James Black News

Stewart D'Arrietta's 'Belly Of A Drunken Piano' - Songs of Tom Waits  - Memo Music Hall - Friday 1 & Saturday 2 March 2019, 7:30pm

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black, announce the cast and crew of the family drama The Humans by Stephen Karam and directed by Alley Artistic Associate Brandon Weinbrenner. The New York Times calls the play "a beautiful and moving play…a genuine and precious rarity." The Humans runs March 1-24 in the Hubbard Theatre. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The State Theatre continues its music series, Stage on Stage, where the bands and fans share the stage. The series returns with two shows in February featuring six bands in total. The State Theatre main stage will be transformed into a "club" atmosphere, with the band and the audience both on stage.  Cash bar will also be available on stage.

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

The Alley Theatre and Managing Director Dean Gladden announced today the appointment of Deborah Lackey as the new Director of Development. Lackey most recently served as the Chief Advancement Officer for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising management with cultural, healthcare, education, and social service organizations. She assumes one of two leadership positions at the Alley along with the recent appointment of Artistic Director Rob Melrose.

The Alley Theatre announces the line-up for the 2019 Alley All New Festival, January 18 - January 27, 2019. The fourth annual Festival will feature a world premiere production, readings and workshop performances of five new plays, as well as an Early Draft Preview of a new musical. Festival playwrights include Robert Askins, Hilary Bettis, Glen Berger, Chisa Hutchinson, Claire Kiechel, Don Nguyen, and Lawrence Wright. Special packages are available for the final weekend of the Festival and include prime seating at all presentations, exclusive artist access, and meals between performances. Packages can be booked now at alleytheatre.org/allnew or by calling the Box Office at 713-220-5700. Advance reservations for individual events are recommended and can be made on November 26 at alleytheatre.org. All readings and workshop performances are free and open to the public.

The State Theatre Center for the Arts has announced the next two shows for its music series, Stage on Stage, where the bands and fans share the stage. The series continues with two shows in February featuring six bands in total. The State Theatre main stage will be transformed into a "club" atmosphere, with the band and the audience both on stage. Cash bar will also be available on stage.

The '60s Soul/Swinging London icon returns in November & December for more shows with her band featuring Tim Rogers, Andy Kent and Russell Hopkinson of You Am I, Talei & Eliza Wolfgramm and James Black; as well as select shows with the Rockwiz Orchestra.

Managing Director Dean R. Gladden announced today that Brandon Kahn has been appointed as General Manager of the Alley Theatre. A native Houstonian, Brandon joins the Alley from Williamstown Theatre Festival where he served over six seasons as Resident Production Stage Manager, Associate Line Producer, and most recently as the Producing Manager. Brandon will assume his General Manager duties October 22.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Hubbard Season opener, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, directed by Jonathan Moscone. The Alley presents an inventive, nontraditional, yet faithful production of Twelfth Night set in the 1930s that showcases not only the resident acting company, but also a diverse group of performers making their Alley debut. The play runs October 5-28, 2018 in the Hubbard Theatre. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Neuhaus Season opener, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Taibi Magar. Skeleton Crew is the story of four factory workers at the last automobile stamping plant in Detroit and their struggle to survive as the industry and their way of life is dramatically changed. The play runs September 7 - October 7, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Hubbard Season opener, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, directed by Jonathan Moscone.

Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP, now playing at the Alley Theatre, is a theatrical phenomenon.

Due to popular demand, the Alley Theatre announces additional performances of the 2018 ExxonMobil Summer Chills production Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, extending the play through September 16. The Mousetrap officially opens today, following previews that began August 10. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Neuhaus Season opener, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Taibi Magar. Skeleton Crew is the story of four factory workers at the last automobile stamping plant in Detroit and their struggle to survive as the industry and their way of life is dramatically changed. The play runs September 7 - October 7, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the ExxonMobil Summer Chills production, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, offering a cool escape from the sizzling summer heat. Directed by Interim Artistic Director James Black, The Mousetrap is the longest running show in world theatre history. The play runs August 10 - September 2, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

TodayTix, the international ticketing platform on a mission to redefine the way people experience theater, has partnered with the Alley Theatre to offer the first mobile Rush in Houston on the TodayTix app. The mobile Rush will offer exclusive access to $20 tickets, beginning with the theater's production of "The Cake," running June 1 to July 1, 2018, and continuing with "Holmes and Watson," running June 22 to July 22, 2018.

The Alley Theatre and interim artistic director James Black announce the cast and crew of the new Sherlock Holmes adventure Holmes and Watson byJeffrey Hatcher and directed by Mark Shanahan. This version of the play was written for the Alley by Hatcher. Based on the characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,Holmes and Watson plays the Hubbard Theatre June 22 - July 22, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

After all these years, this is a hard-hitting play, perhaps even more so, now.