Can you believe September is already almost here?
While we probably won’t be seeing falling temperatures anytime soon, Downtown is set to be drenched a culture storm of electrifying plays, operas and symphonies in the next few months.
Here’s a small preview of what’s to come this fall to excite your inner performance geek.
Herberger Theater Center
As usual, the Herberger Theater Center Stage is packed with an eclectic selection of both contemporary and classic productions.
Looking for some family-friendly wackiness of the Seuss-variety? Horton and his lovable Whos will take the stage from Sept. 13 to Sept. 29 in Valley Youth Theatre‘s Seussical. Oscar Wilde’s beloved satirical comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, will run from Oct. 10 to Oct. 27. Directed by Stephen Wrentmore, this is first time the Arizona Theatre Company has produced this classic in over 25 years. Rounding out 2013 will be the Arizona premiere of The Mountaintop, running from Nov. 14 to Dec. 1. This critically acclaimed drama tells a reimagining of events on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Arizona Opera
Take to the high seas with the first half of the Arizona Opera’s 2013–2014 season. Once again performing out of Symphony Hall, the opera kicks off on Oct 11. with Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. Afterwards, the oceans turn red with tragic love as The Flying Dutchman haunts the stage on Nov. 15.
Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony’s 2013–2014 season is packed with plenty of popular contemporaries and classics. The music starts on Sept. 20 with the Opening Night performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, as conducted by Andrew Grams.
The September performances will only getting bigger from there. Symphony Idol features past American Idol contestants singing alongside The Phoenix Symphony. This crowd-pleasing spectacle will take place on Sept. 27 and 29. Legendary composer John Williams and special guest Steven Spielberg will take the symphony stage on Sept. 28 for a special benefit concert, as well.
Harry Potter fanatics will also want to check out Halloween at Hogwarts on Oct. 10, which features musical favorites from the beloved films. Make sure to dress up for this one!
Valley Youth Theatre
Looking to immerse your kids into the wonderful world of theater? Valley Youth is packed with plenty of family-friendly hits for their 2013—2014 season. The fairy tale classic, The Princess and the Pea, will be running from Oct. 18 to Nov. 3, while Disney’s Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail will start putting smiles on holiday faces on Dec. 6. Upcoming productions also include The Jungle Book and Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.
(Photo of The Importance of Being Earnest from the Arizona Theatre Company)