ASU Gammage Theatre

ASU’s Gammage Theatre hosts Broadway Across America productions, Awards ceremonies, Dance Troupes, and Musicians.

Inside ASU Gammage Theater

Gammage has a seating capacity of over 3,000 spread over lower level Orchestra and two balconies, referred to as Grand Tier (lower balcony) and Balcony (bring binoculars, it is nosebleed).

Seating is Continental style, with no center aisle.  Lower seat numbers are closer to center, and the higher the number the more people will climb over you to get to their seats.  There are very few seats that can clearly see the stage and hear the show thanks to poor acoustics.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the exterior resembles a fancy decorated cake from the side, and toilet bowl from overhead. Next time you fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) airport, look for the toilet bowl shape near the Giant A near ASU campus.

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The Buddy Holly Story

 – Guest blogger, Jack Benway contributes the following review of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story presented by the Phoenix Theater League at the Orpheum Theater March 2015.

The Jukebox Musical Theater genre is growing on me, if for no other
reason than its combination of absurdity and audacity.

The genre takes somebody else’s already popular and well-known musical
body of work, weaves an (often contrived or minimal) narrative around
it, adds some choreography, costuming, and stage work, and delivers it
as a theatrical production.

Considering that a good rock-and-roll live show already includes
choreography, costuming, and stagework, it becomes clear that a Jukebox
Musical is really just extremely clever marketing to significantly
increase the ticket price of a cover band or retrospective musical
review.  Bully for them — bring on the clever marketing!

No rock band ever won a Tony Award for their live tour, but repackage
the songs of that same rock band, performed by others, as musical
theatre, and a trophy will be awarded in short order.

Buddy (the Buddy Holly Story) delivered the best that the Jukebox
Musical genre can offer.

Its narrative, describing Buddy Holly’s rocket ride to stardom and
tragic abrupt demise, contributed nicely to the mostly musical production.

The clever mechanism of radio show snippets for timeline advancement
made for rapid progression with minimal need for set changes or chorus
ensemble.

Its biggest miss was the use of chorus girls singing ad jingles during
the first act, which seemed out of place and a bit contrived for the
production as a whole — a good idea that wasn’t executed or implemented
to fruition.

The impersonator (er, actor) playing Buddy Holly was fantastic, as were
those playing the lesser roles of The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and the
Crickets.  The music was wonderful.  Costumes were appropriate but not
particularly noteworthy.

Buddy made me wish I could have seen Buddy Holly perform live, or at
least, take in a good Buddy Holly cover band.

Phoenix Symphony Hall

The summer heat in Phoenix is legendary.  Everyone is aware that it is a dry heat, not many realize that we also suffer a cultural drought all summer.  As it cools off, everything starts to bloom.  Symphony season is here to quench our thirst!

Symphony Hall Balcony seating
Symphony Hall Balcony seating

The 2014-2015 Symphony season is going strong at the Phoenix Symphony Hall.  The remodel in 2005 brought us excellent acoustics, upgraded lighting, and extra leg-room seating.  There really are no bad seats.  The first performance that I attended after the remodel, my seats were lower level third row from the back and still sounded amazing.  Previous seasons, I have sat in the balcony for a few shows.  The last couple years, we are now season ticket holders with premium lower level seats.  Every year as a season ticket holder leads to better seats.  Last week we even traded our Saturday night tickets for the same performance on Friday night, and managed to get tickets very close to our usual season ticket seating!

Symphony with soloist and choir
Symphony with soloist and choir

The Phoenix Symphony has a wide range of performances with special guest conductors, featured musicians, and something for every taste.  Some performances feature a full choir, a solo singer, and even “theme” events.

The seats offer great leg room and are extra wide.  However, there is a coat check for large or bulky coats, for the few weeks it is actually “chilly” in Phoenix.

Lobby
Lobby

Drinks are allowed in the Symphony Hall, so no need to rush to finish or go thirsty during a performance.  Intermission drinks can be pre-paid before the show to avoid a long line at “half-time”.  The drinks are prepared and placed on a table near the bar ordered with your name on it.  Hot and cold drinks are available, which is also nice for those chilly evenings or warm nights respectively.

There are many great restaurants downtown for dinner before the show, or drinks after.  Pedicabs (bicycle powered carts) are easily found downtown and cover a good distance to quickly take you to the show, dinner, or back to your car.  Drivers work off of tips, so bring cash.  We usually park near Symphony Hall and walk or take a pedicab to a nearby restaurant, then get another ride back to the show.

Phoenix Symphony has tickets available for a wide range of budgets of preferences.  Find a show, get your tickets, and have an enjoyable evening out supporting the arts!

 

 

Introducing Earnest

Earnest Restaurant opened in Chandler last week after a menu and atmosphere re-design from my beloved Cork.  Even with all the reassurances from the owners and staff before the redesign was unveiled, I was worried!

Earnest EntranceExecutive Chef Brian Peterson is still creating the same style high-quality American cuisine with more focus on comfort food and larger portions.  Pastry Chef and Partner Danielle Morris is still serving her amazing Banana Cream Pie and continues to amaze with her delicious desserts.

Earnest DiningThe changes?  Earnest is a casual dining experience, rather than the more formal fine-dining from Cork.  There are several community tables that can be converted to accommodate various size groups.  It is louder.  Earnest can seat more people, and due to the more strategic seating arrangement, there are simply more people than can get reservations and just walk-in for a table.  The decor is modern industrial, yet the overall feeling is simple comfort.

What is the same as Cork? The same owners Chef Brian and Chef Danielle, the same Manager Winston, and the same level of service from the (same) servers.  Saturday was busy, they were clearly short-handed, but the level of service stayed exceptional through-out dinner!  Tuesday evening they were not as busy, Chef Danielle came by to talk to me before my meal to ask about my thoughts so far.  Then Chef Brian came by after I ate dinner to ask how I was doing and what I thought of my Buffalo dinner.  The owners listen to feedback and genuinely want everyone to have a great meal.  Chef Brian assured me that he would continue to offer seasonal menu changes and continue to experiment with his entrees so it will never be boring. The staff is still very knowledgeable on the food and beverage selections.  At seating, each table is provided with an iPad loaded with an interactive Wine menu, which I occasionally flip through.  Then, I ask for wine recommendations from my server and am always pleased with the selection.  These folks know their wine and have a fantastic selection.

Earnest Scallop CassaroleThe food – AMAZING.  Seriously, the scallop-tuna casserole was delicious.  The scallop was cooked perfectly (Chef Brian nails it every time), and the onions on top were the perfect flavor enhancement to the delicate scallop atop tuna.

Earnest Lamb meatballsThe next visit I started with the Lamb meatball appetizer.  The feta was light and did not distract from the savory lamb that explodes with flavor in every bite.  It is now my new favorite appetizer, until the next menu change.

BBQ pork ribs is a comfort food staple, which Earnest manages to class up with bacon mac & cheese served with pork belly, and a side of coleslaw.  The mac & cheese was so rich, I was glad there was only a small scoop, otherwise I would have eaten way too much.  The coleslaw was light and tangy to perfectly compliment the sweet BBQ and savory mac & cheese.

Earnest Buffalo BrisketThe Buffalo Brisket is served in a gravy-like au jus with bratwurst over cabbage and potatoes.  The brisket melted in my mouth and was worth waiting for – they ran out Saturday night, so I had to wait until Tuesday night to try it.  The bratwurst was good, but I think more vegetables would be a better accompaniment.

Earnest Dessert Menu

 

The dessert options are the most noticeable change on the menu, there are more of them. Most of the dessert items are based on desserts we ate as children, such as cookies, house made “snickers”, and pb&j creme brulee.  Of course, I sampled the Banana Cream Pie to confirm it is the same recipe when served under Cork, and it is the same.  Whew.

 

Earnest Bread PuddingThe Bread Pudding is served with goat milk caramel and creme fraiche ice cream.  It looks small, but be sure you have someone to split this with!  There was not enough ice cream for the amount of bread involved, but the caramel was so enjoyable I got past that by the third bite.

I am excited for Earnest and looking forward to many more great meals!

Update:  March 2016 Earnest announced final meals end of March and closing the restaurant.  Half price wine and final reservations until the end of the month.

Last week of Cork

Cork_EasterBrunchCork restaurant in Chandler is one of my favorites!

I have attended many wine dinners, special Brunches, New Year’s Eve dinners, and as many new season menus as possible.  When my friends and I have reason to celebrate, we go to Cork.

Cork_Feb14This week my beloved Cork is closing for good.  The final meals will be served Tuesday, June 24 through Saturday, June 28.

They have announced a new name, new decor, and new dining concept.

I am going to savor my last meal at Cork this week, and when it is reborn as Earnest I plan to give it try.

Cork_Dessert