the acclaimed Abbey Girls Choir. Since January 2016 he has been Musical Director of the London Pro Arte Choir. This concert is free and open to the public. Visit www.trinitymusicaz.org.
‘Ladies Gone Mild’
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Clarendon Hotel
401 W. Clarendon Ave.
An immersive dance-comedy-theater experience by dance-comedy troupe The Ladies. Over the course of an hour, audience members will explore a pop-up resort and its comically bizarre amenities. A new surprise waits around every corner as audience members find their own path to the climactic rooftop promenade with The Ladies. Admission is free, though a suggested donation of $10 is encouraged. For more information visit http://leanneschmidt.com/theladies/.
Magic & Skepticism with Matt Dillahunty
8 p.m. Monday, May 14
Herberger Theater
222 E. Monroe
602-252-8497
An evening celebrating magic and skepticism with Matt Dillahunty, co-host of the Atheist Experience podcast. Presented by Pangburn Philosophy. Tickets are $34 plus fees. Appropriate for ages 19 and older. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’
May 16-June 10
Phoenix Theatre
100 E. McDowell Road
602-254-2151
Seymour, a nerdy floral clerk, discovers a new peculiar plant he names “Audrey II” after his co-worker crush. This foul-mouthed, R+B-singing plant might just be Seymour’s ticket to fame, fortune and the girl of his dreams! Soon, however, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s intent towards global domination. Can Seymour save the world and get the girl? Tickets are $36-$86 plus fees. Visit www.phoenixtheatre.com.
‘The Diary of Anne Frank’
Arizona Theatre Company
May 17-June 3
Herberger Theater
222 E. Monroe
602-252-8497
One of the most powerful stories of the 20th century, The Diary of Anne Frank captures the realities of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic in war-torn Amsterdam. Anne’s daily existence—her fears, her hopes, her laughter, her grief, and her family’s desperate attempt to preserve humanity in an inhumane world—drive this powerful true-life tale. Incorporating newly discovered writings from the diary of Anne Frank as well as survivor accounts to create an impassioned story of the lives of Jews persecuted under Nazi rule, this is a story that continues to linger in our minds throughout the generations because of its optimism and intrinsic truth: No matter how dire the circumstances, faith in the good of people is what keeps the world in balance—even when all seems lost. Tickets are $25-$75 plus fees. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
‘Annie the Musical’
Valley Youth Theatre
June 15-July 1
Herberger Theater
222 E. Monroe
602-252-8497
Little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil conspiracies, adopts a lovable mutt named Sandy, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new home and family with billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Tickets are $20.50-$39.50 plus fees. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.