Actors Theatre
This company situated “Off Broadway - Just Downtown” performs at Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix. Info: (602) 252-8497 or atphx.org
Sept. 16-Oct. 2: A Conversation With Edith Head
Oct. 28-Nov. 13: Next Fall
Dec. 30, 2011-Jan.15, 2012: Hunter Gatherers
Feb. 24-March 11, 2012: Dead Man’s Cell Phone
March 30-April 15, 2012: Body Awareness
May 11-May 27, 2012: Time Stands Still
Actor’s Youth Theatre
This group that holds rehearsals at Ballet Etudes in Gilbert performs at Mesa Arts Center. Info: (480) 907-7050 or actorsyouththeatre.org
Oct. 18-22: The Pajama Game
Jan. 24-28, 2012: The Scarlet Pimpernel
March 27-31, 2012: Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
June 26-30, 2012: West Side Story
July 24-28, 2012: Cinderella
Arizona Jewish Theatre Company
This nonsectarian, not-for-profit pro company will present its 24th season of shows at Phoenix College’s John Paul Theater. Info: (602) 264-0402 or azjewishtheatre.org
Oct. 27-Nov. 6: What about Luv?
Jan. 26-Feb. 5, 2012: Dreyfus in Rehearsal
March 22-April 1, 2012: The Blessings of a Broken Heart
Arizona Theatre Company
The state’s leading professional theater company performs at Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center. Info: (602) 256-6995 or arizonatheatre.org
Oct. 13-30: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of The Suicide Club
Nov. 17-Dec. 4: God of Carnage
Dec. 29, 2011-Jan. 15, 2012: Daddy Long Legs
Feb. 9-26, 2012: Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
March 22-April 8, 2012: The Great Gatsby
May 3-20, 2012: Red
Arizona Women’s Theatre Company
AZWTC produces contemporary, provocative plays written by women; it’s known for its annual Pandora Festival of plays at Scottsdale Center for the Arts. Info: (480) 422-5386 or azwtc.org
Nov. 11-12 and 18-19: Second Annual Pandora Showcase
May 19-21, 2012: Sixth Annual Pandora Festival
ASU Gammage
Arizona’s premier destination for touring Broadway productions. Info: (480) 965-3434 or www.asugammage.com
Sept. 27-Oct. 2: West Side Story
Nov. 1-6: Blue Man Group
Dec. 6-11: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Dec. 28-31: Stomp
Jan. 10-15, 2012: Rogers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
Feb. 15-March 11, 2012: Wicked
April 24-29, 2012: Green Day’s American Idiot
May 10-12, 2012: Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
May 15-20, 2012: La Cage Aux Folles
June 5-10, 2012: Million Dollar Quartet
ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts School of Theatre and Film
Students perform at locations across campus. (480) 965-6447 or theatrefilm.asu.edu
Oct. 7-23: Zoot Suit
Oct. 21-30: The Arizona Centennial Plays
Nov. 12-Dec. 4: The Misanthrope
Feb. 10-19, 2012: Untold Stories/Unsung Heroes
March 2-10, 2012: American Victory
April 5-15, 2012: The House of the Spirits
Black Theatre Troupe
The only professional black theatre company within the Four-Corners states, BTT has, since the 1970s, produced plays that reflect the heart and soul of the black experience. Productions are staged at the Playhouse on the Park in Phoenix’s Viad Tower. Info: (602) 254-5121, ext. 4, or blacktheatretroupe.org
Oct. 14-23: Stories About the Old Days
Dec. 1-11: Black Nativity
Jan. 13-22, 2012: A Song for Coretta
Feb. 17-26, 2012: Coming of the Hurricane
April 13-22, 2012: Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Get dinner and a show in one stop; Broadway Palm offers a lunch or dinner buffet with your theater experience, as well as show-only tickets. Info: (480) 325-6700 or broadwaypalmwest.com
Through Oct. 1: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Oct. 6-Nov. 12: Legally Blonde The Musical
Nov. 17-Dec. 25: A Christmas Carol
Nov. 25-Dec. 23: Nutcracker (children’s theater)
Dec. 30, 2011-Feb. 11, 2012: Brigadoon
Feb. 16-April 8, 2012: Me and My Girl
March 2-30, 2012: School House Rock Live! (children’s theater)
April 12-May 26, 2012: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline
May 4-25, 2011: Pinkalicious The Musical (children’s theater)
Chandler Center for the Arts
Chandler’s top venue for peforming arts. Info: (480) 782-2680 or chandlercenter.org
Jan. 29, 2012: Wyatt Earp: A Life on the Frontier
March 10, 2012: Damn Yankees
March 19-24, 2012: The Awesome 80’s Prom
Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts
Students present theatrical, musical and dance works in the on-campus Performing Arts Center. Info: (480) 732-7343 or http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/academic-affairs/comm-arts/perf-arts/Pages/perf-arts-cntr.aspx
Oct. 13-15: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Dec. 1-3: Chess
Childsplay
Arizona’s company of professional, adult artists who perform for young audiences and families at Tempe Center for the Arts. Info: (480) 921-5700 or childsplayaz.org
Sept. 11-Oct. 16: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Oct. 22-Nov. 13: The Sun Serpent
Nov. 13-Dec. 24: Lyle the Crocodile
Jan. 22-Feb. 5, 2012: With Two Wings
Feb. 12-March 4, 2012: Rock the Presidents
April 7-15, 2012: Tomás and the Library Lady
April 22-May 27, 2012: The Color of Stars
Christian Youth Theatre
This kids’ company focuses on developing character one stage at a time and performs at Phoenix Center for the Arts. Info: (480) 310-0366 or cytphoenix.org
Nov. 11-20: The Wizard of Oz
Feb. 17-26, 2012: Robin Hood The Musical
May 4-13, 2012: Alice
Cookie Company
This company is part of Phoenix Theatre, which was founded in 1920 as Phoenix Little Theatre and is one of the oldest continuously operating arts organizations in the country. Info: (602) 254-2151 or phoenixtheatre.com
Nov. 12-27: If You Give a Pig a Party
Feb. 11-26, 2012: Peacemaker
April 14-29, 2012: Charlotte’s Web
Copperstar Repertory Company
The Gilbert peformance troupe for youth and adults presents its shows at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. Info: (480) 699-1655 or copperstarrep.org
Oct. 21-29: Bye Bye Birdie
Dec. 22-30: Annie
Feb. 3-11, 2012: The King and I
March 23-31, 2012: Seussical The Musical
Desert Rose Theatre
After having to move venues no less than three times in six seasons, DRT is the East Valley’s little theater that could. For now, it’s holding shows at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic
Church in south Scottsdale.
Info: (888) 598-1990 or desertrosetheatre.com
Sept. 10 and 17: The Short Shakespeare Project: Romeo and Juliet
Oct. 13-29: Rosencranz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Dec. 8-17: The Rat Pack Holiday Extravaganza
Feb. 16-March 3, 2012: Mary Stuart
April 19-May 5, 2012: The Picture of Dorian Gray
East Valley Children’s Theatre
This youth troupe begins its 15th season at the Playhouse Theatre at Mesa Arts Center. Info: (480) 756-3828 or evct.org
Sept. 29-Oct. 9: The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Dec, 1-11: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Feb. 9-19, 2012: Queen Zixi of Ix, the Story of the Magic Cloak
June 14-24, 2012: The Story of Hansel and Gretel
Greasepaint Youtheatre
This Scottsdale company, formerly known at Stagebrush Theatre, creates programming designed to develop life skills and aesthetic knowledge for youth to carry with them as artists and audiences of tomorrow. Info: (602) 889-7609 or greasepaint.org
Oct. 21-30: Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
Jan. 20-29, 2012: Les Miserables
March 23-April 1, 2012: Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Hale Centre Theatre
This acclaimed venue is the East Valley branch of a high-caliber, multi-state theater company owned by the same family since 1947. Info: (480) 497-1181 or haletheatrearizona.com
Sept. 17-Nov.19: Beauty and the Beast (children’s theater)
Through Oct. 8: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap
Oct. 14-Nov. 26: It’s a Wonderful Life
Dec. 1-23: A Christmas Carol
Dec. 31, 2011-Feb. 11, 2012: See How They Run
Feb. 16-March 31, 2012: 42nd Street
Feb. 21-March 27, 2012: Barefoot in the Park
March 3-May 19, 2012: Rapunzel (children’s theater)
April 5-May 19, 2012: Harvey
May 25-July 7, 2012: To Kill a Mockingbird
June 2-Aug. 18, 2012: Peter Pan (children’s theater)
July 13-Aug. 25, 2012: Bye Bye Birdie
Aug. 25-Nov. 17, 2012: Snow White (children’s theater)
Higley Center for the Performing Arts
This venue with a 1,235-seat concert hall and 186-seat Little Theater is on the campus of Gilbert’s Higley High School. Info: (480) 279-7194 or higleyarts.org
Oct. 1: Mystery Mansion Dinner Theatre presents Murder at Greystone Manor (food by Carrabba’s Italian Grill)
Oct. 8: Great Arizona Puppet Theatre presents The Big Bug Circus (children’s theater)
Oct. 21-29: Bye Bye Birdie
Dec. 22-30: Annie
Feb. 3-11, 2012: The King and I
Feb. 7, 2012: Wyatt Earp: A Life on the Frontier
March 23-31, 2012: Seussical The Musical
April 28, 2012: Great Arizona Puppet Theatre presents Jack Rabbit and the Desert Tortoise: A New Version of a Classic Fable (children’s theater)
Mesa Arts Center
Downtown’s shining arts campus hosts concerts, plays, touring productions, festivals, artists’ studios and educational programs. Info: (480) 644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com
Through Sept. 24: Titus Andronicus presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company
Sept. 29-Oct. 9: The 12 Dancing Princesses presented by East Valley Children’s Theatre
Sept. 30-Oct. 16: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change presented by Mesa Encore Theatre
Oct. 18-22: The Pajama Game presented by Actor’s Youth Theatre
Oct. 21-Nov. 6: Amexica: Tales of the Fourth World
Nov. 10-20: Proof presented by Mesa Encore Theatre
Nov. 26-Dec. 17: A Christmas Carol presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company
Dec, 1-11: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever presented by East Valley Children’s Theatre
Dec. 6-7: The Wizard of Oz presented by Theater League
Dec. 16-18: The Santa Class
Dec. 16-30: A Christmas Story presented by Mesa Encore Theatre
Jan. 5-21, 2012: Romeo and Juliet presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company
Jan. 10-11, 2012: The Rat Pack is Back presented by Theater League
Jan. 24-28, 2012: The Scarlet Pimpernel presented by Actor’s Youth Theatre
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2012: My Fair Lady presented by Theater League
Feb. 3-19, 2012: TBA by Mesa Encore Theatre
Feb. 9-19, 2012: Queen Zixi of Ix, the Story of the Magic Cloak presented by East Valley Children’s Theatre
Feb. 23-26, 2012: You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up
March 1-17, 2012: Art presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company
March 15-18, 2012: Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating & Marriage
March 27-31, 2012: Disney’s Aladdin Jr. presented by Actor’s Youth Theatre
April 6-22, 2012: Ragtime presented by Mesa Encore Theatre
April 10-11, 2012: Rock of Ages presented by Theater League
April 17-May 6, 2012: Motherhood, the Musical
April 19-May 5, 2012: Much Ado About Nothing presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company
May 25-June 3, 2012: Hairspray presented by Mesa Encore Theatre
June 14-24, 2012: The Story of Hansel and Gretel presented by East Valley Children’s Theatre
June 26-30, 2012: West Side Story presented by Actor’s Youth Theatre
July 24-28, 2012: Cinderella presented by Actor’s Youth Theatre
Mesa Encore Theatre
This community theater company celebrating 75 years in Mesa performs at Mesa Arts Center. Info: (480) 834-9500 or mesaencoretheatre.com
Sept. 30-Oct. 16: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Nov. 10-20: Proof
Dec. 16-30: A Christmas Story
Feb. 3-19, 2012: TBA
April 6-22, 2012: Ragtime
May 25-June 3, 2012: Hairspray
Mesa Community College Theatre Arts & Film Department
Students present plays, music and dance performances at MCC’s Theatre Outback. Info: (480) 461-7172 or mesacc.edu/community/outback
Sept. 23-24: Wiley and the Hairy Man
Oct. 20-29: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Dec. 2-10: The Infernal Machine
Jan. 27-Feb. 4, 2012: Pygmalion
March 1-10: Rent
April 21-28, 2012: Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead
Nearly Naked Theatre
This company, in its 13th season, is “dedicated to producing the Valley’s most challenging and provocative productions” at The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre. Info: (602) 254-2151 or nearlynakedtheatre.org
Nov. 19-Dec. 10: The Naked Eye
Jan. 7-21, 2012: Shakespeare’s R&J
March 10-31, 2012: TBA
June 15-July 1, 2012: Spring Awakening
Phoenix Theatre
Founded in 1920 as Phoenix Little Theatre, this is the oldest arts institution in the Arizona and one of the oldest continuously operating arts organizations in the country; it’s professional theatre that provides programming that spans all generations. Info: (602) 254-2151 or phoenixtheatre.com
Through Sept. 11: Boeing Boeing
Oct. 5-23: The Spitfire Grill
Nov. 23-Dec. 18: A Christmas Story
Jan. 11-Feb. 5, 2012: The Marvelous Wonderetttes
March 7-April 1, 2012: Gypsy
April 25-May 20, 2012: Dream A Little Dream: The Nearly True Story of The Mamas & The Papas
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
A free-standing, contemporary 777-seat theatre on the campus of Queen Creek High School. Info: (480) 987-7469 or qcpac.com.
Dates TBA: Pirates of Penzance
Oct. 21-24: Camp Rock
Nov. 23: Monty Python’s Spamalot
Dec. 9: QC Glee
Jan. 6, 2012: Rat Pack
Feb. 14, 2012: My Fair Lady
April 20-23, 2012: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
June 22-25, 2012: Oliver!
San Tan Players
This group, along with San Tan Chorale and San Tan Orchestra, is part of San Tan Community Performing Arts, a group launched in 2006 to provide performing arts opportunities for residents of the Southeast Valley. They put on concerts and musicals at venues throughout the East Valley. Info: (480) 297-7552 or stcpa.org
Dates TBA: Third annual Madrigal Feaste
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale’s premiere performance arts venue. Info: (480) 994-2787 or scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Nov. 25-26: The Capitol Steps
Dec. 13-23: Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold
Jan. 3-8, 2012: Love, Loss and What I Wore
Jan. 20 and 27, 2012; Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2012; March 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2012: Late Nite Catechism
Jan. 21 and 28, 2012; Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2012; March 10, 17 and 24, 2012: Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death Do Us Part
Jan. 28, 2012: Imago Theatre: ZooZoo
March 29, 2012: Selected Shorts: Springtime, Sex and Baseball
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
Three troupes provide entertainment on two stages at a performing arts complex near downtown Scottsdale. Info: (480) 483-1664 or desertstages.org
Through Sept. 18: The Wizard of Oz (children’s theater)
Through Oct. 23: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Oct. 7-Nov. 5: Oliver!
Nov. 11-Dec. 18: Mornings at Seven
Nov. 18-Dec. 18: Annie Jr. (children’s theater)
Jan. 13-Feb. 11, 2012: Annie Get Your Gun
Feb. 3-March 4, 2012: The Pillowman
Feb. 24-March 25: Gerry Cullity’s Alice in Wonderland (children’s theater)
March 23-May 20, 2012: Altar Boyz
April 13-May 12, 2012: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
May 25-June 24, 2012: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (children’s theater)
June 8-July 29, 2012: The Odd Couple (presented in two versions, male and female)
July 13-Aug. 11, 2012: Rent
Southwest Shakespeare Company
The classical theater company headed by Jared Sakren performs at Mesa Arts Center. Info: (480) 644-6500 or southwestshakespeare.org
Through Sept. 24: Titus Andronicus
Nov. 26-Dec. 17: A Christmas Carol
Dec. 31: Macbeth (Internship Program Touring Show)
Jan. 5-21, 2012: Romeo and Juliet
March 1-17, 2012: Art
April 19-May 5, 2012: Much Ado About Nothing
Space 55
Formed in 2006, Space 55 Theatre Ensemble develops new, under-represented and innovative theatre — and presents it in a relaxed, casual environment in downtown Phoenix. Info: (602) 663-4032 or space55.org.
Every first Saturday of the month beginning Oct. 1: Hollis’s Traveling Tree House & Dance Party
Every second Saturday of the month beginning Oct. 8: Arcana Collective
Oct. 6-22: Munched
Every third Saturday of the month beginning Oct. 15: The What the F*ck! Variety Hour
Oct. 22: 7 Minutes in Hell variety show
Every fourth Saturday of the month beginning Oct. 22: Bully Mammoth sketch comedy show
Nov. 18-19, 2011, and May 18-19, 2012: A Bitch in Time: An Evening of Solo Performances by Local Female Artists
Dec. 1-17: A Bloody Mary Christmas II
Dec. 17: 7 Minutes Under the Mistletoe variety show
Feb. 10-25, 2012: Night of the Chicken II
Feb. 11, 2012: 7 Minutes in Love variety show
April 19-May 5, 2012: TBA
June 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2012: 7 Minutes in Heaven variety show
Stray Cat Theatre
This critially acclaimed company celebrating its tenth season performs at the Tempe Performing Arts Center near Sixth Street and Mill Avenue. Info: (480) 820-8022 or straycattheatre.org
Sept. 23-Oct. 8: The Sparrow
Dec. 2-17: Milk, Milk Lemonade
Feb. 17-March 3, 2012: The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
May 18-June 9, 2012: Heddatron
Teatro Bravo!
This company produces, at venues in Phoenix, English- and Spanish-language plays and seeks to develop the talents of Latino actors, directors, playwrights, designers, stage managers and administrators. Info: (602) 258-1800 or teatrobravo.org
Sept. 24-Oct. 8: Frida Kahlo
Feb. 17-March 3, 2012: Lorca in a Green Dress
Theatre Artists Studio
A member organization of actors, directors, playwrights, producers and designers, TAS perfoms primarily original works on its own two stages in Scottsdale. Info: (602) 765-0120 or thestudiophx.org
Through Sept. 25: Tennessee Williams: Prelude to a Play
Oct. 14-30: Life X 3
Nov. 18-Dec. 4: Holiday Music & Musings: From the Page to the Stage
Jan. 13-29, 2012: The Shadow Box
Feb. 10-26, 2012: The Unexpected Man
March 16-April 1, 2012: Babe: An Olympian Musical
April 20-May 6, 2012: The Road to Mecca
May 18-June 3, 2012: TBA
June 14-24, 2012: New Summer Shorts 2012 (annual festival of 10-minute plays)
Theater League
The community-based performing arts organization produces and presents National Broadway Tours and professional touring productions at Mesa Arts Center and Phoenix’s Orpheum Theater. Info: (800) 776-7469 or theaterleague.com
Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 8-11: The Wizard of Oz
Jan. 10-11 and 12-15, 2012: The Rat Pack is Back
Jan. 31, 2011-Feb. 1, 2012, and Feb. 16-19, 2012: My Fair Lady
April 10-11 and 12-15, 2012: Rock of Ages
The Torch Theatre
This downtown Phoenix venue specializing in improvised longform theatre is home to six troupes: Apollo 12, Galapagos, Light Rail Pirates, Mail Order Bride, Phoenix Neutrino Project and The Remainders. Performances are every Friday and Saturday night. Info: (602) 456-2876 or thetorchtheatre.com
Valley Youth Theatre
Famous alumni of this company include actress Emma Stone and singer Jordin Sparks. Info: (602) 253-8188 or vyt.com
Oct. 7-23: Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer Live: Dora’s Pirate Adventure
Dec. 2-23: A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail
Feb. 3-19, 2012: Charlotte’s Web
April 6-22, 2012: Freckleface Strawberry
June 8-24, 2012: The Wiz
