Stage Write

  It’s that time of year again! Christmas shows are popping up all over town and whether you’re a fan of traditional or playful, there’s something for everyone. The Phoenix Theatre’s annual Xmas show is a mix of song, dance, parody, and poems. My favorite part about it is that it’s different every year. The content is fresh and ever-changing, so while you might not love every skit, at least it’s something new! The 11th annual show focused on celebrating the holidays internationally. A narrator shared bits about unique traditions around the globe between the scenes. The set utilized multimedia screens that showed song lyrics and photos throughout the show.   During a dance sequence I felt myself appreciating that the Phoenix never constrains itself with meeting every social norm. The dancers were not a uniform body type and it was beautiful. The theatre consistently tries to represents people from many walks of life, instead of just one traditional Midwestern one. ...

In a post-electric world with no television, smartphones or computers, what does a group of survivors talk about? They rehash old plots of Simpsons’ episodes of course! This comedy tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world through the eyes of a small traveling band of people. It’s a strange show, unlike anything else you’ll probably see this year. It provides a surreal mix of humor and poignant reflection.  The group, huddled around a campfire, finds a sense of connectivity in their shared memories of pop culture. They also try to keep the semblance of normalcy in the formality of simple tasks. By doing things “properly” there’s the illusion of calm in the chaos. The cast is so in synch. They convey an instant sense of comradery when you first meet them. Eric Olsen, Jen Johansen, Eryn Bowser, Paul Collier Hansen, Paeton Chavis, Rob Johansen, and Ryan O’Shea work so well together. They provide our only view into this brand new world, but through their interactions we...