By Shelina Elyse From the height of fame to collapse then reinvention, Tenderly is an introspective jukebox musical like no other. We sat with director Jodie Weiss to explore the unique storytelling of the show and the remarkable talent required to portray Clooney and the many figures in her life. The musical showcases timeless classics that may surprise you to find that Clooney originated. Read…
By Elizabeth Montgomery In a photo from 1969, a little girl stands between her parents in the back of a kitchen, smiling like she runs the place. She doesn’t know it yet, but she will. That girl is Jill Garcia, and 56 years later, she and her husband George and their son Josh are still running the Miracle Mile Deli in Phoenix. Still slicing up…
By Shelina Elyse In a world that often feels divided, Come From Away explores a true story of compassion and community that feels more necessary than ever. We spoke with Michael Barnard, Producing Artistic Director and director of Come From Away, about bringing the uplifting story of rerouted passengers and Gander residents during September 11, 2001 to our stage. At its heart, the…
“The Greatest Live Show” & The King of Rockabilly: Meet the Actors Bringing Them to Life https://youtu.be/AeF6vr6Rato By The Phoenix Theatre Company Get to know Brady Wease* and Kurt Jenkins* who play Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, respectively, as they share their history with their characters and Million Dollar Quartet! When Wease* isn’t hyping…
By Theresa Kellar Tonner What do you do when you love someone? Movie musical director, Rob Marshall, says, “When movement isn’t enough, you dance, or when speaking isn’t enough, you sing,” and a musical does both. When Tony is so full of his love for Maria, he can’t do anything else but sing out…
By Shelina Elyse January closed out a successful Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre, a Phoenix Theatre Company annual staple! Thanks to our generous sponsor, creatives, and staff, patrons enjoyed 3 weeks of exciting events showcasing our commitment to amplify and develop new works and artists. We sat down with Festival Director Michelle Chin to chat about her deep roots in developing…
By Elizabeth Montgomery On a day that shook the world, a tiny Newfoundland airport became an unlikely beacon of humanity. Decades later, that extraordinary moment found its voice on stage. Running January 28 through March 29, 2026, at The Phoenix Theatre Company’s Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J Stephenson Theatre, Come From Away brings to life an astonishing chapter…
Presley’s Soulful Serenades & Cash’s Chugging Guitar Rhythm: Meet the Actors Bringing Them to Life https://youtu.be/4Ok0rl09EZE By The Phoenix Theatre Company We spoke with Nick Voss* and Gregg Hammer* who play Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, respectively, about their history with the characters and Million Dollar Quartet! Voss* became internationally known after singing Elvis Presley’s…
Caelan Creaser* as Janice, Chanel Bragg* as Hannah, and Amy Jo Halliday* as Beverly in Come From Away. Photo by Billy Hardiman By Jen Barraza “You are here. At the start of a moment.” Where were you when you first heard? Grabbing your morning coffee? Dropping your kids at school? Sitting in traffic or heading…
By Elizabeth Montgomery The Phoenix Theatre Company is preparing to welcome audiences for an extraordinary journey through the creative process with the 28th Annual Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre. Running from January 9-25, 2026, at the Judith Hardes Theatre, this year’s festival promises to be a dynamic showcase of emerging voices, bold…
Amanda D’Archangelis and Sami Horneff met in the world-renowned BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Recent work includes: THE RADIUM GIRLS, co-written with Lisa Mongillo and directed by Tony-Winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, which is eyeing a world premiere production in the 26-27 season (also a 2022 NAMT Finalist, a 2019 Eugene O’Neill NMTC Semi-Finalist, and five-time winner at The 2021 National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival); SINGLE RIDER (Off-Broadway 2018); COMING ATTRACTION (Wilbury Theatre Group 2019); and THE BREAK (Omaha Creative Institute 2018). Upcoming: BANDIT QUEEN, a new pop-Americana musical about Pearl Hart, the Wild West’s most notorious female bandit, which has been developed through artist residencies at The Legacy Theatre in Branford, CT and Drama Club Camp in Mount Vernon, ME; PANDORA IN BLUE JEANS with book by Adam Morrison, which explores the life of controversial “Peyton Place” author Grace Metalious; and PSYCH, a 90’s spin on the myth of Cupid & Psyche commissioned by Wichita State University. Amanda and Sami’s songs have also been performed at concert venues and educational institutions across the country. They are proud to be 2019 York Theatre Company New/Emerging/Outstanding Writers, 2024 Playbill Songwriter Series Featured Artists, and 2025 Write Out Loud Contest grand prize winners! For more, visit: @darchangelisandhorneff on instagram | www.amandadarchangelis.com and www.samihorneff.com
