BROADWAY’S BEST AT MUSICFEST


Arizona Musicfest is the region’s premier presenter of Broadway stars in concert, and a major destination for music theater fans from throughout the Valley and beyond.

Recent and upcoming Broadway artists featured at Musicfest include Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Jeremy Jordan, Joshua Henry, Sutton Foster, Kelli O’Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bernadette Peters, Paulo Szot, Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga, Vanessa Williams, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune and many others.

In an effort to expand and enhance its annual musical theater offerings, in 2025, Musicfest launched Musicfest Theatricals, a new division of Musicfest which produces large-scale theatrical concert productions of Broadway musicals.


MUSICFEST THEATRICALS PRODUCTION MODEL:

Musicfest’s successful model for its theatrical concert productions includes casting guest Broadway artists in principal roles alongside top professional musical theater artists of the Phoenix market in secondary and ensemble roles. For Musicfest’s productions, a full-size orchestra is located upstage, integrated within the set, while a large playing space is located downstage. Musicfest Theatricals productions are fully staged, choreographed, and costumed.  While large-scale scenic elements (drops, flats, rolling wagons, and flying pieces), are rarely utilized, full props, furniture pieces, stair units, and multi-level playing spaces are always employed, as are projections to help to set the scene.  See images below for a reference as to the scale of Musicfest’s productions.

 

PAST MUSICFEST THEATRICALS PRODUCTIONS:

MAN OF LA MANCHA (2026)

Featured Cast:

Paulo Szot: Cervantes/Don Quixote
(B’way: South Pacific (Tony Award), Hadestown, & Juliet, Metropolitan Opera)

Maria Bilbao: Aldonza/Dulcinea
(B’way: Sweeney Todd)

David Josefsberg: Sancho Panza
(B’way: Back to the Future, Spamalot, Beetlejuice, The Prom, Waitress, An Act of God, Honeymoon In Vegas)

Creatives:
Josh Condon (MD/Conductor), Mark Stoddard (Stage Director), Kathleen Brazie (Asst. Stage Director/Choreographer), Allan Naplan (Executive & Producing Director/ Principal Casting)

 

RAGTIME (2026)

Featured Cast:

Justin Austin: Coalhouse Walker Jr.
(Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera; Off B’way: Drama Desk Nominee for Intimate Apparel [LC])

Mamie Parris: Mother
(B’way: Ragtime, Cats, School of Rock, The Drowsy Chaperone)

David R. Gordon: Tateh
(Regional & Natl Tours: Ragtime, Flashdance, Beautiful, Parade, Grease; Off B’way: A Walk on the Moon)

Ta’Nika Gibson: Sarah
(B’way: Ragtime, Into the Woods, Ain’t Too Proud)

Jesse Berger: Father
(Natl Tours: Legally Blonde, Brigadoon)

Sam Primack: Younger Brother
(B’way: Dear Evan Hansen)

Renee Koher: Emma Goldman
(Natl Tour: The Addams Family)

Creatives:
Josh Condon (MD/Conductor), Mark Stoddard (Stage Director), Kathleen Brazie (Asst. Stage Director/Choreographer), Allan Naplan (Executive & Producing Director / Principal Casting)

 

CAROUSEL (2025)


Featured Cast:

James Snyder: Billy Bigelow
(B’way: If/Then, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, In Transit)

Erica Spyres: Julie Jordan
(B’way: Carousel, Paradise Square, Once)

Tricia Ditsworth: Carrie Pipperidge
(Natl Tour: Spongebob Squarepants)

Imara Miles: Nettie Fowler
(Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis)

Sam Krausz: Enoch Snow
(Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis)

Philip Stoddard: Jigger Craigin
(B’way: Camelot, TV: The Gilded Age)

Creatives:
Josh Condon (MD/Conductor), Mark Stoddard (Stage Director), Kathleen Brazie (Asst. Stage Director/Choreographer), Allan Naplan (Executive & Producing Director / Principal Casting)