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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Front Page Also see Gil's reviews of & Juliet, Looking Over the President's Shoulder, Little Shop of Horrors, Titanic
Set almost entirely in Chicago's Criminal Courts Building pressroom, the play follows Hildy Johnson, a top newspaper reporter on the verge of leaving journalism for marriage and a quieter life. His editor, the manipulative Walter Burns, refuses to let him go, desperate to keep his best man on the job. When a convicted murderer named Earl Williams escapes from jail, Hildy is pulled back into the frenzy of scoops, cover-ups, and double-dealing. As the reporters scramble to outdo one another and the politicians rush to save face, chaos and comedy collide in true screwball fashion. The cast features several good performances; however, some don't always keep pace with the breakneck rhythm that the script demands, and a few punchlines are lost to timing issues or lack of projection. Jeremy Wigley is appropriately frenzied and ruthless as Hildy, with a mix of charm, restlessness, and intelligence that captures the character's conflict between professional ambition and personal happiness. Mike Romano's Walter Burns is commanding and charismatic, skillfully manipulating everyone around him, especially Hildy, with a gleam of mischief. Their scenes together crackle with sharp timing, an abundance of wit, and verbal sparring that drive the play forward. The large supporting cast provides a colorful assortment of jaded reporters, bumbling officials, and corrupt politicians. Bob Feugate is especially good as the flustered Sheriff Hartman, while George Ellison oozes corruption as the self-serving Mayor. Adam Gobeski, Tim Lang, Henry Male, Dan Marburger, and Roger Prenger capture the rough camaraderie of the newsroom and play off each other quite well as the group of reporters who, along with Hildy, are always looking for the next big story. As Peggy Grant, Hildy Johnson's fiancée, Naomi Rusk beautifully evokes the sensible and loyal kind of woman who wants Hildy to leave the frantic world of journalism behind for a more stable life, yet knowing that he's always looking for the next big story. Valeri Tanner has a perfect stage presence and great facial expressions as Mrs. Grant, Peggy's strong-willed mother who openly disapproves of Hildy and his profession. Lauren Miller is great as Mollie Malloy, the kind-hearted but rough-around-the-edges woman who cares deeply for the escaped convict Earl Williams. Also, Harold Leboyer shines in the small part of Mr. Pincus, the hapless messenger from the governor's office. Donna Kaufman, Tom Mangum, and Zane Rodriguez add pops of humor in comical cameo roles, and Thomas F. Graca adds some humorous hijinks as the escaped criminal. Under Ross Collins' direction, the staging feels smart and purposeful. While the first act lags slightly as the play introduces its many characters and subplots before the true comic mayhem begins, once it hits its stride, the ensemble's chemistry emerges, and the rapid-fire energy the play is known for finally takes hold. Jeff Blake's set, filled with vintage telephones, typewriters, and wood paneling, perfectly evokes the pressrooms of a bygone era, while the period costumes by Naomi Rusk feature sleek suits, fedoras, and classic dresses, all of which help ground the production in its 1920s world. Though it takes time to warm up and hit its stride, and the pacing in act one and some comic beats could be sharper, The Front Page at Fountain Hills Theater ultimately succeeds in delivering a witty, engaging, and visually striking take on one of America's classic stage comedies. The Front Page runs through November 16, 2025, at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.fhtaz.org or call 480-837-9661. Director: Ross Collins Cast: (In alphabetical order) |
