What's On DFW Center Stages Now
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
JUBILEE THEATRE
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
By Kirsten Childs
Directed by Khira Haley
Music Directed by Vonda K. Bowling
What's a black girl from sunny Southern California to do? White people are blowing up black girls in Birmingham churches. Black people are shouting "Black is beautiful" while straightening their hair and coveting light skin. Viveca Stanton's answer. Slap on a bubbly smile and be as white as you can be! In a humorous and pointed coming-of-age story spanning the sixties through the nineties, Viveca blithely sails through the confusing worlds of racism, sexism and Broadway showbiz until she's forced to face the devastating effect self-denial has had on her life.
Sherlock Holmes - The Melodrama
March 29 - May 11
Pocket Sandwich Theatre's next interactive adventure:
Sherlock Holmes -
The Melodrama
A popcorn-tosser by Joe & Brad Dickinson
Hilarity, absurdity, terrible puns, reason & logic, and POPCORN abound as we poke affectionate fun at history’s most famous Super-Sleuth, Sherlock Holmes!!! Watch as he faces his greatest mystery and enemy yet in the upcoming show SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE MELODRAMA written by Joe & Brad Dickinson. With his trusty sidekick John Watson, and a slew of other allies and foes, Sherlock takes to the streets to solve a series of murders and thefts, ultimately coming face to face with his oldest rival, the insidious Professor Moriarty. Fun for all!
Mary Poppins
The Disney Classic is part of the Casa Manana Children’s Series
Directed by BJ Cleveland
Music Directed by James McQuillen
Choreographed by Merrill West
You Can’t Take It With You
Garland Civic Theatre
presents the classic comedy
You Can’t Take It With You
by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
directed by Joey Folsom
The family of Martin Vanderhof lives “just around the corner from Columbia University — but don’t go looking for it.” Grandpa, as Martin is more commonly known, is the paterfamilias of a large and extended family of charming eccentrics. His granddaughter, Alice, is an attractive and loving girl who is still embarrassed by her family’s idiosyncrasies. When Alice falls for her boss, Tony, a handsome scion of Wall Street, she fears that their two families – so unlike in manner, politics, and finances – will never come together. But why be obsessed by money? After all, you can’t take it with you...
Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer
Bishop Arts Theatre Centre and Dallas Theater Center
Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer
by Cheryl West
Dallas Theater Center's Brierley Resident Acting Company member, Liz Mikel, returns to Dallas after a year performing on Broadway to play the legendary 1960’s civil rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer in this regional premiere. Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer celebrates the woman whose courage, humor and grit reminds us that there’s courage in the face of fire, hope in tomorrow and that we all have a stake in our country. From her humble origins as the daughter of a Mississippi sharecropper, to co-founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and demanding recognition at the National Democratic Convention, hers is a story of justice that will not be denied. Part theater, part revival, and all power – this one-woman show with music will have your head nodding and hands clapping from start to finish. Produced in association with Dallas Theater Center.
Performances:
Wednesday 8:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 pm
Saturday: 3:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 pm
Sunday: 3:00 pm
Patti and Theo
OCHRE HOUSE THEATER
PATTI & THEO
Artistic Director Matthew Posey debuts an original dark comedy with music, PATTI & THEO, the third installment of the 2023-24 season, opening May 1. Mr. Posey authors and directs the story of Patti and Theo, struggling artists in Brooklyn, New York.
Booze plays an outsized role in their daily existence. In fact, time will tell if they survive the drinking religion. You’ll wade into the boozy waters of the couple’s nightmarish world and witness the unraveling of their lives as they try one last time to love each other.
Original music and shadow-play complement this story of two lovers who hold each other passionately at arm’s length.
MISERY
Theatre Three
MISERY
Thrilling Adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery Comes to the Stage
The horror classic begins previews on May 2 and runs through June 2.
Theatre lovers and fans of Stephen King’s iconic work are in for a spine-chilling treat as Theatre Three proudly presents MISERY, the stage adaptation of the acclaimed psychological thriller novel. Adapted for the stage by William Goldman, this gripping production promises to captivate audiences with its intense storyline, compelling characters, and suspenseful atmosphere. Set against the backdrop of a remote Colorado town, MISERY tells the tale of renowned author Paul Sheldon and his harrowing encounter with his number one fan, Annie Wilkes.
Directed by Christie Vela, the play delves deep into the dark and twisted psyche of Annie Wilkes as she holds Paul captive, forcing him to rewrite his latest novel to her exacting standards. As tension mounts and secrets unravel, audiences will be on the edge of their seats, immersed in a world where obsession and madness collide. “This play forces us to watch this writer grapple with his own hubris in a very visceral way,” says Vela. Annie forces Paul to acknowledge and be grateful for his talent just as he is aspiring to be ‘taken seriously’ as a writer. She definitely teaches him to not look a gift pig in the mouth.”
Known for her role as Francesca Liddy in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”, Tina Parker, Co-Artistic Director and Company Manager of Kitchen Dog Theater, brings her talent to the stage in MISERY. Joining her are fellow Kitchen Dog Theater Company Members, director Christie Vela and actor Cameron Cobb, whose artistic expertise elevates this compelling production to new heights. Adding to the excitement, T3 newcomer LaQuintence Canady II joins this powerhouse cast, ensuring that MISERY will be an unforgettable experience. Get ready for heart-stopping suspense and moments of sheer terror that will leave audiences breathless and begging for more.
Don’t miss out – get your tickets for MISERY now at www.Theatre3Dallas.com. Subscribers can confirm their tickets at 214-871-3300 or e-mail at boxoffice@theatre3dallas.com. Theatre Three is located at 2688 Laclede St., Dallas, TX 75201. Complimentary parking is available in the adjacent
AMLI Parking Garage.
About the show:
Misery
Previews: May 2-3
Opening Night: May 4
Closing Night: June 2
Written By William Goldman
2688 Laclede St #120 214.871.3300
Dallas, TX 75201 theatre3dallas.com
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Directed by Christie Vela, Stage Managed by Kendal Clemons, Scenic Designed by
Jeffrey Schmidt, Lighting Designed by Aaron Johansen, Costume Designed by Raven
Lanuza Brown, Sound Designed by Dylan Hearn, Props Designed by Phoebe Strunk,
Gore/SFX by Isa Flores, and Fight Choreographed by David Saldivar.
Cast:
LaQuintence Canady II: Buster
Cameron Cobb*: Paul Sheldon
Tina Parker*: Annie Wilkes
*Indicates membership in Actors’ Equity Association
Romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While being forced to re-write his latest book at the favor of his captor, Paul realizes that he’s writing as if his life depends on it… and it does.
A horror classic in an intimate space.
For more information about Theatre Three, please visit www.Theatre3Dallas.com or call the
Theatre Three Box Office at (214) 871-3300.
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Photo by Jeffrey Schmidt
The Persians
THE PERSIANS
BY AESCHYLUS, ADAPTED BY ELLEN MCLAUGHLIN
A REGIONAL PREMIERE
This production sponsored by Cece and Ford Lacy
Directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni
with
Jason Douglas
Marianne Galloway
Thomas Leverton
Danny Lovelle
Shyama Nithiananda
Megan Noble
Anthony L. Ramirez
Mac Welch
Preview Performances May 2-3, 2024
Opening Night Saturday, May 4, 2024
In Performance May 2 – 26, 2024
Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm
Considered the oldest surviving play in theater history, The Persians is unique among extant ancient Greek tragedies in that it dramatizes recent history rather than events from the distant age of mythical heroes. Its focus is the Battle of Salamis, won by the Greeks against an overwhelming Persian force in 480 B.C., eight years before the plays premiere in 472 B.C. and also a battle in which Aeschylus himself fought. The Persians concentrates on the demise of the Persian Empire, lamented by the Persian queen Atossa, by the folly of her son Xerxes, which caused the empire's downfall. The play also includes the appearance of the ghost of Xerxes' father, Darius, who declaims the ruin of his once-great empire. The Persians is the only surviving play in a trilogy that would otherwise be entirely lost. The trilogy won the first prize in the City Dionysia of Athens in 472 BCE and the resonance of the play for audiences from ancient times to the present remained, and remains strong in Ellen McLaughlin’s riveting adaptation.
Set Design Robert Winn
Costume Design Shahrzad Mazaheri
Sound Design David Lanza
Lighting Design Caroline Hodge
Properties Kaitlin Hatten
Stage Manager Julissa Hernandez
Assistant Stage Manager Joseph Martinez
TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND VOL.2
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind:
30 plays in 60 Minutes
Vol. 2
Written and Conceived by Greg Allen and the Neo-Futurists
Directed by Ryan Davila and the Cast
“And…we’re back.”
You may have caught Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind in our previous season’s line up, and we are excited to be back for a fun and chaotic experience! Just like last time, this show will have a set of 30 short plays to be performed in a 60 minute run time–with a new set of plays! Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind was originally performed in Chicago in 1988 by the experimental theater troupe The Neo-Futurists. Their ongoing goal is to reform the idea of live theatre by connecting with those unreached by traditional theatre.
This time around, our cast assisted in directing certain pieces for a truly collaborative experience. This allowed for a more diverse mixture of plays and interesting takes on how they were approached and constructed. The plays range anywhere from comedic to poetic—to truly heartwarming all in one show!
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind is built around the concept of randomness. We can guarantee a different show every night. This production is heavily shaped by audience participation, but worry not if this is not your thing—you can opt out or control how much interaction with the cast you’d like to have. Each play offers something different to everyone involved. With the element of audiences shouting out different numbers to choose which of the plays are performed, Sundown holds true to the Neo-Futurists’ endeavor to break the mold and give every audience member a unique, one of a kind, experience.
Ryan Davila (Director) has served as Technical Director for Sundown Collaborative Theatre since he joined in 2017. He had the wonderful opportunity to direct a version of this show last year with his co-director and Sundown’s Co-Artisitc Director, Lindsey Hall. Outside of Sundown, Ryan has taught improv, stage combat, and technical theatre for Theatre Denton’s youth education program. Ryan is hoping to be a theatre teacher someday so he can use theatre and art to inspire others the way it has inspired him.
MAY 2ND-4TH and 9TH-11TH
PERFORMANCES @ 8PM
Live at AURA COFFEE
ADDRESS:
1306 W Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
Tickets are $15 for the general public, $12 for seniors and students, $10 for certain tiers of Patreon supporters.
House will open 15 minutes before performances.
CAST
Jessica Barnes
Jordan Desmarais
Josh Dobelbower
Alex Donato
Jacob Drum
Matthew Eitzen
Immanuel Garcia
Robert Linder
Elaine Riehle
Brandy Townsend
CREW
Director: Ryan Davila
Stage Manager: Emily Chambers
Props Design: Chloe McDowell
Producing Members: Julia Bodiford & Lindsey Hall
Poster Design: Joshua Dobelbower
BROADWAY OUR WAY
IT’S BACK! THE SHOW YOU LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY YEAR!
BROADWAY OUR WAY
Uptown Players is thrilled to announce the return of its annual fundraiser, Broadway Our Way. This highly anticipated event showcases the remarkable talent and creativity of past Uptown Players' cast members, promising an unforgettable weekend of Broadway music with a contemporary twist.
Event Details:
Date: May 2, 2024 – May 5, 2024
Venue: Kalita Humphreys Theater
Address: 3636 Turtle Creek, Dallas TX 75219,
Price: $40 - $65
Broadway Our Way is a celebration of musical theater at its finest, where the cast breathes new life into show tunes through unique interpretations, vocal styles, and personal flair. From iconic solos to breathtaking group performances, the audience is in for a treat as familiar and not-so-familiar songs are reimagined, transcending boundaries, and inviting them to experience Broadway in a fresh and exciting way.
This year's cast of 23 immensely talented performers, including Tim Brawner, B.J. Cleveland, Peter DiCesare, Presley Duyck, Stephanie Felton, Elizabeth Kensek, Natalie King, Linda Leonard, Laura Lites, David Lugo, Michael B. Moore, Randy Pearlman, Amy Stevenson, Kylie Stewart, Carlos Strudwick, Sammy Swim, Trey Tolleson, Emily Truelove, Danny Vanegas, Lee Walter, Brett Warner, and Garrett Weir, will take the stage to present 30 songs from recent Broadway hits to classic revivals.
The show includes selections from beloved musicals, such as The Wiz, Sweeney Todd, and Sweet Charity, recent Broadway hits like Waitress, Some Like it Hot, and Moulin Rouge, plus many more.
Written and directed by the incomparable B.J. Cleveland, with musical direction by Cody Dry and Lee Harris, musical arrangements by Adam C. Wright, and choreography by Alli Betsill, Broadway Our Way promises an evening filled with twists, laughs, and surprises. Don't miss this chance to witness Broadway in a whole new light, as Uptown Players takes you on a journey through the heart and soul of musical theater.
Tickets for Broadway Our Way are now available and can be purchased online at uptownplayers.org or by contacting the Uptown Players box office at 214-219-2718. Secure your seats early for a night of entertainment that will leave you singing and dancing in the aisles.
The evening also features a general raffle and silent auction. There are nearly 50 items in the general raffle, including Accessories, Art, Event Tickets, Jewelry, Memorabilia, Personal Services and Specialty items. You select which vases to drop your tickets into for a chance to win those specific prizes. The silent auction includes artwork, trips, experiences, and more.
Uptown Players is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
ON GOLDEN POND
MAINSTAGE IRVING-LAS COLINAS
On Golden Pond
May 3-18, 2024 at Irving Arts Center
By Ernest Thompson
Directed by Michael Serrecchia
The love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. He is a retired professor, nearing eighty, with heart palpitations and a failing memory—but still as tart-tongued, observant, and eager for life as ever. Ethel, ten years younger, and the perfect foil for Norman, delights in all the small things that have enriched and continue to enrich their long life together. They are visited by their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the “grandchild” the elderly couple have longed for, and as Norman revels in taking his ward fishing and thrusting good books at him, he also learns some lessons about modern teenage awareness—and slang—in return. Laugh and cry with Norman and Ethel Thayer on their journey through the timeless bonds of love and family
Cast:
Norman Thayer – Evan Faris
Ethel Thayer – Mary Margaret Pyeatt
Charlie Martin – Jake Shanahan
Chelsea Thayer Wayne – Dayna Fries
Billy Ray – Wyatt Hartz
Bill Ray – Ehren Hartz
Creative Team:
Director – Michael Serrecchia
Stage Manager – Cathy Parks Bardin
Lighting Designer – Elizabeth Ross
Scenic Designer/Set Dresser – Joseph Cummings
Master Carpenter – Ellie Wyatt
Sound Designer – Rich Frohlich
Costume Designer - Michael A. Robinson/Dallas Costume Shoppe
Admin producer/Properties Designer – Jill Stephens
Sound Operator – Tully Hall
Light Board Operator – Eric Ryan
Tech producer – Rob Stephens
Steel Magnolias
THEATRE ARLINGTON
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
Prepare to be moved to tears and laughter in equal measure with ‘Steel Magnolias.’ This heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and resilience in a small Southern town will tug at your heartstrings. Join a remarkable group of women as they gather in a charming beauty salon and share their joys and sorrows, reminding us that the bonds of friendship are unbreakable
Photography by Gloria Adame
Our Town
Core Theatre
OUR TOWN
by THORTON WILDER
A landmark in American drama, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town tells the story of a small town, Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in order to tell us the story of every town, the whole world over. Narrated by the “Stage Manager”, we follow the Gibbs and Webb families, residents of Grover’s Corners, through twelve years of life changes -- from the mundane in Act I, “Daily Life,” to the romantic in Act II, “Love and Marriage,” to the devastating in Act III, “Death and Eternity.” Through the young lovers Emily and George, their strong and loving parents, and the many other Grover’s Corners’ locals, Wilder delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. “Oh, earth,” Emily Webb exclaims towards the play’s end, “you’re too wonderful for anyone to realize you.” With humor, wit, and exceptionally powerful storytelling, Our Town offers a unique opportunity for audience members to make precisely that realization.
BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
ALLEN CONTEMPORARY THEATRE
BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.
Baskerville is rated PG.
Directed by Robyn Mead
Six Degrees of Separation
Theatre Frisco
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
Six Degrees of Separation, the theory that any person on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. Illustrating this theory, the play by John Guare was the winner of the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Play and the 1991 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. It features an affluent New York City couple, Louisa "Ouisa" Kittredge and John Flanders "Flan" Kittredge, upper-class private art dealers, pretentious but compassionate. who find their lives touched, intruded upon, and compelled by a mysterious young black man who is never quite who he says he is.
Beyond The Yellow Wallpaper
Beyond
the Yellow
Wallpaper
by Ann Timmons
directed by Caroline Hamilton
A World Premiere / A Commissioned Play from Echo Theatre
Feminist, Unnatural Mother, and Woman Out of Her Time.
Beyond the Yellow Wallpaper is a new historical drama delving into the extraordinary life of feminist author and social reformer, Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Known to many for her semi-autobiographical short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte’s work explores the realities of womanhood at the turn of the 20th century. We follow Charlotte’s complicated journey to professional success, despite her ongoing struggle with depression and the unconventional life that shaped her work.
This production is the newest in our Herstory Canon, which includes productions of BROWNIES: A TALE OF TEXIAN WOMEN, VITA AND VIRGINIA, SAILING TO BYZANTIUM, THE LADIES OF THE CAMELLIAS, DAISY IN THE DREAMTIME, BIBLE WOMEN, A MOST DANGEROUS WOMAN, OR, and IT'S MY PARTY!
UNEASY SEASON Content Warnings: Depression and suicidal ideation.
MAY 9-25, 2024
BATH HOUSE
CULTURAL CENTER
Evenings 7:30 / Matinees 2:00
HAMLET
AURIGA PRODUCTIONS
HAMLET
Auriga Productions is pleased to announce the remounting of William Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Hamlet. This production captivated audiences in Dallas and is moving to Fort Worth Arts for two weekends only, with its innovative interpretation, exceptional performances, and passionate staging.
Critical response has included, “Director Bert Pigg has managed to strip all the pretension out of his Hamlet... and it is extremely effective”; “You couldn’t ask for a better Hamlet than Brandon Whitlock” and “This is one of the best productions of a Shakespearean play I’ve ever seen”.
Synopsis:
One of Shakespeare's most revered tragedies, Hamlet unfolds against the backdrop of royal intrigue, familial betrayal, and existential introspection. Prince Hamlet, grappling with his father’s questionable death and his mother’s hasty remarriage, begins a journey of retribution that plunges the Danish court into chaos.
Director's Vision:
Director Bert Pigg returns with a fresh perspective to this iconic play, blending traditional elements with contemporary nuances. The production promises to resonate with both Shakespearean enthusiasts and newcomers, offering a compelling exploration of love, betrayal, and the complexities of the human psyche.
Cast Highlights:
The cast includes Brandon Whitlock in the pivotal role of Hamlet, delivering a nuanced and emotionally charged performance. Supported by a talented ensemble, each member contributes to a collaborative and immersive experience, bringing the characters to life with depth and authenticity. Performance Schedule and Ticket Information:
Auriga’s production of Hamlet will run at Fort Worth’s Sanders Theater on the weekends of May
10 and May 17. Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday matinees on at 2pm.
Tickets can be purchased online at TIcketLeap https://auriga-productions.ticketleap.com/
auriga-hamlet-fort-worth/
Creative Team:
Directed by Bert Pigg
Stage Managed by Jessica Roberts
Sound Design by Joshua Hahlen
Fight Choreography by Adam Kullman
Cast:
Hamlet: Brandon Whitlock
Claudius: Malcolm Stephenson
Gertrude: Adriana Bate
Ghost: Carter Frost
Polonius: Kim Winnubst
Ophelia: Sarah Flick
Laertes/Lucianus: Joshua Hahlen
Horatio: Joel Frapart
Rosencrantz: Bee Falcone
Guildenstern: Hayden Casey
Bernardo/Player King/Gravedigger: Grady W Smithey III
Marcellus/Player/Gravedigger 2: Lucy Nguyễn
Francisco/Prologue: Manny Gonzalez
Footloose
The Firehouse Theatre
Footloose
The explosive movie musical bursts onto the live stage! With dynamic new songs augmenting the powerhouse hits from its bestselling Oscar-nominated score, Footloose celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness.
Bonnie and Clyde
Upright Theatre Co.
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie & Clyde
Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Don Black
Book by Ivan Menchell
Performances May 17 - June 15
At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America's most renowned folk heroes and Texas law enforcement's worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless and alluring, the Tony-nominated Bonnie & Clyde, from the legendary Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Civil War, Dracula) is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country.
When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame immediately set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behavior turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo's fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.
Bonnie & Clyde is a thrilling musical with a non-traditional score, combining blues, gospel and rockabilly music.
UPRIGHT RATING: MA (Mature Audiences)
*Violence, adult situations and language. Not recommended for children.
For more information on Upright Production Ratings, please email info@uprighttheatre.org.
A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle
Hip Pocket Theatre Opens 48th Season with
A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle
Basil Twist, one of the world’s foremost puppeteers, directs a show created
exclusively for North Texas audiences
Hip Pocket Theatre opens its 48th season with A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle featuring puppetry, direction, and scenic design by internationally-acclaimed artist Basil Twist. This spacey tale full of hope and possibilities will be presented from Friday to Sunday, May 17-19, and Thursday to Sunday, May 23-June 2. All shows start at 9 p.m. The theatre is located at 1950 Silver Creek Dr. in Fort Worth, and tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website.
“I'm so thrilled to have Basil joining us this season,” said Lake Simons, managing artistic director. “I've had the honor of working with and being inspired by Basil for over 20 years, and I can’t wait for DFW to experience a Basil Twist production.”
The theatre is also proud to welcome Kenneth Ard—a member of the first cast of CATS and Starlight Express on Broadway—as an artistic collaborator and featured performer. Joe Rogers, who has created music and lyrics for more than 40 productions in DFW, will showcase his talents as music director. Johnny Simons, consulting artistic director and co-founder of Hip Pocket Theatre, will contribute a song to the show.
Based in New York, Twist is a giant in the world of theatrical puppetry and a sought-after collaborator for theater, ballet, opera, dance, and film. He has contributed to productions that extend from Broadway shows to major symphonies as well as the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, for which he created the dementors. His Broadway credits include Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Addams Family and The Pee-Wee Herman Show, among others. His work has received an Obie Award, Drama Desk Awards, a New York Innovative Theatre Award, and a Henry Hewes Award. He has been honored with a MacArthur grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and his productions have received numerous grants from the Jim Henson Foundation. Get more info at basiltwist.com.
"I’m excited to return to Hip Pocket, which has been a deep well of creative nourishment for me,” said Twist. “I’m grateful for its existence and for those in Fort Worth who hold it up so bravely."
Susan Austin is the costume designer for the show, with Nikki DeShea Smith handling lighting design. The cast will feature Kenneth Ard, Tyler Dorney, Shelby Griffin, Paul Heyduck, Amanda Merrill, Sara Rashelle, Jeffrey Stanfield, Ash Vance, and James White. For more information about the cast and crew, visit the Hip Pocket website.
Adult tickets are $25 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and $20 Sundays, with reduced prices for seniors, military, teachers, first responders, students, and children 12 and under. Tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website or by calling 817-246-9775. The box office opens at 7:30 p.m. on performance nights. Due to the nature of the amphitheatre design, there is no late seating.
Theatergoers are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy live music in The BackYard, which opens at 7:30 p.m. Live music is also performed after the show. Get the full performer schedule here. The Hip Cafe offers beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks for purchase before and after the performance. No outside food or beverages are permitted.
Tons of Money
Rover Dramawerks
Tons Of Money
by Will Evans & Valentine, directed by directed by Carol M. Rice
Farce
May 30 - June 15, 2024
Aubrey is an unsuccessful, broke inventor with creditors at his heels. His brother dies, leaving him a fortune but even this won’t make a dent in what he owes. Next in line to inherit is his cousin George, who is believed to be dead, so Aubrey’s wife Louise decides that he should “die” and resurrect himself as his cousin to avoid paying his enormous debts. Hilarious complications arise in the form of George's wife, another imposter (the butler's brother), and the real George himself!
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear
STAGE WEST
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear
JUN 6 - 23, 2024
A play by David MacGregor
Directed by Jay Duffer
Regional Premiere
Part One of Three
The as-yet-undiscovered genius, Vincent Van Gogh, presents a most peculiar case to noted detective Sherlock Holmes, his partner Dr. Watson, and his paramour Irene Adler. The trio embark on a rousing caper and find themselves confronting the daughter of Professor Moriarty. With a helping hand from Oscar Wilde, the world's greatest detective attempts to uncover a Post-Impressionist conspiracy. This zany mystery adventure is the opening gambit in a Baker Street trilogy. The game is afoot!
Cast
Sherlock Holmes - John-Michael Marrs*
Dr. John Watson - Brian Gonzales*
Irene Adler - Dana Schultes*
Marie Chartier - Kelsey Milbourn*
Vincent Van Gogh - Mitch Stephens
Oscar Wilde - Phillip Matthew Maxwell
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
Production
Director – Jay Duffer
Set Designer – Clare Floyd DeVries
Lighting Designer – Tristan Decker
Costume Designer – Laurie Land
Sound Designer – Jason Jordan
Props/Set Décor – Lynn Lovett
Dialect Coach - Megan Noble
Dance/Intimacy Coordinator - Kelsey Milbourn
Fight Choreographer - Mitch Stephens
Dialect Coach - Megan Noble
Production Stage Manager – Kaitlin Hatton*
Assistant Stage Manager – Olivia Dickerson
Production Assistant – Jace Githens
Assistant Lighting Designer - Sierra Lesniak
Technical Director – Bryan Stevenson
Associate Technical Director – Allen Dean
Master Carpenter/Master Electrician – Holli Price
Illustrations – tiNG tiNG desiGN
Photography – Evan Michael Woods
Website – Jen Schultes & 1288 Web Development
Program Design – Performing Ads
*Under contract with Actors’ Equity Association
About the Playwright
David MacGregor was born in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Michigan State University. He is a Resident Artist at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, MI, where he has had nine productions: The Late Great Henry Boyle (2006), Vino Veritas (2008), Gravity (2010), Consider the Oyster (2011), Just Desserts (2014), Vino Veritas (2017), Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear (2018), Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé (2019), and Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Ghost Machine (2022). His newest play, The Antichrist Cometh, premiered at The Purple Rose Theatre in March 2024. His holiday comedy, Scrooge Macbeth premiered at Theatre B in Fargo, ND in 2013. His plays have been performed from New York to Tasmania, and his work has been published by Dramatic Publishing, Playscripts, Smith & Kraus, Applause, Heuer Publishing, and Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW).
In 2013, he adapted his play Vino Veritas into a film, which stars Carrie Preston (True Blood, and recent Emmy winner for her role in The Good Wife), and Bernard White (Matrix Revolutions and Captain America: Winter Soldier). It is distributed by Gravitas Ventures and is currently available on various on-line platforms. His screenplay In the Land of Fire & Ice was a 2016 Athena Award winner (best screenplay featuring a female protagonist), and is currently under option with Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo attached as the lead. Several of his short plays have also been adapted into films (e.g., Just Desserts, New Year’s Eve, and The Trouble With Cashews). Easy Way Out, the film based on his play For Old Time’s Sake, stars Academy Award nominee John Savage.
Most recently, he has adapted all three of his Sherlock Holmes plays into novels, which have been published by MX Publishing, as is his nonfiction book, Sherlock Holmes: The Hero With a Thousand Faces.
He has had his writing publicly burned, has been hung in effigy, and once upon a time, was ranked one of the top hundred Scrabble players on the planet.
Schedule
RUNS JUN 6 -23, 2024
IN THE Jerry Russell Theatre (seating map)
PERFORMANCES
Thu 7:30pm | Fri 8:00pm
Sat 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sun 2:00 & 7:30pmDates to Know
ASL Interpretation:
Thu, Jun 20Pay What You Choose Performances:
Sat matinee, Jun 15, 2pm
Fri, Jun 21, 8pmPost-show Conversations:
June 9 (matinee) with director Jay Duffer
June 15 (evening) with playwright David MacGregorContent Advisory
Rated PG
“…the first in a trilogy that we will be producing over the next three seasons. [These plays] are not your typical Holmes stories – they are zany and incredibly charming. Don’t worry – you’ll still have the fun mystery to solve, but this time Vincent Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde join the fun!”
— Garret Storms, Associate Producer
Pirates of Penzance
Theatre Three
Pirates of Penzance
Libretto by W. S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Orchestration by Peter Murray
Directed by Joel Ferrell
Music Directed TBD
Gilbert and Sullivan's hilarious, hopeful musical follows young love-struck Frederic, who has mistakenly been apprenticed to a raucous band of pirates. A smash hit on Broadway in the 1980’s, this comical operetta is a colorful, playful romp about love, honor, and cleverness.
A witty and whimsical pirate musical!
Run Dates: June 13–July 14, 2024
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Family Music Theatre
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Family Music Theatre Announces
Cast & Creative Details for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Family Music Theatre, a community theatre proudly residing in South Dallas announces its cast of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, the Disney classic musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. This is the second production of Family Music Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season. Let the massive 50-person cast and live orchestra ensemble sweep you away with the captivating melodies of the timeless tale. From the Academy Award-winning team of Menken and Schwartz, this lushly scored production brings Victor Hugo’s epic novel to life in a spectacular theatrical story-telling experience. Featuring beloved songs from the Disney animated feature, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" intertwines the beauty of the Academy Award-nominated score with a new book by Peter Parnell that embraces the essence of story theatre. Combining narration, live action, and choral commentary, the musical transports audiences to fifteenth-century Paris, where the bells of Notre Dame toll and Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer played by Deshawn Thomas, yearns to venture "Out There."
Under the co-direction of Dr. Sam Germany and Andrew Isenberg, alongside co-music directors Dr. Sam Germany and Rebekah Wesler, and choreographer Dauri Poole, this production promises to captivate audiences with its spellbinding performances, “topsy turvy” choreography, and what should prove to be the overall star of the show, the outstanding choral ensemble. Audiences will be transported to the heart of medieval Paris as they witness Quasimodo's journey unfold on stage, accompanied by an exquisite costume design by Krista Golightly that brings the vibrant characters to life. Set against the backdrop of the Feast of Fools, a historical celebration where roles are reversed and outcasts are elevated, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" presents outcasts and their oppressors, timeless themes of good versus evil, and the hope for a better tomorrow that draws us all. “At its core, this is a musical about identity,” says co-director Isenberg. “The question, ‘What makes a monster and what makes a man’ is answered by every principal character, and even the Ensemble. We are monsters when we fail to be who we are meant to be, listening too intently to the voices that are in us but not of us, and those without. We are men when the voice of kindness and compassion rings louder than our own desires.”
Don't miss the opportunity to experience the magic of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Family Music Theatre.
Contains heavy themes. Safe for family viewing, but recommended for ages 12 and above.
Show Run Dates: June 14th to June 29th, 2024
Tickets are on sale now.
This production will be staged at the New Vida Center, 3727 W Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75233.
For more information on Family Music Theatre and upcoming productions, visit us online at www.familymusictheatre.com.
PERFORMANCE DAYS + TIMES:
FRI JUN 14 2024 - 7:30 PM
SAT JUN 15 2024 - 1:30 PM
SAT JUN 15 2024 - 7:30 PM
FRI JUN 21 2024 - 7:30 PM
SAT JUN 22 2024 - 1:30 PM
SAT JUN 22 2024 - 7:30 PM
FRI JUN 28 2024 - 7:30 PM
SAT JUN 29 2024 - 1:30 PM
SAT JUN 29 2024 - 7:30 PM
Press Review, Thursday June 13
Ticket Prices:
$20.00 + $1.65 fee Adult
$15.00 + $1.46 fee Senior
$15.00 + $1.46 fee Children (Ages 5-12)
*Press may email marketing@gifca.org for details on the Thursday industry/press preview.
*Group discounts are available through the box office. Email: davidjohns@gifca.org.
Little Shop of Horrors
Lewisville Playhouse
Little Shop of Horrors
Directed by Keith J. Warren
A deviously delicious smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over 30 years. Behind it are the creative geniuses Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, and Aladdin). The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
CATS
Courtyard Theater Series
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats
June 21-30, 2024
Friday, Saturday 7:30, Sunday 2:00
Tickets: $35 adults, $20 youth (age 8-18)
Group Rates Available.
Box Office: 972-690-5029 or click button.
Courtyard Theater, 1509 H Ave, Plano, TX
One of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to The Courtyard Theater, June 21-30. Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now available by special permission to be performed in Historical Downtown Plano. New direction, new choreography for a new generation…..experience CATS for the first time as it begins a new life, or let it thrill you all over again!
REPERTORY COMPANY THEATRE
The Producers
Grand Prairie Arts Council
The Producers:
A Mel Brooks Musical
Fading Broadway producer Max Bialystock is desperate to get to the top of his profession again, and he finds an unlikely ally in mousy accountant Leo Bloom, who hypothesizes that one could make far more money with a flop of a show than with a hit. Together, the two set out to produce the worst musical ever to hit Broadway; the catch is that they will raise two million dollars to finance the show, and they plan to take the money and head to Rio when the show inevitably closes after just one performance. Too bad for Bialystock & Bloom that, against all odds, the show is a total hit! Based on the 1968 film by Mel Brooks (the creator of hits such as Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein), The Producers is a laugh-out-loud, outrageous farce you won't forget!
Suggested for 16+ Adult Themes
DISASTER! THE MUSICAL
ALLEN CONTEMPORARY THEATRE
DISASTER! THE MUSICAL
(PG-13) June 28 - July 14
Disaster! is rated PG-13 for language and adult themes.
It's 1979, and New York's hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addiction. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they've lost... or at least escape the killer rats.
Directed by Penny Elaine
Mary Poppins
WATERTOWER THEATRE
Mary Poppins
Music + Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman | Book By: Julian Fellowes
Directed by John De Los Santos
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
A delight for both grown-ups and children- we can all learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it." Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft with flying effects by ZFX.
The Producers
NTPA REPERTORY THEATRE
THE PRODUCERS
NTPA Repertory Theatre continues its tradition of bringing professional quality productions with adult stage veterans to Plano and North Texas.
Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, The Producers once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor. It is a truly “boffo” hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night.
The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive “Springtime for Hitler”), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.
With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender!”
Showtimes
Friday, April 19, 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 20, 2:30 PM
Saturday, April 20, 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 21, 2:30 PM
Thursday, April 25, 7:30 PM
Friday, April 26, 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 27, 2:30 PM *ASL Performance
Saturday, April 27, 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 28, 2:30 PM
*ASL interpreted performance – recommended seating to view the interpreter is on stage right
Credits
THE PRODUCERS
A Mel Brooks Musical
Book by MEL BROOKS & THOMAS MEEHAN | Music and Lyrics by MEL BROOKS
Original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman
By special arrangement with StudioCanal
Kiss the Boys
KISS THE BOYS
The comedy hit is back!
Most murder mysteries are based on the concept of "who dunnit?" This sexy comedy is a case of "will the murders ever get done?'" A gay couple decides to hold a most unusual dinner party. They have invited the one person that hurt them the most in their life in order to murder them. The plan is simple: poisoned martinis will be served to the two guests. How complicated can it be? Chaos ensues when an uninvited guest shows up who won't drink alcohol. One guest has become a born again Christian and plans to redeem the Gay couple from their life of sin. Another will only drink beer. Oh, did we mention that not everyone in this gathering of five is being truthful and they may also have ulterior motives, of which murder is also a part? You'll laugh as you squirm in your seat not knowing if, who, how, and when someone might get murdered! We did the original world premiere in 2006 and it brings us much pleasure to bring it back.
Kiss the Boys is rated PG-13 due to language accompanied by outrageous and questionable behavior. It's basically adults behaving badly.
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
Theatre Wesleyan
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
From the celebrated and award-winning composer, The Great Comet is an electropop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to Pierre, a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. The musical’s 2017 Broadway run was nominated for 12 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, and Best Orchestrations.
The cast, design team, and crew comprised of Texas Wesleyan theatre majors and minors pursuing Bachelor or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. The cast includes Abigale Hunt (Natasha), Grace Philipbar (Sonya), Madison McKinzie (Marya), Nicholas Keel (Anatole), Peri Zachmeyer (Hélène), Henry Valentine (Dolokhov), Hayden Kirkbride (Bolkonsky/Andrey), Abigaile Webb (Mary), Ian Kooistra (Balaga), and Chase Di Iulio (Pierre). The ensemble includes Trinity Chenault, Hunter Heart, Mercedes Kuhn, and Jackson Loya.
The production team includes Jeanne Everton (director), Mark Mullino (music director), Stephanie Locker-Hall (choreographer), Natalie Mitchell (vocal coach), Jacob Rivera-Sanchez (stage manager/graphic design), Jazmin Rebollar (assistant stage manager), Joe Allen Brown (scenic design), Karen Potter (co-costume design), Nicole Ellis (co-costume design), Rocky Olguin (assistant costume design), Zachary Gafford (lighting design), Pella LeFever (assistant lighting design), Ricky Olivarez (sound design and engineer), Elizabeth Holmes (A2), Colin Schwartz (technical director), Nathalie Beyna (assistant technical director), and Jennye James (production manager).
Satchmo at the Waldorf
WaterTower Theatre
SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF
SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF is a one-man, three-character play in which the same actor portrays Louis Armstrong, the greatest of all jazz trumpeters; Joe Glaser, his white manager; and Miles Davis, who admired Armstrong’s playing but disliked his onstage manner. It takes place in 1971 in a dressing room backstage at the Empire Room of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where Armstrong performed in public for the last time. just four months before his death. Reminiscing into a tape recorder about his life and work, Armstrong seeks to come to terms with his longstanding relationship with Glaser, whom he once loved like a father but now believes to have betrayed him, and Davis’ criticisms of him as a fellow Black artist.
Native Gardens
Lewisville Playhouse
Native Gardens
Directed by Jessica Owens
Native Gardens embodies gardens and culture clash, turning friendly neighbors into feuding enemies in this comedy of good intentions and bad manners. Pablo, a high-powered lawyer, and doctoral candidate Tania, his very pregnant wife, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. The hilarious results guarantee no one comes out smelling like a rose.
Guys And Dolls
REPERTORY COMPANY THEATRE
Courtyard Theater Series
GUYS AND DOLLS
April 12-21, 2024
Fr/Sat 7:30, Sun 2:00
Music and Lyrics by FRANK LOESSER
Book by JO SWERLING and ABE BURROWS
Tickets: $35 adults, $20 youth (ages 10-18)
Box office: 972-690-5029.
Musical Masterpiece, Guys and Dolls opens at The Courtyard Theater this April!. Gangsters and gamblers, missionary dolls and showgirls are in town and on stage.
Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them.
10-Minute Comedies
ROVER DRAMAWERKS PRESENTS 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
For the sixth year (and the first since before COVID), Rover Dramawerks is pleased to present a festival of 10-minute comedies. Selected from over 250 plays submitted blind from playwrights all over the world, eleven short plays will be presented April 11-20. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Cox Playhouse, 1517 H Avenue in historic downtown Plano.
The performance lineup with directors and casts includes the following:
I Just Sneezed With a Big Mouthful of Coffee and I Do Not Recommend It by Scott Mullen (Burbank, CA), directed by Nancy Roberts Pistilli
Ricky - Luke Wallace
Helen - Andie Pace
Nurse - Emily Cole
The Last Deck Chair in the Resort by Lindsey Brown (Auckland, New Zealand), directed by Nathan Beeman
Bailey - Jamie Korthase
Hayley - Laura Sosnowski
Announcer - Mike Gerecke
Stealing a Kiss by Laurie Allen (Odessa, TX), directed by Deborah Little Key
Harvey - Anthony Magee
Sue - Sue Goodner
Charlie by Beth Polsky (Santa Monica, CA), directed by Charlotte Taylor
David - Brian Sullivan
Violet - Jamie Korthase
Charlie - Dylan Elliott
Marcy - Andie Pace
Couples Therapy by Matt Crowley (Los Angeles, CA), directed by Stan Kelly
Henry - Sinan Beskok
Janet - Sara Parisa
Trivial by David MacGregor (Howell, MI), directed by Jon-Paul McGowan
Lori - Heather Roberts
Alan - Dylan Elliot
Terry - Sean Lewis
Thr33 by Chuck Brestman (Hollis, NH), directed by Russell Sims
Insomniac - Zeke Fable
Earworm - Rashae Boyd
Workaholic - Jennifer Patton
Superego - Brad Echols
Loveline - Andie Pace
Creator - Sean Lewis
Worrier - Vivian Reed
Ten Minutes 'til Christmas by Brian Vinero (Saint Paul, MN), directed by Jorge Martin Lara
Her - Melissa Hatch
Him - Michael Hatch
Sirens by Carol Mullen (Pittsburgh, PA), directed by Matthew Stepan
Smith - Sara Parisa
Wesson - Jennifer Patton
Captain - Emily Cole
Doc/Specs/Perp - Jamie Korthase
Coming to Town by Keith Whalen (Peekskill, NY), directed by Nolan Spinks
Kenny - Sean Lewis
Walter - Brad Echols
Arlene - Vivian Reed
Designed 2B Deleted by Richard Castle (North Hollywood, CA), directed by Dahlia Parks
Female Actor - Rashae Boyd
Male Actor - Luke Wallace
Alex - Jamie Korthase
Lee - Laura Sosnowski
All eleven plays are considered the winners of Rover’s play contest and, in addition to their plays receiving a full production in the festival, playwrights receive $100 prize money. One play will also be voted “Best of the Fest” during the run by the audience, and the playwright will receive an additional $100 prize.
Thursday, April 11 is Preview Night, with all seats $10.00 in advance online or “pay-what-you-can” at the door. Regular ticket prices for 10-Minute Comedies are $24.00 Friday and Saturday nights and $18.00 on Thursday nights and Saturday matinees, with discounts for teachers, students, and seniors. students/seniors and may be ordered online at https://www.roverdramawerks.com/.
For more information about Rover Dramawerks, please visit them online or call 972-849-0358. Submissions for next year’s 10-minute comedy contest will begin in September of 2024. There is never a fee to submit a play to Rover Dramawerks.
Murrow
IS A VOICE FROM THE PAST THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE?
MURROW MAKES ITS REGIONAL PREMIERE THIS APRIL AS PART OF THE ELEVATOR PROJECT
“Our history will be what we make it.
If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge
and retribution will not limp on catching up with us”.
-Edward R. Murrow-1954
The Event
The words belong to American icon Edward R. Murrow. The events belong to history. The fate they can change is ours. MURROW by Joseph Vitale comes to Hamon Hall at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, April 11-21, as part of The Elevator Project. From Executive Producer Bren Rapp, this regional premiere of a powerful, multimedia, one-man show explores Murrow’s life and work, becoming both a lens to examine where we are now as a nation of media consumers, and a mirror providing reflections of much needed lessons from our modern history.
The Play
In a work the Huffington Post called “a dramatic masterpiece”, Joseph Vitale reveals the complexity and achievements of a man whose voice, intelligence and honesty inspired a nation. In MURROW, Edward R. Murrow’s life and work stand out as beacons of integrity and professionalism. From his courageous radio reports from London during the Blitz that brought WWII into American homes and made him a household name, to his broadcast from Buchenwald concentration camp, as chilling now as the day it was aired. From his groundbreaking television work unearthing injustices in our own country, like the blacklisting of citizens by Senator Joseph McCarthy, to his principles which made him a hero to many but an enemy to entrenched interests, ultimately forcing the conscience of America off the air by an industry that had grown more interested in profits. Through Murrow’s words, Vitale takes us back through our modern history, also taking a harsh look at a media that has fallen far from the standards that Murrow established for his profession, in a play shocking in its relevance.
The Production
Executive Producer Bren Rapp has taken this work and through the addition of dynamic multimedia elements created an impactful live experience for theatregoers, stretching beyond a simple historical presentation. Today, there are multiple war zones around the world where bombings of civilians are part of daily life. Antisemitic incidents in our country have risen 337% since last October. Fear mongering in politics finds us barraged with slogans instead of solutions. Cancel culture has run amuck. We have entered this presidential election year as a people more divided than ever. Regardless of where we fall on the political spectrum, or what marginalized group we are a part of or stand allied with, regardless of who we view as "us" or see as "them", we have all allowed and continue to allow an age of misinformation to hinder our ability to ever come together.
2/3 of all American adults have little to no trust in the nation's mass media to report news accurately or fairly. 30% believe national news organizations attempt to mislead the public.
47% of adults 18-44 get their news from social media while a recent study by MIT shows that there is a vast increase in the inability to decipher accurate information if presented in an environment to be "shared" than if sharing content were not a concern.
Adults 55+ experience an increase, as age increases, of vulnerability to prior exposure effect meaning the more often they see a headline or news item, the more their belief in its accuracy increases.
…and yet we continue to consume, to tune in, to click, to share. Do we find ourselves right back at a point where Murrow’s 1954 words ring true again, or has history’s revenge indeed caught up with us? Can the man who also said, “We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason.” effect change now, when we need it the most, while also guiding a future generation, who have only known modern media, to demand better?
From Executive Producer Bren Rapp
MURROW by Joseph Vitale
Starring Nicolas Greco-Directed by Montgomery Sutton
Show Dates and Times
7:30PM Thursday, April 11
7:30PM Friday, April 12
1:30PM Saturday, April 13
7:30PM Saturday, April 13
1:30PM Sunday, April 14
1:30PM Wednesday, April 17 *free student, educator, parent matinee
7:30PM Thursday, April 18
7:30PM Friday, April 19
7:30PM Saturday, April 20
1:30PM Sunday, April 21
Shows perform at Hamon Hall in the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center
2403 Flora Street-Dallas, TX 75201
Special Events
*Wednesday, April 17: Thanks to a buyout of the scheduled Wednesday, April 17, 1:30PM matinee, by a generous underwriter Ivan Sokalsky, 100 tickets are being given away for free to this performance to students, educators, and parents. To reserve seats, visit americanchronicletheatreco.com. Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the form. Click reserve. An email confirmation of reservations will be sent. There is no limit to how many tickets can be included per reservation.
Reservations are granted on a first come, first served basis.
Sunday, April 14: Post show panel with professional journalists, high school journalists, and playwright Joseph Vitale.
Date TBD: ASL interpreted performance. Information will appear on the show schedule online.
The Creatives
Executive Producer Bren Rapp has had great success with the one-man format as co-producer of the hit, I’M NOT A COMEDIAN…I’M LENNY BRUCE, which ran for 115 performances in Los Angeles, nine months Off Broadway, six months in Chicago and is currently on national tour, directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantegna and starring Ronnie Marmo.
Joseph Vitale studied journalism at Columbia University, has penned several plays and was a Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference Semi-finalist (2012), a finalist for the Joanne Woodward/Paul Newman Drama Award (2021-22) and recipient of the New Jersey State Council for the Arts Fellowship (2021).
New York actor *Nicolas Greco has stage credits spanning from Off Broadway to Shakespeare’s Globe, but is also no stranger to taking audiences back through history through his series television work starring in THE FOODS THAT BUILT AMERICA (The History Channel), TITANS: THE RISE OF HOLLYWOOD and TITANS: THE RISE OF WALL STREET (Prime Video), and INTO THE WILD FRONTIER (Peacock). *Nicolas Greco appears through an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association.
Montgomery Sutton comes to the project fresh off the heels of directing A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM for Atlantic Acting School/NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He serves on faculty for the Atlantic Acting School / NYU, where he also received his BFA. He has numerous directing, acting, and writing credits under his belt from work across the country and also trained as a member of the International Actors Fellowship at Shakespeare's Globe.
The rest of the team is rounded out by set designer Clare DeVries, projection designer Eirc Voecks, sound designer Kellen Voss, lighting designer Aaron Johansen, production manager Luisa Torres
The Elevator Project
The Elevator Project is a series of performances by Dallas-based arts groups, providing performance space in the Dallas Arts District to local talent, while giving audiences exposure to the vibrant arts scene around them. It was created in 2014 by the AT&T Performing Arts Center and is presented with generous support from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
ANN
Libby Villari
in
Ann
by Holland Taylor
Tough as nails. Funny as hell. ANN is an intimate, no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary late Governor of Texas. This inspiring and hilarious play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful, and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and originally performed by Emmy Award-winner Holland Taylor, ANN takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends, and family.
ONE NIGHT ONLY AT THE PALACE THEATER IN CORSICANA
DIOSA
WORLD PREMIERE OF DIOSA
April 6 - April 21, 2024
IMAGINING A WORLD UNITED BY SACRED FEMININE ENERGY
Written byCara Mía Theatre and Manifesto Poetico International Laboratory
Directed byManifesto Poetico International Laboratory
Original Music byArmando Monsivais
Featuring live music and physical theatre, Diosa explores a world that reflects our ancient feminine archetype, a return to co-existence with Mother Nature, and a future inspired by our collective Dream.
Big Fish
Runway Theatre
Big Fish
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest - and then some! His larger-than-life tales of witches, giants, and mermaids he's encountered delight almost everyone around him, but his disgruntled son is determined to separate fact from fiction in his desire to understand what's really real about his family before starting one of his own. Through heart and humor, this extraordinary musical showcases what real friendship can mean throughout the journey of life.
Rated PG
directed by Misty Baptiste
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Upright Theatre Co.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]
By Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield
Performances: April 5 - 27, 2024
All 37 plays in 97 minutes! Three actors weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) was London’s longest-running comedy.
UPRIGHT RATING: PG-13 (Parental Advisory)
*Adult situations. Not recommended for children.
Dial M for Murder
DALLAS THEATER CENTER
Dial M For Murder
Revenge has a ring to it.
A new version of the celebrated murder mystery that inspired Hitchcock’s masterpiece! Tony is convinced that his wife Margot has been cheating on him. Now it seems that the affair is over, but in his jealousy Tony spins a web of suspicion and deception that will tighten around them and ensnare them both in danger, recrimination, and murder. Will the killer get away, or will justice be served? You’ll be kept guessing until the end and gripping the edge of your seat through the twists and turns of this stylish thriller of blackmail and revenge.
The Seagull
THEATRE THREE
The Seagull
Written by Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Blake Hackler
Directed by Joel Ferrell
In an isolated home in the countryside, an ensemble of family, artists and unsatisfied people gather to experience Konstantin’s new play on an outdoor stage. Known famously as one of Chekhov’s greatest plays, The Seagull reveals the truth in devastation of living somewhere between the person you are and the life you dreamed for yourself.
A beautifully crushing classic.
9 to 5
THE FIREHOUSE THEATRE
9 to 5
Based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she?
Marie and Rosetta
AMPHIBIAN STAGE
APRIL 5 – 28, MAIN STAGE
MARIE AND ROSETTA
By George Brant
Directed by Egla Birmingham Hassan
An Earth-Shaking Musical Celebration
“God don’t want the Devil to have all the good music right?”
Witness the collision of gospel and rock as DFW favorite Denise Lee embodies the incomparable “Godmother of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The play chronicles Tharpe’s first rehearsal with protégée Marie Knight in 1947, setting the stage for a historic tour that would establish them as one of the most significant music duos of the 20th century.
Despite their influence on Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and more, Knight and Tharpe go largely uncredited for their contributions to rock and roll. George Brant’s play aims to correct historical oversights by providing a stage for Marie and Rosetta to share their story through powerful performances. Don’t miss the chance to witness the birth of a musical legacy that transcends time with an unforgettable night of toe-tapping, head-bopping-and soul-lifting entertainment.
Runtime: 110 Minutes, No Intermission
Butterflies are Free
ONSTAGE IN BEDFORD
Butterflies Are Free
Fri Mar 29, 2024 - Sun Apr 7, 2024
COMEDY
Written by Leonard Gershe
Rated PG
Young Don Baker, hero of his mother's Donny Dark books for children, has been blind since birth, his overprotective mother following his every move. Don finally decides to take his own apartment in Manhattan and pursue his songwriting ambitions. When she meets his kooky neighbor, sexy actress Jill, Mrs. Baker's controlling instincts go into overdrive, with hilariously touching results.
Butterflies Are Free premiered on Broadway at the Booth Theatre on October 21, 1969. Directed by Milton Katselas, the production starred Keir Dullea, Eileen Heckart, Blythe Danner, and Michael Glaser. A 1972 film adaptation starred Goldie Hawn, Eileen Heckart, and Edward Albert
Alice in Wonderland
Theatre Arlington
Alice in Wonderland
Theatre Arlington Presents a Magical Journey with "Alice in Wonderland”
Theatre Arlington is delighted to present the first Family Series production of their 51st Anniversary season “Alice in Wonderland”! This production promises to be an enjoyable adventure for parents and children alike.
Adapted from Lewis Carroll's beloved tale, "Alice in Wonderland" follows the curious journey of young Alice as she falls through a rabbit hole into a surreal and fantastical realm. This fun upbeat musical adaptation was penned by Theatre Arlington Executive Producer Steven D. Morris (who also serves as the show’s director) and long-time Theatre Arlington collaborator Don Powers. Vicky Nooe will be returning to Theatre Arlington as the production’s music director and Becca Brown will serve as choreographer.
When asked what he loved most about this project Morris shared “[How] the over-the-top, fun, characters delight children of all ages! The greatest thing about doing shows for young audiences is that the kids totally believe and take in what they are seeing if it is done right. They really embrace being in Wonderland and all the crazy characters they encounter.” And he could not help but add “It is also so much fun to see the kids interact with the characters in the lobby after the show.”
This ensemble cast will feature many Theatre Arlington regulars including:
Jude Lewis as Alice, Landry Beckley as the March Hare, Hannah Bell as Tweedledee, Lindsey Hayward as Tweedledum, Javier Casablanca as the Knave of Hearts, David Helms as the King of Hearts, Samantha Padilla as the Queen of Hearts, Bradford Reilly as the Mad Hatter, Rachel Robertson as the White Rabbit, Tilda Grace as Caterpillar/Butterfly, Janina Jaraczewski as Doormouse, Cindy Honeycutt as the Cheshire Cat, Karl Martin as Mock Turtle, Davayun Chase as the Jabberwocky, Libby Hawkins as Sister and Gloria Adame, Becca Brown, Andrew Cave, John Marshall and Nick McGeoy as the Cards.
Alice in Wonderland will open on Friday, March 29, 2024, 7:30pm and will close Sunday, April 14 with the following schedule:
April 6, 9, 10 & 13 at 10am
April 9 & 10 at 12:30pm
March 30, April 6, 7, 13 & 14 at 2:00pm
March 29, April 5 & 12 at 7:30pm
For more information and to purchase tickets: TheatreArlington.org
Box Office: 817.275.7661
Heroes of the Fourth Turning
Second Thought Theatre
Heroes of the Fourth Turning
by Will Arbrey
Directed by Jay Duffer
When four alumni of a conservative college reunite under the stars, they find themselves confronting theology, politics, and personal responsibility. Texas native Will Arbery masterfully crafts this haunting play all about the vicious fight to be known and understood.
Finalist: 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Drama
Winner! 2020 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play
Winner! 2020 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play
Winner! 2020 Whiting Award for Drama
Things My Mother Taught Me
Richardson Theatre Centre
Things My Mother Taught Me
By Katherine DiSavino
March 22-April 7
Due to Easter Sunday falling on Sunday, March 31, we will be adding a matinee on Saturday, March 30, 2pm. There will be no performance on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2pm.
Olivia and Gabe are moving into their first apartment together. They’ve just packed up all of their belongings and driven halfway across the country to start a new life together in Chicago. Their moving day doesn’t go exactly as planned, though, and things become slightly more complicated when all of their parents show up to help! Can a two-bedroom apartment contain all of the love, laughs, worry, and wisdom, and wisdom that’s about to happen?
Directed by Janette Oswald
Cast: Sinan Beskok, Kelly Moore Clarkson, Eddy Herring, Kenneth Fulenwider, Sue Goodner, David Kelton, and Melanie Peterman
WATER BY THE SPOONFUL
CIRCLE THEATRE
WATER BY THE SPOONFUL
We meet in an online chat room—a digital sanctuary where recovering addicts fight to keep each other alive, hour by hour, day by day. Birth families splinter and online families collide in this beautiful play that reminds us of the power of connection and the value of forgiveness. Water by the Spoonful is a heartfelt meditation on lives on the brink of redemption.
*contains adult language and situations
Nine to Five
GRAND PRAIRIE ARTS COUNCIL
9 TO 5 The Musical
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of three women pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the iconic 80’s film and brought to you by Dolly herself, this hilarious production is about teaming up, standing up, and taking care of business!
March 15 - 24
Uptown Theater (Main Stage)
Rated PG-13
The show contains language and moments that may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Scenes depict sexual harassment, adult situations, and some adult language.
Sweeney Todd
Lyric Stage
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up… and the carnage has only just begun!
This production is rated PG-13 for violence and blood.
This performance will be taking place at the Lyric Stage Studio Space in the Design District!
1170 Quaker Street, Dallas, TX 75207
Titanic
Repertory Company Theatre
presents
TITANIC The Musical
E: Tickets are NON REFUNDABLE. YOUR TICKETS WILL BE HELD IN WILL CALL. ON LINE SALES, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN E MAIL CONFIRMATION, IF YOU DO NOT SEE IT, CHECK YOUR SPAM. WALKERS/WHEEL CHAIRS, CALL BOX OFFICE.
972-690-5029. GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE, CALL BOX OFFICE.
$3 FEE PER TICKET FOR TICKET EXCHANGES AT BOX OFFICE. TICKETS MAY BE EXCHANGED UP TO 24 HOURS BEFORE SHOW.
Every Brilliant Thing
Dallas Theater Center
Every Brilliant Thing
You’re six years old. Mom’s in hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. #1) Ice cream. #2) Kung Fu movies. #3) Burning things. #4) Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. #5) Construction cranes. #6) Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. This surprising and immersive theatrical experience speaks openly about depression, mental illness and suicide. With poignant humor and joy, Every Brilliant Thing takes us on a journey through grief, healing, falling in love, and rediscovering all that life has to give.
Show Details: This production includes verbal descriptions of depression, self-harm, suicide and suicidal ideations. There will be some warm and inclusive audience participation. Due to the intimate seating, there is absolutely NO late seating.
This show will alternate the actor who portrays the Performer. The Performer schedule is as follows:
Blake Hackler: 3/9 (7:30 pm), 3/13, 3/15, 3/16 (7:30 pm), 3/17 (2:00 pm), 3/19, 3/21, 3/23 (2:00 pm), 3/24 (7:30 pm)
Tiffany Solano: 3/9 (2:00 pm), 3/12, 3/14, 3/16 (2:00 pm), 3/17 (7:30 pm), 3/20, 3/22, 3/23 (7:30 pm), 3/24 (2:00 pm)
POTUS
Stage West
POTUS
It all starts with a little four-letter word that the President heedlessly blurts out - and what starts as a PR nightmare, turns into a complete global crisis! The seven brilliant and beleaguered women upon whom he most relies risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep things under control. Madcap mania ensues as Capitol Hill goes topsy-turvy in this riotous comedy. So get ready to laugh your stars and stripes off and root for the powerful women running the free world!
Rated R
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
The Hopeful Theatre Project
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
With a Live Orchestra
Fri Mar 8, 2024 - Sun Mar 10, 2024
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
The Hopeful Theatre Project's 5th Annual Valentine's Production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast will benefit Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth (RMHFW). $15 of every ticket will go towards RMHFW and keeping families close. To learn more about RMHFW and their mission, please click here.
Tickets are available online or at the box office. Box Office will be open one hour prior to showtime.
No refunds, all sales final. Exchanges can be made depending upon availability. Please call the Box Office at (214) 233-6557 or email info@thehopefultheatreproject.com with any questions.
PERFORMANCES:
*Friday, March 8th @ 7:30 pm
*Saturday, March 9th @ 3:00 pm
*Saturday, March 9th @ 7:30 pm
*Sunday, March 10th @ 3:00 pm
VENUE:
Kalita Humphreys Theater
3636 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75219
Follies
Garland Civic Theatre
FOLLIES
In Follies, the time is 1971, and theatrical impresario, Dimitri Weissmann, hosts a reunion of ex-Follies performers in his crumbling theatre, setting the stage for a parade of brilliant pastiche numbers, including "Losing My Mind," "I'm Still Here" and "Broadway Baby." Amid the reminiscing, two middle-aged couples confront some unpleasant truths about their past and present, coming face-to-face with the future.
Follies is a true showcase for powerful dramatic actors with plenty of opportunities for seasoned, older performers. Spectacular and grand in scale, Follies has also proven ideal for concert presentation and features many of Stephen Sondheim's best-known songs.
Dear Brutus
MainStage Irving-Las Colinas
Dear Brutus
By J.M. Barrie
Directed by Rose Anne Holman
March 8-23, 2024
An eclectic group of guests are invited to an enchanting country house for Midsummers Eve. Their mysterious host, Lob, spins a tale of a mystical forest outside the home where they can find dreams and desires answered. Each with their own problems and each curious as to what their “second chance” at life may look like, the guests wander into the woods and seize the opportunity to explore a parallel version of themselves. One part period drama, one part fairy-tale, DEAR BRUTUS is a poignant exploration of choice, consequence, and circumstance. A sentimental fantasy about life, love, and second chances!
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