David Clarke - Page 40

George Bernard Shaw was profoundly affected by World War I. His first full-length piece following the war was HEARTBREAK HOUSE, which exposes the devastating aspects of the idle and self-indulgent British upper echelon. Main Street Theater is giving Houston audiences heavy social commentary, featuring Shaw's celebrated wit, with their well-executed production of HEARTBREAK HOUSE.

EVITA began as a rock opera concept album. The success of the album led to the 1978 production on London's West End and the 1979 production on Broadway. With a slew of regional productions, revivals, and tours, EVITA continues to capture the hearts of audiences, and the U.S. National Tour of the 2012 Broadway Revival production is a prime example of why.

Matthew Lopez's drama THE WHIPPING MAN premiered in 2006 at the Luna Stage Company in Montclair, NJ. In 2011, it had its NY Premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club, which received rave reviews and extended four times due to consistently selling out. Now, Stages is presenting Houston with the Regional Premiere of the interesting and celebrated work.

Last week, while the U.S. National Tour of the Broadway Revival of EVITA was in San Antonio, I got the chance to chat with Sean MacLaughlin, who is playing Colonel Juan Peron, about the show and his career. Houston audiences will recognize him from last season's production of CAMELOT, produced by Theatre Under the Stars, where he played Lancelot.

Inspired by noted linguist David Crystal's YouTube videos, Kate Pogue decided to bring an original pronunciation performance of Shakespeare to Houston. This summer, she and UH-D's O'Kane Theatre are remounting their popular production of JULIUS CAESAR, giving Houston audiences another chance to experience this novel approach to Shakespearean plays.

Houston's Brilliant Lecture Series motivates and inspires audiences by bringing in national and international leaders, roles models, philanthropists, artists, humanitarians, authors, and entrepreneurs to talk with Houston audiences. Gifting Houstonians with an hour of her time, the incomparable Bette Midler discussed her life as an entertainer and philanthropist.

Everyone's favorite tough-as-nails Southern lady, Madea, is back in Tyler Perry's MADEA'S NEIGHBORS FROM HELL. Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the filmed stage play. Whatever I was expecting, this DVD exceeded those expectations and proved to be a highly enjoyable and entertaining experience.

Friends, Houstonians, and theatre fans, lend me your eyes. University of Houston-Downtown is remounting their original pronunciation staging of William Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR. This production will also be traveling to the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe festival this August. Recently, I got to speak with Kate Pogue and Luke Fedell about this novel experiment in language.

Closing their 2013-14 Season, HGO is presenting Georges Bizet's acclaimed CARMEN. For this production, Award winning Broadway Director and Choreographer Rob Ashford took the reins and has created a CARMEN that is as beautiful as it is exciting.

Alfie Boe, who is internationally recognized for his tenor voice, first gained recognition in the US when he starred in Baz Luhrmann's LA BOHÈME. In 2010, he took on the role of Jean Valjean for the 25th Anniversary Concert of LES MISERABLES. Now, he is gearing up for the US release of his latest album, TRUST, and his appearance on Mr. Selfridge. Recently, I chatted with Alfie Boe about these projects and his career.

Earlier this year, they invited audiences to travel down memory lane with the charming release of two television soundtracks featuring Robert Goulet, KISS ME, KATE (1968) and BRIGADOON (1966). With this special release, these delightful but rare albums are now getting a chance to be heard and appreciated by a new and wider audience.

With a suggestive title and a fascinating premise, Mike Bartlett's COCK is making a stir in Houston. Produced by Theater LaB Houston at Obsidian Art Space, the 90-minute one-act play that took London by storm in 2009 and received glowing reviews in New York City in 2012, lives up to its in-town and out-of-town hype. Be warned though, this show is for adults only, and patrons under the age of 18 will not be admitted.

The World Premiere production of MURDER BALLAD at MTC's The Studio at Stage II took New York by storm in 2012. In 2013 it transferred to the Union Square Theatre and played 17 previews and 70 regular performances before closing on July 21. Now, TUTS Underground is producing the National Regional Premiere of the exhilarating, crowd-pleasing musical, and this sultry tale of love, passion, and murder is simply too good to miss.

Playwright Paul Downs Colaizzo made a name for himself during New York City's 2012-13 season when the MCC presented his play REALLY REALLY. When it premiered in 2012 at The Signature Theatre, it garnered a ton of buzz, selling out the entire run. In New York, the run was extended twice and also sold out the entire run. Now, Black Lab Theatre is producing an exhilaratingly intense production of the play for Houston audiences to enjoy.

Last night, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) celebrated the talents and achievements of local children with the 12th annual Tommy Tune Awards. Pulling up to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, all I could see was hundreds of well-dressed and excited young adults. Their enthusiasm and nervous energy filled the air. The anticipation for the TONY's-inspired awards show was incredibly high, and everyone wanted to know who would win.

Despite an extensive and impressive career, Billy Porter recently became a household name when he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. The incandescent star released a solo album of Broadway standards, titled BILLY'S BACK ON BROADWAY. He applies a big band swing, jazz, and contemporary R&B soundscape to these hit songs, giving listeners a unique perspective on these songs.

Since its World Premiere performance on February 14, 1895, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST has been an enduring favorite of audiences. Critics recognized the play for its wit and popularity with audiences. In 2014, those same attributes hold up well. Currently, Houston's Classical Theatre Company is producing THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and earning many hearty laughs with their take on the classic.

Houston Grand Opera, which opened a lavish production of DAS RHEINGOLD this past weekend, is proudly kicking off their first Ring Cycle by Richard Wagner. Like any modern production of Wagner's Ring Cycle, Houston Grand Opera is sparing no expense. At Sunday's matinee, the audience leapt to their feet for curtain call and clamored excitedly about this show and what's still to come in the cycle.

This past Sunday, I got to crash a technical rehearsal of TUTS Underground's steamy production of MURDER BALLAD. In its Houston Premiere, the hit musical features Steel Burkhardt (as Tom), Pat McRoberts (as Michael), Lauren Molina (as Sara) and Kristin Warren (as the Narrator).

When it comes to gleeful theatrical candy, it doesn't get much better than Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts' I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. This audience favorite holds the title of the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical. The current production by MJR Theatricals | Music Box Musicals delivers everything audiences are looking for and more with this delightful romantic revue.