Huck Huckaby News

Austin Playhouse recently produced staged readings of the three winning plays from their Festival of New Texas Plays. EIDOPHUSIKON by Reina Hardy kicked off the festival on Friday, April 27, NUTSHELL by C. Denby Swanson was on Saturday, April 28, and MONROE by Lisa B. Thompson concluded the lineup on Sunday, April 29. Along with the professional staged reading, which featured Austin Playhouse directors and company members, each of the winning playwrights received a $500 prize.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE is a 2014 stage adaptation by Lee Hall of the 1998 Academy Award winning film by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard of the same name. It was first created under the auspices of Disney Theatrical Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions. The story concerns an imaginary love affair involving Viola de Lesseps (Claire Grasso) and playwright William Shakespeare (Stephen Mercantel) while he was writing Romeo and Juliet. Many of the characters are based on historical figures, and many of the characters, lines, and plot devices allude to Shakespeare's plays. The production, now playing at Austin Playhouse, is one of their biggest productions to date. This script has become one of the most produced plays in America this season, and rightfully so, as it as entertaining as the 1998 film was.

Director Don Toner first directed Mark Harelik's THE IMMIGRANT 28 years ago. Happily for Austin, he and Austin Playhouse have decided to restage this charming, inspiring and touching tale for a new generation. THE IMMIGRANT is based on the true story of Harelik's grandfather, a young Russian-Jewish man who entered America through the port of Galveston. Set in Hamilton, Texas (a tiny town with a population of 1,203, no Jews) Haskell Harelik (Joseph Garlock) begins life in America with only a hand pushed fruit cart and a mere smattering of English words at his disposal. It is his gentle spirit and hard work that touches the heart of the local banker and his wife to win him a helping hand. Milton (Huck Huckaby) and Ima Perry (Cyndi Williams) offer him a place to live and eventually, financial help from Milton. With their help, Haskell finally saves up enough money to open a store and send for his wife, Leah (Estrella Saldana). Since the original World Premiere production, directed here in Austin by Toner, Harelik has also adapted the show into a chamber musical.

Currently playing at The Austin Playhouse, BLOOMSDAY is story of love oddly intertwined with the James Joyce's novel, Ulysses. Written by the University of Texas Faculty member Steven Dietz, the play's experimental style and arc is reminiscent of Tony Kushner's fabulously entertaining Angels in America. Taking place over the course of 35 years, Robert and Caithleen meet as fleeting youngsters looking for purpose. The purpose of their meeting is that of the title, BLOOMSDAY. For audience members ignorant to the reference, BLOOMSDAY takes place on June 16th as a day of celebration for acclaimed Irish author, James Joyce. It is observed annually in Dublin, where fans and drunkards alike, traditionally dressed in early 1900s garb, march through Dublin following the events and more specifically the scenes of the famous book, Ulysses. The play BLOOMSDAY however, tells the story of young Robbie (played by Aaron Johnson) and Caithleen (played by Claire Grasso) meeting on a tour during the march of Bloomsday. With time itself being the 5th character of the show, Robert (played by Huck Huckaby) scolds his younger self, while Cait (played by Cindy Williams) wrestles with her slipping mind and preparing her younger self for what is to come. The subtle quips and honest reflections from the future selves make for hilarious interactions on stage. Taking place over 35 years, but set within actual two scenes, the arc of the characters and exquisite writing by Steven Dietz, displays a realistic love story forcing introspection.

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL is a 2005 musical created by Jon and Al Kaplan and Hunter Bell as a parody of the 1991 Academy Award-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. The project began in 2003 as an internet musical made up of nine songs that retold the entire story. The audio tracks became so popular that a stage production was conceived and mounted. The show has received awards and accolades including Outstanding Musical (New York International Fringe Festival), Best New Musical (Off Broadway Alliance), and Top Ten Plays and Musicals (Time Magazine). This production from Doctuh Mistuh Productions is a remount of their 2014 B. Iden Payne award winning Best Musical production. It also won B. Iden Payne Awards for Best Actress and Best Director

After its successful run in 2014, Doctuh Mistuh Productions will be bringing SILENCE! THE MUSICAL back to Austin, Texas for a three week run, August 18 through September 4. DMP will be remounting the revival at Austin Playhouse in Highland Mall. Amy Downing will be reprising her award-winning performance as Clarice Starling. She will be joined by original cast members Huck Huckaby (Hannibal), David Ponton (Buffalo Bill), Libby Dees Detling (Catherine & Senator Martin), and Matt Connely (Papa Schtarling). New cast members include Andrew Cannata (Dr. Chilton), Scott Shipman (Jack Crawford), Jessica O'Brien (Ardelia Mapp), Kathryn Lane (Dream Clarice) and Brian DeFilippo (Dream Hannibal). The production will be stage and music directed by DMP Artistic Director Michael McKelvey.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Since its original 1973 Broadway production, the musical has been produced in the West End, by opera companies, and in a 2009 Broadway revival. It was adapted for film in 1977. It received Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score.

Austin Playhouse presents THE PHILADELPHIA STORY by Philip Barry, November 20 - December 20, 2015 at Austin Playhouse at ACC's Highland Campus. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

Austin Playhouse presents THE PHILADELPHIA STORY by Philip Barry, November 20 - December 20, 2015 at Austin Playhouse at ACC's Highland Campus. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

There are few things in this world more electrifying than watching an ensemble so beautifully rehearsed and polished to the point of perfection. Directed by Michael McKelvey, choreographed by Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique, this tale of fame, fortune, sex and murder in the Jazz Age is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. And I can say that this particular production is one of the best that I've seen to date.

Austin Playhouse presents Chicago by Fred Ebb and John Kander, directed by Michael McKelvey, May 29 - June 28, 2015. Performances are: Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. at Austin Playhouse at Highland Mall 6001 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78752.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

Every November, BWW-Austin teams up with other Austin-based theater publications to announce the Central Texas Excellence in Theatre Awards. The nominations were announced last night. Scroll down for the full list!