/ Modified jun 21, 2023 11:56 p.m.

"The Legend of Georgia McBride" and the art of drag.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Students build skill and character playing wheelchair basketball; a review of the documentary "Feelings are Facts" and an interview with filmmaker Jack Walsh; and, an amphibious love story from "Stories That Soar!"

Georgia Mcbride stage unsized Kevin Kantor performs in "The Legend of Georgia McBride," staged by Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Photo by Michael Brosilow

Arizona Spotlight

June 1, 2023

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the June 1st, 2023 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Arizona Theatre Company presents "The Legend of Georgia McBride." It’s a music-filled comedy about an Elvis impersonator who loses their job, and must try performing in drag instead. Leah Britton interviews lead performer Kevin Kantor about discovering “the art of drag” on stage.
The Legend of Georgia Mcbride queens unsized VIEW LARGER Courter Simmons, left, Kevin Kantor and Armand Fields perform in "The Legend of Georgia McBride," staged by Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Photo by Michael Brosilow
Leah and Kevin studio spot Leah Britton interviews "The Legend of Georgia Mcbride" star Kevin Kantor in the AZPM studio.
Courtesy of Bitty Rosenberg
TLOGM poster unsized VIEW LARGER Promotional poster for the Arizona Theatre Company's production of "The Legend of Georgia Mcbride."
  • Go court side with students from Gridley Middle School, who are learning about the culture of wheelchair basketball. The innovative program called Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports teaches able-bodied students the meaning of sportsmanship. For more, check out the story by Paola Rodriguez for AZPM's new sports podcast "More than a Game."

Gridley Middle School team plays wheelchair basketball The Gridley Middle School basketball team plays against the Junior Wildcats during a wheelchair basketball game on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Tucson.
Paola Rodriguez/AZPM News

Gridley middle schooler attempts to block a junior wildcats player A student athlete from the Gridley Middle School basketball team attempts to get the ball on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Tucson.
Paola Rodriguez/AZPM News

Gridley crowd cheering The crowd cheers after the Gridley Grizzlies made a basket on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Paola Rodriguez/AZPM News

  • Choreographer and filmmaker Yvonne Rainer has blazed a unique trail as an artistic visionary, and her story is explored in a new documentary called Feelings are Facts: The Life of Yvonne Rainer. Film essayist Chris Dashiell offers his opinion, followed by Mark McLemore’s interview with filmmaker Jack Walsh. You can watch the documentary on PBS 6 Plus on June 9th. for more information, view the schedule here.

Jack Yvonne unsized VIEW LARGER Jack and Yvonne looking at stills from her films.
Courtesy of feelingsarefacts.com
Yvonne DocNYC unsized VIEW LARGER Yvonne answers questions at the DocNYC screening.
Courtesy of feelingsarefacts.com
jack Christine Yvonne unsized VIEW LARGER Filmmakers Jack Walsh and Christine Murray celebrating the New York premier with Yvonne.
Courtesy of feelingsarefacts.com
Film Essays with Chris Dashiell spot Chris Dashiell is a regular contributor to Arizona Spotlight.
  • And, the first Spotlight of the month always brings with it a new tale from “Stories That Soar!”. Jump in the pond to hear Rainbow Frog, a charming tale of connection and affection written by Kimberli, a fifth grader at Robison Magnet School. (Go Roadrunners!) It was produced by the Stories that Soar! creative team at Literacy Connects. This Tucson non-profit sponsors a group of performers and musicians called “Stories That Soar!”. They help young writers realize the power and potential of bringing their stories to life, for the stage, video, and radio. Aspiring student-age writers can submit their stories to The Magic Box Story Portal now!
Rainbow Frog unsized VIEW LARGER Rainbow Frog, written by Robison Elementary 5th grader Kymberli.

Webpage by Leah Britton.

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