Cameron Bautsch

Stages Repertory Theatre's 2017-2018 Season celebrates the theatre's 40^th Anniversary with a mix of world and regional premieres, fan favorites and stories that reflect Houston's vibrant, diverse community. The season features 3 world and 4 regional premieres, collaborations with New York's One Year Lease Theater Company and Houston's Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Stages' inaugural Latina/o Theatre Festival, the 10^th anniversary of Stages' hallmark Panto holiday program for children and families, and a return to Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Living in Houston and covering Houston's illustrious theatre scene thoroughly spoils us. However, we are always more than happy to share the wealth and talk about what is happening all over town. This summer, we are thrilled that Houston's theatre community is embracing women and giving Houston audiences the chance to see a plethora of shows featuring strong female characters and fascinating female leads.

The 1980 film Xanadu is known for being a notoriously bad movie. In 2007 it was adapted into a stage musical by Douglas Carter Beane, featuring songs from the film written by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. This summer, Stages Repertory Theatre is presenting the candy-coated confection as their giddy summer musical. The end product couldn't be more fun, frivolous, and everything audiences would want from the campy, fun show.

Stages Repertory Theatre is hosting the American Regional Theatre Premiere of ROAD SHOW, a musical with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a Book by John Weidman. The musical premiered in 1999 under the title WISE GUYS at the New York Theatre Workshop, but a legal case held up further production. A significantly rewritten version of the musical, entitled BOUNCE, premiered in 2003 at the Goldman Theatre in Chicago. BOUNCE then ran at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with the Chicago cast where mixed-to-negative reviews kept it from being produced in New York City. In 2008, another rewritten version of the show, now entitled ROAD SHOW, opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater's Newman Theater. This new, streamlined version removed the lead female character of Nellie, who had been added for the 2003 incarnation, and took out the intermission. The title change also reflected John Weidman's desires and hopes to better hone the show's story and themes.

Stages Repertory Theatre's PANTO MOTHER GOOSE is their fifth original "panto" production, and this new tradition has become quite the holiday favorite in Houston. For those who may not know, "panto" is a British tradition of winter musical comedy theater that puts a fresh, raucous spin on fairy tales by injecting the familiar stories with references to contemporary culture and encourages audience interaction (i.e. cheering for the heroes and booing the villains every time they enter the performance space). The product is a fun, lively performance that is fun for the whole family.

Stages continues its new holiday tradition with this whimsical all-ages spin on the beloved nursery rhymes of Mother Goose.

Stages continues its new holiday tradition with this whimsical all-ages spin on the beloved nursery rhymes of Mother Goose.

Another Friday, another recap of news making the rounds in the Broadway World! Nominations have been tallied and voting is now open for the 2012 BWW UK Awards so get your vote in today! The 2012 BWW Regional Awards are also underway with nominations being accepted in 30 regions for your favorite stars and productions. October 26 is the deadline for submitting a nomination so have your say on who should win in your region!

As Autumn begins to stake its claim on Houston's weather and the 2012-2013 theatre season is coming into full swing, I was invited backstage to chat with Cameron Bautsch, playing Skip Henderson, and Adrian Coco Anderson, playing Lois Franklin, in Stages Repertory Theatre's lauded and loved production of Roger Bean's crooning jukebox musical, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM. With just under an hour until curtain, backstage was buzzing with crewmembers making sure everything was in place and ready to go for that evening's performance. Underscoring our conversation was beautiful classical pieces being perfectly played on the pianos on the Yeager stage, where the cast and crew of 2 PIANOS 4 HANDS were also preparing for that evening's performance.

Originally set to close September 2 Stages Repertory Theatre extended the Roger Bean crooning jukebox musical LIFE COULD BE A DREAM until October 14, 2012. The bubbly, fun, and popular musical is still going strong and delighting Houston audiences with its light story and amazing vocals.

The Stages Rep presents the Southern classic STEEL MAGNOLIAS, opening this week, and the regional premiere of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM continues through September 2.

Stages Repertory Theatre promised to keep the fun in summer with its selection of summer shows, and they have delivered with the 50s & 60s flashback, doo-wopping delight LIFE COULD BE A DREAM. While many a theatergoer is getting tired of the run-of-the-mill jukebox musical, this well-conceived and produced jukebox musical is sure to delight and entertain. Stages Repertory Theatre is presenting a quality show that the whole family will love, providing a wonderful evening of Broadway quality live theatre to Houston audiences in an intimately Off-Broadway setting.

Stages Repertory theatre will present two shows this summer, 2012, including Life Could Be a Dream, written and created by Roger Bean, and Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. See full details below.

Stages Repertory theatre will present two shows this summer, 2012, including Life Could Be a Dream, written and created by Roger Bean, and Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. See full details below.