Arts

Lifehouse having a blast connecting people with music

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Gilbert High School graduate Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. could be his hometown’s biggest fan. The drummer for the multiplatinum band Lifehouse spent years away from the East Valley, living in Los...

Local Outlawz try to take hip hop world by storm

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Higley High School graduate Phoenix Banuelos has his eye on the prize. When he and Mesa resident Max Thompson founded the dance crew Outlawz three years ago, they knew they were going to be...

New York City Ballet promotes Gilbert dancer

By Amy Schrader Childhood dreams can come true.  Just ask Gilbert native Gabriella Domini. From the moment she saw the New York City Ballet perform “The Nutcracker” during a vacation with her family, the then 9-year-old set...

‘The Little Mermaid’s’ Ariel to flip on the Hale Stage

By Don Andrews Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert will be transformed into an underwater kingdom when it presents Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” from July 7 through August 19. The production features fantastic costumes, special...

Children’s theater performs ‘Wizard of Oz’ tale

The East Valley Children’s Theatre is capping off its 20th anniversary season with a production of “OZ!”, the timeless “Wizard of Oz” tale. The show will run June 15-25 at the Mesa Arts Center, and feature 41...

Sir Elton John’s ​epic tale ‘Aida’ at Hale stage

By Don Andrews The glittering musical tale of Nubian princess Aida runs at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert through July 1. The Broadway-style production by Sirs Elton John and Tim Rice is a modern retelling of Giuseppe...

San Tan Chorale to perform

The San Tan Orchestra is hosting a chamber concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 9, at 440 S. Brett St. in Gilbert. Tickets are $20 and includes light dining. Seating is limited. Part of San Tan Community Performing Arts, the orchestra...

Local illustrator returns to his roots with latest ‘Smurfs’ installment

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski When Brandon Jeffords saw the animated film “The Fox and the Hound” as an elementary school student, he was transfixed. It didn’t seem possible that his artwork may one day dance across the big...

Glitzy jazz age musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, plays Hale stage

Submitted by Don Andrews A high-spirited musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” runs through April 1 at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. A young ingénue from Kansas, a handsome beau, jazz age flappers and some comically devious...

On Stage for February

On stage venue index CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org HCPA—Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert Tickets: 480-279-7194,...