THE FISHER QUEEN

posted by James Reel

    In the latest Tucson Weekly, I interview Kate Fisher in anticipation of her performance here in the touring production of Little Women. I thought she was absolutely perfect when she starred in Arizona Theatre Company’s version of My Fair Lady a few years ago, and she’ll no doubt make a fine impression in her current gig, if she can avoid being upstaged by Maureen McGovern (who has never struck me as a spotlight hog, anyway).
    It’s de rigeur for these touring performers to say “I’m really looking forward to coming/returning to Tucson,” but in Kate Fisher’s case I’m certain she meant it. She spoke with pleasure about the various places she visited during her ATC stint, and grilled me on what she should do during her short stay here next week.
    She also urged me, as they all do, to come see her show. I think I’ll pass on this one; Invisible Theatre is opening the same night, and I’ll have to review that for the Weekly, whereas Little Women would be long gone by the time I got a review of it into the paper. Besides, from the snippets I’ve heard online and the reviews I’ve read, the score would surely annoy me. It seems to be just one more of those anonymous pop-hack jobs rampant on Broadway these days … melodies without distinctive contours, music without personality.
    Critics don’t much care for this show, but audiences seem to respond to it. I wish Kate Fisher well in Little Women; here’s hoping the tour will give her the national exposure she so deserves.