Darknight Productions creates theatre in Los Portales Mall

December 3, 2008

CAREFREE – “Have Theatre – Will Travel” is the tag line used by playwright Alexx Stuart and Diedre Kaye, Scottsdale’s husband and wife theatrical production company Darknight Productions. In December, they will travel to a unique space – the former fountain in Los Portales Mall in Carefree.

The troupe performs in nearly any location providing comedy, mystery and music for public and private shows. Although their regular venue for weekly public shows is in Peoria at the Encore Room at Arizona Broadway Theatre, they have been invited to perform in the Carefree and Cave Creek area every year during the holidays with their popular show, Coyote Dreams: A VERY Arizona Christmas by Alexx Stuart.

The show has now become a family tradition for a number of families in the north valley area, so the company was thrilled when the organizers of the Carefree Christmas Festival asked them to provide entertainment during the week from Dec. 9 – 14.

The usual performance space in Carefree is the lovely amphi-theater. But Festival organizer Jo Gemmill of The English Rose Tea Room, wanted something to encourage people to visit the Los Portales Mall to see the decorated Christmas Trees that will be on display and available for silent auction. Kaye and Stuart looked at the space with theatrical eyes and said “yes!” With the cooperation of the city (providing chairs) and the mall manager Claudia Malone (scheduling and providing dressing room space), the show will go on!

In addition to the holiday show during the week, Darknight Productions will also provide entertainment during the weekend with two of their popular contracted shows: Jacob Spinney, a mental illusionist who will mystify the audience as he determines what they are thinking and demonstrates magic of the mind; and The Swing Sisters, a talented group of vocalists who will sing favorite tunes from the 1940’s and 50’s reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters and The McGuire Sisters.

WHEN: 7:30 PM, Dec. 9 – Coyote Dreams: A VERY Arizona Christmas
7:30 PM, Dec. 11 – Coyote Dreams: A VERY Arizona Christmas
8 PM Dec. 12 – Jacob Spinney
8 PM Dec. 13 – The Swing Sisters
2 PM Dec. 14 – The Swing Sisters
WHERE: Los Portales Mall, 99 Easy Street, Carefree
BOX-OFFICE: 480-595-7346 or www.darknightproductions.us
COST: Pre-sale tickets by credit card - $15 for Coyote Dreams and $10 for Swing Sisters and Jacob Spinney. Day of show sales only - $20 for Coyote Dreams, $15 for Swing Sisters and Jacob Spinney. Cash only.

Courtesy Photo
Alexx Stuart and Diedre Kaye

Educational Piano Concert offered Dec. 13

December 3, 2008

SCOTTSDALE – Students and parents of the Cave Creek Unified School District and Foothills Academy are being offered a unique opportunity to attend an educational concert Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Scottsdale Road in Carefree.

Charles Wells, a highly gifted concert pianist and composer will speak about each piece describing the life and work of the great masters and then playing their most popular pieces. From the Baroque period to modern times, students will be inspired by the music and the passion of learning the personal touch of piano playing.

This program is endorsed by the Arizona Department of Education. CBI, Carefree Business Institute sponsors these educational concerts, which give talented students the opportunity of a piano scholarship for those students who love piano but can’t afford lessons. Details of qualifying for CBI’s Talent School with free lessons from Charles Wells will be available at concert time.

All tickets are for open seating: $10 for adults and $5 for students (first to twelfth grade). For tickets and more information visit the website at www.educoncerts.com or call CBI Customer Service at 480-268-7707.

The Desert Hills Presbyterian Church is located inside the el Pedregal area at the end of Scottsdale Rd. and the beginning of Carefree Highway. Look for the Sanctuary in the Administration Building of the church.