Kristina Nungaray - Page 2

The Brilliant Lecture Series, Inc. is a non-profit company that aims to inspire and educate Houston audiences by presenting them with prominent members of our society such as national and international leaders, artists, humanitarians, philanthropists, and role models. In the past, they have hosted such influential names as Dr. Maya Angelou, Linda Eder, Professor Stephen Hawking, Betty White, Betty Buckley, Sir Sidney Poitier, and Diane Keaton to name just a few. On par with their mission, in the past, Brilliant Lecture Series has also hosted BRiLL KiDS Talks, which teach children about a variety of subjects ranging from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Seminars to sessions on Space Exploration and Financial Literacy. One of the central goals of this non-profit organization is to present audiences with speakers that can motivate them and can emphasize the importance of having a dream and following it.

When TUTS Underground announced their inaugural season, it was clear that they were keeping their promise of bringing Houston audiences an edgier and more risque brand of theatre. TUTS Underground is kicking off the second half of their season of rockin' musical theatre with the regional premiere of MURDER BALLAD, a sexy murder story about a love triangle gone wrong. Playing the role of the narrator, Kristin Warren took some time out of her busy schedule to let Houston audiences know what they can expect from this racy musical.

While Valentine's Day is just around the corner, Stages Repertory Theatre is getting Houston audiences in the spirit with the Regional Premiere of Michele Riml's romantic comedy, SEXY LAUNDRY. The play focuses on Alice and Henry, a middle-aged married couple who have hung their last lingering hopes of rejuvenating their marriage on a weekend getaway to a swanky hotel. With a copy of Sex for Dummies in hand, the husband and wife duo unsteadily embark on a night that could very well make or break their twenty-five year marriage. While SEXY LAUNDRY delivers plenty of laughs and is chock full of awkward moments, underneath it all is a touching and tender narrative that is sure to leave the audience with a smile on their face.

Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein's GIRLS ONLY - THE SECRET COMEDY OF WOMEN took Houston by storm during its regional premier at Main Street Theater's Chelsea Market Location in 2012. It was so well-received that it was extended twice and did not close until February of 2013. Now, back by popular demand, Main Street Theater is bringing back the riotous romp that celebrates being a girl. As I walked into the intimate theater, there were groups of women everywhere talking giddily. Some were families, some were close friends, and some were even coworkers that had gotten together for a Girls' Night Out. Several were repeat offenders, coming back for their second time and bringing friends with them. There were even a few men who were brave enough to venture out and share in all of the laughter. After seeing the production, one thing is certainly clear: Houston can't get enough of this fun, feminine fare!

The A. D. Players is in the middle of celebrating their 47th season of theatre. Notorious for providing Houston audiences with thought-provoking and inspirational pieces of theatre, they are kicking off 2014 in the same fashion with their deeply moving production of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's award-winning play, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.

Encore Theatre is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a season of "Classic Works from the Past Seasons." Proving that they are well capable of tackling complex pieces, they are sailing into 2014 with John Pielmeier's AGNES OF GOD. The play, which opened on Broadway in 1982 and eventually inspired the 1985 film, provides a stark examination of faith, innocence, compassion, and humanity. Encore Theatre beautifully captures the spirit of this production, giving audiences a gripping and emotional theatre going experience.

We have all survived the holidays and have welcomed in a new year. Just in case Thanksgiving and Christmas didn't give you your fill of dysfunctional family drama, The Alley Theatre is kicking off 2014 with their production of Jon Robin Baitz's OTHER DESERT CITIES. Named Outstanding Play by the Outer Critics Circle in 2011 and touted as "the best new play on Broadway" by the New York Times, this production puts the fun in dysfunctional while making the joys and pains of familial relationships viscerally apparent, even in spite of occasional lackluster performances.

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) is kicking off 2014 with the multi-award-winning musical WE WILL ROCK YOU. Featuring twenty-four hits from the iconic music group Queen, this musical is sure to be one rocking evening of musical theatre! WE WILL ROCK YOU is a dystopian show that takes place in a future age. In a place and time where individuality is off-limits and where music is forbidden, the musical follows a band of rebel Bohemians that are striving to bring the power of rock and roll back to the people. Playing the female lead, Scaramouche, Ruby Lewis took time out of her busy schedule to let us know what Houston audiences can expect from this production of WE WILL ROCK YOU.

While Christmas is all around us and holiday shows are abound, TUTS Underground is gifting Houston audiences with something a little different than your typical holiday fare. TUTS Underground is gearing up for their second production of their inaugural season, 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL. Parodying the popular book by E.L. James, the musical provides a hilarious interpretation of the novel through the eyes of a ladies' book club. Playing Taylor, Houston native Chris Sams took some time out of his schedule to let us know what Houston audiences have in store with 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and while the hustle and bustle of the season is in full force, the Alley Theatre is presenting Houston audiences with the ultimate holiday treat. Back by popular demand, David Sedaris' cult Christmas classic THE SANTALAND DIARIES, adapted for stage by Joe Mantell, continues to delight with a hearty dose of humor and sardonic wit. The one-man play leaves the audience in stitches as they follow Crumpet the Elf, who turns the magic of the iconic Macy's Santaland at Manhattan's Herald Square on its very head.

While Thanksgiving is right around the corner, holiday festivities are commencing in full force. For many Houston theater goers, the highlight of the holiday season is the Alley Theatre's infamous production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL - A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS. Michael Wilson's imaginative stage adaptation of the Charles Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, is celebrating its 24th year and continues to be a spectacle that is hauntingly delightful and heartwarming. With family-friendly thrills, chills, and a hearty dose of laughter, this festive production remains a holiday favorite.

Bryan-Keyth Wilson first made a bleep on my radar this past theatre season when I attended my first show produced by Eklektix Theatre Company. He is continually proving to be a force in the Houston area that is turning heads and doing a lot of big things. To list a few of his credentials, he is a writer, artistic director and founder of Eklektix Theatre Company, and the founder of The Wilson School of Acting & Musical Theatre. Bryan-Keyth Wilson took time out of his busy schedule to fill me in on his writing career, and to let me know what we can expect to see from The Wilson School and Eklektix Theatre Company in the near future.

Stark Naked Theatre Company, notorious for producing new and relevant work in the Houston area, is kicking off their 2013-2014 season with a Houston regional premier of ALL GIRLS by up-and-coming playwright Anna Greenfield. Any grown woman can recall the uncertainties and trauma of girlhood. Gender aside, anyone can recall pivotal moments of their adolescence, such as being teased or longing to belong. ALL GIRLS is a hilarious and moving play that centers on three teenage girls as they struggle through adolescence and with all of the complexities of female friendships.

Earlier this summer, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) surprised us with the announcement of their newest endeavor TUTS Underground. With that announcement came the promise of 'No revivals - No dead authors - No boundaries,' and ultimately a cutting edge brand of theatre for Houston audiences. Kicking off TUTS Underground's inaugural season, the Houston premiere of LIZZIE, a musical about the axe wielding double-murderess Lizzie Borden, proves to be the perfect opener for a season of bold theatre.

This past summer, Theatre Under the Stars finally gave us the news that many had eagerly been anticipating. In July, TUTS announced their newest endeavor and introduced us to TUTS Underground, a brand of theatre that is edgy and features innovative and modern works. Utilizing the intimate Zilkha Hall in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS Underground is unleashing an electric 2013-2014 season that is sure to be a new theatre experience for Houston audiences. Opening the inaugural season for TUTS Underground is LIZZIE, a rock musical about the infamous murderess Lizzie Borden. I was really excited when Carrie Manolakos, singer-songwriter and actress, generously agreed to take time out of her busy schedule to let me know about her experience playing the axe-wielding Lizzie Borden, and a little bit about what Houston audiences can expect from this TUTS Underground show.

The Houston Ballet is notorious for providing audiences with top-notch productions and a supremely talented company. Launching into their 2013-2014 season, Houston Ballet opens with FOUR PREMIERES. Consisting of one American premiere and three world premieres, FOUR PREMIERES is a wonderful evening of dance, with works choreographed by Chrisopher Bruce, Melissa Hough, Garrett Smith, and James Kudelka.

Houston, it is a new theatre season and Theatre Under the Stars is kicking off theirs with the fabulously fun PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL. This heartwarming musical follows a trio of friends as they embark on a life-changing journey to the Australian outback, and it incorporates genuine themes of self-acceptance, belonging, community, camaraderie, and family. Comprised of popular hit songs from the 60's to the 90's, PRISCILLA is one glitzy party from beginning to end with a little something for everyone. Playing Tick/Mitzi, Wade McCollum took time out of his busy schedule to talk PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL and to let Houston audiences know what they can expect when the party comes to town.

On Saturday night, August 25, I had the pleasure of attending Cone Man Running Productions' annual twenty-four hour play festival, SPONTANEOUS SMATTERING. Although this was my first official Smattering, Saturday night was Cone Man Running Productions' third inception, and it was clear that they had gathered an avid fan base over the past two productions. A couple of laughs into the first short play, I could see why it has become such a popular event. This annual twenty-four hour play festival showcases the creative talent of local playwrights, directors, and actors and provides Houston audiences with a night of theatre that is anything but mainstream.

Bit of a Stretch Theatre Company is running in full gear, preparing for the opening of their annual summertime production. Notorious for excelling at demanding and lesser known pieces, Bit of a Stretch Theatre Company provides Houston audiences unique musical experiences and challenges them to redefine their stereotypical notions of 'musical theater.' This summer Bit of a Stretch is presenting audiences with another piece of work from composer and lyricist Adam Guettel, MYTHS & HYMNS. I recently sat down with Emma Martinsen, Wiley DeWeese, and Erin Cressy to discuss their upcoming production.

A CHORUS LINE, inspired by the real stories of several Broadway dancers, first opened on Broadway on July 25, 1975. It ran for an unprecedented 6,137 performances and held the distinction of being the longest running Broadway musical until it was surpassed by Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS. It is currently the sixth longest running Broadway musical. In addition to taking New York by storm, the musical won the celebrated Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976. The musical has truly left an indelible mark in the history of musical theatre. With Theatre Under the Stars free performances of A CHORUS LINE at The Miller Outdoor Theatre this summer, they are giving the Houston community an unparalleled and enjoyable gift.