New shows at metro Phoenix theaters’ outdoor stages
Metro Phoenix theaters have had to be creative in trying to come up with ways to entertain Valley patrons while keeping safety considerations in mind during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of opening their doors for performances inside, Phoenix Theatre Company and Fountain Hills Theater have each built stages outside and have a line-up of shows coming soon.
Phoenix Theatre will pay tribute to Judy Garland while Fountain Hills Theater plans to showcase the songs of Buddy Holly.
Herberger Theater Center, meanwhile, opened its outdoor stage last November just east of the theater in downtown Phoenix, but it has postponed shows there until spring as of Jan. 21.
Here are options coming to an outdoor
stage near you.
Phoenix Theatre Company
The next show in Phoenix Theatre Company’s outdoor, socially distanced stage is a tribute to Judy Garland from actress, singer Angela Ingersoll.
Ingersoll will perform Garland’s iconic songs with a live six-piece orchestra. Ingersoll received an Emmy nomination for her performance in “Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland” on PBS. The show had been on a nationwide tour before being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Get Happy” runs Jan. 26-Feb. 7 at the theater’s outdoor venue, located just north of the theater’s three-stage downtown Phoenix complex. The site includes socially-distanced seating, temperature checks, hand sanitizer stations, and contactless food and bev
erage ordering. Masks are required.
Details: Phoenix Theatre Company Outdoor Stage, 1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $59. 602-254-2151, http://www.phoenixtheatre.com.
Fountain Hills Theater
Presented by Copper State Productions, Fountain Hills Theater will host the return of the musical “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” on its outdoor stage.
Through song and prose “Buddy” tells the story of the last few years of Buddy Holly’s life. The show stars Tom Mangum as Holly and features Julian Mendoza from Fox’s game show ‘I Can See Your Voice’ as Ritchie Valens. It is directed by Peter J. Hill, musically directed by Jay Melberg and choreographed by Noel Irick.
The show will run Jan 22-Feb. 7. The outdoor theater has 15 heated stations that seat up to six patrons per
station. Each station is reserved for a single party and no party will be seated with any other patrons. Masks are required for all attendees and staff. If you prefer to stay in your car, attendees can request one of eight stage-viewable parking spots.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $18 for children 17 and younger. Group discounts are available.
Details: 480-837-9661, ext. 3, https://www.fhtaz.org.
Herberger Theater Center
Remaining performances in Herberger Theater Center’s Art of Celebration Concert Series on its outdoor stage have been postponed. Check the center’s website for more information.
Details: https://www.herberger theater.org/calendar/
Elizabeth Montgomery is Arts and Culture Reporter for The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com. Reach her at emontgomery@azcentral.com or 602444-8764. Follow her on Twitter @emontnews.