Jeff Davis News

As I am writing this review, I am still laughing my butt off. The City Theatre's production of VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM is just as hysterical, quirky, and off-kilter as its title. This is one gut-busting piece of camp.

Halloween may be over, which means that the truly terrifying holiday is upon us: Thanksgiving. It's that dreaded holiday where we have to break bread and socialize with our family, pretending to like them despite how excruciating we may find them to be. It's fitting then that Capital T Theatre should present THE PAIN AND THE ITCH, a dramatic comedy about a family whose secrets unravel on Thanksgiving night.

In this week's edition of 'Around the Broadway World: Regional Highlights of the Week', we bring you the most-read stories for the week of October 29. Catch up on all the latest theater happenings from all corners of the world!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012) The five-time Tony Award-nominated musical ROCK OF AGES, which recently celebrated its 1500th New York performance and is currently the 61st Longest Running Broadway Show in history, will play a special Halloween performance this evening, Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 8pm at The Helen Hayes Theater (240 W 44th Street). Tickets are available at Telecharge.com and at The Hayes Box Office.

Austin fanboys and girls rejoiced this weekend at Austin Comic Con, presented by Wizard World. The events featured celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premiers, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World, Inc. also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

Austin fanboys and girls rejoiced this weekend at Austin Comic Con, presented by Wizard World. The events featured celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premiers, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World, Inc. also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, now playing at the Georgetown Palace Theatre, has made a fan out of me. This simple, understated production is a loving tribute and homage to one of the greatest singers of the last century. Whether you're a fan of Patsy Cline or not, you'll love her after seeing this production.

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.

I first heard of McCallum's Fine Arts Academy earlier this year when I attended their Theater Department's production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. I was completely awestruck by the talent and professionalism of these high school students, and I immediately contacted their teacher, Joshua Denning, to learn more about their program. Mr. Denning then invited me to a closed dress rehearsal of their upcoming musical production of THE SECRET GARDEN to chat with him and the students.

While many Austin theater companies are currently producing some Halloween fright fests, Paradox Players is offering a play about the scariest evil of all: politicians. With THE BEST MAN, the famous comedy-drama by Gore Vidal, Austin's Paradox Players shows us that not much has changed in the dirty world of American politics in over 50 years, a well-timed message given the upcoming election.

It was a dark and stormy night when two weary travelers, Nicholas and Alice, stumbled upon the lavish estate of Sir John, a worldly man with a delight for ghost stories and folklore. To pass the time, John proposes a bet to Nicholas and Alice, promising them 50 pounds if he can scare them using nothing more than literature.

In this week's edition of 'Regional Highlights of the Week', we bring you the most-read stories for the week of October 15 so sit back, catch up and enjoy all the latest regional features, reviews, interviews and more!

Fiddle-dee-dee! As God as my witness, I'll never laugh this hard again! With MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, a behind-the-scenes comedy about the film version of Gone With the Wind, Penfold Theater Company delights audiences with some good ol'-fashioned 1930s Hollywood antics.

Break out the champagne and cigars. It's not a boy. It's not a girl. It's a hit! With BABY, the little-known 1980s musical, Austin Theatre Project proves it is a force to be reckoned with, quite a feat considering the company is less than one year old.

It's now the Halloween season, and all over Austin, theaters are rolling out their spookiest tricks and treats. While Last Act Theatre's current production of DOCTOR FAUSTUS may not be the scariest or spookiest, it certainly is worth seeing for its brilliant direction and strong performances.

Another Friday, another recap of news making the rounds in the Broadway World! Nominations have been tallied and voting is now open for the 2012 BWW UK Awards so get your vote in today! The 2012 BWW Regional Awards are also underway with nominations being accepted in 30 regions for your favorite stars and productions. October 26 is the deadline for submitting a nomination so have your say on who should win in your region!

The Kitchen Riots, a three-night festival of new works in dance, music, and theatre, will play the Abingdon Theatre tonight, October 4, 5, and 6, 2012.

HALLELUJAH GIRLS is a triumphant success for the Sam Bass Theatre. While the script sometimes feels like TV's "Golden Girls" in Georgia, it's so silly and entertaining that the occasional lack of originality is completely irrelevant. This show is an absolute blast!

The Zach Scott Theatre has shown Austin for 79 years that it knows how to put on a show. On Saturday, September 27th with their Deep in the Heart of ZACH celebration of the new Topfer Theater, Zach proved they know how to throw a party as well.