Award-winning musical comes to West campus

“It’s Only Life,” a new musical revue by Broadway composer John Bucchino, kicks off the cultural events season for Arizona State University’s Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies (HArCS). Performances are set for Jan. 27-31 on ASU’s West campus.

Using the amazing catalogue of songs by this accomplished songwriter, the show examines the challenges of romance, isolation, intersecting lives and reinvented identity in an urban setting.

Directed by HArCS faculty member Jeff Kennedy, “It’s Only Life” will present five of the Valley’s most talented performers, featuring Kurtis Overby, Terri Scullin, Robert Vance, Katrina Hagofsky and Miguel Jackson.

 “John’s music is absolutely some of the most beautiful I’ve heard in years, and this cast could not be better at interpreting these interesting and thought-provoking songs,” Kennedy said.

Bucchino received The Los Angeles Ovation Award for “It’s Only Life.” His honors also include The Johnny Mercer Songwriter Award, The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, The Jonathan Larson Award, The Kleban Award, The DVD Premiere Award (for the song “Better Than I”), and the first annual Fred Ebb Award.

Bucchino's songs have been performed and recorded by renowned pop, theatre, cabaret and classical artists including Liza Minnelli, Barbara Cook, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Judy Collins, Yo Yo Ma, Art Garfunkel, Patti LuPone, Deborah Voight, Michael Feinstein, Audra McDonald, The Boston Pops, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in venues including Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House and The White House.

Performances of “It’s Only Life” will take place in Second Stage West, in the University Center Building on ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix, from Wednesday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 31. Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 for students and seniors, and can be purchased in advance at the West campus cashier’s office or by calling the campus events line at 602-543-ARTS (2787).

HArCS is one of three divisions in ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, based on the West campus. HArCS brings together artEnglish, ethnic studies, history, philosophy, religion and women’s issues to create interdisciplinary programs that provide opportunities for intellectual dialogue between students and faculty.