About Arizona Onstage Productions

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Kevin Johnson, the Artistic Director of Arizona Onstage Productions, a not-for-profit 501c3 theatre company here in Tucson. We are Tucson's only professional theatre company devoted to musical theatre.

Currently, our board of directors includes: Wendell Nelson, President, Elizabeth Cracchiolo, Secretary, Dolly Spalding, Treasurer, Bruce Bayly, Billie Maas and Diane DeMilt.

We present music theatre that is different and challenging. We work with artistic and performing staff of The University of Arizona, Zuzi Dance Lab and Basis Tucson (a middle and high school). Our education outreach involves students and professionals from the Tucson community.

For program advertising, please visit the Support AOP page.

2003's production of Falsettoland was well received by audiences and critics alike:

"...full of powerful performances, witty lyrics, and most of all, enormous heart." — Arizona Daily Star

Our 2004 sold-out run of the Stephen Sondheim musical ASSASSINS was also greeted with unanimous acclaim:

"The power of this production, the quality of acting and singing, the thoughtful direction, push the audience to its feet. This is one of those times that a standing ovation is definitely called for." — Arizona Daily Star

"Arizona Onstage Productions shines." — Tucson Weekly

Two exciting musical productions wowed audiences during the 2005 theatre season:

Ruthless! The Musical, Outer Critic's Circle Award winner for best Off-Broadway musical, made its Tucson premiere in January, 2005. This hilarious musical spoofed movie and Broadway shows while telling the story of a little girl who would do anything to get the lead her new third-grade show.

". . . 'Ruthless' outrageously funny. . . just about every character outdid the most dramatic drama queens in this production, directed with a flamboyant sensibility by Kevin Johnson." — Arizona Daily Star

A New Brain, a musical by William Finn (Falsettoland), had its Tucson premiere in June, 2005. Touching and very funny, it told the story of a man going through major life changes including singing frogs, a MRI machine that turns into a sailboat. Newsweek calls A New Brain "funny, sharp, and totally original." A New Brain was originally presented in New York City at Lincoln Center

"Surgical Precision
Arizona Onstage keeps its winning streak intact with a perfect 'New Brain'" — Tucson Weekly

[Read the entire review on the A New Brain archive page]

Elegies, a musical by William Finn (Falsettoland, A New Brain, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), had its Tucson premiere in mid-November, 2006, and received rave reviews and enthusiastic audience response. It also won the 2006 MAC Award for Best Musical. To see photos and read the reviews, visit the Elegies archive page.

"Arizona Onstage Productions' staging of Wiliam Finn's musical was a sometimes somber, often joyous tearfest brought on by singers who felt as deeply as they sang well." — Arizona Daily Star

Talk of the Town, a one-man tour de force written by Paul Bonin-Rodriguez and performed by Brandon Kosters, charmed and moved its audiences and served to open dialogues between family members and friends as it told the story of Johnny, a 15-year-old boy living in a small Texas town, working at the Dairy Queen and discovering things about himself and his "inclinations." Photos and reviews can be found on its archive page.

"Brandon Kosters gets the part of a gay teen just right in 'Talk of the Town.'" — Tucson Weekly

The Full Monty, a high-energy, hit Broadway show, played to rowdy audiences at the Temple of Music and Art the middle two weekends of February, 2007. With a cast of 23 singers and actors and 5 musicians playing 17 instruments, this hilarious musical was highly praised by the critics. To read what the press had to say and see photos, visit the The Full Monty archive page.

"The naked truth - 'Monty' a heartfelt, silly musical" — The Arizona Daily Star

BARK! The Musical played for 13 sold-out shows at Beowulf Alley from July 12th to the 29th, including a legendary "BARK Unplugged" performance that exhibited that old "the show must go on" spirit, as the actors and musicians took to the stage with only fluorescent work lights and no amplification, after the "great flood of 2007," which brought down some of the lobby ceiling at the theater, and necessitated an hour's delay in showtime. The audience of those intrepid souls who stuck around while the building was inspected for safety were treated to an experience they'll never forget, with the actors and musicians giving an outstanding performance in spite of the enormous challenge of losing their tech support. Visit the BARK! archive page for great photos and more information.

THE BIBLE BELT . . . and other Accessories played for seven critically acclaimed and well received performances at Zuzi's Theatre in January 2008. To read some very positive reviews, complete with photographs, from all three Tucson newspapers, please visit THE BIBLE BELT archive page.

"Gay teen is the hero of 'Bible'" — The Arizona Daily Star

Nominated for a Tucson Pima Arts Award (Lumie), given for outstanding contributions to the arts, 2007 and 2008.

The Tucson Weekly "Best of . . . 2007 " edition named Elegies Best Musical.