Leading Ladies – May 31, 2025
The Don Bluth Front Row Theater was once again the destination of the Matinee Friends on Saturday afternoon, May 31. The show, “Leading Ladies”, was a source of much merriment, guffaws, and hilarity. In this entertaining play, two English Shakespearean actors, Leo and Jack, come up with a crazy scheme to finally get some real money. They read in the newspaper that dear old Florence of York, PA, is about to die and is planning to leave her fortune to her long-lost English relatives, Steve and Max. whom she has never met or even seen in a photo. So they decided to pretend to be these nephews. Then, to their horror, they learn that Steve and Max are actually nieces Stephanie and Maxine! Well, they are actors, they could just play the roles of females—what could go wrong?? Just about everything, as they find out. All the actors in this show were absolutely terrific and very believable (and Max was extremely proficient at walking in heels!) This small theater was filled with two hours of laughter at the screwball antics of a very funny script and skilled comic actors.
A Choral Mosaic – May 4th, 2025
The 83 members of the Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix provided an exceptionally enjoyable afternoon of music for five Matinee Friends on Sunday, May 4th. The program was entitled “A Choral Mosaic” and included music of all types, showcasing choral music’s depth and versatility. There were works of grandeur (Copland’s “Zion’s Walls”), boisterous energy (“What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor”), Broadway (“Bring Him Home”), haunting beauty (“Sure on This Shining Night”), and humor (“Johnny Schmoker”). There was even a barbershop number. Plus, there was an audience sing-along. Though the afternoon was overcast and rainy, this wonderful chorus provided us with a sunshiny, uplifting spirit.
