2018 Fall arts Preview Performances
Artists abound around the Valley this season
By Heather Copfer
This fall arts season presents wide ranges of artistic talent throughout the Valley of the Sun. TV star Charles Shaughnessy (Days of Our Lives) plays Scrooge in a Scottsdale Musical Theater production, while Penn and Teller appear at the Mesa Arts Center this coming October.
Lineups continue to grow and build but listed here is a sneak peek of what art-loving audiences can look forward to starting this month.
Arizona Musicfest
The Arizona Musicfest fall season features talented artists like Grammy Award winner Wynonna Judd, and those who pay tribute to such musicians. To kick off the 28th season, Kenny Metcalf and Patrick Farrell will perform a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute concert in November. For more information, call 480-422-8449 or visit azmusicfest.org. All shows at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Billy Joel 2 Elton John:
A Tribute Concert
November 2
Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale
The Bronx Wanderers
November 8
Highlands Church
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
November 13
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale
Wynonna & The Big Noise
November 17
Highlands Church
Young Musicians Fall Concert
2 p.m. November 18
Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix
The Ten Tenors: Home for the
Holidays
December 3
Highlands Church
Arizona Opera
Founded in 1971, the Arizona Opera has produced fully staged operas and concerts throughout Arizona. The opera is among a handful of U.S. companies that regularly perform in more than one city. Season performances take place at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, and Tucson Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue. For tickets, visit azopera.org.
Maria De Buenos Aires
7:30 p.m. September 28 and September 29; 2 p.m. September 30
Phoenix Herberger Theater Center
7:30 p.m. October 6; 2 p.m. October 7
Tucson Temple of Music and Art
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird
7:30 p.m. November 9 and November 10; 2 p.m. November 11
Phoenix Herberger Theater Center
7:30 p.m. November 17; 2 p.m. November 18
Tucson Temple of Music and Art
Arizona Broadway Theatre
ABT approaches its 14th season with numerous mainstage shows, a concert series and its new Encore Series. The theater provides a full dining experience prior to each show with select ticket purchases. Performances take place at 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. For tickets, call 623-776-8400 or visit the website at azbroadway.org. Shows at various times, unless otherwise noted.
The Everly Brothers Experience
5:30 p.m. September 10
Forbidden Broadway
Various times September 20 to September 23
Calendar Girl: A Tribute to
Neil Sedaka
5:30 p.m. September 24
Late Night Catechism
Various times, September 25 to September 30
Men are from Mars, Women are
from Venus – Live!
Various times, September 27 to September 30
Girl’s Night Out
Various times, October 4 to October 7
Titanic the Musical
Various times, October 12 to November 10
Cash & Lewis: A Tribute to
Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis
5:30 p.m. October 15
Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience!
5:30 p.m. October 29
Paperback Writer: A Tribute to
the Beatles
5:30 p.m. November 5
Miracle on 34th Street
Various times, November 23 to December 29
A Glenn Miller Christmas
5:30 p.m. December 3
Charlie Brown Christmas
10 a.m. December 8, December 15, December 22,
In the Christmas Mood
5:30 p.m. December 17
New Year’s Eve with December ’63:
A Tribute to Frankie Valli and the
Four Seasons
7:30 p.m. December 31
Arizona Theatre Company
Arizona Theatre Company displays homegrown productions ranging from musicals to new works to contemporary plays. The ATC has the largest seasonal subscriber base in the state’s performing arts scene and is the only resident U.S. company based in two cities – Phoenix and Tucson.
Tucson performances stage at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue, 520-622-2823. Phoenix shows are held at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, 602-256-6995. For more information, visit arizonatheatre.org.
Native Gardens
Various times, October 4 to
October 21
Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End
Various times, November 15 – December 2
ASU Gammage
ASU Gammage brings the best of Broadway as well as an array of artists from around the world. This season will introduce a waitress and Evan Hansen to Phoenix audiences. Shows are staged at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe. For more information, call 480-965-3434 or 480-965-5062, or visit asugammage.com. All shows start at various times.
Ronald K. Brown Evidence
September 29
Waitress
October 2 to October 7
Barber Shop Chronicles
October 13
Anda Union
October 27
On Your Feet!
November 6 to November 11
Dear Evan Hansen
November 27 to December 2
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
December 27
Ballet Arizona
Arizona’s nationally recognized ballet kicks off its fall season next month at Orpheum Theatre showcasing works by Ib Andersen, Justin Peck and more. Season tickets are on sale. For more information, visit balletaz.org. All shows are at various times.
New Moves
September 27 to September 30
Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street, Phoenix
The Sleeping Beauty
October 25 to October 28
Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix
The Nutcracker
December 13 to December 24
Symphony Hall
North Valley Symphony
Orchestra
North Valley Symphony Orchestra is set on bringing a spectacular concert experience at an affordable price. To kick off its seventh season, the NVSO’s October performance features eerie musical selections inspired by movies such as Psycho, Night at Bald Mountain and Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
For tickets, visit northvalleysymphony.org or call 623-980-4628.
Fall Fright Night
7 p.m. October 20
North Canyon High School Auditorium,
1700 E. Union Hills Drive, Phoenix
Winter Wonderland
December 15
Location TBA
Phoenix Theatre
Every year, Phoenix Theatre showcases nearly 500 performances on multiple stages. PT is celebrating its 98th season with shows from Avenue Q to the infamous West Side Story. The theater is located at 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix. For tickets, visit phoenixtheatre.com. All shows have various times.
Avenue Q
Through September 29
West Side Story
September 5 to October 14
Fun Home
October 10 to December 2
Elf: The Musical
November 14 to December 30
Chandler Center for the Arts
Chandler Center for the Arts kicks off its 29th season with America’s Got Talent star and winner of NBC’s Phenomenon, magician Mike Super, on September 22.
New this season is Chandler Center for the Arts’ “Pick 5” shows package; patrons can create their own season package by selecting five or more shows from the season and save $6 per ticket. Chandler Center has also developed a new membership program in which donors to the center receive a wide array of benefits.
Tickets, memberships and show details are available through the center’s box office at 480-782-2680 and at chandlercenter.org.
The Chandler Center for the Arts is located at 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler. All shows at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Illusionist Mike Super
7 p.m. September 22
Macy Gray
7 p.m. September 23
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. September 29
Get the Led Out: The American
Led Zeppelin
October 4
Mariachi Folklorico Festival
7 p.m. October 6
Boney James
October 11
Don Felder
7 p.m. October 14
Lucia Micarelli
October 20
Run Boy Run
October 27
Travis Tritt
November 2
Lea DeLaria
November 9
Sons of Serendip
December 14
Raul Midón
November 17
Drumline Live Holiday Spectacular
December 21
Zoppe: An Italian Family Circus
Various times December 26 – January 6
Phoenix Symphony
Each season, the Phoenix Symphony offers a variety of classics and pops concerts in downtown Phoenix and throughout the state. For more information, visit phoenixsymphony.org or call 602-495-1999.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
7:30 p.m. September 14 and September 15; 2 p.m. September 16
Sinatra and Friends
7:30 p.m. September 21 and September 22; 2 p.m. September 23
Mozart, Strauss and Tchaikovsky
7:30 p.m. September 28 and 29
Titanic Scores: The Music of James Horner
7:30 p.m. October 5 and October 6; 2 p.m. October 7
Tchaikovsky’s Fourth and Rachel Barton Pine
7:30 p.m. October 12 and October 13; 2 p.m. October 14
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas™
Various times, October 19 to October 21
Hotel California: Music of the Eagles
7:30 p.m. October 27
Elgar’s Enigma Variations
7:30 p.m. November 2 and November 3
The Second City Guide to the Symphony
7:30 p.m. November 9 and November 10; 2 p.m. November 11
Dvorák’s New World Symphony, No. 9
7:30 p.m. November 16 and November 17; 2 p.m. November 18
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert
Various times, November 23 to November 25
Holiday Pops
Various times, November 30 to December 2
Cirque Holiday Spectacular
7:30 p.m. December 7 and December 8; 2 p.m. December 8 and December 9
Handel’s Messiah
Various times, December 12 to December 16
Symphony & Chill: The Music of the Flat Screen
7:30 p.m. December 28 and December 29; 2 p.m. December 30
New Year’s Eve Celebration
7 p.m. December 31
Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is hosting more than 50 diverse artists from around the world this fall season. The shows are held at the MIM’s 300-seat, acoustically noteworthy venue at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix. For more information and ticket purchases, call 480-471-8690 or visit mim.org.
The Dawg Trio Featuring David Grisman, Danny Barnes and Sam Grisman
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. September 1
Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, with Kenny White
7 p.m. September 11 and September 12
Red Molly
7:30 p.m. September 14
Juana Molina
7:30 p.m. September 15
Carbon Leaf
7 p.m. September 17
Mwenso and the Shakes
7 p.m. September 18
Tower of Power
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. September 19 and September 20
Margaret Glaspy
7:30 p.m. September 21
Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino
7:30 p.m. September 22
Robben Ford
7 p.m. September 23
Loudon Wainwright III
7 p.m. September 24
Bobby McFerrin: Circlesongs
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. September 25 and September 26
Harold López-Nussa
7:30 p.m. September 27
Kandace Springs
7:30 p.m. September 28
Carmela y Màs Presents “Salsariachi”
7:30 p.m. September 29
Marc Broussard
7 p.m. September 30
The Lone Bellow
7 p.m. October 1 and October 2
Cyrus Chestnut Trio with Buster Williams and Lenny White
7 p.m. October 3
Front Country
7:30 p.m. October 4
Fatoumata Diawara
7:30 p.m. October 5
The California Guitar Trio and the Montreal Guitar Trio
6 p.m. and 8 p.m. October 6
Led Kaapana and Mike Kaawa
7 p.m. October 7
Michael Miles – From Senegal to Seeger
7:30 p.m. October 13
Paris Chansons
7 p.m. October 14
Billy Strings
7:30 p.m. October 19
John Scofield’s Combo 66 featuring Gerald Clayton, Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. October 20
Skerryvore
7 p.m. October 21
Nobuntu
7 p.m. October 22
Jesse Colin Young
7 p.m. October 23
Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson with Moanalani Beamer
7 p.m. October 24
The Steel Wheels
7:30 p.m. October 25
Peter Asher and Jeremy Clyde
7:30 p.m. October 26; 8 p.m. October 28
DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan
7:30 p.m. October 27
MusicaNova Orchestra: An Armistice without a Peace
3 p.m. October 28
Karrin Allyson
7 p.m. October 30
Kathy Mattea
7 p.m. October 31 and November 1
Compania Flamenca Eduardo Guerrero
7:30 p.m. November 2
Donna the Buffalo
7 p.m. November 4
Late Night with Leonard Bernstein: A Multimedia Cabaret with Jamie Bernstein
7 p.m. November 13
StringShot
7:30 p.m. November 17
MIM and Arizona Musicfest Present the Young Musicians Fall Concert
2 p.m. November 18
Jane Monheit
7 p.m. November 25
A Special Holiday Concert with Gypsy Soul
7:30 p.m. December 1
Mike Stern
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. December 6
Over the Rhine
7:30 p.m. December 8
Hawktail
7 p.m. December 9
The Steve Gadd Band
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. December 13 and 14
Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice featuring Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie and Alex De Grassi with special guest Todd Boston
4 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 15
Irish Christmas in America
3 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 16; 7 p.m. December 17
The Manhattan Transfer
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. December 21 and 22
Jim Brickman
3 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 29 and 30; 7 p.m. December 31
Mesa Arts Center
This season Mesa Arts Center has a diverse and fun lineup of events, from the National Geographic Live speaker series to the Emmy-winning duo Penn and Teller. Performances are held at the Mesa Arts Center’s venues, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa. Tickets are available at the box office at 480-644-6500 or online at mesaartscenter.com. All shows at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Peter Frampton
September 4
Australian Pink Floyd
September 19
Gabriel Royal
September 21
Luma: Art in Darkness
2 p.m. September 23
John Oates and The Good Road Band
September 26
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis’ Spaces, featuring Lil Buck and Jared Grimes
October 4
Penn and Teller
8 p.m. October 5
Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure
Various times, October 11 to October 13
Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernandez
8 p.m. October 13
I’m With Her
October 14
Ikeda Theater
Serial Killers Live on Stage
October 14
National Geographic Live
Ami Vitale: Rhinos, Rickshaws, and Revolutions
October 17
Callas in Concert – The Hologram Tour
8 p.m. October 20
ASU Symphony Orchestra Music & Film: Frankenstein
3 p.m. October 21
Whose Live Anyway?
8 p.m. November 2
National Geographic Live
Dan Buettner And David Mclain: The Search for Longevity
November 14
Rodney Crowell
November 14
Awadagin Pratt
November 15
Snap Judgment
8 p.m. November 16
Celtic Thunder X Tour
November 20
A Magical Cirque Christmas
November 25
Emerson String Quartet
November 28
Trey Anastasio
December 3
Puddles Pity Party
December 7
Holiday Pops
December 9
Handel’s Messiah
December 13
OK Go: The Live Video Tour
8 p.m. December 14
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas 2018
8 p.m. December 15
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
December 18
Jason Mraz and Toca Rivera Live in Stereo
December 21
Straight No Chaser
December 27
Home Free
8 p.m. December 31
ProMusica Arizona and Orchestra
PMAZ was founded 16 years ago and has since performed more than 150 times in front of more than 125,000 people. Supported by the Arizona Commission of the Arts, the nonprofit has two performances this fall. For more information, visit pmaz.org or call 623-326-5172.
Broadway, Beatles and Blues
7:30 p.m. November 3
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 39808 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem
3 p.m. November 4
American Lutheran Church, 17200 N. Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City
It’s Christmas!
7:30 p.m. December 7
American Lutheran Church
4 p.m. December 8
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
4 p.m. December 9
All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix
Tempe Center for the Arts
TCA’s fall season features Grammy Award-winning musicians, TV legends and an array of theater and musical performances. This year the theater partnered with resident art companies like Scottsdale Musical Theater Company and The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre. The venue is located at 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. For tickets, call 480-350-2822 or visit tempecenterforthearts.com.
Annie Moses Band
7:30 p.m. September 22
Ensemble Mik Nawooj (EMN)
7:30 p.m. October 20
Changüí Majadero
7:30 p.m. October 27
Dinner at Five
7:30 p.m. November 3
Dailey & Vincent
7:30 p.m. November 17
A Christmas Carol
Various times, December 6 to 23
The Revolutionists
Various times, December 7 to 15
Phoenix Chorale
This 28-voice chorus has been called one of North America’s finest choral ensembles, with eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy wins. The PC kicks off its 60th season with Desert and Rivers, a concert led by guest director Jenny Wong and inspired by Arizona’s vast desert. For more information, visit phoenixchorale.org or call 602-253-2224 for tickets.
Desert and Rivers
7:30 p.m. September 28
The Church of the Epiphany, 2222 S. Price Road, Tempe
7:30 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix
3 p.m. September 30
Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley
Mid-Century Modern
7:30 p.m. October 26
American Lutheran Church, 17200 Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City
7:30 p.m. October 27
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
3 p.m. October 28
Camelback Bible Church
A Chorale Christmas
7:30 p.m. December 14
American Lutheran Church
7:30 p.m. December 15
Trinity Episcopal Church
3 p.m. December 16
La Casa de Cristo, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale
7:30 p.m. December 17
Camelback Bible Church
7:30 p.m. December 18
Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts features a series of dance, music, theater and comedy this fall. Artists include members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, and Grammy Award winners like Graham Nash. Performances take place at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale. For more information, call 480-499-8587 or visit scottsdaleperformingarts.org.
Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra
8 p.m. September 7
Pat Roberts and the Heymakers
8:30 p.m. September 7
Hot Tuna
7:30 p.m. September 8
Ryanhood
8 p.m. September 14
AJ Odneal
8:30 p.m. September 14
Vinyl Station
8 p.m. September 21
The Gaines Brothers
8:30 p.m. September 21
Marmalade Skies, A Musical Tribute to the Beatles
8 p.m. September 28
Moonlight Magic
8:30 p.m. September 28
Al Di Meola with Jordan Rudess
7:30 p.m. September 30
The Fats Waller Musical Show
Various times, October 11 to October 27
David Bromberg Quintet with special guest John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
7:30 p.m. October 12
Mandy Harvey with special guest Lelea
7:30 p.m. October 13
Graham Nash
7:30 p.m. October 15
Vicki Lawrence and Mama:
A Two-Woman Show
8 p.m. October 27
Yekwon Sunwoo
3 p.m. October 28
Martha Graham Dance Company
8 p.m. November 10
David Finckel and Wu Han
3 p.m. November 11
Jessie Mueller
8 p.m. November 17
Big Band Night
7:30 p.m. November 19
The Capitol Steps
8 p.m. November 23; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. November 24
Matthew Morrison
December 1
Sister’s Christmas Catechism
Various times, December 7 to 16
Dianne Reeves
8 p.m. December 8
Scottsdale Philharmonic
4 p.m. December 9
Alan Cumming
7:30 p.m. December 10
Sutton Foster
8 p.m. December 14
A Merry-Achi Christmas
7 p.m. December 15
Rob Kapilow
3 p.m. December 16
Southwest Shakespeare Company
Southwest Shakespeare Company begins its 25th season with Pericles, a show filled with pirates, evil queens and shipwrecks. This season, titled Better Strangers!, explores stories of humanity, love and laughter while searching for the answer to the question, “How can we be better to one another?”
Performances take place at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St, Mesa, and Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Scottsdale. Visit swshakespeare.org for more details.
Pericles, The Prince of Tyre
Various times, October 26 to November 10
Mesa Arts Center
Frankenstein
Various times, October 26 to November 10
Mesa Arts Center
Julius Caesar
7:30 p.m. November 16 and December 14
Taliesin West
The Holiday Show
7:30 p.m. November 30 and December 1
6 p.m. December 2
Taliesin West
