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Chandler, EV kids to present ‘Junie B’

Mirage mirrors Fleetwood Mac’s talents

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

Twelve-year-old Savannah Springer doesn’t get in trouble very often.

The Mesa seventh grader is pretty good at following the rules, from helping around the house to completing her homework on time.

Now, she is one of two performers playing the title role of Junie B. in the Arizona premier of “Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School” and trying on a different personality for size.

The new musical, produced by Limelight Performing Arts in Gilbert, is based on the bestselling books by Barbara Park and shares the saga of the wisecracking Junie B. – a self-appointed expert on all things first grade – who is determined to write the ultimate guide to school.

The production features a cast of 16 young performers from across the East Valley.

“Junie B. is constantly making jokes and getting in trouble,” said Springer. “It is so much fun to play a trouble-maker in this show and do things I would never try to get away with in real life.”

The show uses high-energy music and comedic dialogue to take audiences through a series of stresses and mishaps as precocious Junie confronts the challenges of first grade – and gets in a lot of trouble along the way.

“One of my favorite lessons of the show is that Junie B. learns how to control her anger when things aren’t going her way,” said director Rio Chavez of Mesa.

“She faces her anger head on by learning to control El Toro Fabuloso, the bull

The ‘Junie B’ cast includes, from left: Shea Fuery, Janelle Frazier), McKenna Henry, Gabriel Ritchie and Edward Oster. Jaelyn Harden, Owen Aspinall, Ava Chiappetta, and Piper Perea. (Pablo Robles)

seeLIMELIGHT page 48

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

GetOut Editor

Michelle Tyler of the Fleetwood Mac tribute act Mirage has heard the words many long to hear: Stevie Nicks would like to meet you.

Tyler, who was playing in the Nicksonly band Belladonna, was performing acoustically with her husband when a woman approached her back-up musicians backstage.

She said her husband was Steve Real, Nicks’ vocal coach, and she was so impressed that she was hoping to get Tyler on the phone with the legendary singer. Unable to get to Tyler, she recorded Belladonna with her phone and sent it to Nicks. “They flew my husband and I up to Reno and we went backstage during a meet and greet,” Tyler recalled. “I said, ‘Hi Stevie. I’m Michelle Tyler. I think you heard me on a phone call?’ She put her hands on my shoulders and said, ‘We tried so hard to get that call through. leaned in and said, ‘I’ll tell you what. Anytime you want to take over, you just let me know. I’ve about had it.’”

The two shared a laugh and that was the first of a handful of meetings.

“She’s been very supportive, and her backup singers have said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” she said. “That’s the only endorsement that Stevie would give anybody. They’re not a band that goes around and does that. Saying I could take over at any time, that was a pretty good pat on the back.”

Fans can see what Nicks admires when California-based Mirage plays a number of shows in the area, including Thursday, Sept. 23, at Seville Golf and Country Club, and Wednesday, Oct. 27, at IronOaks in Sun Lakes.

Mirage sticks with the “Rumours”-era of Fleetwood Mac.

“We’re very authentic,” she said. “Everyone plays an actual role. We play the

Mirage is, from left, Bob Weitz as John McVie, Keith Foelsch as Lindsey Buckingham, Annie Boxell as Christine McVie, Richard Graham as Mick Fleetwood and, seated, Michelle Tyler

as Stevie Nicks. (Photo by Tyler Weitz)

who lives in her stomach, and learns to turn her frustrations into successful solutions,” he said.

Young audiences will see a version of themselves in the over-the-top, slapstick characters of Junie B. and her friends. And people of all ages will appreciate the show’s lessons: that everyone makes mistakes, why it’s important to own up and how nobody is ever done learning.

Kaylee Forth, 12, of Chandler, said, “My character, May, is the teacher’s pet. She’s bossy and annoying. Everyone has a May in their life.”

In real life, she is nothing like her character, so she’s putting extra effort into perfecting the role.

“I have been working hard to practice my dances, lines and vocal parts,” she said.

Chavez noted, “Our goal with this production is to teach the children of our community that it’s okay to make mistakes. Even ‘when things go wrong,’ with a little effort, ‘you can make things right.’”

“It’s a great opportunity for kids to see that we are always learning and growing – even when it’s an uncomfortable and challenging process,” added Emma England of Gilbert, the show’s choreographer and Limelight’s artistic director.

For England, it’s also a chance to show off the sizable talent in “Junie B.’s” small cast.

“It’s always such a surprise for audiences when young performers put on a very strong show,” she said. “The kids in this cast really hold their own and bring so much talent to the stage. I think people will be blown away by what the In the photo on the left, Janelle Frazier, left, of Chandler and Jaelyn Harden of Mesa rehearse a scene as Zoe Newlin of Chandler prac-

tices some dance moves. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

‘Junie B.’ cast has created.”

Added Chavez, “We have a wonderful group of actors who are as dedicated as they are talented. These kids bring vibrance and life to their characters while showing a level of professionalism that is well beyond their years.”

For 11-year-old Janelle Frazier of Chandler, “Junie B.” is a chance to get back to what she loves.

“Being able to be back in theater has made me realize how much I missed it,” Janelle said. “I am so thankful for all the people who have helped me come so far doing what I love.”

Among the skills they’re learning are iconic dance moves from the 1990s.

“We wanted to stay true to the time period of the books,” said England. “That means learning the Roger Rabbit and Hammer Time. The kids are absolutely crushing it! Everything in this show features styling from the 90s, including lots of bright colors in the set and costumes.”

And there are bonuses for England, too, as she watches Savannah and the other perofmrer playing Junie B, Anna Scales of Scottsdale, perform.

“I love the way Savannah and Anna work together,” she said. “I’ve never seen two kids who are so supportive of one another.”

Six weeks since the cast list was posted, Limelight is ready to open the show. “Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School” runs from Sept. 24-Oct. 2 at the Studio 3 Artspace Theatre, 511 W. Guadalupe Road in Gilbert.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at limelight.ticketleap.com. Limelight is also producing a “Page to Stage” storytime version for young children ages 2-7 and their parents.

MIRAGE from page 47

very biggest hits, the best of Fleetwood Mac. We have a lot of visuals going on.

“If the venue permits, we have a synced multimedia show. Otherwise, we still do a 90-minute show with a lot of costume changes. It’s a high-energy show. We like to get the audience involved. It’s good for all ages and families.”

Before Mirage, Tyler helmed Belladonna that focused on Nicks’ solo career. After 15 years, Tyler and her musicians transitioned into Mirage.

“I’ve been playing Stevie Nicks for almost 20 years,” she said. “In Belladonna, I was the only one dressing up and portraying a character. Belladonna is still on our books. It’s a big show. It’s an eightpiece band with backup singers and two guitar players. It’s hard to take on the road. It’s more expensive.

“But we focus on Mirage now.”

Her husband, Bob Weitz, plays the role of John McVie and music director. His day gig is as a Warner Bros. engineer who won an Academy Award for designing equipment. They started their career playing the bar and nightclub circuit but evolved into tribute acts.

“Becoming a famous rock start is like winning the lottery,” she said. “There are so many talented people out there on any given day, at any club in LA, there are singer-songwriter showcases and you can hear phenomenal people. You’re wondering why they play there for no money?

“It’s luck, timing and talent in that order. Talent is the last thing. Anyway, I was asking myself, ‘Am I going to be a rock star?’ Eventually, it became a career.”

Tyler explained she does not ever tire of the music. She loves her job and the music. Plus, meeting Nicks is a bonus.

“When you meet somebody — whether they’re a movie star or rock star — you have a certain perception. None of us really know these people. We only know what we see.

“You hope they’re nice people. They’re warm. I’ve met strangers and a lot of people. She was actually warm and friendly and down to Earth. She made me feel like I was the one who was the star. She sent me to make me calm.”

Mirage

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 WHERE: Seville Golf and Country Club, 66835 S. Clubhouse Drive, Gilbert COST: Call for ticket information INFO: 480-722-8100

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 WHERE: IronOaks Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Boulevard, Sun Lakes COST: Visit website for ticket prices INFO: ironoaksaz.com

Restaurant Week gives diners wide options

BY MALLORY GLEICH

Contributor

For foodies, people looking to try a new restaurant or those who are just hungry, Arizona Restaurant Week runs through next Sunday.

Restaurants in Chandler and across the state will offer a prix-fixe dinner menu for $33, $44 or $55 per person – and the dining options are endless.

The Arizona Restaurant Association started Arizona Restaurant Week in fall 2007. After its growing success, Spring Restaurant Week was added to the roster in 2010.

The ARA was created to help members “become leaders in their communities through building customer loyalty, escalating awareness of food safety and healthy living, bolstering a thriving industry and rewarding workforce, and increasing financial success,” according to President Steve Chucri, who will celebrate 20 years with the association next year.

Chucri, a Maricopa County supervisor, explained that the purpose of the Restaurant Week has always been two-fold.

“We want to cultivate an experience for diners to discover new restaurants and for restaurants to show off their creativity while welcoming new and returning guests to their tables,” he said.

Restaurants in Scottsdale and around the Valley sign up each year through the ARA website. Once they are accepted, the eatery will upload a three-course menu within the price point so that diners can see what is being offered – and decide if they’re just hungry or really hungry.

This year, the ARA added a third price point at $55.

“The additional price option gives diners more choices when it comes to how they dine,” Chucri said.

“Diners can opt for a more budgetfriendly menu or choose to splurge a little more with the higher price point menu, while still getting an incredible deal from amazing restaurants around the state regardless of which price point they choose.”

There are currently more than 100 restaurants signed up for the September event, including at least a half dozen in Chandler.

The ARA hopes that there will be close to 160 options for diners to choose from.

“On a personal note, it’s also a great opportunity for our team to go out and enjoy other local restauranteurs’ offerings,” said Chef Christopher Collins of Twisted Grove Parlor + Bar. “I’m often too focused on our operations to venture out and see how our local dining scene is evolving,” Collins added. “During Restaurant Week, I make it a point to experience new concepts and even revisit established ones I’ve missed,”

“We’ve participated for the past seven years,” Joe Ieraci of The House Brasserie said. “We always look forward to Restaurant Week because it gives us a chance to showcase our capabilities.”

Chucri explained that one of the best parts of Restaurant Week is that diners enjoy the variety of their options. The participants range from small, independently-owned and hidden gems to upscale five-star dining establishments.

“Guests can take themselves on a 10-night journey around the Valley,” he said.

He continued, “We also hear from many diners that they enjoy being able to plan, looking through the menus offerings on the website, plotting out which restaurants to visit and spending each night with different family or friends. It’s an event many people look forward to twice a year, as a chance to splurge and treat themselves.”

Here is a current list of Chandler restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, along with their cuisine and spe-

Left: Steve Chucri, a Maricopa County supervisor, is president of the Arizona Restaurant Association. (Special to SanTan Sun News) Right: Prime rib + Oscar is one of the Restaurant Week off erings for $55 at the Keg Restaurant + Bar. (Facebook)

cial price. But check arizonarestaurant week.com for additions: • BKD’s Backyard Joint, American, $44,

Pecos and McQueen roads. • CHoP Chandler, steak, $44, Queen

Creek and Price Roads. • Cuisine & Wine Bistro, French, $55,

Chandler Heights and Alma School roads. • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Chandler, steak and seafood, $33, Chandler Fashion Center across from Nordstrom. • Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, Asian, $44 per couple, Wild Horse Pass

Casino. • Roy’s Restaurant, Hawaiian, $44 and $55, Priest Drive and Ray Road. • Smokin’ Fins, seafood, $55 per couple, 900 N. 54th St. • The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, steak and seafood, $55, Chandler Boulevard and

Price Road. • Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill, American, $33, Chandler Viridian.

Got News? Got News? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.comContact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com