David Clarke - Page 31

I was a freshman at Sam Houston State University when I first read Gregory Maguire's riveting and racy novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. That same year, on October 30, 2003 WICKED opened on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre. I was first bewitched by WICKED when the Original Broadway Cast Album was released on December 16, 2003. In October 2005, I saw the miraculous show for the first time when the First National Tour landed in Houston. Now, WICKED is retuning to Houston for the fourth time and the musical's Broadway production will turn 10 years old this year. It is currently the 12th Longest Running Show in Broadway history. WICKED, with its multiple productions all over the world, is a musical phenomenon that enchants audiences everywhere it goes.

Tradition is often a beautiful thing, especially when it invites Houstonians and tourists alike out of the summer heat and into the splendors of air conditioning. Mix in delightful, sometimes even frightfully chilling, entertainment, and you've got the recipe for the Alley Theatre's annual ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. This summer's offering is Agatha Christie's ever-suspenseful and surprisingly humorous THE HOLLOW, which is the 22nd Agatha Christie show the Alley has produced in their 66-year history.

LYSISTRATA JONES had its New York premiere in a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production at The Gym at Judson. It transferred to Broadway and opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on December 14, 2011. Living in Houston, this show was not even a blip on my radar. Having been a longtime reader of BroadwayWorld, the name was familiar, but I didn't know anything about the show. With the June 14, 2013 announcement that a film adaptation is in the works, I felt compelled to track down a copy of the Original Cast Album and give the quirky comedy at least a few listens.

Stages Repertory Theatre is preparing their third installment of Roger Bean's delightful musical comedy series about The Marvelous Wonderettes. This whimsically nostalgic musical, entitled THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: CAPS AND GOWNS, takes audiences to 1958 and 1968, letting audiences revel in the high school graduation of The Wonderettes and Missy's marriage to Mr. Lee. The score features iconic pop standards like "At the Hop," "Dancing in the Street," "River Deep, Mountain High," and more. Recently, I spoke with Christina Stroup, who plays Betty Jean, and she filled me in about what Houston audiences can expect from the highly anticipated feel good musical.

If you are alive and well in Houston, you know that audiences were able to pick from three different productions of Stephen Sondheim's infamous SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF STREET FLEET last weekend. Two of those productions even share the same opening and closing dates. Luckily for Houston audiences, each version of SWEENEY TODD being produced is distinctly different and unique, giving ample reason for local audiences to venture out and experience each one. Pasadena's Stage Door, Inc.'s SWEENY TODD adds the Steampunk aesthetic to the classic musical, giving the production an intriguing facelift that doesn't interfere in any way with the storytelling.

When ANNIE first opened on Broadway in 1977, it was filled with sage advice that the city needed to hear. New York City was teetering on the edge of perilous bankruptcy, but this plucky little orphan girl reminded audiences that there would always be a tomorrow worth waiting for. The 2012 revival of ANNIE opened in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and as the nation braced itself for the possibility of another Great Depression like the one the spirited orphan smiles through with her beloved and well-known anthems, the themes of remaining cheerful and overcoming adversity struck a chord with audiences again. That infectious joyful charisma is perfectly preserved on ANNIE (The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording).

WICKED, the musical that reminds us that so much happened before Dorothy dropped in OZ, is visiting Houston's Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for the fourth time this summer. There is no denying that excitement is growing in Houston. Billboards for the show line our highways, commercials play on our TVs and radios, and everyone is buzzing about the much-loved musical. Recently, I chatted with Alex Wyse, who joined the cast as Boq on June 6, 2013. He took a few minutes out of his busy tour and performance schedule to chat with me about WICKED and his incredible career.

NUNSENSE is an international phenomenon and beloved favorite of community and regional theatres. The musical, which first premiered in 1985, has enjoyed over 8,000 productions worldwide and has been translated into over 20 languages. This summer Texas Repertory Theatre Compnay is producing the classic and clever musical. Their spin on the material leaves audiences rolling in the aisles and clamoring for more.

NUNSENSE premiered in 1983 at The Duplex in New York City. It was expanded and then re-opened Off-Broadway on December 12, 1985 at the Cherry Lane Theatre. There it won four Outer Critics' Circle Awards, including 'Best Off-Broadway Musical.' It moved to the Douglas Fairbanks Theater, where it ran for over 10 years. NUNSENSE is the second-longest running Off-Broadway show in history, and had become an international phenomenon by the time it closed. To celebrate 30 years of NUNSENSE, Dan Goggin's show about the Little Sisters of Hoboken received a new official cast recording titled NUNSENSE: 30th ANNIVERSARY CAST RECORDING.

Main Street Theater's 2012-2013 Theater for Youth Season is closing with a musical presentation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. The Prince Street Players, founded in New York City in 1965, originated the production, which featured Adaptation, Book, and Lyrics by Jim Eiler with Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy. Main Street Theater's production captures the frenetic whimsy of Wonderland, complimented by the cast's resounding and remarkable youthful energy.

Summer is one of those seasons where family-oriented musical theatre reigns supreme. This summer, Texas Repertory Theatre is presenting Dan Goggin's Off-Broadway smash NUNSENSE. Recently, I was invited to a rehearsal to interview the immensely gifted cast. In addition to a fantastic sneak peek of the hard work and infectious energy being pumped into the show, I chatted with NUNSENSE's cast and director about the show and how they're preparing for the sidesplitting screwball comedy.

Attending a World Premiere is always an exciting moment for audiences. There is an allure to the anticipation that the unknown brings. Then, when the theatrical event is nothing short of excellent, there is elating satisfaction to being among the first audiences privileged to see the piece staged. Such is the case with The Landing Theatre Company's breathtaking and gripping production of Aleks Merilo's EXIT 27, which was the winner of the 2012 New American Voices Play Reading Series last summer. This resoundingly incredible play deftly moved me more than anything I have ever witnessed, stirring my mind and breaking my heart many times and on many different levels.

The Vagabond Theatre Project is a University of Houston student run production company that focuses on bringing Houston audiences pieces of theatre that they feel passionate about. Though Vagabond Theatre Project, these intrepid students are expanding their educations and exploring the business aspects of the industry. With no permanent home, they move from space to space, building their resumes with laudable directorial, acting, stage managing, house managing, and producing credits.

Andrea McArdle, best known for originating the role of Annie in the 1977 Broadway production of ANNIE, premiered her solo cabaret show 70'S AND SUNNY to sold-out houses at 54 Below in late July 2012. She triumphantly retuned to the venue with an equally successful engagement in January. The album, compiled from live recordings of her January 17-19 run, 70S AND SUNNY - LIVE AT 54 BELOW pristinely captures her enthusiastically nostalgic and fascinating performances. As a voice that helped shape and define a decade, she humbly tributes other influential artists of the 70s by presenting audiences with music from the likes of Peter Alan, Stephen Schwartz, Billy Joel, Jerry Herman, and Marvin Hamlisch.

It is summer in Houston. The heat index is soaring more and more each day. Moreover, many of our local theatre companies are producing family friendly fare that allows each and every one of us to beat the heat for fun theatrical treats. Championing this campaign is Country Playhouse with their whimsical and captivating production of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' SUESSICAL. The Broadway incarnation tried out in Boston before moving into the Richard Rogers Theatre late in 2000. It was met with lukewarm reviews and closed on May 20, 2001 after 198 performances and 34 previews. Before hitting the road on its first of two national tours, the book underwent extensive revisions because of its marginal showing on Broadway.

The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston hosted Jaston Williams, of GREATER TUNA fame, on Saturday, June 15, 2013 for two command performances of BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS. BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS, one of four one-man shows crafted by Jaston Williams, had its World Premiere on February 14, 2009 at the Lubbock Civic Center Theater as a benefit for Lubbock Community Theater. To create the show, he pulled several of his autobiographical vignettes from I'M NOT LYING and COWBOY NOISES. He also wrote a new piece, "The Screaming Part of China."

Last night was the premiere of FADE TO BLACK, an innovative 10 minute play festival promoting and supporting original works created by African-American artists. This showcase is the creative brainchild of Denise O'Neal of WMGE, LLC and Leighza Walker of LeighzaLand Productions, and it is a true first for the Houston theater community. Thankfully, these extraordinary women have already placed FADE TO BLACK on next year's calendar with the intentions of creating an annual event that centers around encouraging and producing new works written by African-American playwrights.

In 2007, Lindsay Mendez made her Broadway Debut as Jan in a revival of GREASE. She has since returned to Broadway in Sherie Rene Scott's EVERYDAY RAPTURE in 2012, the GODSPELL's revival in 2011, and she is currently starring as Elphaba in WICKED. In addition to these Broadway roles, she got phenomenal reviews as Rose in Off-Broadway's DOGFIGHT at 2nd Stage Theatre Company in 2012. Furthermore, Lindsey Mendez is an accomplished jazz vocalist and has recorded the 13 track THIS TIME with pianist/band leader Marco Paguia. The album lavishly showcases their prowess as performers and their infectious musical chemistry.

Dracula is a name that invokes fear and terror in me. Not because it is a horror story, but because just about every adaptation of Bram Stoker's legendary Gothic novel gets it so wrong that I am left completely cold and empty. Astonishingly, this is not the case with Theatre Southwest's brilliant and opulent production of DRACULA, written by Steven Dietz and directed by Ananka Kohnitz.