Austin Theater Reviews

Review: PREVIEWS OF DEPARTING ATTRACTIONS - A Theatrical Breath Of Fresh Air At Austin Playhouse
by Lynn Beaver - August 13, 2022

Lowell Bartholomee’s new work, PREVIEWS OF DEPARTING ATTRACTIONS is a theatrical breath of fresh air during our stifling August heat....

Review: SUNFLOWER Scottish Rite Musical Misses The Mark
by Lynn Beaver - August 04, 2022

SUNFLOWER with book and lyrics by Laura Guli and music and orchestration by Premila Mistry tries so hard to reach its target audience that it lacks focus on any one topic....

Review: MEAN GIRLS At Bass Concert Hall Is Ruthlessly Hilarious
by Lynn Beaver - August 04, 2022

Broadway In Austin brings the ruthlessly hilarious North American tour of Tina Fey’s MEAN GIRLS to Bass Concert Hall, where the theatre is cool and the show is hot, hot, hot!...

Review: THE DATING PROJECT - Summer Break Theatre Scores High Marks For Hilarity
by Lynn Beaver - July 20, 2022

Austin playwright Max Langert takes us through every painful, hilarious step of the online dating process in THE DATING PROJECT. Produced excellently by Summer Break Theatre, currently playing at Hyde Park Theatre, the show is a cool breeze in this endless summer heat....

Review: TALES OF A BLERD BALLERINA - Triumphant One Woman Show
by Lynn Beaver - July 16, 2022

TALES OF A BLERD BALLERINA is a supernova compared to the firecracker of other single actor shows....

Review: The stage is alive with THE SOUND OF MUSIC at ZACH Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - July 09, 2022

Despite the minor tweaks and modern aspects of the production, this is still the same classic musical that is suitable and enjoyable for the entire family. If you want to make the experience more unique and try that old acting bug, you can purchase table seats and learn how to Waltz with Max, Liesl,...

Review: Jarrott Productions' PET DICK - Laugh-Out-Loud Funny
by Lynn Beaver - July 05, 2022

What did our critic think? Jarrott Productions has produced another hit. PET DICK is an absolutely hilarious ‘audio documentary’ that will have everyone in stitches. This series is creative, laugh-out-loud funny and uses the world class vocal talents of some Austin’s best actors....

Review: Georgetown Palace's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - Flawlessly Entertaining
by Lynn Beaver - June 30, 2022

What a complete joy it was to be so thoroughly entertained by a magnificent production at The Georgetown Palace Theatre’s Springer Stage. ...

BWW Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Zilker's Hillside Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - June 05, 2022

BWW Review: The company of Austin Shakespeare brought 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' to the stage with such impeccable acting that it easily transported audiences back to the days when the Bard himself would see his words come alive at the London Globe Theatre. The show is now closed....

BWW Review: A LEAGUE OF HER OWN by the Bottle Alley Theatre Company And Just Friends
by Sabrina Wallace - June 05, 2022

'A League of Her Own' invites audiences into Sam's hiding place where they spend an hour living in the nightmare that has become her life. This is an original play that explores the effects of mental abuse and harassment. The show is no longer running, but I recommend following Bottle Alley Theatre ...

BWW Review: SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH - Beloved Children's Book Becomes Musical Delight
by Lynn Beaver - May 17, 2022

ZACH Theatre presents a joyous new musical, SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH, based on the popular 1991 book by Eileen Spinelli. Adapted for the stage and directed by Emmy winner, Allen Robertson, the show is a heart shaped jewel that everyone can enjoy, no matter your age....

BWW Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! - Georgetown Palace Creates Musical Magic
by Lynn Beaver - May 10, 2022

In my opinion SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a benchmark for The Palace Theatre. It’s a massive production for anyone to attempt, but to succeed so spectacularly is awe inspiring. It’s all due to Ron Watson and his stellar cast and crew. ...

BWW Review: MACK & MABEL at The Alchemy Theatre
by Jesse Griffith - April 29, 2022

I was anxious to get back to the theatre after the pandemic hiatus on two levels - lingering fear of the 'Rona versus my life-long love affair with what is for me the greatest artistic performance genre of all: Musical Theatre. And we see here what won. I love musical theatre so much that I earned a...

BWW Review: SEUSSICAL at Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - April 24, 2022

A rendition of a classic that finally makes sense of Dr. Seuss' unique characters. Scarlata gives us a compelling story about real people with beautiful imperfections that make them so perfectly human. With a talented cast, outstanding choreography, and a lot of imagination, this is a SEUSSICAL you ...

BWW Review: SELFIE! THE MUSICAL at The Vortex
by Mackenzie Vance - April 11, 2022

Selfie! The Musical asks questions and starts conversations all while being centered in a mindset that even as technology advances, humanity stays the same....

BWW Review: THE LION KING at Bass Concert Hall
by Mackenzie Vance - April 10, 2022

It is clear that the cast and crew of THE LION KING take pride in their work. This show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should not be missed....

BWW Review: Round Rock Penfold's Production of AMADEUS
by Lynn Beaver - April 09, 2022

Round Rock’s premier theatre company Penfold is known for their creativity and excellent production values, but their presentation of Peter Shaffer’s AMADEUS leaves me puzzled on nearly every level....

BWW Review: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - Scrumdiddlyumptious Fun For Everyone
by Lynn Beaver - March 24, 2022

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - The New Musical, currently playing at Austin’s Bass Concert Hall as part of the Broadway In Austin series, is fantastic fun for the whole family....

BWW Review: Jarrott Production's LIFESPAN OF A FACT - A Return To Live Performance Brilliance
by Lynn Beaver - March 15, 2022

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT is a perfect reason to get back out to live theatre. Go and enjoy one of Austin’s premier theatre companies doing what they do best - telling the story. ...

BWW Review: UNEXPECTED JOY at Ground Floor Theatre
by Amy Tarver - December 17, 2021

Entering a theater after a two year hiatus had everyone in the house chatting, hugging, and expressing gratitude for live theatre’s return. Ground Floor has become a staple in the Austin theater community and their in-person return to the stage has been much anticipated....

BWW Review: HAMILTON Returns to Austin
by Lynn Beaver - December 10, 2021

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, returns to Austin’s Bass Concert Hall with full seats and roaring crowds. There are shows that shift the way we see theatre and this is one of those rare productions that will remain in our collective consciousness long after the final notes sound. ...

BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at ZACH Theatre
by Joni Lorraine - December 08, 2021

Treat yourself to ZACH’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. It’s like flipping the switch on the Times Square Christmas tree — it illuminates the season! ...

BWW Review: THE THANKSGIVING PLAY - Hysterical Holiday Hit
by Lynn Beaver - November 27, 2021

If you need a laugh as badly as I do, the Different Stages production of THE THANKSGIVING PLAY at The Vortex is where you should be....

BWW Review: THE LION IN WINTER - Georgetown Palace Playhouse
by Lynn Beaver - October 19, 2021

THE LION IN WINTER by James Goldman currently playing at the Georgetown Palace Playhouse is a rare treat. The show, a favorite of mine for decades, hits all the marks; historical figures, witty dialogue and epic family dysfunction that makes for an entertaining evening at the theatre. Written in 196...

BWW REVIEW: WONDER OF THE WORLD - Hilarious Dark Comedy
by Lynn Beaver - October 19, 2021

Austin’s City Theatre and newcomer Beyond August Productions have joined forces to produce this darker than black comedy at the Trinity Street Theatre this fall....