Alexander Garza - Page 2

I got the opportunity to speak with actors Chris Gibson and Rachel Landon, Stage Manager Lauren Hainley, and Choreographer Eric Dano about SRO's upcoming production of SILENCE! THE MUSICAL. The musical is a parody of the 1991 Academy Award winning film, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. The show is directed by Chris Patton and stars Chris Gibson, Rachel Landon,Bryan Kaplun, Chaney Moore, Tom Stell, Kiefer Slaton, Maryann Williams, Taelon J. Stonecipher, and Heather Buzonas. SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will make its Houston premiere and run from June 9 - June 25, 2016 at Obsidian Theater.

THE NETHER is a chilling tale about how the division between technology and our lives begin to blur, and the ethical consequences that result when access to this technology fall into the wrong hands. Engaging performances from an all-star cast, unique character development, notable set and lighting designs, and intricate storytelling had me on the edge of my seat for its 85 minute run time.

If you've ever walked into a service at a megachurch, then you know what's at stake for Pastor Paul in THE CHRISTIANS. The play is daring and bold. It shows us the identity crisis our society has been having when it comes to ideology, and how even the well-intentioned allow this to tear our relationships asunder instead of bringing us closer. The play was enjoyable and filled with suspense and dramatic tension. However, the topic of this play seems to supersede the play itself. My connection to the characters in combination with the quick ending left me wanting to see more.

Anthony unexpectedly appears in his classmate's room to seek her help in completing a project, the night before it is due. Through an emotionally tumultuous journey, they delve into the mysteries of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass", unaware that something deeper has brought them together. I AND YOU won the 2014 ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award and was a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist. The play, directed by Seth Gordon and starring Melissa Molano and Mateo Mpindzi-Mott, is making its regional premiere at Stages Repertory Theatre and will close May 22.

Michael Mongtomery and Julie Montgomery discuss the name change announcement for HFAC and the opening of DAMN YANKEES in Houston, TX

Writer Rachel Landon and Actress Alli Villines discuss SRO's SPEAKEASY, an immersive theatre experience featuring popular 1920's era music, roaring dance numbers and a glimpse into the end of Prohibition. SPEAKEASY is about Texas, the female owner of a Chicago speakeasy club during the Prohibition era - and the various characters that frequent the club.

The feel-good family friendly show is fast paced, well-performed, and will have you laughing out loud. The show is full of wit, quips, and charm. The show will close in less than a week, and it's one that you do not want to miss this season. Don't forget to bring the kiddos. The comedy was adapted by Playwright Mark Brown, based on the 1873 novel by Jules Verne, and the production is directed by Mark Shanahan. The story is about Phileas Fogg's attempt to circumnavigate the globe within eighty days as a result of a wager with members of the London-based aristocratic group, the Reform Club.

BWW Review: THE BOOK OF MAGGIE Slays at Stages Repertory #Theatre #Houston

Scott Burkell's updated version of HO HO HUMBUG packs laughs and heartwarming moments in his most recent trimmed down version of this original Christmas comedy. Stark Naked produced the World Premiere last year and yielded mixed reviews. I wanted to see last year's performance of HO HO HUMBUG, but am now glad I waited for this one-act 90-minute version directed by Stark Naked Artistic Directors Kim Tobin-Lehl and Philip Lehl. The show opened on December 3rd and performances will run through December 23, 2015.

FrenetiCore Dance's THE SNOW QUEEN is currently being performed at Frenetic Theatre in Houston. The show is a family friendly dance narrative about true friendship and the journey to find true love. The show, which is being funded in part by a City's Initiative Grant from Houston Arts Alliance, opened last weekend and will run for three more performances this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 10, 11, and 12 at 7:30pm. The story of THE SNOW QUEEN, popularized by Disney's FROZEN, is retold through the imagination of dancer and writer Adam Castaneda. I got the opportunity to chat with him recently, and I got to hear his thoughts about the show, his career, and about the Houston dance scene.

Award-winning stage and screen star Stephen Lang brings BEYOND GLORY, his one man show that tells the stories of eight medal of honor recipients, to Houston, TX on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Lang has a long list of notable performances on and off Broadway, in Hollywood, and has taken his stage play BEYOND GLORY across the globe. Lang is best known for portraying Col. Miles Quaritch in James Cameron's AVATAR, Ike Clanton in TOMBSTONE, Increase Mather in the hit television series SALEM, and Commander Nathanial Taylor in TERRA NOVA.

I've always liked the intimacy of the Neuhaus stage at the Alley Theatre. I was left feeling like I witnessed real theatre magic through the special effects, interesting dialogue, and over the top violence in LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, and felt hopeful and inspired by the end of ROCK N' ROLL. But THE OTHER PLACE, written by Sharr White and directed by Don Stephenson, didn't really leave me thinking or feeling anything special after seeing it. It seemed more like an acting exercise for the talented cast rather than a play that would provide any type of catharsis for the audience.

INTO THE WOODS is an ambitious undertaking for a community theater. The music is complex and the costumes and set are anything but minimalistic. HFAC's ambition is realized through this production directed by Sam Brown, and you can clearly see his heart and soul in a musical that rivals some professional productions around town.

I was pleased to see many familiar faces last Wednesday at the Alley Theatre's performance of ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS. It helped set the tone for the comedic and interactive performance that seemed to ask us to leave any egos at the door, relax, and sit back for a night of farcical storytelling and crass side-splitting humor. The show absolutely delivered.

SRO (Standing Room Only) Productions is producing AMERICAN IDIOT at Obisidian Theater in Houston, TX this fall. The original musical, by Billy Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, won two Tony awards, a Drama Desk award, and a Grammy for best Musical Theatre Album. The story centers on three young men and their paths to self-discovery. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Director Chris Patton and Actor Justin White about the upcoming SRO production in Houston, TX.

As each of us seeks to carve our own path, we yearn to connect with someone that understands us. This is why SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS resonates with audiences, and why presenting it with very little sound is relevant in today's fast-paced and technologically connected society, where silence and real human connection is scarce.

Pitch Me This (PMT) Productions has decided to take MIDTOWN LIVE, the 'concert that started it all', on tour. PMT proudly kicks off its second season with its signature musical theater concert MIDTOWN LIVE 2K15 (tour). I had a conversation with Artistic Director, Eduardo Guzman, about the show which opens Thursday August 20, 2015 at Island ETC in Downtown Galveston and will tour through Art Park Players in Deer Park and the Alley Kat Bar & Lounge in Houston.

THE HONKY TONK ANGELS is running at Stages Repertory Theatre through September 6, 2015. The show made for a fun evening of entertainment, upholding the reputation of high quality productions that Stages Repertory Theatre has always been known for. The show, directed by Mitchell Greco, serves as a nostalgic piece of musical theatre that leaves the audience talking about it long after the stage goes dark.

FrenetiCore Dance is reviving its 2013 show, THE RITE OF SUMMER, for the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater on August 1, 2015. Artistic Director Rebecca French's THE RITE OF SUMMER was created to commemorate Stravinsky's 1913 masterpiece, THE RITE OF SPRING. THE RITE OF SUMMER by FrenetiCore Dance is a celebration of life, nature, and the exuberance of a bright summer day. I caught up with Director Rebecca French to talk about the performance, which will be performed Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 8:00pm.

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE: THE SONGS OF LEIBER AND STOLLER is performed at Miller Outdoor Theatre through Sunday July 19, 2015 and produced by TUTS (Theatre Under The Stars). Don't miss this wondrous production by TUTS at the Miller Outdoor Theatre.