HOUSTON THEATER REVIEWS

In 1874, W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan wrote their first of 14 comedic operas together. As a duo Gilbert and Sullivan enjoyed early success with their notable operas H.M.S. PINFORE and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Moreover, modern musical theatre traces its roots to this influential theatre duo. Ther...

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 curren...

It is generally agreed upon that the best theatre challenges audiences, and after they experience the piece they are altered. Bayou City Theatrics' production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY vastly excels in this domain. If you're unfamiliar with the show, rest assured that Andrew Lippa's THE WILD ...

The A.D. Players is closing their 2012-2013 MainStage season with a beautiful and heartwarming production of Joseph Robinette's adaptation of L. M. Montgomery's ANNE OF AVONLEA. This delightful sequel to Anne of Green Gables focuses on the next chapter of the beloved protagonist, Anne Shirley's, lif...

For a third time, Rachael Logue, Chelsea Ryan McCurdy, Christina Stroup, and Holland Vavra are taking the stage as The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Houston audiences couldn't be more thrilled. Stages Repertory Theatre is currently producing the Regional Premiere of Roger Bean's frilly musical THE MARV...

Houston audiences adore Betsy Kelso and David Nehls' THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL. The raucous musical originally opened Off-Broadway in September 2005. Stages Repertory Theatre initially brought the musical to Houston in a production that ran from July 12, 2006 to March 31, 2007. Due to ...

Tamarie Cooper's OLD AS HELL is meh. NOT! In fact, this year's offering in the cherished tradition of Houston theatre's summer line-up sparkles with clever wit and ebullient hilarity. This may only be my second summer to see a Tamarie Cooper musical, but in so many ways I found this one better than ...

I was a freshman at Sam Houston State University when I first read Gregory Maguire's riveting and racy novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. That same year, on October 30, 2003 WICKED opened on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre. I was first bewitched by WICKED when the Ori...

To say that Houston has an exceptional theatre scene is an understatement. One of my favorite aspects is that there is always something new to see. Last night I had the pleasure of attending Scriptwriters/Houston's 23rd Annual 10X10 Showcase, a production that highlights original plays by local play...

Tradition is often a beautiful thing, especially when it invites Houstonians and tourists alike out of the summer heat and into the splendors of air conditioning. Mix in delightful, sometimes even frightfully chilling, entertainment, and you've got the recipe for the Alley Theatre's annual ExxonMobi...

It is summertime in Houston and the perfect time to get outdoors and explore with family members and friends. What's a better place to visit than the Houston Zoo? This summer, in the first-ever collaboration between the Houston Zoo and Theatre Under the Stars, Houstonians have one more reason to vis...

If you are alive and well in Houston, you know that audiences were able to pick from three different productions of Stephen Sondheim's infamous SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF STREET FLEET last weekend. Two of those productions even share the same opening and closing dates. Luckily for Houston aud...

It has been one of the most anticipated productions of the summer, and the demon barber of Fleet Street has finally arrived in Houston. Generations, A Theatre Company is known for its outstanding summer musical productions, and with every production they continue set the bar higher for the year to c...

NUNSENSE is an international phenomenon and beloved favorite of community and regional theatres. The musical, which first premiered in 1985, has enjoyed over 8,000 productions worldwide and has been translated into over 20 languages. This summer Texas Repertory Theatre Compnay is producing the class...

The best part about summer is the fun, frivolous pot-boiling productions that many companies offer to enchant and beguile audiences. The Eklektix Theatre Company, fresh off of celebrating their one year anniversary in Houston, is kicking off their Summer Stock season with a tremendously amusing and ...

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Main Street Theater's 2012-2013 Theater for Youth Season is closing with a musical presentation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. The Prince Street Players, founded in New York City in 1965, originated the production, which featured Adaptation, Book, and Lyrics by Jim Eiler with Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne ...

Attending a World Premiere is always an exciting moment for audiences. There is an allure to the anticipation that the unknown brings. Then, when the theatrical event is nothing short of excellent, there is elating satisfaction to being among the first audiences privileged to see the piece staged. S...

The Vagabond Theatre Project is a University of Houston student run production company that focuses on bringing Houston audiences pieces of theatre that they feel passionate about. Though Vagabond Theatre Project, these intrepid students are expanding their educations and exploring the business aspe...

It is summer in Houston. The heat index is soaring more and more each day. Moreover, many of our local theatre companies are producing family friendly fare that allows each and every one of us to beat the heat for fun theatrical treats. Championing this campaign is Country Playhouse with their whims...

The Houston Ballet is known for its elaborate and beautiful productions. Every ticket purchased guarantees a performance filled with masterful dancing, brilliant choreography, remarkable sets, and music. Houston Ballet's much anticipated production of PETER PAN is no exception and nothing short of f...

The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston hosted Jaston Williams, of GREATER TUNA fame, on Saturday, June 15, 2013 for two command performances of BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS. BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS, one of four one-man shows crafted by Jaston Williams, had its World Premiere on February 14, 20...

Last night was the premiere of FADE TO BLACK, an innovative 10 minute play festival promoting and supporting original works created by African-American artists. This showcase is the creative brainchild of Denise O'Neal of WMGE, LLC and Leighza Walker of LeighzaLand Productions, and it is a true firs...

Dracula is a name that invokes fear and terror in me. Not because it is a horror story, but because just about every adaptation of Bram Stoker's legendary Gothic novel gets it so wrong that I am left completely cold and empty. Astonishingly, this is not the case with Theatre Southwest's brilliant an...

Stark Naked Theatre Company's production of William Shakespeare's MACBETH has been on everybody's lips for weeks, even months, now. As soon as the show was announced a gentle hum of excitement began, and turned into a blistering roar by last night's opening night performance. Co-Executive Directors ...