Questions and Answers with Paul Slade Smith

ASU Gammage is preparing for the landing of the Broadway hit WICKED, which is set to open February 15. With music and lyrics by Stephan Schwatz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and Winnie Holzman(“My So Called Life, “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), WICKED tells the story of the witches of OZ.

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Before WICKED comes to the Gammage stage, Paul Slade Smith spoke a little bit about his latest trip back to Tempe and ASU Gammage. Smith plays Doctor Dillamond in the production who is a talking goat professor at the Shiz University. Smith appeared in the San Francisco production fro nine months. He also appeared in The Phantom of the Opera National tour. During 15 years in Chicago, he was in The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott Theater and First Folio. He is also the author of the plays Unnecessary Farce and A Real Lulu.

Have you ever played Tempe before?

PSS: Yes! I believe this is my third visit -- all with Wicked.

If yes, what do you enjoy about the Gammage?

PSS: It's a treat to perform in a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I lived for a while in Oak Park, Illinois, and visited his home and studio there.

What are you most excited to see/do in AZ?

PSS: I'm excited to experience Tempe in February! Last time, we were there in July! Everyone said, "oh, you really should visit us in February". I guess we took their advice.

WICKED will be appearing at ASU Gammage February 15 through March 11.

PHOENIX 7th GRADERS GET IN-DEPTH LOOK AT “SOUTH PACIFIC” AND PEFORMING ARTS THROUGH ASU GAMMAGE

This January, more than 80 seventh grade students from Orangewood Elementary School in Phoenix participated in an intensive eight-week curriculum based program through ASU Gammage called “Kaleidoscope.”

For 18 years, Kaleidoscope has been a nationally recognized and awarded program and is the only one of its kind in Arizona and nationally. The program educates and exposes students to the arts who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theater.

The Phoenix students worked closely with ASU Gammage staff and school administrators and teachers to explore the historical and sociological aspects of ASU Gammage’s upcoming show SOUTH PACIFIC.

Lessons revolved around the show’s themes of cultural diversity, prejudice and acceptance, as well as world history and geography, performing arts and behavioral studies.

In culmination of the program, students were afforded a memorable theater experience by attending a performance of SOUTH PACIFIC at ASU Gammage. They were able to meet the cast and crew and have the chance to ask them questions about their educational and professional experiences.

“If we can expose just one student to the world of theater and what that has to offer, I am thrilled. It’s our mission at ASU Gammage to connect communities and Kaleidoscope is one of the many ways we make this happen,” said Colleen Jennings- Roggensack, ASU Gammage executive director.

ASU Gammage Honors Veterans at Heroes Night

The opening of Rogers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC at ASU Gammage marked a special evening for veterans and active duty military when they were honored at the first-ever Heroes Night at ASU Gammage on January 10.

Veterans and active duty military were recognized during the evening when Executive Director for ASU Gammage Colleen Jennings-Roggensack welcomed several World War II veterans to the stage with the members of ASU Army ROTC Color Guard. The veterans included: Glenn Flinton, Dean Weekly, Lambert Modder, the oldest living African American from Pearl Harbor Nelson Mitchell, and Navajo Codetalkers Peter MacDonald and George Willie. Jennings-Roggensack also encouraged all the veterans in the audience to stand so they may be thanked for all the duties they performed for the United States by the audience and ASU Gammage.

The public was also asked to submit photos of veterans both living and deceased for the opening night of Heroes Night. These photos were displayed on the televisions in the lobby of ASU Gammage so that guests may see all those who have contributed to keeping this country safe. To view this slide show, please visit http://youtu.be/5I4GfqH-AZE.

Along with the Heroes Night, a few members from the cast of South Pacific also visited the veterans at the Phoenix Veterans Hospital January 12. Cast members met with the veterans and performed for them so to show their appreciation and to lift the veterans’ spirits.

ASU Gammage appreciates those who have or are currently serving for the United States. Gammage supports veterans and military families in several ways with the Military Ticket Fund, Military Family First Nights, as well as supporting organizations such as Veteran's Upward Bound, Operation Homefront and many more. ASU also supports veterans with programs including the new Pat Tillman Veterans’ Center. These programs are sponsored by US Airways, The Arizona Lottery, The Broadway League, The Association of the United States Army's and Blue Star Moms.