Images Arizona (October 2023)

From the Publisher

Publisher

Shelly Spence

Managing Editor

Joseph J. Airdo

Graphic Designer

Meaghan Mitchell

Contributing Writers

Joseph J. Airdo

Francine Coles

Rebecca L. Rhoades

Shannon Severson

Susan Kern-Fleischer

Photographers

Francine Coles

Loralei Lazurek

Advertising Sales

Cindi Calcinari

860-966-3271

cindi@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona

P.O. Box 1416

Carefree, AZ. 85377

623-341-8221

imagesarizona.com

II am always exceptionally grateful to receive feedback from readers, story subjects and advertisers who appreciate the time, effort and diligence that go into every issue of Images Arizona. They are often also surprised, if not completely shocked, to discover that our team is relatively small, consisting of just eight people who pour their hearts and souls into these pages each month.

In September, I embarked on my first European holiday in more than 20 years. As any magazine publisher would likely tell you, being overseas for the vast majority of an issue’s creation can cause at least some anxiety. However, I trust in my talented, hard-working Images Arizona family — and they certainly delivered.

Our photographer Loralei Lazurek and contributing writers Shannon Severson, Rebecca L. Rhoades and Susan Kern-Fleischer have filled this issue’s pages with a wealth of information and images that successfully capture and accentuate that fabulous fall feeling here in Arizona.

Meanwhile, our food columnist Francine Coles shares a scrumptious recipe for roasted butternut squash prosciutto pizza that is absolutely autumn-esque and this month’s featured photographer Ron Sill allows us to showcase a selection of his macro and micro insect photography just in time for Halloween.

Finally, Cindi Calcinari, with advertising sales, has done a tremendous job of holding down the fort — as have our managing editor Joseph J. Airdo and graphic designer Meaghan Mitchell, pulling it all together into an issue of Images Arizona that I am sure you will love.

Saluti!

Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine

shelly@imagesaz.com

623-341-8221

Photography by Loralei Lazurek

S ANDERSON LINCOLN S ANDERSON LINCOLN

Seth’s sculpture is meant to invoke conversations, particularly about the absence of individual thought in today’s society. His creations are powerful and provocative, and truly original.

FFollowing agronomist Ian Beger around the expansive gardens at Castle Hot Springs is like spending time with Mother Nature’s version of Willy Wonka.

Knowledgeable and passionate to a fault about the fruits and vegetables grown at the luxury desert resort, he eagerly shares random tidbits about each plant as well as gardening advice.

As he strides through the rows of verdant and flowering greenery, he’s constantly fussing — plucking, picking and trimming with an acute awareness of every leaf, stalk and petal. He reaches down and removes a fleshy, ruffled leaf studded with shimmering crystals that look like hoarfrost. Known as glacier lettuce, the edible succulent is crisp and mellow with a slight seawater bite.

“This plant really does a good job of expressing what the spring water does to the produce,” Beger explains. “What you’re tasting is almost like mineral water concentrates. It’s almost like tasting the ocean.”

Glacier lettuce is just one of the hundreds of varieties of produce that are grown each year as part of Castle Hot Springs’ agriculture program. As farm manager, Beger is responsible for the development and growth of the program, which now garners as much praise as the property’s natural pools of therapeutic, mineral-rich thermal water.

DINING IN THE DESERT

Castle Hot Springs is a historic resort tucked away in the Bradshaw Mountains, about 50 miles north of downtown Phoenix. Named for the hot mineral springs that flow from an underground cistern into a series of rejuvenating pools, the landmark lodging dates back to the late 1800s and was once the winter playground of some of America’s wealthiest and most well-known families, including the Rockefellers, Roosevelts, Wrigleys, Vanderbilts, Cabots and Carnegies.

In the mid-1970s, a fire destroyed much of the property, and the resort remained abandoned for more than 40 years. In 2014, a local businessman and his wife purchased it with plans to return it to its previous glory. Five years later, Castle Hot Springs re-opened to worldwide praise. It is now considered the nation’s most luxurious hot springs resort.

Castle Hot Springs is also one of many wellness resorts that use fresh organic ingredients grown mere steps away from guest accommodations. In fact, it is frequently mentioned in the same breath as Tennessee’s legendary Blackberry Farm, which is on every gourmand’s bucket list.

Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades // Photography Courtesy of Castle Hot Springs

Our main goal is to provide the best quality fruits, vegetables and herbs to the kitchen, bar and, ultimately, the guests. Ian Beger

Here in the desert, bartenders use freshpressed sugarcane juice, grown on-site, to sweeten house-made lemonade. The hibiscus tea, a refreshingly cool fuschiahued sip that’s handed out to guests upon arrival, is made with hibiscus flowers and blue spice basil grown on the farm. Fresh-picked tomatoes, celery, onions, garlic and herbs serve as the base for the resort’s bloody mary mix. In the restaurant, menus are based on the day’s harvest.

When the resort first opened, chef Christopher Brugman was recruited from Mountain Shadows to launch Harvest, the property’s on-site restaurant. Brugman left in late 2020, and sous chef John Amann took over as executive chef.

“Our concept has changed a lot since our first season,” Amann says. “We had this farm in our backyard, and it wasn’t as much of a highlight as it is now. And that was something I was always passionate about. When Christopher left, it opened up a great opportunity. Our restaurant is called Harvest; I wanted to actually do something about that. There was a natural evolution of utilizing the produce we grow and minimizing waste, which is something we really focus on here.”

Initially, the resort had a single garden — a fan-shaped planting area that stretched out from the southwest corner of the main lodge, a canaryyellow structure that houses the resort’s restaurant and lounge, Bar 1896. Known as the culinary garden, it provided kitchen staff with instant access to ingredients such as herbs, microgreens and edible flowers.

“When I first came out here, this was all we really had, along with the citrus trees and greenhouse,” Beger recalls. “We realized after the first year that

we wanted to provide more of the substance of the food — the carrots, the cauliflower, broccoli — but we really couldn’t provide most of that from this space.”

Amann concurs.

“We learned really quick that we needed more farm space,” he says.

The addition of a 1-acre garden, complete with farm offices and high tunnel greenhouses, allowed the farm and culinary teams to expand the amount of produce that’s grown onsite — supplying upward of 80% of the restaurant’s vegetables. That’s a lot of produce, considering that the restaurant caters to 60 guests each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A LOCAVORE’S DREAM

The new farm, combined with the original culinary garden, tomato greenhouse, a 3-acre agave farm — which will be used to produce a house-made spirit — a quarter-acre of stone fruit trees and a citrus orchard, increases the amount of cultivatable space at Castle Hot Springs to 5 acres.

“Our main goal is to provide the best quality fruits, vegetables and herbs to the kitchen, bar and, ultimately, the guests,” Beger says. “We’re focused on flavor more than anything.”

More than 150 varieties of produce are grown on-site. Getting the perfect mix of quality, flavor and yield — and even uniqueness for those signature dishes — has been one of Beger’s goals since day one.

“We have very unique growing conditions,” he explains. “We use spring water for everything, and we’re in a valley. It’s unlike anywhere else that I’ve ever grown before. So we

want to try out as many varieties as we can. I call it a shotgun approach to agriculture.”

So far, the farm team has trialed more than 1,000 varieties of produce to find out which ones thrive in the hot, arid desert environs. Each year, the team experiments with about 30% new crops. Produce that’s not consumed immediately is pickled, cured or fermented, preserving the flavors for out-of-season use. Herbs and flowers are dried for use in teas and simple syrups.

In addition to the freshest fruits and vegetables, this season, for the first time, the restaurant will be serving farm-fresh eggs thanks to the acquisition of 100 laying hens.

For Amann, this diversification allows for greater creativity in the kitchen by challenging the staff to develop recipes that utilize the ever-changing harvest.

“Ian’s lucky because he has one customer,” Amann says. “I’m buying it all. The challenge for the back of the house is how we are going to use all of the stuff from the farm. It has really helped me find my culinary style.”

One guest-favorite dish is the mokum carrot bisque. Mokum carrots are small in size and sweet in flavor.

“It’s the best carrot you’ll ever have,” Amann says. “The carrots are as sweet as candy, and that makes a substantial impression on the dish. People come back just for the mokum carrot soup.”

The chef also points to the intermezzo, or amuse bouche, that’s part of the dinner serving. The chef-curated bite is not listed on the menu, but it’s an opportunity for the sous chefs and line cooks to create the surprise course.

“It’s a small bite, but it’s straight from the farm,” Amann says.

While the thermal pools may draw guests to Desert Hot Springs, the resort’s culinary offerings elevate their stay.

“I do see our dining as being a huge driving force with our guests,” Beger says. “We’re really trying to be creative with it and take it to new levels.”

castlehotsprings.com

COMMUNITY October 2023

Through Oct. 1

‘STEAL AWAY’

Black Theatre Troupe will present its production of “Steal Away,” a folktale about five upstanding church ladies who rob a bank. $50. See website for times. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-258-8128; blacktheatretroupe.org

Through Oct. 8

‘THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW’

The Madison Center for the Arts will present its production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” a special event in which Eric Carle’s beautifully imagined stories come to life with a variety of enchanting puppets. $15+. See website for times. The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-664-7777; themadison.org

Through Nov. 4

‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT'

Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”. See website for prices and times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

Through Nov. 26

‘LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL’

The Phoenix Theatre Company will present its production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” a tour de force portrait of the iconic jazz songstress Billie Holiday. See website for price and times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com

Oct. 13–28

‘YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN’

Starlight Community Theater will present its production of “Young Frankenstein.” See website for prices and times. Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive, Suite 9, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com

Through Jan. 2

‘EARLY DAYS: INDIGENOUS ART FROM THE MCMICHAEL’

The Heard Museum will host an exhibition showcasing the diversity and vitality of Indigenous art in Canada. The exhibition explores the powerful tensions and continuities that exist between the present and the past, and relationships to the land, to ancestors, and to each other. $22.50+; youth, student, senior and member discounts available. Tuesdays–Sundays 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-8840; heard.org

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Oct. 1

‘LEGACY’

Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix will perform a concert with the award-winning Phoenix Children’s Chorus for a program featuring individual and collaborative performances from both ensembles. $15; youth and senior discounts available. 4 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. orpheus.org

Oct. 4–29

‘TIANANMEN: A NEW MUSICAL’

The Phoenix Theatre Company will present its production of “Tiananmen: A New Musical,” an epic rock musical inspired by the protests that defined a generation. See website for price and times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com

Oct. 5–8

‘WILLY WONKA, JR.’

Musical Theatre of Anthem presents its production of “Willy Wonka, Jr..” $25. See website for times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Oct. 6–8

PRESCOTT AREA ARTIST STUDIO TOUR

The city of Prescott will host an artist studio tour, giving attendees the opportunity to observe artists as they actively demonstrate their craft, allowing them to learn about the materials, techniques and processes used in creating a work of art while forging a personal connection with the artist. More than 60 juried artists participating in the tour will appear across 45 private studios, with more than 35 additional artists appearing at five area art centers. Free. See website for map of participating studios and art centers. prescottstudiotour.com

Oct. 7

ANTHEM CARS AND COFFEE

Anthem Cars and Coffee will host its monthly car show. Food trucks and vendors will also be on-site for the event. Free. 8-11 a.m. Outlets North Phoenix, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem. anthemcarsandcoffee.com

COMMUNITY October 2023

Oct. 7 and 8

EXPERIENCE GERMANY

Musical Instrument Museum will celebrate the music and culture of Germany with exciting performances, informative lectures, delicious food and engaging workshops. See website for schedule of events. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Oct. 6–8

‘AND I LOVE HER: THE BEATLES REIMAGINED’

The Phoenix Symphony will present a concert, conducted by Steve Hackman, that reimagines the Beatles’ music with musical themes and ideas across different genres including classical and jazz. See website for prices and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-4951999; phoenixsymphony.org

Oct. 7 and 8

SEDONA ARTS FESTIVAL

Sedona will host its 32nd annual festival, featuring a diverse lineup of more than 100 juried artists from across the country. The renowned fine art festival will also feature live music, raffle prizes, food and a beer and wine garden — all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sedona’s red rocks. $15. Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona. 928-204-9456; sedonaartsfestival.org

Oct. 8

‘MOZART THE PLAGIARIST’

Oct. 7–March 31

‘FERNANDO BOTERO: THE MASTER’

Desert Botanical Garden will bring the works of famed Colombian artist Fernando Botero to Arizona. See website for prices. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-941-1225; dbg.org

MusicaNova Orchestra will perform a concert that features Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's “Jupiter Symphony” and Joseph Haydn's earlier Symphony No. 13. $30+. 6 p.m. MIM Music Theater, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. musicanovaaz.org

Oct. 11

IMPROV AUDITIONS

Musical Theatre of Anthem will hold auditions for its Improv Squad and Improv Zone groups. Classes — which will meet Wednesdays and culminate with a Nov. 29 performance — join other offerings such as acting, vocal technique, dance and drama. 5:15 p.m. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Oct. 13–15

‘FRANKENSTEIN’

Arizona Opera will present its production of “Frankenstein.” See website for prices and times. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-266-7464;azopera.org

Oct. 14

FASHION & FIZZ

Ballet Arizona will host a fundraiser, during which attendees will sip sparkling wine while dancers serve as models to showcase an array of curated costumes. A question and answer session will follow, along with a display of additional costumes for closer inspection. A VIP lounge and private bar with light hors d’oeuvres and even front-row seating is available with premium ticket options. $50+. 4–7 p.m. Ballet Arizona. 2835 E. Washington St., Phoenix. balletaz.org

Oct. 14

‘MYTHS AND LEGENDS’

North Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert that features music that explores mythology, legends and folklore. $10; student, senior, military and veteran discounts available. 7 p.m. North Canyon High School, 1700 E. Union Hills Drive, Phoenix. northvalleysymphony.org

Oct. 14 and 15

ANTHEM AUTUMNFEST

The Anthem community will host its annual fall festival, featuring arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides and games, family activities, a pumpkin patch and live entertainment as well as a food court and the Rotary Club of Anthem’s beer garden. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Anthem Community Park, 41730 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem. onlineatanthem.com/autumnfest

Oct. 15

‘SUN, MOON, STARS, RAIN’

Phoenix Chorale will perform a concert that is designed to be a musical mediation on the celestial world that surrounds us. See website for price. 3 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. 602-253-2224; phoenixchorale.org

COMMUNITY October 2023

Joseph J. Airdo

Oct. 16–29

HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE WORKSHOP

Musical Theatre of Anthem will host a workshop in which youth aged 11–18 will collaborate to create creepy characters, design macabre makeup and costumes and decorate a hair-raising haunted attraction that community members of all ages will be invited to enjoy. $95. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Oct. 19

GLASS ARTIST SETH FAIRWEATHER

Explore a collection of glass and mixed media artworks that reference both the natural and the mechanical worlds that surround us, using them as a way to access a deeper understanding of the self, during a special reception for artist Seth Fairweather. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Oct. 19–22

COSANTI ORIGINALS BRONZE SALE

Cosanti Originals will host its annual bronze sale, featuring savings on all bronze wind bells, planters and more. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Cosanti Originals, 6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Paradise Valley. 480-948-6145; cosanti.com

Oct. 20 and

21

‘MUSICAL DREAMS’

ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra will kick off its 21st season with a concert that includes songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Let the River Run” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.” $28.50; youth, student and senior discounts available.

Oct. 21

FLAPPERS & FREEDOM

Military Assistance Mission will host its annual Flappers & Freedom event — an unforgettable evening of casino games, delicious food, dancing and live auctions, with all proceeds benefitting the families of our brave servicemen and women. $125+. 6–10 p.m. Elks Lodge No. 335, 14424 N. 32nd St, Phoenix. 602246-6429; azmam.org

3:30 p.m. Saturday at All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N, Seventh St., Phoenix. Sunday at American Lutheran Church, 17200 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. pmaz.org

Oct. 20–22

‘HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE’

The Phoenix Symphony will perform the score of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” during a special screening of the film. See website for prices and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-4951999; phoenixsymphony.org

Oct. 26–28

HAUNTED HOUSE

Musical Theatre of Anthem will host a hair-raising haunted attraction. $8+. 6–9 p.m. Musical Theatre of

Writer

Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Oct. 26–29

‘JUAN GABRIEL’

Ballet Arizona will present a captivating performance that celebrates the music and memory of the late musical icon Juan Gabriel. See website for prices and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-381-1096; balletaz.org

Nov. 2–4

ALEX SEPKUS JEWELRY

Discover the wonderful world of New York fine jewelry designer Alex Sepkus, whose work reflects an irresistible playfulness and quirkiness and is celebrated for its understated elegance and intricacy. Explore a one-of-a-kind collection of hand-picked gemstone jewelry and other pieces of timeless, wearable art. Free. Special sneak peek Thursday 4–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 4

BOYS TO MEN FESTIVAL

Participating male singers from schools across the state will join male singers from local male choruses in an afternoon-long rehearsal session with guest clinicians, culminating in a concert consisting of selections by participating schools, performances by the participating local male choruses and a few songs by all participants. $5. 4:30 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. orpheus.org

COMMUNITY October 2023

Nov. 5

FALL YOUNG MUSICIANS CONCERT

Arizona Musicfest will present a concert showcasing Arizona’s brightest young classical musicians — each of whom possesses astounding technique and prodigious musicianship. $23.50. 1 p.m. MIM Music Theater, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

Nov. 6

‘ELVIS: THE CONCERT OF KINGS’

Arizona Musicfest will present a concert that possesses the legendary power and presence of music’s greatest icon, Elvis Presley. $39+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

Nov. 9–11

AARON HENRY JEWELRY DESIGNS

Meet the brilliant designer behind this marvelous American luxury jewelry collection and explore an exquisite selection of brilliant pieces, each one meticulously handcrafted to bring classical Old World quality to modern design. Free. Special sneak peek Thursday 4–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 15–18

FESTIVAL OF TREES

Nov. 11

FRANKIE AVALON

Arizona Musicfest will present a concert featuring 83-year-old pop culture icon Frankie Avalon. $53+. 2 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

Anthem Cares Through Service will host its second annual Festival of Trees fundraiser, which will begin with a benefit dinner followed by a three-day display of Christmas trees, wreaths and other holiday decorations. All funds will go toward the nonprofit organization’s mission of helping Anthem residents in need. Dinner $55+ Wednesday 5–9 p.m. Display Thursday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Outlets North Phoenix, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. 602-2282579; anthemacts.org

STUDENTS VIE FOR DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIPS

Anthem area high school students have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C. as part of this year’s VFW’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Students must write and record a 3- to 5-minute essay and present it to their high school by Oct. 16. vfw.org/vod

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

HHaving earned a reputation as a world-class musician since his formation of the guitar trio the Hellecasters in 1993, John Jorgenson has over the last three decades collaborated with many of the music industry’s giants — including Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti and Bob Dylan.

“I try to steal things from every artist with whom I work,” Jorgenson says. “Sometimes it is overt. Other times, it is subconscious. For example, the thing I stole from Elton John is his work and performance ethic. He never sandbags. Even if he is in a really bad mood, he gives the music 1,000%. Meanwhile, Earl Scruggs inspired me with the possible longevity of a musician. He was in his 80s and still had his magical thing.

Alison Russell //

Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of the MIM Music Theater

“Roy Orbison struck me with his kindness. He made sure that everyone was always comfortable. Of course, he sang with that beautiful voice. He sang to you, not at you. A lot of singers — especially these days — want to show you what they can do. ‘Listen to my licks, look at my range and hear what I can do. It is impressive for a moment, but it is not something you want to put in your headphones late at night when you do not feel good.”

This December, Jorgenson will bring with him to Phoenix all of those influences and so much more as he takes the stage at the MIM Music Theater, which this fall will host more than 50 concerts from multiple genres and artists from around the world.

STIRRING ARRAY OF SHOWS

Andrew Walesch, artistic director of the MIM Music Theater, says that this season is filled with an extraordinarily ambitious roster of talent — not just in the sheer volume of shows, but in the variety and diversity of the music being presented.

In addition to Jorgenson, this season’s highlights include “American Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox, a special show from Don McLean marking more than 50 years of “American Pie,” Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Patty Griffin and iconic pop songwriter John Oates.

We represent every single country of the world in our exhibits, so we try to reflect that in our concert offerings as well. Andrew Walesch

ROC#224941

“I am thrilled to be carrying the torch of the MIM Music Theater brightly and boldly into its next chapter with an ever-diverse and stirring array of shows,” Walesch says. “Truly, the combination of the talent we will be presenting and the superior experience of the MIM Music Theater leaves nothing to be desired.”

Among Walesch’s endless list of favorites this season is The Dover Quartet, which BBC Music Magazine recently named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years.

“They are a group of young musicians who have incredible command, precision and knowledge of classical music,” says Walesch, noting that The Dover Quartet will take the MIM Music Theater’s stage on Thursday, Oct. 5. “It really is inspirational to see the reverence and understanding that these young people have for this great music and the efforts they are making to keep it alive.”

On Thursday, Oct. 17, internationally acclaimed pianist, singer, composer and arranger Eliane Elias will perform alongside her husband, bassist Marc Johnson, in a concert during which they demonstrate their affinity for the music of Bill Evans and Antônio Carlos Jobim, the harmonies and rhythms of Brazil and the romantic ballads and uptempo swinging standards of Brazilian and American jazz.

“It’s going to be a very special show,” Walesch says. “Born in Brazil, Eliane was playing the piano by age 7 and transcribing solos of some of the jazz greats by age 12. She then came to New York City, attended Juilliard and has had an incredible career.”

Then, on Sunday, Oct. 29, the MIM Music Theater will welcome self-taught singer-songwriter, poet, activist and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell.

“Allison is an amazing artist in the Americana and folk world,” Walesch says. “She is Canadian and is an artist who is just exploding. A year or two from now, you probably will not be able to see her in a theater the size of MIM, which has less than 300 seats.”

ACOUSTIC & RESONANT EXCELLENCE

The intimacy of the venue is just one of the MIM Music Theater’s points of appeal to both artists and audiences.

“It is a combination of factors that makes our theater so special,” Walesch says. “Everything was engineered to maximize comfort — including large chairs and wide aisles. It was also designed to maximize acoustic and resonant excellence. So particularly intimate types of music — such as classical, jazz, chamber, folk and Americana — just come alive because the sound blooms in the room.”

Jorgenson agrees.

“It is such a beautiful theater and acoustically designed very well,” the artist says. “Classical string quartets can play there without

Photo by Ray Cox

amplification, but it will also handle an electric band with drums.”

Perhaps even more importantly, performers are able to see the faces of the people in the audience.

“For me, that is really important,” explains Jorgenson, likening some large venues and festivals with blinding lights to playing in a vacuum. “It makes a huge difference. We can do a good show without a great audience, but we cannot do a great show without a great audience — because they are part of the energy.”

Walesch adds that the energy provided by the MIM Music Theater’s audience is particularly palpable.

“We have new people coming into the theater all the time, but we also have a really strong base of returning audience members who are very enthusiastic in their support of the artists,” the artistic director says. “It just helps to bring the show up another notch. The more love the artist feels, of course, the better show they are going to provide.”

Moreover, MIM’s staff treats artists like royalty, ensuring that the theater is a place at which they feel welcome, thereby leading to several difficultto-book performers taking the stage this season.

“We also are featuring global music because, of course, that is very reflective of the mission of MIM — which is the world's only global musical instrument museum,” Walesch says. “We represent every single country of the world in our exhibits, so we try to reflect that in our concert offerings as well.”

In fact, the MIM Music Theater is one of only two or three U.S. venues

at which some artists will perform. Such is the case with Israel Fernández and Diego del Morao, who will share the stage on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Rejuvenating the cante jondo flamenco style of yesteryear, Fernández’s voice carries a very wide spectrum of characteristics in which anguish, spirit and the Romani world coexist with tempo, sweetness and musicality.

“He has this powerful, resonant, peerless voice,” Walesch says. “It is just gorgeous, and he will be performing alongside del Morao, who is one of today’s most internationally recognized flamenco guitarists. They are on a very limited U.S. tour. I am really excited about their show. I think that it is going to be incredible.”

A BIT OF A JOURNEY

Other notable concerts this season include indie folk singer-songwriter Bonnie “Prince” Billy, celebrated contemporary jazz saxophonist Steve Cole, acoustic folk duo Ocie Elliott, singer-songwriter Joshua Radin and Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti as well as the Blind Boys of Alabama, who are among a handful of artists who will be presenting Christmas shows.

As for Jorgenson, he will be performing Saturday, Dec. 9 as part of his quintet, whose musical style has been referred to as gypsy jazz after the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930s Paris. However, Jorgenson’s compositions draw in elements from Latin, Romanian, classical, rock and Greek music, so he prefers the term “21st-century world music.”

“It is a bit of a journey,” explains Jorgenson, who, in addition to the guitar, is proficient in the mandolin, mandocello, Dobro, pedal steel, piano, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone. “People say that our music takes them places.”

Of course, the global element means that Jorgenson feels right at home at the MIM Music Theater.

“I was one of the first people to be an artist in residence at MIM, and that was a big honor for me,” Jorgenson says. “I got to pull different instruments out of the collection and play them. I also have some instruments of my

Israel Fernández and Diego Del Morao // Oct. 31

own there on display — from some that are very fancy, like a decorated ‘Yellow Submarine’-themed guitar, to some that are just unusual, like an ‘80s synthesizer guitar and a 1930s electric banjo.

“I have always been fascinated with instruments — how they look, how they sound, what you can do with them. My whole life has been devoted to that. So MIM is like a playground to me.”

Walesch says that the feeling is mutual, as the Grammy Awardwinning multi-instrumentalist reflects so much of what MIM stands for.

“It is a pleasure to present artists, like John, who have had such an impactful career in the music industry alongside some of the most renowned performers of our time,” the artistic director adds. “At MIM, we celebrate acts that bend genre and musical style boundaries to bring something refreshingly extraordinary to our audiences.

“John Jorgenson's enduring connection with the Musical Instrument Museum comes to life on the video wall at the entrance of the museum, encapsulating his profound impact on diverse genres. It is a visual testament to his artistry and the museum's dedication to musical excellence.” mim.org

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ART & WINE FESTIVALS

After I photographed my first couple of ants, people suddenly started bringing me all kinds of bugs. I have, so far, not had to go out and look for them or figure out how to get them because people have just been bringing them to me. Ron Sill

AAccording to the Insect Identification Database of Arizona, there are at least 877 varieties of insects that crawl, fly or otherwise roam around our state. These include numerous species of scorpions, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, moths, centipedes, mosquitoes and, of course, flies.

Some — like butterflies — we typically attribute with beauty; in others — like crickets — we find nuisance or annoyance; and a select few — like ladybugs — we believe bring us good luck; but most — especially spiders — send shivers down our spines and cause us to jump higher than grasshoppers.

“I have never really been grossed out by or had any kind of fear of bugs,” says photographer Ron Sill. “I do not want them crawling around my bed, but I do not have any problem picking them up and checking them out.”

Sill does much more than just check them out; he gets up close and personal with them, photographing insects at high magnifications to reveal details that are essentially invisible to the naked eye.

“From moths and butterflies to beetles and ants, these insects are all so diverse from one another,” Sill explains. “Even two different kinds of ants can look completely different. Discovering what is different about each bug is what really draws me in.”

This month, in honor of Halloween, Images Arizona is showcasing a selection of Sill’s micro and macro photography, through which he shrinks us down and pulls back the curtain on the wonderful world of creepy crawlers.

We encourage you to fight the urge to look away and instead stand spellbound by the fascinatingly minute details of these captivating creatures with which we share this planet — even though they look like they come from another one.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Ron Sill

Cricket

June Bug

The beauty of photography is in trying to leverage what the camera can see that the human eye does not perceive the same way. Ron Sill

The moth is interesting because it has, for lack of a better term, scales that you do not normally see when you are looking at it. You do not even pay attention to these things until you see microphotography with all of the detail in it.

Ron Sill

The compound eyes on insects are a very big fascination for me. That was probably the first thing I gravitated toward. I wanted to see all the elements of an insect’s compound eyes. Ron Sill

About the Photographer

Ron Sill has never been one to rest on his laurels. In addition to a career as an electrical drafter, designing such things as the physical layout of semiconductors, the Chandler resident has collected a diverse and ever-expanding list of hobbies that range from cycling and running halfmarathons to making and throwing boomerangs.

However, over the last 40 years, one hobby has stood not only the test of time but also the test of limitless learning.

“Back in the mid-80s, one of my coworkers wanted to get into photography and asked if I would like to join him,” Sill says. “I said, ‘Sure! Why not?’ and bought a camera. As life went on, my interest in photography waned a bit — especially because it was a particularly expensive hobby. After all, in the film days, it would cost money every time you pushed the button.”

The advent of digital drew Sill back into photography, as it allowed him to experiment and explore the medium in entirely new ways.

“I have been in and out of so many different hobbies,” Sill admits. “For many of them, I tend to get to a point where I believe there is nothing further upon which I can improve. Photography never gets there. Unlike other hobbies, where you are kind of locked into one thing, photography can take you to a lot of places — weddings, landscapes, wildlife. There are a lot of different avenues you can go down.”

Sill has gone down many of them, often finding forks in the road and detours that capture his fascination. From micro and macro photography to still-life photography, Sill does not believe that his interest in the hobby will ever be satiated or exhausted.

“Landscapes are my favorite,” Sill adds. “It is low-stress, it does not move and it does not talk back to you. The only challenge is in figuring out how to compose it or look at it differently so that it speaks to somebody. That is the carrot at the end of the stick that seems impossible to catch, so you just keep going after it all the time.”

flickr.com/photos/ronsill instagram.com/ronaldsill facebook.com/ronald.r.sill

RRenowned contemporary figurative artist Fernando Botero once said, “Art should be an oasis: a place or refuge from the hardness of life.” Those same words can apply to nature, with studies showing that exposure to the natural environment has a calming, restorative effect.

At Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, fine art and flora often overlap. Here, the expressive arms of saguaros, spiky leaves of agaves and feathery petals of cactus blossoms frequently share space with highly polished glass elements, playful plastic creatures and large architectural installations in harmonious blends of color and form.

Now, the Sonoran Desert and Latin America meet, as the garden welcomes a must-see collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures by Botero — Colombia’s mostcelebrated artist.

A collaboration between Desert Botanical Garden and the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, “Fernando Botero: The Master” marks the first time an exhibition of the artist’s works has ever been shown in Arizona.

Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades

“Sunflowers,” oil on canvas, 1977

2/17 Kristin Chenoweth

1/5 & 1/6 Paul Anka

3/10 Renée Fleming with the Festival Orchestra

12/4 The Texas Tenors Deep in the Heart of Christmas

12/1 John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell Swinging in the Holidays & More

11/11 Frankie Avalon

11/17 The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John Starring Michael Cavanaugh

11/6 Elvis: The Concert of Kings

2/2 & 2/3 The Doo Wop Project

3/22 Judy Collins

3/16 Rita Moreno In Conversation

2/12 Brian Stokes Mitchell & Lara Downes

LIVING LARGE

Born in Medellín, the second-largest city in Colombia, in 1932, Botero is known for his immediately recognizable paintings and sculptures that distort volumes and question the concept of beauty. His signature style, known as “Boterismo,” depicts rotund, voluminous, some may even say obese, figures, meticulously painted in bright colors, through which he ridicules the pomposities of life, art and officialdom.

“People think I am a painter of fat women, but I draw volumes,” the artist is quoted as saying.

“Botero really did redefine beauty,” says Elaine McGinn, chief experience officer at Desert Botanical Garden. “By using these really voluptuous and full forms, he’s making us see and think about the world differently.”

Laura Spalding Best, senior director of exhibits at the garden, adds that there are several ways Botero uses the exaggerated form.

“One is to celebrate beauty and push it to its full extent,” she explains. “He’ll exaggerate the lines of the female just as he will the lines of a vase of flowers. Then, he uses it to present satire and to represent pain and suffering. His work has all the drama of the Renaissance paintings that he always admired.

“He’s able to put a lot of symbolism into his work, but there’s always something you can smile or laugh at. It provokes a reaction. I don’t think there’s anyone who can look neutrally at a Fernando Botero painting.”

Drawing inspiration from varied sources — from folk imagery to the formal portraits by the Old Masters — Botero portrays contemporary Latin American life. His oeuvre ranges from gentle scenes of everyday family life and popular Colombian pastimes, such as bullfighting, to topical issues, including political corruption and his home country’s history of violence.

Prior to coming to Desert Botanical Garden, “Fernando Botero: The Master” was exhibited at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California. // Image provided by MOLAA // Photo by Yubo Dona / ofstudio photography // Instagram: @ofphotostudio

Like his figures, the artist’s works themselves are large in scale. Paintings and drawings are wall size, while larger-thanlife bronze sculptures tower upward of 15–20 feet.

Those who may not know his name will still recognize his work. Botero has exhibited in the world’s best museums, and his sculptures can be found in parks and squares across the globe.

Some of his most famous pieces include “Mona Lisa,” a balloonlike interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary painting; “The Death of Pablo Escobar,” which shows the infamous drug lord being fatally shot; and “Dancing in Colombia,” which highlights a lively café filled with music and dance. “Gato,” an enormous bronze corpulent kitty cat, and “Caballo,” a hulking horse, have become beloved symbols of Barcelona, Spain.

Image provided by MOLAA // Photo by Yubo Dona / ofstudio photography // Instagram: @ofphotostudio

“Mona Lisa” is one of Botero’s most well-known works.

“A Couple,” also known as “Una Coppia,” was painted in 1995.

“Una Familia” is on display in the Museo Botero.

Botero is also a noted art collector. In 2000, he helped open the Museo Botero in Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá. In addition to more than 120 of his own works, the artist donated 85 pieces from his personal collection, including ones by such renowned masters as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti and Joan Miró.

The museum, which is housed in a colonial mansion in the city’s historic La Candelaria neighborhood, is a major attraction for tourists and locals alike, and it is open free of charge.

“Botero has been recognized across cultural and geographical borders, as has his art,” McGinn says. “He changed art, and not many can say they’ve done that.”

A SONORAN SUCCESS

“We have been trying to bring an exhibition of Botero’s work to the garden since 2004,” McGinn notes. “He’s a phenomenal artist. He’s one of the most recognized living artists, and he has such strong ties to Latin America and Colombia, specifically. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the culture and aesthetics of that world.”

“Fernando Botero: The Master” includes a selection of the artist’s largescale wall pieces, as well as two of his monumental sculptures that will

‘Fernando

The Master’

be displayed within Desert Botanical Garden’s landscape. The paintings and drawings will be exhibited in the Dorrance Center.

Works include “La Familia,” “Sunflowers” and “Still Life with Watermelon.” The star of the show is “Reclining Woman,” an 11-foot-long female nude. Her undulating curves complement the exaggerated forms and volume of the desert plants.

“Botero’s work is such an incredible fit with our garden because we have a curated collection of plants that sometimes feel as though they’re bursting at the seams,” Best says. “The outdoor placement of his sculpture within the Sonoran Desert landscape has never been seen before. To have them here, in metro Phoenix within our garden, is going to be spectacular.”

Accompanying the artworks is a documentary about the artist — who, at 91 years of age, is still creating.

“Fernando Botero is one of the most recognized living artists in the world,” Best notes. “There’s no denying that he’s such an important artist in the way that he represents Latin America. Although he now lives in Italy, his heart has always belonged in Colombia. He’s the painter of Colombia’s soul.”

dbg.org

People think I am a painter of fat women, but I draw volumes. Fernando Botero

SStarlight Community Theater’s artistic director Dan Ashlock fondly recalls the first time he saw Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy “Young Frankenstein.”

“I saw it at the midnight movies back in the ‘80s when I was in high school,” says Ashlock, noting that “Young Frankenstein” often played in rotation with other genre classics such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “An American Werewolf in London.” “I went back several times to see it.”

In the film, Gene Wilder plays a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein — voiced by Brooks. After being invited to Transylvania, he discovers the process to reanimate a dead body. It was a critical and box office success, grossing $86.2 million on a $2.78 million budget and scoring two nominations at the 1975 Academy Awards.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Matthew Eads and Kiley Bishop star as Frederick Fronkensteen and Ingo, respectively, in Starlight Community Theater's production of "Young Frankenstein." // Photo by Renee Ashlock

After the success of his 2001 musical, “The Producers,” based on Brooks’ earlier film of the same name, the writer-director opted to adapt “Young Frankenstein” into a musical, debuting the show on Broadway in 2007.

Eleven years later, Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale produced the show locally, with Ashlock auditioning for and snagging multiple roles — including that of Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein.

“I had forgotten how funny the lines were,” Ashlock says. “It was just such a joy to be in it.”

Since then, Ashlock aspired to one day produce the show for Starlight Community Theater, which has brought other genre favorites such as “The Addams Family” and “Dracula” to its stage each October.

“Halloween is something that a lot of people get excited about,” the artistic director says. “So it is a nobrainer to encourage them to come to the theater with a Halloween-themed production.”

Starlight’s patrons have repeatedly asked Ashlock to bring “Young Frankenstein” to life. This season, he will do just that, with the show running Oct. 13–28.

“‘Young Frankenstein’ is a cult classic when it comes to comedy,” Ashlock says. “I think that this show is very underrated. The comedy is just so over the top. And it features a large cast, so there are opportunities for a lot of our actors to be in it.”

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‘Young Frankenstein’ is a cult classic when it comes to comedy. I think that this show is very underrated. The comedy is just so over the top. Dan Ashlock

Those opportunities are a key part of Starlight Community Theater’s mission, another being fostering community.

“The arts are really important in the development of children and create community for both the actors and the audience,” Ashlock explains. “We have many people who consistently come to opening or closing night of our shows, and have gotten to know one another through that. It may be the only way that many of these people would have even met. The arts connect people so much. We are excited to continue to offer that connection.”

One way Starlight Community Theater is doing that this year is by selling season subscriptions that allow patrons to attend multiple shows — or even the same show with friends — at a discounted price. Closing night of “Young Frankenstein” serves as the perfect opportunity for the latter option, as patrons will be encouraged to dress up as their favorite character or other classic horror icon in honor of Halloween.

“I think that there is kind of a cycle when it comes to these things,” Ashlock adds. “We go for a year or two with Dracula, then we go for a year or two with more gory types of stories. It is only inevitable that the classics like Frankenstein come back around again. Even though ‘Young Frankenstein’ is a comedy, it is very similar to the original story — just told from the point of view of the next generation.”

starlightcommunitytheater.com

‘Young Frankenstein’

“While the Lights Were Out”

// Photo by Eric Gibson

AAbout six years ago, shortly after collaborating on a one-act chamber opera based on Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling short story “The Tell-Tale Heart,” director Sarah Meyers asked composer Gregg Kallor if he had ever read Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel “Frankenstein.”

“My only knowledge of it was from the movies that I had seen,” Kallor admits. “As soon as I read it, lightning struck. I could not stop reading it. With each page, I thought to myself, ‘This story resonates so deeply. I am not sure how to qualify this, but it felt operatic. It felt epic, but also very intimate, personal and relatable at the same time. There was a sweep to it, but it also goes straight for the heart.”

Kallor got right to work on adapting the iconic tale about a living, feeling creature that is brought into the world only to be forsaken by its creator. Recognizing it as an exquisitely

“Frankenstein” //

Photo by Kevin Condon

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

wrought plea to look deeper within ourselves to find our commonality and to uphold our responsibility to one another, the composer sought to give voice to the tragic being — and to all members of society who are marginalized or shunned for being “other.”

“The story of ‘Frankenstein’ has endured for more than 200 years because it speaks to something fundamental about human nature” Kallor explains. “Everyone can identify with being seen as ‘other; with being abused, reviled or feared for the color of their skin, their gender, their sexual orientation, their foreign accent or their political or religious associations.”

In 2018, Meyers directed three scenes that Kallor had composed in the catacombs of Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

“It was so magical and ambient,” Kallor says. “It felt like we had crossed a threshold into this place between worlds, which allowed everyone to let their filters of daily life just melt away and become completely attuned to what was happening.”

Meyers agrees, describing the presentation as having been “a seductive experience.”

“[The fact that it was] a compelling and iconic story presented in an evocative venue drew the audience into our immersive experience, but it was Gregg’s music that was responsible for the lasting impression that the evening generated,” Meyers says.

“Even in just a few scenes, his musicality conveyed the story with immediacy and vital intensity. His lyricism transmitted the text directly, and he created atmosphere

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 3:30 PM

All Saints Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 3:30 PM

American Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ

Admission: $28.50 adults, $26.00 65+ and military, $12.00 students 16-22. Children 15 and under FREE with paid adult!

For more information and tickets, visit https://PMAZ.org, or call (623) 920-1194.

Musical Dreams - music that captures the imagination, including a stunning arrangement of “Over the Rainbow” and Mendelsohn’s “Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“Frankenstein” // Photo by Kevin Condon

and dramatic tension. He allowed the humanity to shine through in each of the characters, perhaps most sensitively in his depiction of the creature himself.”

Meyers believes that it was the transformative, emotional power of the music that convinced Arizona Opera’s president and general director, Joseph Specter, to commission the full opera.

This month, Arizona Opera will bring “Frankenstein” to life — Oct. 13–15 at Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix.

Spector says that Kallor’s adaptation is an incredible match for Arizona Opera, for the community it serves and for the art form of opera at large.

“This world premiere aligns seamlessly with Arizona Opera’s mission of presenting innovative, relevant and diverse works for the benefit of our community's cultural life,” the president and general director explains. “By supporting living composers and embracing the timeless themes of Mary Shelley's novel, we continue to push the boundaries of opera’s impact.”

Like many of Arizona Opera’s productions, “Frankenstein” challenges the general perception of opera, breaking through the stereotypes to invite and entice new audiences to the art form.

Kallor adds that opera, at its core, is just another form of storytelling.

“It is like musical theater,” the composer explains. “It is like nonmusical theater. It is like movies, film or TV. It is like song. They are all different iterations of the same thing — which, at its root, is just storytelling. I think that people may be surprised by the vast range of stories that can be told through opera. What is most amazing about it to me is that the music amplifies the ideas of the words. It heightens their emotional impact. Whatever the story, opera just gives it more space to breathe.”

Meyers agrees.

“Opera is a sensual art; a fully embodied experience for both performers and audience,” she says. “The music generated by the orchestra and the human voice literally moves through us and within us. These performances present an opportunity not to be missed – the chance to experience a visceral story told through the most visceral of art forms.”

Moreover, Meyers says that opera is the perfect vehicle for this particular story — which she assures will still satiate those seeking a spooky experience this Halloween season.

“It has dark deeds, monsters, storms, shadowy forests and

Gregg Kallor //

Photo by David White

Sarah Meyers

cemeteries; but this tale goes above and beyond the parameters of your average ghost story,” the director explains. “This story penetrates that mysterious boundary between life and death and offers a glimpse into the abyss on the other side. There is a pleasure — an exhilaration even — that corresponds to the shiver of fear that this story inspires. It is a physical, tactile experience that makes us feel that much more alive.”

Kallor adds that there are several different layers of horror in “Frankenstein.”

“There is the classic, spooky, discomforting horror with murders and suspense throughout,” he says. “Then there is the emotional horror. I think that we can all identify, with not only the creature, but also with Victor Frankenstein. We often get so wrapped up in whatever we may be pursuing that we tend to forget about its impact on other people.

“We are also innocent bystanders. We have very little control over what other people are doing without our knowledge or permission. And it significantly impacts our lives. So this story is universally resonant and timeless. I think that everyone can see themselves in it. That is what drew me to wanting to tell this story for our generation.

“I am hoping that people walk away from this experience of ‘Frankenstein’ with a stark reminder of the urgent need for empathy. That is what I took away from Shelley's novel. It is a little bit about the creation, but mostly about what happens next — and how tragedy could have been avoided with just a little bit of empathy.”

azopera.org

Roasted Butternut Squash Prosciutto Pizza

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1/2 pound pizza dough, at room temperature

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 cups cubed butternut squash or pumpkin

2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to your taste)

2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 yellow onions, thinly sliced

3/4 cup apple cider

3/4 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella

3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)

2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn

Directions:

Position the oven rack in the upper 1/3 position. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. If you have a baking stone, start preheating it.

Place the ball of pizza dough on a lightly oiled quarter-sheet pan. Lightly drizzle olive oil on top of the dough ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest.

The cooler weather we are all experiencing brings into focus winter vegetables and herbs — such as butternut squash and sage. This recipe incorporates both ingredients in a wonderful new take on pizza. Fresh pizza dough gets topped with cidercaramelized onions, a combination of three different kinds of cheese, salty prosciutto, and autumn-roasted butternut squash. Bake this in just 15 minutes and you have the perfect weeknight pizza or appetizer!

On a separate baking sheet, toss together the olive oil, butternut squash, honey, sage, cinnamon, cayenne and a pinch each of crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Roast until the squash is just tender, 15–20 minutes, then remove from oven.

While the squash is in the oven, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add half of the apple cider, season with salt and pepper and continue cooking until the cider has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining cider and cook until the onions are golden and caramelized, about 5 more minutes. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and cook for one more minute. Remove from the heat.

Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees and begin assembling the pizza. Remove the plastic wrap from the dough and gently press until it covers the entire sheet pan. Lightly drizzle the dough with olive oil. Top with onions, cheese, prosciutto and butternut squash.

Slide pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate pizza and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted, 3–5 more minutes. Top pizza with additional crushed red pepper flakes and serve.

Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com