Theatre Phoenix And The Maturing Of Western City Life
Phoenix isn't usually the first city that comes to mind when one thinks of major culture capitols, but that isn't for lack of trying. It certainly has the size, currently ranking as number four among the most populous cities in the United States. Further, Arizonans have adopted the habit of taking in theatre Phoenix, the largest city of the Southwestern United States, assumes its due place as a culture capital.
Newer, Sunbelt cities, without deep histories compared to those North and East, have some real challenges in establishing themselves as true, whole, urban centers. Doing this is about a lot more than the egoistic goal of being as renowned as Boston or Philadelphia. These cities, so often first laid out as mere meshes of highways, need to become real communities, and developing live theatre is a great aid in building community.
Phoenix, AZ came of age during our modern era of freeways and TV. Both these commonalities of modernity, for different but dovetailing reasons, worked to retard the development of a vitalizing city life. Cities built on freeway grids lack old cities' energizing foot traffic, which offers human pleasures of strolling from place to place, and engaging fellow pedestrians and diners.
If anything, television is even more debilitating to urban life, since it offers the ultimate convenience of being entertained in one's own home. We now have several generations who might be expert in the finest television drama, but who have no idea of the unique energy of a live performance before a packed house.
By way of response, Phoenix has built its downtown into a surprisingly wonderful neighborhood and hub of culture. The first treat is the neighborhood's very architecture, a visual treat. Couples and families often enjoy themselves simply strolling underneath the starry night skies, perhaps taking in a fine meal at one of the neighborhood's varied restaurants.
Some spaces provide world class popular entertainment, which adds sizzle to the downtown experience. The Orpheum focuses on popular, broadly loved performances, including Broadway musicals. The Comerica is a music hall and stage that entertains the public with the world's finest pop music and comedy stars.
Among these treasures are two lovely spaces that provide the best in live drama. The Phoenix Theatre, located on McDowell Road, presents contemporary plays penned by some of the most gifted playwrights in the country, and the also features new musicals. To help the taste for live entertainment cross into the next generation, it offers writing and acting classes for teenagers as part of its ambitious public outreach program.
The Arizona Theatre Company has its home in the lovely Herberger Theater Center, with another venue in Tucson. It too is committed to cultivating an appetite for drama, with outreach programs for school students and their teachers. Its program emphasizes popular but excellent fare, such as new thrillers and suspense drama, along with dramatic efforts from the finest of TV writers.
With so much sophisticated entertainment available, this desert is only a desert in its lacking water, not culture. More people are choosing to come downtown for dinner and a show, leaving the TV behind. One can always let the DVR recorder store TV fare for the some other time.
Newer, Sunbelt cities, without deep histories compared to those North and East, have some real challenges in establishing themselves as true, whole, urban centers. Doing this is about a lot more than the egoistic goal of being as renowned as Boston or Philadelphia. These cities, so often first laid out as mere meshes of highways, need to become real communities, and developing live theatre is a great aid in building community.
Phoenix, AZ came of age during our modern era of freeways and TV. Both these commonalities of modernity, for different but dovetailing reasons, worked to retard the development of a vitalizing city life. Cities built on freeway grids lack old cities' energizing foot traffic, which offers human pleasures of strolling from place to place, and engaging fellow pedestrians and diners.
If anything, television is even more debilitating to urban life, since it offers the ultimate convenience of being entertained in one's own home. We now have several generations who might be expert in the finest television drama, but who have no idea of the unique energy of a live performance before a packed house.
By way of response, Phoenix has built its downtown into a surprisingly wonderful neighborhood and hub of culture. The first treat is the neighborhood's very architecture, a visual treat. Couples and families often enjoy themselves simply strolling underneath the starry night skies, perhaps taking in a fine meal at one of the neighborhood's varied restaurants.
Some spaces provide world class popular entertainment, which adds sizzle to the downtown experience. The Orpheum focuses on popular, broadly loved performances, including Broadway musicals. The Comerica is a music hall and stage that entertains the public with the world's finest pop music and comedy stars.
Among these treasures are two lovely spaces that provide the best in live drama. The Phoenix Theatre, located on McDowell Road, presents contemporary plays penned by some of the most gifted playwrights in the country, and the also features new musicals. To help the taste for live entertainment cross into the next generation, it offers writing and acting classes for teenagers as part of its ambitious public outreach program.
The Arizona Theatre Company has its home in the lovely Herberger Theater Center, with another venue in Tucson. It too is committed to cultivating an appetite for drama, with outreach programs for school students and their teachers. Its program emphasizes popular but excellent fare, such as new thrillers and suspense drama, along with dramatic efforts from the finest of TV writers.
With so much sophisticated entertainment available, this desert is only a desert in its lacking water, not culture. More people are choosing to come downtown for dinner and a show, leaving the TV behind. One can always let the DVR recorder store TV fare for the some other time.
About the Author:
If you want to be a part of a great children's local theatre Phoenix residents can come to Valley Youth Theatre. To volunteer or purchase season tickets, visit our home on the Web at http://www.vyt.com today.