A Standing Ovation for Old Pueblo Theaters
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE, AND TUCSON IS HOME TO SOME OF THE FINEST.
By C. Jill Hofer
In a community brimming with art and entertainment, Tucson’s theaters stand as vibrant sanctuaries of culture, weaving threads of imagination into the fabric of every performance. From these stages, stories leap from script to scenes, sparking inspiration and stirring hearts. Both in the audience and behind the scenes, people converge, laugh, learn, and connect with one another in the truest sense of community. The Old Pueblo boasts a wealth of options; here are just a few to explore.
Into the Spiderverse
Ashley D. Kelley and Grey Henson in the Original Broadway Cast of SHUCKED
BROADWAY IN TUCSON AT CENTENNIAL HALL
With crowd-pleasing past productions like Chicago, Wicked, Mama Mia!, and Disney’s High School Musical, it’s no wonder that Broadway in Tucson is a popular choice for theater-goers in the Old Pueblo. This company boasts Tucson’s box office record with the most well-attended and longest-running production with Disney’s The Lion King. Peruse their line-up of mostly musicals and plan an evening of dinner and cocktails on University Avenue before a stroll to their home stage, located at Centennial Hall on The University of Arizona campus.
// broadwayintucson.com
ARIZONA THEATRE CO.
Established in 1967, the largest
professional theatre company in town is also the official state theatre and the only official League of Resident Theatre in Arizona. Based in the historic and charming Temple of Music and Art, this Tucson treasure draws top talent and engaged audiences to the heart of downtown with world-class actors and plays. Let a live play at ATC take center stage on an extra special night on the town.
// atc.org
ARTS EXPRESS THEATRE
The vision of Arts Express is to educate, empower, and entertain in order to build character, community, and culture. Musical theater productions and performing arts education as well as a drama club and volunteer opportunities are available in their unique space in Park Place Mall. In this accessible location, Arts Express fulfills its vision to reach people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and incomes. Stop by for a show and enjoy a variety of wine and beer in the piano bar lobby.
// arts-express.org
GASLIGHT THEATRE
With a storied origin in 1977, Gaslight eventually acquired and renovated the Jerry Lewis Cinema at the corner of Broadway and Kolb. Now, after nearly 50 years, Gaslight musical comedy melodramas are showcased six nights a week with five different shows per year. Every performance is family-friendly and patrons can order from a full menu and bar. From
Western spoofs to their famous Christmas events, the Gaslight leads the crowd on a lighthearted odyssey booing the villains and cheering for the heroes, between bites of complimentary popcorn. Make reservations to see firsthand why the Gaslight’s motto is “Sit back, relax, and laugh!”
// thegaslighttheatre.com
LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP
This mid-town community theatre is known for its strong emphasis on education and training. Not only does Live Theatre Workshop offer summer and winter camps, you’ll find a wide array of immersive programs, classes, and workshops. Participants have the opportunity to learn all aspects of theatre life, from playwright to production. The talented cast performs year-round on their main stage and separate children’s stages to the delight of audience members of all ages.
// livetheatreworkshop.org
THE INVISIBLE THEATRE
Celebrating more than 50 years in Tucson, this company derived its unusual name from the invisible energy flowing between performers and audience members, which sparks that feeling of magic in the theatre. Their home base near 1st Avenue and Drachman, is augmented by larger events at the Berger Performing Arts Center. The Invisible Theatre Company offers arts education for special needs youth and showcases Tucson talent and world-class guest artists. Eclectic works highlight gender parity and diversity and the core messages in their stories always shine a light of hope.
// invisibletheatre.com
ODYSSEY STORYTELLING
Tucson's diverse voices are showcased on the stage at The Screening Room downtown, connecting people from different walks of life. For 20 years, novices and seasoned storytellers alike have shared powerful narratives that resonate with and reflect the
community, enriching the local arts and culture scene.
// odysseystorytelling.com
Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins
at The invisible Theatre
SANTA CRUZ
SHOESTRING PLAYERS
This all-volunteer group is the resident theater company of the Community
Performance and Art Center of Green
Valley, located 20 miles south of Tucson. You guessed it, the group was founded on a shoestring budget, but now, 25 years later, the Shoestring Players offer four to five productions per year as well as summer camps. A reader’s theater option is also available, which eliminates the barrier of line memorization, opening the stage so even more performers can get into the act.
// santacruzshoestringplayers.com
THE ROGUE THEATRE
Celebrating its 20th anniversary
season, The Rogue Theatre holds a unique focus on great literature and timeless plays, both contemporary and classical. They famously feature a piece by Shakespeare every single season. Complimentary educational lectures take place before each production and nightly post-show
discussions promote social discourse and conversation, two core values of the one-of-a-kind Rogue Theatre.
// theroguetheatre.org
TUCSON IMPROV MOVEMENT
With an intimate, 45-seat theater just steps off historic Fourth Avenue, Tucson Improve Movement boasts more than 500 students and 70 regular performers offering stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy, six or more times a week. Their flagship show, Soap Box, is Tucson’s longest-running long-form improv show, wherein local celebrities tell five short, personal stories that are woven into a show.
// tucsonimprov.com
Clouds at The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre
UNSCREWED THEATRE
This nonprofit improvisational
comedy found at Unscrewed Theatre keeps the laughs rolling 52 weeks per year. Off-the-cuff productions come to life based on audience suggestions, creating instantaneous entertainment. Be part of creating a new superhero in a comic book-style production or witness a musical come together on the spot. Catch a family-friendly, all-ages show or opt for later seating with a more uncensored twist. Experience the thrill of working together to create something out of nothing through drop-in and online classes, or just watch the magic unfold.
// unscrewedtheater.org
THE SCOUNDREL AND SCAMP THEATRE
This unique organization hosts a
variety of entertaining and collaborative performances in the Historic YMCA building on 5th Street near University Avenue. Along with a robust in-house and school-based educational program, The Scoundrel and
Scamp features an eclectic blend of beloved plays, readings, and inspired physical theatre with stories conveyed through the universal languages of music, imagery, and wordless performances. They’re also the home of Red Herring Puppet Theatre, with hand puppet and marionette shows for kids as well as for adults with their one-of-a-kind Puppet Cabaret. // scoundrelandscamp.org
ARIZONA ONSTAGE
This independent community
organization puts on a variety of performances, from mainstay favorites to more edgy, envelope-pushing
material. For more than two decades, their Broadway and off-Broadway shows have graced stages across the Old Pueblo.
// arizonaonstage.org
ARIZONA ROSE
THEATRE COMPANY
This all-volunteer organization
performs musicals and locally
written material once or twice per year and is part of the Arizona Rose Arts
Organization. The theatre's vision is to present work that explores social issues and solutions and tell stories that educate, inspire, and entertain.
// arizonarosetheatre.com
WINDING ROAD
THEATER ENSEMBLE
Described as “Tucson’s Indie Live
Theater,” this unique ensemble
produces seasons of contemporary and classic works, presenting readings, workshops, and full productions. Check out their upcoming line-up and learn about their special commitment to new work by American playwrights. Pieces are chosen for their ability to illuminate the human condition and celebrate the power of the theater to entertain, inspire, and bring joy.
// windingroadtheater.org
BORDERLANDS
THEATER COMPANY
An emphasis on Latin and Native
culture makes this organization a unique facet of Tucson’s on-stage offerings. Through innovative plays and responsive cultural programs, Borderlands builds meaningful
connections and collaborations within the greater Tucson community. Peruse their extensive playlist inspired by Latinx and Indigenous roots and real experiences of people across the Sonoran Desert, live or online.
// borderlandstheater.org
Antigona 3.0 at Borderlands Theater Company
Theaters infuse Tucson with vitality, enriching our lives with the transformative power of plays and the enduring legacy of the arts. Beyond entertaining, they offer healthy escapism and a sense of belonging. As communities within a community, theater companies not only uplift audience members; they support the local actors, choreographers, musicians, technicians, writers, and creatives who bring the magic to life. Shine a little limelight into your life by experiencing one of the many live theaters right here in the Old Pueblo.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Like the many traveling productions, nomadic entertainers, and roving performers throughout history, not all Tucson-area theater companies enjoy the luxury of a home stage. In the spirit of the phrase “the show must go on,” several dedicated troupes like these rent auditorium spaces across town to pursue their passion for acting, writing, directing, producing, and performing.