Jason Amato News

The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of Ayn Rand's novel ANTHEM. Adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives, previews for ANTHEM begin September 25 at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013.

Anyone who's seen any of the annual Zilker summer musicals in Austin's Zilker Park know that, though the productions are free to the public, the entertainment value and quality are always top-notch. Zilker's 55th annual production, Little Shop of Horrors, does not disappoint. This is a dazzling, colorful, and hysterically funny take on a staple of musical theater. The shop may be little, but the entertainment value is gigantic.

Summertime in Austin seems like the perfect place and time for a happy-go-lucky musical celebration of jazz music and swing dance. At least SummerStock Austin thinks so, and I whole-heartedly agree. Their production of Swing!, a dazzling and energetic musical revue, is absolutely astonishing and completely entertaining. Though SummerStock Austin's other two current productions of Pippin and The Bremen Town Musicians are excellent and memorable, Swing! proves to be the biggest crowd-pleaser of the bunch.

The Austin Shakespeare Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of Ayn Rand's novel ANTHEM. Adapted for the stage by composer Jeff Britting, curator of the Ayn Rand Archives, previews for ANTHEM begin September 25 at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (450 W. 37th Street). Opening night is scheduled for Monday, October 7th for a limited ten-week run through December 1, 2013.

Austin Shakespeare will present the New York premiere of the new stage adaptation of Ayn Rand's novel ANTHEM. The production directed by Artistic Director, Ann Ciccolella, originated in Austin at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in 2011, where Austin Shakespeare is a resident company. Previews are to begin September 25 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center's Jerome Robbins Theater in New York City - opening October 4and running for a ten week run through December 1, 2013

Culminating its 29th Season, Austin Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, May 2-26, 2013, FREE to the public at the Zilker Hillside Theatre in Zilker Park, 2201 Barton Springs Road. This dark romance, fueled by the contrast between jealousy and joy, will be set in Latin America, staged with tango (choreographed by Gustavo Semplis of Esquina Tango) and will culminate in a Brazilian Carnaval with dancers and drummers from Austin Samba.

I've heard it said that we are our most authentic selves when no one else is around and it's just us with our thoughts. Perhaps that's why Tru is so effective. By giving us a one man play in which Truman Capote can contemplate his life and the people in it, Jay Presson Allen has given us a fascinating portrait of the famous writer. Buoyed by Jaston Williams's fearless performance, this production is not to be missed.

Greater Tuna star Jaston Williams inhabits Truman Capote in what's described as a virtuoso performance of the charming, acerbic, fragile, and enigmatic writer. In this one-man tour de force, Williams' astonishing portrayal of the In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's author is by turns hilarious, vulnerable, and confessional. The audience becomes confidants to TRU's trademark wit and honesty. Packed houses, standing ovations, and waves of laughter characterized this show in its initial run at ZACH Theatre 12 years ago making it the hottest ticket in town. This production promises to be even more fun this time around.

WHITE CHRISTMAS, now playing at Zach's Topfer Theatre, is the best of the best. It's a fun, dazzling, family-friendly celebration of not only the Holiday season but of the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood as well.

ZACH - Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, in the first-ever season in its new Topfer Theatre, presents the Austin premiere of WHITE CHRISTMAS, based on the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. The show features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by David Ives and Paul Blake, with musical direction by Allen Robertson. WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed and choreographed by Nick Demos.

ZACH Theatre - Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES, written by David Sedaris and adapted for stage by Joe Mantello. ZACH's production will be directed by Dave Steakley and star Martin Burke, Amy Downing (for evening performances) and Jill Blackwood (on matinees).

ZACH Theatre - Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES, written by David Sedaris and adapted for stage by Joe Mantello. ZACH's production will be directed by Dave Steakley and star Martin Burke, Amy Downing (for evening performances) and Jill Blackwood (on matinees).

ZACH - Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, in the first-ever season in its new Topfer Theatre, presents the Austin premiere of WHITE CHRISTMAS, based on the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. The show features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by David Ives and Paul Blake, with musical direction by Allen Robertson. WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed and choreographed by Nick Demos.

I must confess that I came to Austin Shakespeare's current production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with no prejudices of my own. I've never read the original Jane Austen novel, and I've never seen any of the film versions with the exception of Bridget Jones's Diary, which is very loosely based on the Austen classic. However, prior knowledge of Austen and her work is not needed whatsoever to enjoy this pristine production. Whether you are an Austen fan or are a newcomer like myself, there is much to love about this spectacular show.

Kicking off subscriptions for its 29th Season, Austin Shakespeare announces Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the Long Center's intimate Rollins Theater tonight, Nov. 7-25. The professional (Actors' Equity) company brings back award-winning actress Liz Beckham now as the smart, delightful "Elizabeth Bennet." Beckham recently won the Austin Critics Table award Best Actor for the company's production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia last spring.

The current production of RAGTIME, produced by Zach Theatre in its new Topfer Theatre, shows precisely why RAGTIME is such a respected and important piece of theater. This dazzling and flawless production of the show is nothing short of spectacular and yet another triumph for Zach.

Kicking off subscriptions for its 29th Season, Austin Shakespeare announces Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the Long Center's intimate Rollins Theater Nov. 7-25. The professional (Actors' Equity) company brings back award-winning actress Liz Beckham now as the smart, delightful "Elizabeth Bennet." Beckham recently won the Austin Critics Table award Best Actor for the company's production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia last spring.

THE GEOMETRY OF PROXIMITY is a truly unique and haunting piece of art where everyone involved is at the top of their game. Whether you are a dance enthusiast or not, this is a show not to be missed.

With HEAVEN-EARTH-ONE, Blue Lapis Light gives Austin a tailor-made show that is unique, remarkable, intimate, mesmerizing, and literally breathtaking. This is an event that must not be missed from a company that deserves to be known as a staple of the Austin arts scene.

Seven Wonders of the World (Plus One) is a romantic musical adventure running tonight, August 16-26 @ 8pm at The Rollins Studio Theatre in The Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas. The source material for this original comedy, directed and adapted by Tongue and Groove Artistic Director, David Yeakle, is a 1940s-era suite of songs by the late record producer, Robert Scherman.