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.
Young cities, without hundreds of years behind them, face challenges in asserting themselves. The rewards of successfully doing so, however, are significant, and in ways beyond inter-city rivalry. These cities, typically built along a pre-existent network of freeways, always face challenges in making true communities. The theatre is a wonderful way to build 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.
By way of response, Phoenix has built its downtown into a surprisingly wonderful neighborhood and hub of culture. The first treat is the neighborhood's very architecture, a visual treat. Couples and families often enjoy themselves simply strolling underneath the starry night skies, perhaps taking in a fine meal at one of the neighborhood's varied restaurants.
Some halls provide first rate but popular entertainment, which adds to the vitality of the new downtown. The Orpheum specializes in popular, broadly loved musicals as well as other entertainments. The Comerica concert hall offers world-class popular music and comedy.
Two architectural gems house true, live drama. The Phoenix Theatre on McDowell Road offers new dramas by talented, up and coming dramatists as well as the occasional cutting edge musical. It has classes for teenagers who aspire to write and act, as well as a variety of other outreach to develop public appetite for play going.
The Herberger Theater Center, an intimate venue, is one of two homes for the Arizona Theatre Company, the other being in Tucson. Its program includes its own outreach programs, including programs for teachers and their students. It favors thrillers, detective dramas, and works from top tier 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.
Young cities, without hundreds of years behind them, face challenges in asserting themselves. The rewards of successfully doing so, however, are significant, and in ways beyond inter-city rivalry. These cities, typically built along a pre-existent network of freeways, always face challenges in making true communities. The theatre is a wonderful way to build 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.
By way of response, Phoenix has built its downtown into a surprisingly wonderful neighborhood and hub of culture. The first treat is the neighborhood's very architecture, a visual treat. Couples and families often enjoy themselves simply strolling underneath the starry night skies, perhaps taking in a fine meal at one of the neighborhood's varied restaurants.
Some halls provide first rate but popular entertainment, which adds to the vitality of the new downtown. The Orpheum specializes in popular, broadly loved musicals as well as other entertainments. The Comerica concert hall offers world-class popular music and comedy.
Two architectural gems house true, live drama. The Phoenix Theatre on McDowell Road offers new dramas by talented, up and coming dramatists as well as the occasional cutting edge musical. It has classes for teenagers who aspire to write and act, as well as a variety of other outreach to develop public appetite for play going.
The Herberger Theater Center, an intimate venue, is one of two homes for the Arizona Theatre Company, the other being in Tucson. Its program includes its own outreach programs, including programs for teachers and their students. It favors thrillers, detective dramas, and works from top tier 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.
