Review: Run For Your Wife
By J.J. Harrier
Frontiersman
Published on Friday, March 28, 2008 8:56 AM AKDT
WASILLA History shows Mat-Su Valley theater audiences enjoy a good English farce, and the
newest Valley Performing Arts’ (VPA) production that premiers at 8 p.m. today, “Run For Your
Wife,” will be no exception.
Read complete review (pdf)
Review: 'VPA brings sassy South to the Valley'
Posted: February 22, 2008
By J.J. Harrier
Frontiersman
WASILLA There's stiff competition at the ceramic exhibit and the town's drunken first lady is dead. The local tramp is on the prowl and a homely pig farmer is her target. A sudden wedding of the town's hairdresser and her honest country man is underway and a bumpkin woman's baby is about to be delivered. Just another day at the county fair
Read complete review (pdf)
Review: 'Return of the One-Acts'
Posted: January 17, 2008
By J.J. Harrier
Frontiersman
” Good things come in small packages, the old saying goes, but with the premiere of the Valley Performing Arts Center’s (VPA) “The Return of the One-Acts,” small packages comes in the form of fresh directing talents and surprise endings.
Read complete review (pdf)
Review: 'Fun with Valley 'Nuns'
Did you see the show?
Posted: September 11, 2007 - 5:18 pm
By Shane Mitchell
Anchorage Daily News
Here's your spot to chat up local shows, music and art exhibits that we may have missed. Like the following appreciation of "Nunsense" at VPA.
Read complete review
Review: 'Beauty and the Beast' commercial success
WASILLA – There’s a reason Valley Performing Arts sold out 18 performances of its newest show, “Beauty and the Beast.”
It’s good. It’s really good.
Posted: February 5, 2007 - 12:11 pm
By Rindi White
Anchorage Daily News
Read complete review
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: VPA gives theatergoers a Christmas present
PALMER -- Twenty-nine local children participate in this production, with 10 adults thrown in. Normally, in performances with such a large percentage of children, the play can be lost in the sheer number of kids present. That, however, is not the case in this production.
Tiffany Horvath ADN 12-14-06
Read complete review
DRACULA: Wasilla production is faithful to the classic story
WASILLA -- "I want your fear."
Fear is currency in Valley Performing Arts' production of the classic horror tale "Dracula," which opened over the weekend. Be prepared for a spine-tingling performance filled with tormented spirits and a few surprises in this battle between the living and the undead.
Rindi White ADN 10-31-06
Read complete review
Barefoot in The Park
Neil Simon's comedy "Barefoot in the Park" is a smart choice for opening the 31st season of Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla. ....the play elicits wistfulness, a nostalgia for less troubled times. It is a charming, diverting comedy. .... well worth seeing.
Mort Maimon ADN 8-29-06
Read complete review
Much Ado About Nothing
"No one does lightening-fast comedy like Shakespeare. "Much Ado About Nothing," filled with sharp, witty banter sliced with comedy and drama, is one of the Bard's best examples. Rod Mehrtens' production of "Much Ado" opened Friday at Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla, and it doesn't disappoint."
Rindi White ADN 2-21-06
Read complete review
Wait Until Dark
"Director Jeff Babcock has breathed life and authenticity into what could have come off as a play well past its expiration date. Instead, he's harnessed the abilities of a talented cast, blending them into a coherent, and, for the most part, absorbing piece of stagecraft."
Mort Maimon ADN 1-17-05
Read complete review
The Miracle Worker
“VPA’s production of “The Miracle Worker” has left theater attendees in the Valley laughing and crying . . .”
Casey Ressler - The Frontiersman 05-20-05
“...combine with the splendid performances from Putnam and Kennedy to make “The Miracle Worker an emotionally satisfying theatre experience .”
Jamie Newsome ADN 05-01-05
Godspell, Junior
“...the finished project is full of infectious energy.”
Jamie Newsome ADN 03-27-05
Caesar and Cleopatra
As theater, an audience needs to be able to take this in on its own terms. As is usual with community theater, there is a wide range of experience and talent on the stage. VPA's effort to produce this textually difficult play ends up seeming valiant.
Jamie Newsome ADN 02-21-05
Of Mice and Men
"Valley Performing Arts continues to raise the bar for itself and for the quality of community theatre in Alaska....VPA's production, directed by Larry Bottjen, fully lives up to the demands of Steinbeck's creation."
Jamie Newsome, Anchorage Daily News May 2, 2004 (in reference to Of Mice And Men).
Stones In His Pockets
"theatrical fireworks!"
"wonderful theatre experience"
"completely enchanting and fully entertaining show"
"it's the perfect opportunity for Anchorage residents who haven't experienced the charming venue of Machetanz Theatre"
Jamie Newsome ADN 11-4-03
Sound of Music
"hard to resist"
"tremendous singing"
"can't help but sing along"
Jamie Newsom ADN 9-14-03
Charley’s Aunt
“make sure you take this one in. It's funny, lighthearted and an overall good time for all."
Justin Walls, Frontiersman 2-28-03
"... nearly perfect comic timing ... all-around good time... "
Jamie Newsom, Anchorage Daily News 2-25-03
Murder After Hours
“Murder After Hours has it all"
"Murder After Hours is a well-directed and fun community theatre production."
Jamie Newsom - Anchorage Daily News
The Boyfriend
“The Boy Friend … features high-energy singing and dancing … a great performance … truly an example of high-quality community theater … enjoyable, toe-tapping diversion ….”
Jamie Newsom – Anchorage Daily News
Brighton Beach Memoirs
“Forgive the broken record, but Valley Performing Arts’ latest production, Brighton Beach Memoirs, is yet another outstanding example of outstanding community theatre.”
Anchorage Daily News
