Phoenix is not usually thought of as a culture capitol. This is so despite its size, which ranks as the fourth most populous city in the United States. Now that Arizonans have begun a habit of visiting the theatre Phoenix, already the major urban hub of the desert Southwest, takes its place as a major cultural center.
Newer, Sunbelt cities, without deep histories compared to those North and East, have some real challenges in establishing themselves as true, whole, urban centers. Doing this is about a lot more than the egoistic goal of being as renowned as Boston or Philadelphia. These cities, so often first laid out as mere meshes of highways, need to become real communities, and developing live theatre is a great aid in building community.
Phoenix, AZ came of age during our modern era of freeways and TV. Both these commonalities of modernity, for different but dovetailing reasons, worked to retard the development of a vitalizing city life. Cities built on freeway grids lack old cities' energizing foot traffic, which offers human pleasures of strolling from place to place, and engaging fellow pedestrians and diners.
In its own way, TV is yet more of a suppressant for city living, as it provides the ultimate narcotic of entertainment while comfortable on one's own couch. There are now whole generations who are TV drama junkies, but who are lacking in any experience of the thrill of living actors performing in real time in front of a live audience.
Responding to this challenge, Phoenix has cultivated a cultural center right where it belongs, in the heart of the city's downtown. The first pleasure one takes in is the architecture. It delights many whose night involves little more than taking a starlit stroll after dinner at one of downtown's many fine restaurants.
Some venues offer first-rate popular fare, all adding to the vibrancy of downtown Phoenix. The Orpheum is focused on familiar, well-loved popular musicals and other performances. The Comerica is a concert hall treating the public to major musical and comedic talents famous across the world.
Two treats of architecture are showcases for living drama. The Phoenix Theatre gives fresh dramas penned by the nation's best dramatists, as well as the most sophisticated new musicals. It provides classes in writing as well as acting for teenagers among a broad menu of community outreach projects to build a public appetite for drama.
The Arizona Theatre Company, also downtown, makes its home in the small, intimate Herberger Theater Center, but it also has a site in Tucson. It also offers a full complement of outreach programs, with special attention to programs for teachers and students. Its programming runs to suspense, thrillers, and new plays written by top TV writers.
With so much sophisticated entertainment available, this desert is only a desert in its lacking water, not culture. More people are choosing to come downtown for dinner and a show, leaving the TV behind. One can always let the DVR recorder store TV fare for the some other time.
Newer, Sunbelt cities, without deep histories compared to those North and East, have some real challenges in establishing themselves as true, whole, urban centers. Doing this is about a lot more than the egoistic goal of being as renowned as Boston or Philadelphia. These cities, so often first laid out as mere meshes of highways, need to become real communities, and developing live theatre is a great aid in building community.
Phoenix, AZ came of age during our modern era of freeways and TV. Both these commonalities of modernity, for different but dovetailing reasons, worked to retard the development of a vitalizing city life. Cities built on freeway grids lack old cities' energizing foot traffic, which offers human pleasures of strolling from place to place, and engaging fellow pedestrians and diners.
In its own way, TV is yet more of a suppressant for city living, as it provides the ultimate narcotic of entertainment while comfortable on one's own couch. There are now whole generations who are TV drama junkies, but who are lacking in any experience of the thrill of living actors performing in real time in front of a live audience.
Responding to this challenge, Phoenix has cultivated a cultural center right where it belongs, in the heart of the city's downtown. The first pleasure one takes in is the architecture. It delights many whose night involves little more than taking a starlit stroll after dinner at one of downtown's many fine restaurants.
Some venues offer first-rate popular fare, all adding to the vibrancy of downtown Phoenix. The Orpheum is focused on familiar, well-loved popular musicals and other performances. The Comerica is a concert hall treating the public to major musical and comedic talents famous across the world.
Two treats of architecture are showcases for living drama. The Phoenix Theatre gives fresh dramas penned by the nation's best dramatists, as well as the most sophisticated new musicals. It provides classes in writing as well as acting for teenagers among a broad menu of community outreach projects to build a public appetite for drama.
The Arizona Theatre Company, also downtown, makes its home in the small, intimate Herberger Theater Center, but it also has a site in Tucson. It also offers a full complement of outreach programs, with special attention to programs for teachers and students. Its programming runs to suspense, thrillers, and new plays written by top TV writers.
With so much sophisticated entertainment available, this desert is only a desert in its lacking water, not culture. More people are choosing to come downtown for dinner and a show, leaving the TV behind. One can always let the DVR recorder store TV fare for the some other time.
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