Katricia Lang - Page 9

THE IMITATION GAME, a winding look into the life and times of mistreated genius Alan Turning, is an imperfect but compelling film.

Inspiration Stage is going to the Junior Theater Festival. The company's youth troupe will present a 15-minute version of their stellar production of SEUSSICAL JR. With its arresting color scheme, catchy tunes, and starbright performers, awards and accolades are sure to follow.

In a sense, SEUSSICAL is formulaic pabulum. But like I formulaically say almost every review (after a eye-catching, misleading characterization of a piece - i.e. pabulum), that doesn't make it bad. It has very simple but charming themes about loyalty, being kind to all people despite difference in appearance, and staying true to yourself. It's no wonder that it's a youth theatre favorite.

Our interviewee is the beloved British actor and Dickens authority Simon Callow. He has mastered the stage but also appeared in Dr. Who (fittingly as Charles Dickens). In his lengthy acting career, he has acted in television, theatre, and film. At the moment, he is the librettist and director for Houston Grand Opera's A CHRISTMAS CAROL and the best person to we can discuss this fresh, modern take on the beloved Christmas story with.

You'll still find atmospheric Victorian sets by scenic designer Tony Straiges, Alejo Vietti's elaborate ornate costumes, and dramatic sound design by John Gromada. The plot change does not unfairly ground or overly explicate this ghost drama. That's what I'm here for.

I talked to multi-talented, the dyed-in-wool Houstonian Natalie Lerner about her new venture, the eclectic and decoupage Mosaic Hub, as well as the company's upcoming production CHRIS-MA-HANU-KWANZIKA.

I talk to Allison Miller, a dancer whose sparkling personality manages her sparkling performance, about Houston Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER.

Thirty-nine students from the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre have been bestowed with the honor and invited to participate in the 2015 Junior Theater Festival (JTF) held in Atlanta, Georgia on January 16, 17, and 18. Created by New York's iTheatrics and produced by the Junior Theatre group, this nationwide event is dedicated to celebrating young people and musical theatre.

WIN Four FREE TICKETS to Houston Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER!

I was welcomed to Leighzaland and graciously introduced to the powerful presence of Leighza Walker. We talked about a variety of topics: family, theatre and, of course, her series of one woman shows.

I talk to Rahul Varma, Canadian playwright and Artistic Director of Teesri Duniya Theatre. We discuss his play BHOPAL, now for a limited time at Houston's own Shunya Theatre. He talks critiquing India, critiquing Canada and spinning the messy straw of life into first words on a page, and then people on the stage.

Interested in some family friendly fun? Score tickets to a classic tale with a classic score - HANSEL UND GRETEL, produced by Opera in the Heights.

Madeline is in a pickle again. It's Christmas time and all her friends and teachers are sick! Will her classmates get well enough to go home for Christmas? How will our damsel work under distress? Hopefully, she'll keep her trademark head and heart. She'll need to if she wants to save Christmas.

Want to experience IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA live at the MET without going to New York? The Metropolitan Opera's Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series of live performance transmissions returns to cinemas across the United States this fall with the ninth season of The Met: Live in HD.

I talk with Dena Scheh, well-respected Houston costume designer and frequent collaborator with Opera in the Heights, about her work on Opera in the Height's currently running production HANSEL UND GRETEL. Despite the German title, it is the story of Hansel and Gretel you know and love. There is a witch, and candy house, and a clever, resourceful brother and sister duo.

I talked to Bayou City Theatrics' Luke Hamilton, Jane Volke, and Colton Berry about the BctEDU program and the company's foray into the tiny town of FOOTLOOSE.

I enjoyed the ride of TOMMY. By the end of the show, I wanted to buy the album. That's a compliment. To The Who. To the cast. To the house band, The Whom. And to Standing Room Only Productions.

Set amid the events that conspired to create the 1984 Union Carbide disaster, Varma's timely drama reveals the human stories within the complex political and economic webs that led to one of the worst industrial catastrophes in history.

In this interview, I talk to Mandy Seymore-Sensat, Artistic Director of Inspiration Stage, about the company's upcoming production of URINETOWN. The first Inspiration Stage production I witnessed was LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. It was fantastic. I expect no less from URINETOWN. No matter how gross the name is.

It is a solid retelling of a classic with enough good elements to warrant seeing it. And it's OF MICE AND MEN. I wouldn't miss that for the world.