Houston Theatre + Broadway News

BWW Reviews: Country Playhouse's SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION is Wooden but Interesting

(5/20/2013) - There is always a certain electric buzz that seems to surround any production of a show with a recognizable title. Some people will research the origin of the show, and with John Guare's SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, they'll find that Frigyes Karinthy, a Hungarian author, playwright, poet, journalist, and translator was the first proponent of the theory that everyone is connected to everyone else by six or fewer degrees of separation. He examined this in his 1929 short story, 'Chains' (Lancszemek). This very theory was popularized by the 1990 play and 1993 film adaption of SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. People might remember that following the success of the play and the film, while watching FOOTLOOSE, students at Albright College created the game 'Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.' Those people will recall how everyone in the 90s was figuring out how every actor and actress was connected to Kevin Bacon through their work in film and commercials. Elements such as these build anticipation for productions of shows with mane recognition.

BWW Interviews: Deborah Boily Talks Cabaret, Career, and Concert

(5/19/2013) - Deborah Boily is preparing for her cabaret performance of DEBORAH BOILY - ONE NIGHT ONLY.

Now Playing Onstage in Houston - Week of 5/19/2013

(5/19/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/19/2013 for Houston

Main Street Theater's Season Closes With CLOSE UP SPACE, Beg. Tonight

(5/18/2013) - Main Street Theater closes its 38th MainStage season with Molly Smith Metzler's Close Up Space, a comical and poignant new play about how hard it can be to communicate... in any language. With previews tonight, May 18, 19, and 22, Close Up Space opens May 23 and runs through June 16 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

BWW Reviews: Theatre Under the Stars' Rollicking SPAMALOT is Hilarious and a Ton of Fun

(5/17/2013) - Having grown up on Monty Python reruns and films, it doesn't take a lot to get me excited about seeing a production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT. The hilarious hit musical is making a gloriously triumphant return to Houston in its first locally produced performance at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). The First National Tour enjoyed a four week run in the summer of 2007 that was co-produced by Broadway Across America - Houston and TUTS, and because of popular demand TUTS decided to produce the show again.

TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre and The River to Offer 2013 Musical Theatre Camps

(5/16/2013) - Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) has announced the new summer camp curriculum for both the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) and The River for the Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River) beginning this June.

BWW Interviews: Kingsley Leggs Talks Career and Touring SISTER ACT

(5/16/2013) - While SISTER ACT's First National Tour was playing in Durham, North Carolina, I got a chance to talk with Kingsley Leggs, who plays Curtis Jackson, Deloris Van Cartier's gangster boyfriend and the show's villain. Kingsley Legs, who originated the role of Curtis Jackson on Broadway, spoke with me about his career, SISTER ACT's rehearsal process, preparing the First National Tour, SISTER ACT itself, and life on the road.

TUTS' HSMT to Offer Free Performances of Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, 6/12-15

(5/15/2013) - School may be out for the summer but class is still in session when Theatre Under The Stars' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) presents FREE performances of Disney's High School Musical at Miller Outdoor Theatre June 12 - 14 at 11:00 a.m. and June 14 - 15 at 8:15 p.m.

Photo Flash: First Look at Texas Rep Theatre's TRIBUTE

(5/15/2013) - The Texas Rep Theatre Co., Houston's Uptown Classic Theatre, continues its critically acclaimed 8th season with Bernard Slade's humorous and touching play TRIBUTE, in a new production directed by Walter Baker. TRIBUTE will run 4 performances a week through May 26th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

STAGE TUBE: MST Launches Capital Campaign to the Tune of 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?'

(5/15/2013) - After 38 years, Main Street Theater owns their building and they need a facelift -- specifically they need to get rid of the pole in the middle of the stage. And bigger restrooms. So, they sang about it. Click below to watch their plea to the tune of 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?' from The Sound of Music!

Blue Man Group's Theatrical Production Returns to Houston in June

(5/15/2013) - Blue Man Group returns to Houston with its theatrical touring production for eight performances June 4-9, 2013, in Jones Hall, presented by Society for the Performing Arts. Performance times are: 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 through Saturday, June 8; 2 p.m.Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9; and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling713-224-4772 or visiting www.spahouston.org.

A. D. Players Announces 47th Season

(5/15/2013) - Founder and Artistic Director Jeannette Clift George today announced A. D. Players' 2013-2014 MainStage season of 'Favorites' including a Pulitzer prize winning play, a famous comedy, and an iconic musical.

Lineup Announced for TexARTS' Summer Programs

(5/15/2013) - Darcie Roberts, who played the title role in the U.S. first national tour of 'Thoroughly Modern Millie,' will serve as one of the professional guest teaching artists for the TexARTS summer musical theatre intensive, 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' (June 10 - 30). Students enrolled in this three-week, production-based intensive will rehearse while receiving instruction in acting, dance and voice from a team of professional instructors and special Broadway guests. Rehearsals culminate in a public performance on June 29-30.

BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS Comes to The Grand 1894 Opera House, 6/15

(5/14/2013) - Blame it on Valentine, Texas - Jaston Williams' hilarious new comedy will play a limited engagement in Galveston at The Grand 1894 Opera House on Saturday, June 15th with two terrific performances at 2 and 8pm.

Todd Waite Leads Alley Theatre's SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB

(5/14/2013) - Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Suicide Club" and featuring beloved characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jeffrey Hatcher (Mrs. Mannerly, 2010) crafts a smart new Sherlock Holmes mystery. Having played Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood (2009) and Sherlock Holmes (2003), Alley Theatre Company Artist Todd Waite will again play the iconic and illustrious detective in a spectacular, lavish production.

SPAMALOT, FLASHDANCE, A CHORUS LINE and More Set for TUTS' 2013 Summer Season

(5/14/2013) - Theatre Under The Stars' 2013 summer season will feature Spamalot, Flashdance - The Musical, Dixie's Tupperware Party, High School Musical and A Chorus Line. Details below!

Houston Ballet's JOURNEY WITH THE MASTERS Begins 5/30

(5/13/2013) - From May 30 - June 9, 2013 Houston Ballet offers up a mixed repertory program titled Journey with the Masters featuring the company premiere of Ballet Imperial, George Balanchine's tribute to Marius Petipa and Peter Tchaikovsky, alongside revivals of Ji?i Kylian's exuberant and joyous Sinfonietta (not seen in Houston since 1997) and Jerome Robbins's The Concert, a laugh-out-loud ballet depicting a group of concertgoers at a performance with keen insight to human behavior.

BWW Reviews: The Ensemble Theatre's RACE is Timely, Relevant, and Poignant

(5/13/2013) - The Ensemble Theatre has a reputation for producing thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating art. From this season alone, they have moved hearts and minds with their skillful productions of THE NACIREMA SOCIETY and KNOCK ME A KISS. Their current production of David Mamet's RACE masterfully written RACE beautifully continues that trend and gives audiences plenty to talk and think about.

Now Playing Onstage in Houston - Week of 5/12/2013

(5/12/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/12/2013 for Houston

BWW Reviews: Catastrophic Theatre's THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS is Fun, Stark, Strange, and Ridiculous

(5/12/2013) - The Catastrophic Theatre is currently reviving Mickle Maher's THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS by popular demand. The show originally had its Houston premiere in 2009, and apparently was quite a sensation. At Friday night's opening night performance of this run, I instantly saw why.

Houston's Arts and Culture Community Launches Major Awareness Campaign

(5/10/2013) - In the spirit of collaboration, cooperation and mutual admiration, Houston's arts and culture community has launched a major awareness campaign themed "Houston Is Inspired" that will have an impact locally, as well as globally, on how arts and culture are perceived in Houston. This initiative marks the first time in Houston's history that the majority of arts and culture organizations and individual artists have rallied together and collaborated on a single project.

BWW Reviews: Black Lab Theatre's CHINGLISH is the Must-See Event of the Season!

(5/10/2013) - Black Lab Theatre is closing their exciting 2012-2013 season with a provocative and hilarious Regional Premiere production of David Henry Hwang's 2011 play CHINGLISH. The fresh and poignant comedy is a timely exploration of the business and economic relationship between China and the United States. As this plot is so richly layered and absorbing, I'm reluctant to say much about it for fear of ruining the miraculous experience of watching the story unfold. At the opening of the show, Daniel Cavanaugh, owner of Ohio Signage, is making a presentation for the Commerce League of Ohio about doing business in China. The plot quickly flashes back three years and recounts his first trip to China as he hopes to score a contract to make the translated signs for a new Cultural Arts Center in Guiyang, China. Within a few scenes, the audience is mesmerized by the level of duplicitous intrigue and captured in the surreptitious game of trying to determine what team all the characters are playing for.

Pearl Theatre Stages MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSONS, Now thru 5/26

(5/10/2013) - 'Murder at the Howard Johnsons' will run tonight, May 10-May 26 at The Pearl Theatre.

WHITE AS SNOW, RED AS BLOOD Plays Main Street Theater, Now thru 5/12

(5/10/2013) - Fourteen students of Main Street Theater's Education Department explore the darker side of the Snow White tale in White as Snow, Red as Blood by V. Glasgow Koste. There are 3 public performances: tonight and Saturday, May 10 and 11, at 7:30pm, and Sunday, May 12 at 3:30pm.

SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES Comes to Houston, 6/1 & 2

(5/9/2013) - Featuring everyone's favorite characters from one of television's longest-running animated series, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! MUSICAL MYSTERIES is coming to Houston's Jones Hall on Saturday, June 1, at 2 & 6 p.m., presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

BWW Reviews: The Alley Theatre's WARRIOR CLASS is Edgy, Poignant, and Thrilling

(5/9/2013) - As part of the Alley Theatre's New Play Initiative, where the Alley facilitates a creative collaboration between playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, the organization is producing Kenneth Lin's edgy and fresh drama WARRIOR CLASS. Kenneth Lin's INTELLIGENCE-SLAVE was previously produced in 2010 as part of this program as well. Kenneth Lin is also a staff writer for Netflix's HOUSE OF CARDS and the creator of USA Networks new limited series AMERICAN WAY.

THE JUNGLE BOOK Exceeds Sales Goals, Play Bound for Miller Outdoor Theatre

(5/9/2013) - The World Premiere of The Jungle Book at A. D. Players' Children's Theater, exceeded sales goals, closing on May 4th with over 90% of seats sold. The theater added three shows to the three week run to meet demand, with most shows selling out. The play was written by Will Ledesma and adapted from the classic adventure book by Rudyard Kipling.

Black Lab Theatre and Asia Society Texas Center Open CHINGLISH Tonight

(5/9/2013) - The regional premiere of the Broadway hit comedy 'CHINGLISH,' by Tony Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) opens tonight, May 9th at the Asia Society Texas Center's Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater. The famous comedy about the challenges of Americans doing business in China will be presented by Black Lab Theatre in collaboration with Asia Society Texas Center and feature a member of the original Broadway and international cast. CHINGLISH will open tonight, May 9, 2013 and run through May 26, 2013.

Houston's Arts and Culture Community Launches Major Awareness Campaign

(5/8/2013) - In the spirit of collaboration, cooperation and mutual admiration, Houston's arts and culture community has launched a major awareness campaign themed "Houston Is Inspired" that will have an impact locally, as well as globally, on how arts and culture are perceived in Houston. This initiative marks the first time in Houston's history that the majority of arts and culture organizations and individual artists have rallied together and collaborated on a single project.

Stark Naked Theatre Concludes Season With MACBETH

(5/8/2013) - Stark Naked Theatre Company concludes its award-winning second season with a bold interpretation of Macbeth, William Shakespeare's timeless and powerful tale of corruption, betrayal, fate, and the deadly consequences of unfettered ambition.

Sondheim's ROAD SHOW Opens 5/24 in Houston

(5/8/2013) - Houston audiences will be among the first in the world to experience Stephen Sondheim's latest musical Road Show. Stages Repertory Theatre will produce the musical, with book by John Weidman, in its first production outside of New York and the West End. Producing artistic director Kenn McLaughlin directs this regional premiere with Tom Frey and L. Jay Meyer in the roles of Wilson and Addison Mizner, brothers on an adventure across America from the beginning of the 20^th century to the Florida real estate boom in the 1920s.

BWW Reviews: Bayou City Concert Musicals' ALONE TOGETHER: THE MUSIC OF ARTHUR SCHWARTZ is a Magically Enchanting Cabaret

(5/8/2013) - Paul Hope's Bayou City Concert Musicals (BCCM) is proudly continuing their mission of bringing to Houston the best of the best from show business' yesteryears. Sometimes it is in the form of a forgotten or neglected musical, like their concert stagings of ONE TOUCH OF VENUS, THE SECRET GARDEN, and FINNAN'S RAINBOW. At other events, Paul Hope stages a cabaret of a composer's hits and erstwhile gems. Last Monday, BCCM premiered their cabaret entitled ALONE TOGETHER: THE SONGS OF ARTHUR SCHWARTZ. Arthur Schwartz composed for the Broadway productions THE BAND WAGON, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, and others. He was also a celebrated Hollywood composer, writing music for THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS, the film adaptation of THE BAND WAGON, and others.

Deborah Boily Plays OVATIONS, 6/1

(5/8/2013) - 'Deborah Boily SOLO' will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the live recording of her CD, 'Thank You For The Music' and will unveil another side of her musical expertise, the songs of the musical theater where it all started for her. The first part of the show will be entitled 'Roles I Never Got To Play.'

Stages Repertory Theatre Presents Sondheim's ROAD SHOW, Opening 5/24

(5/8/2013) - Houston audiences will be among the first in the world to experience Stephen Sondheim's latest musical Road Show. Stages Repertory Theatre will produce the musical, with book by John Weidman, in its first production outside of New York and the West End. Producing artistic director Kenn McLaughlin directs this regional premiere with Tom Frey and L. Jay Meyer in the roles of Wilson and Addison Mizner, brothers on an adventure across America from the beginning of the 20th century to the Florida real estate boom in the 1920s.

BWW Reviews: The Texas Repertory Theatre Company's TRIBUTE is Heart Warming Escapism

(5/6/2013) - The Texas Repertory Theatre Company is continuing their 8th Season with Bernard Slade's TRIBUTE. The play was penned as a vehicle for Jack Lemmon, and earned him both a Tony Nomination and a Drama Desk Nomination for his performance. The engaging, 1978 piece introduces audiences to Scotty Templeton, who has just discovered he is terminally ill with Lukemia. As his time runs out, he spends his last summer trying to repair his estranged relationship with his son. Within this scenario, Bernard Slade crafts a heart achingly poignant comedy about the strength of familial bonds and the importance of human friendships.

THE WIZARD OF OZ North American Tour to Launch from Las Vegas in September 2013; Danielle Wade to Play 'Dorothy'

(5/6/2013) - Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment & Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures have just announced that the first North American tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ will commence on September 10, 2013 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.

BWW Interviews: Black Lab Theatre's Director and Cast of CHINGLISH Talks Abut the Show

(5/6/2013) - Black Lab Theatre is hard at work preparing the Regional Premiere of David Henry Hwang's CHINGLISH for Houston audiences. Recently, I visited a rehearsal at Asia Society Texas to talk to director Troy Scheid and her cast, featuring Mike Yager, Vivian Chiu, John Dunn, Xin Jian, Janice Pai Martindale, William Wu, and Andrea Huang about the show.

BWW Reviews: Standing Room Only Production's FEELING ALRIGHT is Rollicking, Uplifting, and Feel Good Fun

(5/5/2013) - As I stare down the barrel of my own 10-year anniversary from graduating high school, I found more than one of the characters in Standing Room Only Production's presentation of local award-winning playwright Michael Weem's FEELING ALRIGHT! honestly relevant and applicable to me and my life. And I'm certain I was not alone. Whether you're just out of high school or 50 years out of high school, the individual pressures and dilemmas of self-discovery of at least one of the characters will ring with the distinct air of truth for you.

Now Playing Onstage in Houston - Week of 5/05/2013

(5/5/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/05/2013 for Houston

BWW Reviews: Mildred's Umbrella Theater's RAVENSCROFT is A Genre-Bending, Gothic Mystery

(5/4/2013) - Mildred's Umbrella is closing their 2012-2013 season with the Houston premiere of the moody and atmospheric formula bending genre play RAVENSCROFT by Don Nigro. The 1991 drama serves as the basis for THE MANOR, a 1999 film with Peter O'Toole, and introduces audiences to Inspector Ruffing, a man challenged with trying to decipher the truth through his interviews with five duplicitous women at Ravenscroft Manor. We watch as Ruffing tries to solve the possible murder of Patrick Roarke, who took an unfortunate headfirst dive down that main stairwell in the middle of the night.