David Clarke - Page 41

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.

Houston has been a great city for Steven Fales to perform in. As he is gearing up to take his Mormon Boy Trilogy Off-Broadway, we are lucky enough to get to be part of his out-of-town try-out for his third installment, PRODIGAL DAD. PRODIGAL DAD is a solo show in which Fales bares himself and his soul before an audience to talk about his life experiences, empowering us with his charming Mormon smile and his inexhaustible hope and love.

When it comes to describing Alan Ayckbourn's 1994 play COMMUNICATING DOORS, the Internet proudly boasts that the science fiction comedy exists at the crossroads of Back to the Future and Hitchcock. Does the Alley Theatre's stalwart and clever production live up to that assessment? In my opinion, not really. Nevertheless, it comes incredibly close to meeting that lofty mark.

Gerald LaBita, who is committed to gifting Houston with the best of Off-Broadway theatre, is bringing Steven Fales back to Houston for the third part of his Mormon Boy Trilogy, PRODIGAL DAD. Whether you've seen the other two or not, there is no reason to miss this Houston Premiere. Recently, I chatted with Steven Fales about the show and why Houston must see it.

When it comes to Southern playwrights, Tennessee Williams remains the quintessential example, and music is an inextricable element of both his cherished classics and lesser-known works. In a recent 90-minute concert, David Kaplan crafted a show that explores and celebrates the songbook of Tennessee Williams. Now, Ghostlight Records has released TENNESSEE WILLIAMS: WORDS AND MUSIC, a CD that preserves the atmosphere and idea of the concert and features Alison Fraser's soulful and gravely alto.

Houston Grand Opera's first ever Ring Cycle is about to kick off with what is promised to be a spellbinding and incredibly visual production of Richard Wagner's DAS RHEINGOLD. As audiences grow all the more eager to see the show of this groundbreaking show, I chatted with Christopher Purves, who is portraying Alberich, about his career and what audiences could expect from this and highly anticipated production.

As a YouTube sensation, many are familiar enough with Natalie Weiss' voice and face, and the largely teenage/early 20s audience last night couldn't be more enthusiastic to see her perform live. Yet, somewhere along the way, her abrasive personality overshadowed her vocal talent.

Julia Kay Laskowski and Patti Rabaza are back as Mavis and Myrtle in HUSBAND FIXIN 101. My first experience with the duo of comediennes was with their holiday themed rib-tickler and I simply couldn't wait to see what they had cooked up for HUSBAND FIXIN 101. The performance earned a lot of laughs and kept us entertained, but this show simply isn't as strong as I expected.

When Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak's musical comedy A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre, it received rave reviews and was hailed by many as the best musical of 2013. Earlier this week, Ghostlight Records released the much-anticipated OBCR of the comical musical; however, after giving the CD a few spins, I couldn't help but feel that I was missing something.

Earlier this season Houston was introduced to Lynn Nottage with a production of RUINED. Now, The Ensemble Theatre is putting this playwright on everyone's must watch list with a sterling production of her 2011 play, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK. This intellectual comedy powerfully explores the legacy of American-Americans in 1930s Hollywood and leaves audiences with plenty to think and talk about.

Starting tomorrow night, Theater LaB Houston is presenting the World Premiere production of HUSBAND FIXIN 101. Julia Kay Laskowski and Patti Rabaza have collaborated on the musical comedy, gifting audiences with a new Country Gravy and Other Obsessions adventure. In anticipation of opening night, I spoke with Patti Rabaza about the upcoming World Premiere.