Kathleen Richards

Gilbert Arizona’s lovely Hale Theatre opened Robert Harling’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS Tuesday, September 19, with shows running through November 21, 2023.

Director/choreographer Cambrian James delivers a nostalgically delightful production of BYE BYE BIRDIE, featuring a knockout performance by Michala Montaño as Rosie. At Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert AZ through July 1.

 The stakes are high when a chorus girl from Allentown, PA is given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a Broadway Star! 42nd Street recalls the classic days of Broadway and the golden age of movie musicals with lots of sensational tap numbers and lavish costumes! 

The amazing thing about live theatre that this reviewer has always loved is the magic moment when the cast kicks into high gear, the jokes all land just right, and the realization of an intermission is a cherished moment to breathe and take in the greatness you’ve witnessed. In those times, audience and actor are entangled, riding the beautiful wave we call theatre. THE ADDAMS FAMILY at Hale Center Theatre in Glendale, AZ did exactly that on their opening night, giving their audience exactly what was needed to continue snapping with them until the final bow.

Opening for it's first time at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert is the acclaimed Broadway musical Big River! Playing April 4th, 2019 through May 11th, 2019. Directed by Tim Dietlein, Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Elizabeth Spencer. Big River is a musical adventure with book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller - Yes that Roger Miller. Based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it features country and bluegrass music styles to keep with the rustic and adventurous setting of the novel.

With a fresh take on a classic story, the steampunk revival of Hello, Dolly! showcases inventive choreography and a fantastic cast.

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on October 11, 2018 and playing through Nov. 24, 2018 is the classic Broadway musical hit Annie. Produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, with direction and choreography by Cambrian James, and musical direction by Lincoln Wright, Annie has been charming, singing, and dancing her way into the American psyche for decades. Nominated for eleven Tony awards and winner of seven, including Best Musical, this highly entertaining Broadway musical based on the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie, was adapted to the stage by Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music), and Martin Charnin (lyrics).

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on October 11, 2018 and playing through Nov. 24, 2018 is the classic Broadway musical hit Annie. Produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, with direction and choreography by Cambrian James, and musical direction by Lincoln Wright, Annie has been charming, singing, and dancing her way into the American psyche for decades.  Nominated for eleven Tony awards and winner of seven, including Best Musical, this highly entertaining Broadway musical based on the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie, was adapted to the stage by Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music), and Martin Charnin (lyrics).

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on August 24, 2018 and playing through October 6, 2018 is the acclaimed Broadway musical The Scarlet Pimpernel. Directed and Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Lincoln Wright, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a swashbuckling, romantic, and highly-entertaining family-friendly Broadway musical with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton (Jekyll & Hyde, Civil War). The show is based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy. About this show, Producers Dave and Corrin Dietlein said, "Eleven years ago, when we first produced The Scarlet Pimpernel, we knew the show was good, but we didn't know quite what to expect or how audiences would receive it.

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on August 24, 2018 and playing through October 6, 2018 is the acclaimed Broadway musical The Scarlet Pimpernel. Directed and Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Lincoln Wright, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a swashbuckling, romantic, and highly-entertaining family-friendly Broadway musical with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton (Jekyll & Hyde, Civil War). The show is based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy. About this show, Producers Dave and Corrin Dietlein said, "Eleven years ago, when we first produced The Scarlet Pimpernel, we knew the show was good, but we didn't know quite what to expect or how audiences would receive it.

Hale Centre Theatre's current production of SISTER ACT, running through August 18th, features Cambrian James' imaginative direction and choreography, with standout turns by Ashley Jackson and Kathleen Richards.

It's 1977 and Deloris Van Cartier is an aspiring singer in funky Philadelphia. After auditioning for her gangster boyfriend, Curtis' nightclub, she accidentally sees him kill one of his cronies. Deloris runs to the police, who place her in hiding until she can testify at Curtis' trial. But where can you hide a larger-than-life diva? Police officer and old friend of Deloris, Eddie Southers, finds the one place he's sure no one will look; a convent!