Alexander Garza

THE JEW WHO LOVES CHRISTMAS is an autobiographical, one-woman, 30-minute, performance piece by Abby Koenig. Through self-deprecating humor and a multimedia experience, Koenig describes her ghosts of Christmases past, concluding with the hopes to keep Christmas awesome forever. Here Koenig discusses how the show came to be, how it's evolved, and what audiences can expect of the performance in the new space at the Rec Room.

THE HONKY TONK ANGELS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, the sequel to Ted Swindley's hit musical, THE HONKY TONK ANGELS, takes the stage at Stages Repertory Theatre this holiday season. The Angels perform a holiday reunion concert in Nashville, and a new member must step in to replace Angela until she returns. The show runs through December 31, 2016, closing with a special New Year's Eve performance.

The Boiling Point Players opens their 2016-2017 season with AN IMPROVISED PLAY X3, produced by Cone Man Running Productions. The show is a three-night series of improvised plays and will be performed at Obsidian Theater. Each full-length performance is based on suggestions from the crowd. I got the opportunity to ask Autumn Clack about the group's beginnings, their upcoming production, and what's coming this season.

This play is dark, sweet, and shocking. It is graphic and may be offensive to some people. But if you enjoy theatre that pushes boundaries and not easily offended by sensitive topics, then you will enjoy this story.

Classical Theatre Company tackles Russian Master Anton Chekhov once again. This time, the 9-year-old theatre company presents two of Chekhov's one-act vaudevillian comedies, THE BEAR & THE PROPOSAL and an essay of THE EVILS OF TOBACCO. The production is directed by John Johnston and stars Mark Roberts, Lindsay Ehrhardt, and Ben McLaughlin and runs through October 23, 2016.

THE REDEMPTION SERIES at the Landing Theatre Company delves into the delicate topics of race relations, ethnicity, and diversity through short plays from across the country directed by some of Houston's finest theatre professionals. The production opens Thursday September 22, 2016 at The Docks in Houston, TX. I got the opportunity to ask Stephen Miranda questions surrounding the production and get his take on these hot button issues. Miranda is Landing Theatre Company's Interim General Manager and also happens to be on of the directors working on the production.

4th Wall Theatre Company has hit the ground running this season with its opening production of Sam Shepard's Tony-nominated play, TRUE WEST. The piece explores a dualism of personalities, sibling rivalry, art as commerce, and what defines a man. Sometimes funny, sad, and frightening, the play never ceases to stir emotions from the audience. The story is interesting, timeless, and was well-told by Kim Tobin-Lehl. Of all the fantastic shows coming this season, this is one you don't want to miss.

Pitch Me This (PMT) Productions has partnered with Juxtapose Arts Collective to bring back its third annual production of MIDTOWN: LIVE! This year's show will be performed at the MATCH, and features some of Houston's finest local talent performing engaging pop music and high energy dance and movement. This past Sunday, I drove to the MATCH, and got the opportunity to sit down and talk with Director Eduardo Guzman and Choreographer Cara Shanks about this year's unique production.

The show is genuinely moving, entertaining, and a fast-paced, all around fun time for the entire family. Don't be quick to assume you can't take your date to see SHREK just because the production is part of Main Street Theater's Theatre for Youth program. The performance is open to the public, and the narrative and jokes will have both children and adults raving.

WORKING is based on Studs Terkel's well-known book of interviews with U.S workers, which retells the accounts of men and women and presents the meaning that these jobs bring to their lives. This classic musical was first adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso and premiered at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. The show later ran on Broadway briefly before entering the national regional theatre circuit. The show was updated in 2012 with two new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, and features the classic numbers from artists such as Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, and James Taylor. WORKING runs at Main Street Theatre from May 21 - June 19, 2016. The show, directed by the talented Andrew Ruthven, reflects not only the struggles that we go through as a nation, but hits home on multiple levels with the diverse and hard working citizens of Houston.

I got the opportunity to speak with actors Chris Gibson and Rachel Landon, Stage Manager Lauren Hainley, and Choreographer Eric Dano about SRO's upcoming production of SILENCE! THE MUSICAL. The musical is a parody of the 1991 Academy Award winning film, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. The show is directed by Chris Patton and stars Chris Gibson, Rachel Landon,Bryan Kaplun, Chaney Moore, Tom Stell, Kiefer Slaton, Maryann Williams, Taelon J. Stonecipher, and Heather Buzonas. SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will make its Houston premiere and run from June 9 - June 25, 2016 at Obsidian Theater.

THE NETHER is a chilling tale about how the division between technology and our lives begin to blur, and the ethical consequences that result when access to this technology fall into the wrong hands. Engaging performances from an all-star cast, unique character development, notable set and lighting designs, and intricate storytelling had me on the edge of my seat for its 85 minute run time.

If you've ever walked into a service at a megachurch, then you know what's at stake for Pastor Paul in THE CHRISTIANS. The play is daring and bold. It shows us the identity crisis our society has been having when it comes to ideology, and how even the well-intentioned allow this to tear our relationships asunder instead of bringing us closer. The play was enjoyable and filled with suspense and dramatic tension. However, the topic of this play seems to supersede the play itself. My connection to the characters in combination with the quick ending left me wanting to see more.

Anthony unexpectedly appears in his classmate's room to seek her help in completing a project, the night before it is due. Through an emotionally tumultuous journey, they delve into the mysteries of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass", unaware that something deeper has brought them together. I AND YOU won the 2014 ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award and was a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist. The play, directed by Seth Gordon and starring Melissa Molano and Mateo Mpindzi-Mott, is making its regional premiere at Stages Repertory Theatre and will close May 22.

Michael Mongtomery and Julie Montgomery discuss the name change announcement for HFAC and the opening of DAMN YANKEES in Houston, TX

Writer Rachel Landon and Actress Alli Villines discuss SRO's SPEAKEASY, an immersive theatre experience featuring popular 1920's era music, roaring dance numbers and a glimpse into the end of Prohibition. SPEAKEASY is about Texas, the female owner of a Chicago speakeasy club during the Prohibition era - and the various characters that frequent the club.

The feel-good family friendly show is fast paced, well-performed, and will have you laughing out loud. The show is full of wit, quips, and charm. The show will close in less than a week, and it's one that you do not want to miss this season. Don't forget to bring the kiddos. The comedy was adapted by Playwright Mark Brown, based on the 1873 novel by Jules Verne, and the production is directed by Mark Shanahan. The story is about Phileas Fogg's attempt to circumnavigate the globe within eighty days as a result of a wager with members of the London-based aristocratic group, the Reform Club.

BWW Review: THE BOOK OF MAGGIE Slays at Stages Repertory #Theatre #Houston

Scott Burkell's updated version of HO HO HUMBUG packs laughs and heartwarming moments in his most recent trimmed down version of this original Christmas comedy. Stark Naked produced the World Premiere last year and yielded mixed reviews. I wanted to see last year's performance of HO HO HUMBUG, but am now glad I waited for this one-act 90-minute version directed by Stark Naked Artistic Directors Kim Tobin-Lehl and Philip Lehl. The show opened on December 3rd and performances will run through December 23, 2015.

FrenetiCore Dance's THE SNOW QUEEN is currently being performed at Frenetic Theatre in Houston. The show is a family friendly dance narrative about true friendship and the journey to find true love. The show, which is being funded in part by a City's Initiative Grant from Houston Arts Alliance, opened last weekend and will run for three more performances this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 10, 11, and 12 at 7:30pm. The story of THE SNOW QUEEN, popularized by Disney's FROZEN, is retold through the imagination of dancer and writer Adam Castaneda. I got the opportunity to chat with him recently, and I got to hear his thoughts about the show, his career, and about the Houston dance scene.