Much Ado About Nothing: By Jack Melichar

The Arizona Theatre Company opened its 2008-2009 season last week, and it's great to have them back, and it promises to be a tremendous season – with shows like HAIR, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, KING HENRY V and BEETHOVEN, AS I KNEW HIM, to mention a few.

The first play this year is Tony-nominated ENCHANTED APRIL, a tale of love, longing and reawakening to life's simple pleasures.

As the play opens, we are transported to London – dreary and damp – typical London weather. Quite frankly, I was not enchanted by ENCHANTED APRIL'S first act. It seemed to drag, for me at least. I kept hoping they would hurry up! However, to be perfectly candid, I must admit that part of my lack of enthusiasm could very well have been caused by the medication I have been on for high blood pressure – I haven't been enthusiastic about very much. The friend that I was with liked it, and I must defer to him. So much for the marvels of modern drugs. Then, it occurred to me that act one's basic objective is to introduce the audience to the characters, and set the stage for the rest of the play, and it did that very well.

The play was saved, again for me and my induced lethargy, by act two where we find ourselves in Mezzago, Italy – sunny and scented with cinnamon breezes. I especially enjoyed the performances of Patricia Kilgarriff as Mrs Graves and Lynne Soffer as Costanza – both very amusing old ladies. Of course, the explosion in the bathroom with smoke coming from the second floor was just plain funny (but I have a twisted sense of humor). I would also like to thank Kent Dorsey for spectacular set designs, the kind I have come to expect from ATC.

The play was, all in all, a good night of theatre and two hours of wonderful entertainment. Don't take any pills for high blood pressure, and enjoy! It is playing at the Temple of Arts and Music until October 4. For ticket information, call (520) 622-2823.