Saguaro City Music Theatre Review: 'The Wizard of Oz'

"The Wizard of Oz" is a perfect example of the magic and can-do attitude of the Saguaro City Music Theatre. Combining a cast of talented veteran adult performers with a well-trained and capable children, the stage alchemy comes to life with a zest and zeal that's rarely matched by productions staffed solely by full-time professionals. This is community theater at its most vivid, energetic best.

Performing John Kane's adaptation fort eh Royal Shakespeare Company, Saguaro City is blessed with countless hours of behind-the-scenes handicraft to make it look as gorgeous as it is. Exquisite sets, intricate makeup and immaculate costumes meld with penetrating performances, masterful choreography and inspired vocals to cast a spell that transports you to Kansas, Oz and back again.

Powered by a commanding and joyous lead performance as Dorothy Gale by high school student Olive Garcia Telles, the production comes to life at the opening and never loses steam as it lifts your spirits like the Great and Powerful Oz's hot air balloon.

Dominick Basso and Venus-Tyane Kuya make the most of limited stage time with comical and relatable turns as Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Co-leads John Henderson, Rafael J. Acuna and Wesley Geary explode to life in dual roles as farmhands and the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Woodsman. A resplendent Kate Scally sparkles with Ariana Grande-inspired daintiness as Glinda Good Witch of the North, and Missy Paschke-Wood tears up the stage with crowd-taunting devilishness as Miss Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. The ensemble complements the main cast with vivacious vigor, with notable ballet solos by dance captain Sophia McCutcheon.

I sat captivated throughout the run time with my wife and 3-year-old daughter, who was dressed and Dorothy and was enthralled in the way it usually takes YouTube videos or Minnie Mouse to do.

You may have seen "The Wizard of Oz" many times, but you've never seen it like this. Community theater fans should take advantage of this winter spectacular while they can.

"The Wizard of Oz" plays through Jan. 5 at Berger Performing Arts Theater. Buy tickets here.

Book Report: 'The Antisocial Network'

 

The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees by Ben Mezrich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rather than taking the simplistic, reductionist route and tell the tale of the GameStop short squeeze as an underdog tale, Ben Mezrich does an admirable job of taking the perspective of each side. What emerges is a complex, open-ended case study of what happens when social media, memes, nostalgia and hedge funds intersect in a tangled web.

Mezrich is a little too in love with fifth grade assignment-style descriptive paragraph writing, in which he lingers on insignificant details in an overeffort to paint an overly detailed portrait of each scene. Once he gets rolling with the narrative, though, he's a pro. His ability to recreate key moments in the saga shines through. His book amounts to a chain of interconnected short stories, tugged along by the ongoing thread of GameStop's bizarre, sudden, meteoric stock price rise.

I learned a lot about the inner workings of the market, as well as the powers that be and their efforts to manipulate stock prices for short-term gain. Although somewhat choppy, "The Antisocial Network" is a potboiling yarn that may go down as one of the wildest rags-to-riches tales of our time.

View all my reviews

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold rides T-Mobile 5G network with AI-fueled gusto

No phone manufacturer has embraced the possibilities of AI like Google. And no device thus far pushes the boundaries of what's possible on that front like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The device doesn't so much as blur the line between a smartphone and a tablet as it does obliterate it. Boasting a svelte feel when folded and a mammoth, while still manageable, size when opened, the Pixel 9 Fold Pro allows you to unlock your creativity to up your efficiency. For instance, you can run as many as four apps at the same time in a split screen mode, granting each enough real estate to use full functionality on any of them. On the dazzling, 9-inch OLED, 120Hz screen, you can watch a football game while scrolling social media, tapping out an email and then go Google some stats, all without having to close a thing. 

To pull off such wizardry, you'll need to be on a hefty 5G network. T-Mobile's system was more than up to the task, keeping my video streams smooth, my downloads fast and multitasking flowing with ease, working in concert with the Tensor G4 chipset.

The AI suite is just as impressive. The phone comes with a Gemini Advanced subscription, as well as the photography and photo editing tools that drop jaws on commercials. Circle to Search lets you intuitively find more information on documents and sites you're browsing, and Add Me will pop your mug into any group shot.

All this functionality doesn't come cheap. The device weighs in at a $1,799 MSRP, but holiday deals allow you to deeply slash that price, especially if you're planning to add a line to your plan.

The investment is well worth it, even at that budget-stinging sticker price. I was pleased by the ingenuity that went into the design and form factor. The power button fingerprint reader lets you clear the lock screen with minimal effort and the framing is smooth to the touch, with staunch yet flexible hinges that let you to open and close the screen without strain on your wrist or fingers.

When you're tackling quick and dirty tasks, you'll want to keep the phone closed. That's when you'll call on the 6.3-inch OLED display, with its impressive 60-120Hz refresh rate. Save for the split screen effect, you can handle just about every significant task when the phone is closed. Shockingly, the battery is hefty enough to allow you to go 16 hours between charges amid heavy use.

The camera setup is locked and loaded to shoot first, ask questions never and take names when it comes to editing and posting. The 48MP main sensor yields to a 10.5MP ultra-wide field of view, with a 10.9MP telephoto setting to boot. You can capture all manner of action shots, portraits, panoramas and videos in professional quality, with the AI-boosted inner working smoothing out the rough edges before you even get a glimpse at your work.

At 9.1 ounces, the 9 Pro Fold can add some strain to your hands during long-term use. But because of its size and flexibility, you can find uses for it that don't require you to cradle it at all times. Allowing it to sit while folded upright, the phone works as its own stand. You can also stand it upright while ajar, allowing for hands-free vertical viewing.

Taken as a whole, the mammoth and invigorating package that is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an awe-inducing marvel. You feel the need to take it out and about, just to revel in the looks of awe it induces. The foldable smartphone life may not fit every lifestyle or budget, but for those willing to take the plunge, it's hard to do better than then Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

T-Mobile provided device for review.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Beetlejuice'

Capitalizing on the Beetlejuicemania brought on by the September movie sequel, the stage musical version of "Beetlejuice" hits at just the right time, dripping in 1980s nostalgia with a fresh coat of black and white-striped paint to give the boisterous Tim Burton vision a fresh touch.

The show brims with spectacular effects, from a monolithic Sandworm puppet to clever use of projections in transitions, paired with masterful stagecraft that recreates the look and feel of the 1988 film, which inspired the musical ran on Broadway from 2019 to 2023 and spawned a national tour that began in 2022.

Eddie Perfect's music and lyrics sparkle with wit and subversive humor, bolstering the book by Scott Brown and Anthony King. But no matter how intricate the visuals, stagecraft and script, the musical wouldn't have a ghost of a chance if not for a commanding lead.

"Beetlejuice" has that and a half in the indomitable Justin Collette. The Broadway veteran and YouTube voice of  the viral sensation "Bite on Mondo," Collette thrives in a whirlwind performance that would make Michael Keaton gasp in awe. Part Deadpool, part Bugs Bunny with a side of Robin Williams, Collette's crackling delivery, fourth wall-shattering stage presence and monstrous magnetism commands the stage so much that it feels like a letdown whenever there's a number that doesn't involve him. Sure, the guy needs to rest, but he's sorely missed with the meandering plot puffs up filler material to pad out the runtime.

Other standouts include Madison Mosley as drenched-in-ennui Lydia, the goth teen protagonist, Megan McGinnis as the stifled domestic goddess ghost, Barbara, and the electric Sarah Litzsinger as Lydia's would-be stepmom, Delia. A voracious actor who underlines her jokes with full-body expression, Litzsinger swipes most of the scenes not claimed by the green-haired trickster demon.

I found myself chuckling throughout, and sometimes laughing embarrassingly hard at the onstage antics. The non-Beetlejuice high point is undoubtedly the business dinner interrupted by a spiritual possession that results in an impromptu rendition of the iconic "Banana Boat" (Day-O) conga line.

With its light touch and silly tone, "Beetlejuice" proudly wears its B-production pedigree on its tattered sleeve. All energies are channeled forcefully toward helping the audience have a giddily good time, and that task is accomplished masterfully. That's something that's worth saying twice, or maybe even three times.

"Beetlejuice" plays through Dec. 8 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Book Report: 'Hillbilly Elegy'

 

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What started off as sort of a fearful hate-read of the premature autobiography of the man most likely to be our next president resulted in a disarming appreciation of a smart man who overcame a rough start in life with class, hustle and humility.

I had already watched the Netflix movie years before, and forgot it as soon as the credits rolled. The book is much more. An even-handed, insightful personal essay on the dissolution of the middle class and fall of Appalachia, Vance's book is also a solid how-to guide on how to thrive when coming from an impoverished, abuse-riddled background.

Now, with perspective, it is clear that this was not a premature autobiography. Instead, it is absolutely necessary that Vance wrote it when he did, before he was swept away and warped by Trumpism. This may be the only time in his life that he had enough experience, as well as intellectual purity, to tell such an honest story without turning it into an angry, self-serving political screed.

I respect the book, as well as the man Vance was before he joined the Trump administration. Here's hoping he maintains his soul as he chases his political ambitions further down the rabbit hole.

View all my reviews

Game Review: 'River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next'

When anime and 8-bit gaming conventions collide, "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next" is what arises from the rubble. The incongruous pairing makes for an invigorating mix of light RPG and brawlers conventions.

Working under the banner of Arc System Works, developer R-Force Entertainment channels its passion for the River City franchise into the awkward, yet oddly satisfying historical fit. The new game is a direct sequel to the 2022 outing "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms."

Set in the famed Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, in which the Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu reigned over China from 220 to 280 AD after the conclusion of the Han dynasty, you play through the dialogue-rich story and engage in quick-hitting, beat-em-up battles reminiscent of the older "River City" games.

More than 100 River City characters take on the guises of historical figures over the six-chapter story. For instance, Kunio plays Guan Yu, Misako is Zhuge Liang, Goda is Liu Bei, Yamada is Cao Cao, Toraichi is Huang Zhong and Tobioka is Sima Yi.

Playing as hero Guan Yu, you mix it up with the warring factions in a series of high-stakes showdowns. Upgrades, power-ups and weaponized background items abound. While the writing may not always be up to par, the combat is still as satisfying as ever.

I've been drawn to the "River City" franchise since it debuted with "River City Rampage" back in the early 1990s. While similar franchises of its ilk have come and gone, "River City" continues to keep its head above water by pivoting to wild news spinoffs and adaptations. "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next" shows that the series is still able to adapt and adjust.

Publisher provided review code.

 

T-Mobile Reveals Black Friday, Cyber Monday Deals

Those looking to shower their friends and loved ones with communications tech should check out T-Mobile's slate of Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers.

Families looking to jump into the latest generation of Apple or Samsung offerings can consider signing up for four new lines for $100 a month with a device trade-in, landing them four free iPhone 16  or Samsung Galaxy S24.

Here is the cornucopia of offers available to current T-Mobile customers. Here are some of the standouts:

• Get a free iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy S24+ when adding a line or trading in an eligible device.

• Get a free iPhone 16, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 and more when adding a line or trading in an eligible device on Go5G Plus / Go5G Next.

• A free iPhone 14 when switching to T-Mobile and adding a line on most plans.

• A free Samsung Galaxy Watch7 40mm (or Google Pixel Watch 3 41mm for just $79.99) when adding a qualifying watch line.

• $400 off iPad 10th Gen 64GB OR $250 off iPad Mini A17 Pro when adding a tablet line on a qualifying plan.
• Free iPhone 16 Pro when trading in an eligible device on Go5G Next or Go5G Business Next and T-Mobile will throw in free AirPods 4.

• A free Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm (or 44mm for just $30) when adding a qualifying watch line.

• Android lovers can score big too with a free Samsung Galaxy S24+ or Google Pixel 9 Pro when trading in an eligible device on Go5G Next or Go5G Business Next and T-Mobile will add a free Samsung Galaxy Buds FE or Google Pixel Buds A-Series.
• iPhone 12 and Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm for just $99.99 when signing up for Metro Flex Plus and adding a qualifying watch line.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch FE 40mm for just $149.99 when adding a smartwatch line.

  

The T-Mobile Cyber Monday deal, available online or via the T-Life app starting Dec. 2 for a limited time. Score savings of over $1,400 with the ultimate bundle from Apple and get iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm and AirPods 4 for free.

 

Starting Dec. 12, customers can get $250 off Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm or 46mm) or Apple Watch Ultra 2 when adding a qualifying watch line.

 

New and existing T-Mobile customers can receive free next day shipping and free activation when ordering a new device online or via the T-Life app.

  

T-Mobile is offering a free Amazon Fire TV 40" 2-Series HD smart TV when switching to Home Internet, Home Internet Plus or AWAY, including the 200GB or Unlimited plans.

 

This post includes information from a T-Mobile press release.

Game Review: 'Exploding Kittens VR'

Matthew Inman's 2015 card game, "Exploding Kittens," has become a party and time-killing staple that manages to teach you unsettling truths about how far your friends and family will go to win. While bringing the game to VR seems like a strange idea, it's an oddly satisfying fit that makes more sense the longer you spend with the game.

Immersing yourself in the game's splashy realm, the VR version of the game adds amply to the game's sense of ironically cute absurdity. While the card game relies on your imagination, there's something thoroughly satisfying about experiencing the game's outrageous moments in wild displays that take up your entire field of vision. A treat for the senses, "Exploding Kittens VR" makes ample use of its VR format both visually and audibly.

Like the mobile version of the game, it allows you to set up easy pickup games with online friends and strangers. Either classic or blitz mode allow five players. Cards allow you to peek into the future, steal items, deny moves and defuse the titular kittens in clutch moments.

There's also a social hub that boasts a slew of minigames and allows you to customize your character. 

The only thing holding the game back is the Meta Quest's relatively small pool of players, compared to the game's mobile base. But the social interaction available is a welcome change of pace on the Meta Quest, which bubbles with solo experiences. "Exploding Kittens VR" works as a welcome palate cleanser between more serious, labor intensive Meta Quest pastimes.

Publisher provided review code.

T-Mobile Holiday Deals roundup

T-Mobile just announced some enticing holiday offers.

New Metro customers can grab both the Apple Watch SE and iPhone 12, together as a duo for $99.99. The prepaid carrier also has started to offer the full lineup of Apple Watches, which are all available without credit checks or contracts. You can add a smartwatch line with Metro Flex Plus.

T-Mobile also got into the Black Friday action early with a slew of sales that offer $1,000 off in devices from the likes of Apple, Google, Samsung and Motorola.

Also back is the free smartphone deal with four voice lines for $100 a month. You can snag the iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 with that offer.

Eligible trades while adding a line on plans including the Go5GNext or Go5G Plus can net you free devices, such as the iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy S24+.

New T-Mobile home internet customers can get a free Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series HD smart TV.

For the full slate of deals, check out these posts. There's also a T-Mobile holiday gift guide with all sorts of options for the tech-hungry loved ones on your list.

This post drew information from a T-Mobile press release.