Armando Urdiales - Page 2

Shannon Emerick, a celebrated Houston stage actress and two-time Houston Press Best Actress winner, takes on one of Greek tragedy’s most formidable figures in Classical Theatre Company’s production of Electra. As Clytaemnestra, the queen, mother, and murderer whose actions set a family and a city on a path of grief and revenge, Emerick brings a deeply human perspective to a character often seen as purely villainous. In this interview, she discusses how she approached the role, the personal and emotional connections that shaped her performance, and what drew her to embody one of theatre’s most iconic and challenging women.

Orlando has long been one of Houston’s most beloved actors, captivating audiences with his dynamic performances in productions like Private Lives, American Mariachi, and Sherlock Holmes and the Jersey Lily. Now, he takes on an extraordinary challenge in STAGES production of The Lehman Trilogy, a sweeping saga that spans nearly two centuries and follows the rise and fall of the iconic Lehman family.

Jennifer Dean, Artistic Director of 4th Wall Theatre Co., brings a keen eye for both timely storytelling and innovative theatrical craft to the company’s latest production, Eureka Day.

James Mirrione, the bookwriter behind The Grippe, invites audiences to revisit a pivotal moment in history through the lens of theatre. Inspired by the overlooked story of the 1918 Spanish Flu and its striking parallels to contemporary society, Mirrione combines rigorous historical research, personal family history, and music of the era to craft a play that is both enlightening and emotionally resonant.

What did our critic think of SCHMITT'S PSALM 47 AND STRAVINSKY'S FIREBIRD at Houston Symphony?

Houston Ballet’s Rock and Roll and Tutus brings together legendary choreographers with fresh new voices, and among them is Jacquelyn Long, who not only performs but also contributes her own original work to the program.

For Houston Ballet dancer Saul Newport, Rock and Roll and Tutus is more than just a performance program. It is a test of versatility, artistry, and endurance. Moving between the joy and vigor of Illuminate, the swagger of Rooster, the intimacy of What I Was Thinking While I Was Waltzing, and the classical celebration of Vi et Animo, Saul embraces each ballet as its own world. His approach is rooted in honesty, whether channeling the legendary energy of The Rolling Stones, finding balance in sprightly choreography, or drawing from personal memories to make movement feel lived in. In this conversation, Saul shares how he shifts mindsets between such contrasting works, the rituals that help him reset, and what he hopes audiences take away from experiencing these journeys in one evening.

A.D. Players continues its tradition of thought-provoking theatre with Freud’s Last Session, a play that imagines an extraordinary meeting between Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and C.S. Lewis, the beloved author and Christian apologist. As the two men wrestle with questions of faith, reason, and the meaning of life on the brink of World War II, audiences are invited into a dialogue that feels strikingly relevant to our own polarized times. We spoke with Christy Watkins, who brings this intellectual and emotional journey to life on stage, about the play’s enduring resonance, the challenges of embodying such weighty historical figures, and the importance of listening across differences.

What did our critic think of KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Hobby Center For The Performing Arts?

Bria Washington is stepping into the spotlight as the determined and big-hearted Akeelah in The Ensemble Theatre’s production of Akeelah and the Bee. Based on the beloved film, Cheryl L. West’s stage adaptation follows an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles who discovers her gift for spelling and, through it, the power of perseverance, self-belief, and community. For Washington, the role is both a challenge and a joy—one that resonates deeply with her own journey as an artist navigating new chapters in Houston.

Main Street Theater continues its season with Ossie Davis’ groundbreaking satire Purlie Victorious, a play that blends sharp humor with a powerful exploration of race, dignity, and resilience. At the heart of the production is Houston actor and costume designer Krystal Uchem, who steps into the role of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins....

Brilliant projections, realistic animal puppetry, and a cast that seems to do the impossible are currently at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Lolita Chakrabarti and Yann Martel's Life of Pi. The production, while a visual wonder to behold, is also one of the most head-scratching and perplexing forms of play to grace a Houston stage this summer.

What did our critic think of IOLANTHE at Gilbert And Sullivan Society Of Houston?

As a devoted fan of The Last Five Years by the incomparable Jason Robert Brown, I can confidently say that I've logged countless hours listening to both official and unofficial recordings of this beloved two-person musical.

For Meaghan, stepping into the title role of Iolanthe with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston is more than just a chance to don wings and enchant an audience—it’s a full-circle moment years in the making. After a pandemic-canceled debut in the same role, this production offers both personal and artistic redemption. A mother of three and a self-described fairy tale fan, Meaghan brings heart, humor, and haunting honesty to a character who defies rules for love. In this interview, she shares her journey with Iolanthe, the joys and challenges of Gilbert & Sullivan, and how her own story shines through the fairy dust.

Elissa Cuellar steps into the emerald spotlight as the Wicked Witch of the West in A.D. Players’ production of The Wizard of Oz, a role steeped in cinematic legacy and theatrical flair. In this interview, she reflects on her childhood obsession with the story, the creative inspirations behind her nuanced portrayal, and the surprising joy of winning over young fans, including the green makeup

For many, The Wizard of Oz is a childhood classic filled with timeless magic, but for Matthew Steven Lawrence, stepping into the Scarecrow’s floppy boots, it’s something much more profound.

In let.her.rip, Melissa Pritchett tackles one of her boldest roles yet—a fierce, unapologetic woman in a powerful new play by Maggie Lou Rader. She shares what drew her to the script, how Liza came to life in rehearsal, and why this story matters in today’s theatre landscape.

With expert direction, brilliant acting, and masterly design elements, Rec Room Arts latest outing of Danny Tejera's Toros is a production that will leave Houston audiences with complicated emotions about this coming-of-age story. While Tejera's work is a dramedy, Rec Room Arts decision to delve into this story, with its themes of toxic masculinity, the transition into adulthood, and the complexities of friendship, is a genius one.

Broadway may have first met her with a long blonde wig in the hit revival of Into the Woods, but Houston audiences are falling in love with her all over again—this time with hoop earrings, bold dreams, and sky-high heels.