Philip Hays News

On Friday night The Gravity Players opened a courtroom comedy and exploration of faith, THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, to a lively audience. Set in the Court of Purgatory, a place of redemption and a 'waiting list' between Heaven and Hell, the audience was to witness trials regarding sinners' placement in Purgatory, as many desired to appeal their judgment to move on to Heaven. Judge Littlefield, played by Paul Menzel, demands Bailiff (Philip Hays) to call the cases, 'God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Thorseen the Implacable', 'God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Benedict Arnold', and finally 'God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Judas Iscariot'.

What has become of Jesus' most notorious follower? In this dark comedy, time and space bend in a provocatively poignant quest to decide Judas' fate. Set in a courtroom in Purgatory, an uproarious cast of characters from Heaven and Hell swarm the stage to determine whether he has any grounds for redemption. 

A winner of the prestigious National Theatre Company Grant Award by the American Theatre Wing, Classical Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2017-2018 Mainstage Season. As the only professional theatre company in the State of Texas that solely produces classical drama on a year-round basis, CTC only produces plays that are 100 or more years old.

Gravity Players Theatre Group presents The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (in an Equity MPC Showcase) by Stephen Adly Guirgis, running August 10 through September 3, 2017.

Horse Head Theatre Co. (HH) strives to inspire empathy and engagement with new ideas. This year we will explore the idea of self knowledge.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (the eighteenth century play written by French native Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, not Rossini's opera) makes for a charming spectacle at Classical Theatre Company.

Most everyone is familiar with the opera The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, but few know that the opera is based on the 1775 play by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. In fact, the play has never before been professionally produced in Houston's long history. Beaumarchais' play is the origin for such iconic characters as Count Almaviva, Bartholo, Rosine, and of course, Figaro. 'This piece of theatre is so ripe with comedy that it directly spawned two operas, three plays, and a comic strip,' says director John Johnston. 'I'm thrilled to be able to produce Barber. It's one of those forgotten scripts that I've been champing at the bit to direct.' The hilarious love story of the dashing Count Almaviva as he woos the sweet and beautiful Rosine, all the while facilitated by the clown Figaro is sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles. 'And the chance to bring it to our Houston audiences, who will have never seen it before, particularly excites me.'

Copenhagen by Michael Frayn is a play about many things. Certainly it is about physics and the mysterious meeting between Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr in 1941. But patriotism and morality/ethics along with friendship and human nature are crucial subjects explored in the play.

Copenhagen by Michael Frayn is a play about many things.  Certainly it is about physics and the mysterious meeting between Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr in 1941.  But patriotism and morality/ethics along with friendship and human nature are crucial subjects explored in the play.  What do we owe to our country?  What do we owe to humanity?  What do we owe to each other?

Main Street Theater (MST) continues its 2016 - 2017 MainStage season with Tony Award Winner for Best Play, Copenhagen by Michael Frayn.  The production opens February 11 and runs through March 12 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.  Performances are on Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm.  Tickets are $36 - $45, depending on date and section, and are on sale via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. 

BWW Review: 4th Wall Theatre Gives A Nice Spin To MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

For the holiday season, 4th Wall Theatre Company (formerly Stark Naked Theatre Company) brings love and laughter to Houston audiences with Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. Widely considered to be one of Shakespeare's best comedies, Much Ado is a delightfully hilarious and witty tale of love, friendship and intrigue. Appropriate for all ages, this not-to-be-missed holiday treat opens tonight, December 1st, and runs through Christmas Eve. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few and tell us what you really think. Hot on the heels of the close-quarters intensity of Lidless and following their award-winning immersive spectacle The Whale; or, Moby-Dick, Horse Head Theatre Co. is proud to announce the regional premiere of The Judgment of Fools by Houston's own Bernardo Cubria, directed by Philip Hays. The Judgment of Fools runs October 27 - November 12, 2016 at REC Room, 100 Jackson Street, Thursdays - Todays at 8 p.m. with bonus late night performances Todays at 10 p.m. Pay-what-you-can previews are Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 8 p.m.

For the upcoming holiday season, 4th Wall Theatre Company (formerly Stark Naked Theatre Company) brings love and laughter to Houston audiences with Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.  Widely considered to be one of Shakespeare's best comedies, Much Ado is a delightfully hilarious and witty tale of love, friendship and intrigue.  Appropriate for all ages, this not-to-be-missed holiday treat opens on December 1st and runs through Christmas Eve.

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few, and say what you really think.

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few and tell us what you really think. Hot on the heels of the close-quarters intensity of Lidless and following their award-winning immersive spectacle The Whale; or, Moby-Dick, Horse Head Theatre Co. is proud to announce the regional premiere of The Judgment of Fools by Houston's own Bernardo Cubria, directed by Philip Hays. The Judgment of Fools runs October 27 - November 12, 2016 at REC Room, 100 Jackson Street, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. with bonus late night performances Saturdays at 10 p.m. Pay-what-you-can previews are Today, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few and tell us what you really think. Hot on the heels of the close-quarters intensity of Lidless and following their award-winning immersive spectacle The Whale; or, Moby-Dick, Horse Head Theatre Co. is proud to announce the regional premiere of The Judgment of Fools by Houston's own Bernardo Cubria, directed by Philip Hays. The Judgment of Fools runs October 27 - November 12, 2016at REC Room, 100 Jackson Street, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. with bonus late night performances Saturdays at 10 p.m. Pay-what-you-can previews are Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 8 p.m. 

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few and tell us what you really think. Hot on the heels of the close-quarters intensity of Lidless and following their award-winning immersive spectacle The Whale; or, Moby-Dick, Horse Head Theatre Co. is proud to announce the regional premiere of The Judgment of Fools by Houston's own Bernardo Cubria, directed by Philip Hays. The Judgment of Fools runs October 27 - November 12, 2016 at REC Room, 100 Jackson Street, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. with bonus late night performances Saturdays at 10 p.m. Pay-what-you-can previews are Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few and tell us what you really think.

Horse Head Theatre Co. presents LIDLESS by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, which begins today, June 2, and continues through June 18, 2016 at the Fresh Arts Gallery located in Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter Street, Houston, TX 77007. Tickets are $25, student and industry discounts are available at the door.