SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A concert by Broadway superstar Kelli O’Hara and the theatrical comedy duo of Compton & Bennett are among the theater-related offerings at ºÚÁÏÍø Center for the Performing Arts this fall.
Compton & Bennett, who are known to ºÚÁÏÍø Arts audiences for their “Assisted Living” musicals will premiere a new show called “One Stooge Shy” at the center from Nov. 21–24. And O’Hara will make an appearance as part of the long-running Seth Rudetsky Concert Series on Oct. 19.
“We always look forward to having Seth Rudetsky on our stage with the legends of Broadway,” said Abbey Messmer, programming director at the center. “His knowledge of the industry and humorous anecdotes create a truly memorable experience with these stars — one that goes beyond a normal concert. And we're sure he'll strike a similar dynamic with Kelli O'Hara.”
The Seth Rudetsky Broadway Concert Series brings the biggest Broadway stars to the center’s Virginia G. Piper Theater stage for an intimate concert and conversation, featuring popular hits of the theater and candid stories.
O’Hara, a star of stage and screen, has established herself as one of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies. Her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in “The King and I” garnered her the 2015 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with Grammy, Drama League, Outer Critics and Olivier nominations. She also received an Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Katie Bonner in “The Accidental Wolf” and can currently be seen as Aurora Fane on HBO’s critically acclaimed series “The Gilded Age.”
Rudetsky is the afternoon host on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s On Broadway and the host of “Seth Speaks” on Sirius/XM Stars. As an author, he penned “My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan” and the sequel “The Rise and Fall of a Theater Geek,” as well as three volumes of “Seth’s Broadway Diary,” featuring inside scoops and stories from all the stars he’s worked with. He co-wrote and co-starred in “Disaster!” (The New York Times “critics pick”), which also premiered to rave reviews in London.
The ºÚÁÏÍø performances of “One Stooge Shy” in the center’s Stage 2 will mark the major market premiere for the new comedy by Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett. Best known for “Assisted Living: The Musical” and “Assisted Living The Musical: The HOME for the Holidays,” Compton & Bennett have toured theaters and performing arts centers for more than a decade with their shows.
“'Assisted Living: The Musical' and its holiday version have both been popular with our patrons, so we're thrilled to premiere what is sure to be another hit show by the hilarious duo,” Messmer said.
Compton & Bennett are described in promotional materials as “the same two wackos who created and perform the ‘Assisted Living’ shows.” Their new show is a 90-minute, non-political social satire and “neo-vaudevillian romp through song and sketch comedy.
From an obsessed TikTok user who fears he might be a Chinese spy to a lawyer giving a lesson on theater etiquette, “One Stooge Shy” boasts an eclectic assortment of zany characters, all performed by the creative duo in true Compton & Bennett style. There’s even a sketch about dairy substitutes to rival “Who’s on First” in its pretzel logic, misnomers and puns. But patrons shouldn’t necessarily watch for any Larrys, Curleys or Moes in the show.
“Let’s make it clear from the top,” Bennett cautions. “Despite the title, no one gets poked in the eye.”
Bennett is a master of accents and nuance, with a malleable face she shapes into each character, while Compton plays the piano and delivers bits from songs to sales pitches.
All performances occur at ºÚÁÏÍø Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., ºÚÁÏÍø, Arizona. For all dates, showtimes, and ticket information, visit .
The Broadway Series is supported by Signature Partner Hotel Valley Ho and Broadway Series Sponsor Sternberg 3.
SCOTTSDALE ARTS
ºÚÁÏÍø Arts is a regionally and nationally significant, multidisciplinary arts organization, offering an exceptional variety of programs through its six departments: ºÚÁÏÍø Center for the Performing Arts, ºÚÁÏÍø Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), ºÚÁÏÍø Public Art, ºÚÁÏÍø Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE. ºÚÁÏÍø Arts creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and outreach opportunities for the community while fostering active engagement with the arts among individuals, businesses, educational institutions and government agencies. Since 1975, ºÚÁÏÍø Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of artists and genres, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing arts halls in the western United States, the center annually presents a diverse season of music, dance, theater, comedy and film from around the world.
MEDIA: For interviews, photos or additional information, please contact:
Sydney Ritter
Senior Communications Specialist
ºÚÁÏÍø Arts
Email: SydneyR@ºÚÁÏÍøArts.org
Phone: 480-874-4663
Brian Passey
Senior Communications Manager
ºÚÁÏÍø Arts
Email: BrianP@ºÚÁÏÍøArts.org
Phone: 480-874-4626
