Danica Dawn Johnston

Bayou City Concert Musicals continues its popular cabaret series with Elegant Ellington, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 20; 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 21; and 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2107, at the Performance Centre of the Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main between Holman and Berry Street, in the heart of Midtown.

As a team, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz (Larry) Hart found Broadway fame while in their twenties. Though their talents as composer and lyricist complimented one another brilliantly, their working methods and personalities couldn't have been more different. Rodgers's strict work ethic and Hart's casual and tragically self-destructive attitude eventually led to the end of their creative partnership which, in turn, resulted in Rodgers's legendary collaborations with Oscar Hammerstein. After seeing Bayou Concert City Musicals' production of their latest revue, My Romance: The Rodgers and Hart Songbook, I was inspired to not only revisit the songs that were performed, but to delve further into the career of one of Broadway's greatest, if somewhat tumultuous partnerships.

Bayou City Concert Musicals will present the 2015 Kim Hupp Award to veteran Houston Producer/Actress Mitzi Wayne Weiss as part of its fundraising event, Something Wonderful: The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, at 7:30 p.m., tonight, January 24, 2015, at the Cullen Performance Hall of The University of St. Thomas, 4001 Mt. Vernon.

Bayou City Concert Musicals will present the 2015 Kim Hupp Award to veteran Houston Producer/Actress Mitzi Wayne Weiss as part of its fundraising event, Something Wonderful: The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015, at the Cullen Performance Hall of The University of St. Thomas, 4001 Mt. Vernon.

BWW Reviews: Bayou City Theatrics Presents A Gritty And Dazzling CHICAGO, Despite Sound Problems

Just as exciting as the annual summer concert presentation of a more-or-less forgotten hit musical from yesteryear are Bayou City Concert Musicals' fundraising cabaret performances. Kicking off their 2014 season, Paul Hope has programmed an evening of Irving Berlin's hit songs for the 1930s. In this set, titled CHEEK TO CHEEK: IRVING BERLIN IN THE 1930s, there are numerous favorites that left audiences tittering excitedly from the time they took their seats until the program ended.

After a critically acclaimed and highly successful inaugural season, Bayou City Theatrics will open their second season with a reinvented production of the world-famous musical, Les Miserables. Following the success of the 2012 Academy Award winning film adaptation, (starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway) Music Theatre International released the performance rights for the musical to be licensed to companies nationwide. BCT's Artistic Director, Colton Berry, jumped at the chance.

It is generally agreed upon that the best theatre challenges audiences, and after they experience the piece they are altered. Bayou City Theatrics' production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY vastly excels in this domain. If you're unfamiliar with the show, rest assured that Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY exists in the periphery of the theatre consciousness. Most of those who are aware of it are fans of Andrew Lippa or know a handful of numbers because they follow the Broadway stars Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Brian D'Arcy James, and/or Julia Murney. Bayou City Theatrics took a big risk with producing the musical, but the lascivious, violent, alcohol-drenched production had a profound and strangely enchanting affect on those lucky enough to attend last night's opening night performance. From what we experienced, I am sure that its allure and effect will only get stronger as the run progresses.

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

Bayou City Concert Musicals has a track record of enjoyable and wholly entertaining performances. They burst onto the Houston Theatre scene with a concert production of FOLLIES. Since FOLLIES, Paul Hope has astounded audiences with productions of FALSETTOS, SHE LOVES ME, 70, GIRLS, 70, ASSASSINS, FIORELLO!, THE SECRET GARDEN, PAL JOEY, ON THE TOWN, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, FINNAN'S RAINBOW, and ONE TOUCH OF VENUS. Each of these shows was a sensational hit in its own time, but has been notoriously neglected as time merrily rolls along. Each of these concerts has been accompanied by a live orchestra, which only increases the price tag for producing the fabulous productions. To help keep ticket prices affordable, Paul Hope utilizes showcase cabarets as fundraisers. Like his concert productions, the cabarets are jam packed with the best of the best of Houston's musical theatre talent who only aim to captivate and enthrall. The latest cabaret, JEROME KERN IN HOLLYWOOD, is no exception.

Kicking off the holiday season while also helping to raise funds for the theater's ongoing operations, a one-weekend-only Yuletide Cabaret will be presented at The Country Playhouse tonight, November 30 to December 2, with an opening night cocktail recep­tion gala at 6:30 p.m., plus a Saturday performance at 8:00 p.m., and closing with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

What started as friends having fun, singing around a piano, has blossomed into what promises to be a mirth filled and extraordinary production. Last night, I was invited to attend a rehearsal for The Country Playhouse's special holiday event YULETIDE CABARET. Walking into The Country Playhouse, the air was buzzing with holiday cheer and excitement. Even though it was just a rehearsal, the mood was set for a fantastic evening of holiday favorites, wondrous surprises, and delightful new Christmas themed songs.

Kicking off the holiday season while also helping to raise funds for the theater's ongoing operations, a one-weekend-only Yuletide Cabaret will be presented at The Country Playhouse on November 30 to December 2, with an opening night cocktail recep­tion gala at 6:30 p.m., plus a Saturday performance at 8:00 p.m., and closing with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Kicking off the holiday season while also helping to raise funds for the theater's ongoing operations, a one-weekend-only Yuletide Cabaret will be presented at The Country Playhouse on November 30 to December 2, with an opening night cocktail recep­tion gala at 6:30 p.m., plus a Saturday performance at 8:00 p.m., and closing with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Everything old is new again, but some classic treasures just sparkle and shine brighter than others. After taking in a performance of Bayou City Concert Musicals' ONE TOUCH OF VENUS, I am surprised that this is its first performance in Houston. The show, which became a starring vehicle for the legendary Mary Martin, originally opened on Broadway on October 7, 1943 ran for 567 performances. Kurt Weill's score is infectious and poppy, and Ogden Nash's lyrics compliment the comedic plot with the right amounts of sap and zing to completely entertain and enthrall. ONE TOUCH OF VENUS is a delightful piece that is truly deserving of Bayou City Concert Musicals' splendid resurrection and concert staging. Houston owes great multitudes of thanks to Paul Hope and Bayou City Concert Musicals for programming this show, giving audiences an opportunity to see something that is old yet new and fresh to us all at the same time.

Bayou City Concert Musicals kicks off its 2012-13 season with a fully-staged concert version of the classic musical, One Touch of Venus, for five performances at the Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, tonight, September 6 through September 9, 2012. "It seems strange," says BCCM Artistic Director Paul Hope, "to say a show written in the 1940s can be a Houston premiere, but One Touch of Venus has never before been seen on a Houston stage. That's a sad oversight BCCM will correct in September."

Bayou City Concert Musicals will present the Houston premiere of the classic musical, One Touch of Venus, for five performances at the Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, September 6-9, 2012. The Thursday performance (9-6) will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the Friday (9-7) and Saturday (9-8) performances beginning at 8:00 p.m. There will be two performances on Sunday (9-9), a matinee at 2:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.

Bayou City Concert Musicals kicks off its 2012-13 season with a fully-staged concert version of the classic musical, One Touch of Venus, for five performances at the Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin, September 6-9, 2012. "It seems strange," says BCCM Artistic Director Paul Hope, "to say a show written in the 1940s can be a Houston premiere, but One Touch of Venus has never before been seen on a Houston stage. That's a sad oversight BCCM will correct in September."