James Black News

On Tuesday night, the red carpet was rolled out at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre as Mirvish Productions presented the opening of The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream. The show is produced and directed by Steven Van Zandt and features all four original band members. The show sold out on Broadway, and is being dubbed as a mix between a dance party and a jukebox musical in the style of 'Jersey Boys'. Steven Van Zandt and his wife Maureen were on hand for the Toronto opening, as were many other stars from Toronto's theatre and music scenes. BWW is thrilled to bring readers photos from the red carpet and the opening night after party.

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 ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. This summer's offering is Agatha Christie's ever-suspenseful and surprisingly humorous THE HOLLOW, which is the 22nd Agatha Christie show the Alley has produced in their 66-year history.

Thrillpeddlers has extended performances of their 6th annual Theatre of The Ridiculous Revival of the next Cockettes Musical, Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, a new full-length, restored version of The Cockettes' 1971 musical sensation thru July 27, 2103 (an additional nine performances) (no performances weekend of July 4, 2013). This will be the final extension. Must close July 27, 2013. This is the 42nd Anniversary of the original production, produced as a Nocturnal Dream Show and performed at midnight at the Palace Theatre in Chinatown in SF. Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma celebrates the Cockettes' fascination (in the early 70s) with everything Art Deco.

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre, announces the addition of the 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, by Christopher Durang, to the Alley Theatre's 2013-2014 season as the last Hubbard Stage production. Good People, by David Lindsay-Abaire, will be performed on the Neuhaus Stage from May 30 to June 29, 2014. Bertolt Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan will be moved to a future season.

Beginning in July 2013, the Alley Theatre will produce Agatha Christie's The Hollow during its popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. Under the direction of Gregory Boyd, the Alley's resident company of actors will bring to life the colorful cast of characters in Agatha Christie's The Hollow.

Alley Theatre presents Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 'The Suicide Club' and featuring beloved characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jeffrey Hatcher (Mrs. Mannerly, 2010) crafts a smart new Sherlock Holmes mystery. Having played Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood (2009) and Sherlock Holmes (2003), Alley Theatre Company Artist Todd Waite will again play the iconic and illustrious detective in a spectacular, lavish production. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Alley Theatre is currently presenting Jeffrey Hatcher's 2011 literary mash-up SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB. The play had its world premiere at The Arizona Theatre Company, and garnered mixed to positive reviews. In the play Jeffrey Hatcher attempts the tall order of mixing the literary genius and worlds of Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. The end result is a bland mystery with an entirely underwhelming climax.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Suicide Club" and featuring beloved characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jeffrey Hatcher (Mrs. Mannerly, 2010) crafts a smart new Sherlock Holmes mystery. Having played Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood (2009) and Sherlock Holmes (2003), Alley Theatre Company Artist Todd Waite will again play the iconic and illustrious detective in a spectacular, lavish production.

Thrillpeddlers extends performances thru June 29, 2103 (a one month extension) their 6th annual Theatre of The Ridiculous Revival of the next Cockettes Musical, Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, a new full-length, restored version of The Cockettes' 1971 musical sensation. This is the 42nd Anniversary of the original production, produced as a Nocturnal Dream Show and performed at midnight at the Palace Theatre in Chinatown in SF. Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma celebrates the Cockettes' fascination (in the early 70s) with everything Art Deco.

Last night, The Alley Theatre hosted the press opening night of Bernard Pomerance's well-known 1977 tragic drama THE ELEPHANT MAN. The nearly 100-minute one act production is a fascinating look at the life of Joseph 'John' Carey Merrick, who began developing severe bone and skin abnormalities by age two. The play takes place from 1884 to 1890, focusing primarily on the parts of Joseph Merrick's life when he was acquainted with and studied by Dr. Frederick Treves, a surgeon in London. Throughout Joseph Merrick's life these abnormalities worsened, significantly increasing the physical strain these deformities subjected his body to. Joseph Merrick passed on April 11, 1890, at the age of 27. The official cause of death is asphyxia.

Emmy Award-winner William Black brings his writing and directing talents to the New York stage with Theater for the New City's American Star!!! the Musical.

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre, announces its thrilling new season of plays created by playwrights that include a Pulitzer-Prize winning comedy, a new play that was the Outer Critics Circle's Outstanding, New Play winner, the first play by a Tony Award winner, a 2011 Tony Award nominee for Best Play, plus an ingenious comedy from acclaimed, award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn and an intriguing epic by Bertolt Brecht.

Thrillpeddlers has announced its 6th annual Theatre of The Ridiculous Revival with a Spring production of the next Cockettes Musical, Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, a new full-length, restored version of The Cockettes' 1971 musical extravaganza. This is the 42nd Anniversary of the original production, produced as a Nocturnal Dream Show and performed at midnight at the Palace Theatre in Chinatown in SF. Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma celebrates the Cockettes' fascination (in the early 70s) with everything Art Deco.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Bernard Pomerance's The Elephant Man, a story about the strength of the human spirit, compassion and humanity. Called 'enthralling and luminous' by The New York Times, The Elephant Man, directed by Gregory Boyd, runs April 12 through May 5, 2013 on the Hubbard Stage.

Any mention of Aaron Sorkin's A FEW GOOD MEN makes people instantly think of Jack Nicholson yelling, 'You can't handle the truth!' Currently, the Alley Theatre is offering a production of Aaron Sorkin's play that easily surpasses the 1992 film adaptation in quality. The Alley Theatre's powerful production of A FEW GOOD MEN is a tense, taut court room drama thrill-ride that will leave audiences breathless and speechless.

Emmy Award-winner William Black brings his writing and directing talents to the New York stage with Theater for the New City's American Star!!! the Musical.

Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs tonight, March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.

Thrillpeddlers has announced its 6th annual Theatre of The Ridiculous Revival with a Spring production of the next Cockettes Musical, Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, a new full-length, restored version of The Cockettes' 1971 musical extravaganza. This is the 42nd Anniversary of the original production, produced as a Nocturnal Dream Show and performed at midnight at the Palace Theatre in Chinatown in SF. Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma celebrates the Cockettes' fascination (in the early 70s) with everything Art Deco.

Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.

There is always that one play that captures attention at a national or international level. It hits a nerve and becomes dominant in the cultural zeitgeist. That play is talked about for a couple of years because of powerful productions in prominent theatre cities. It wins Tony Awards. It wins Olivier Awards. Sometimes it wins the Pulitzer Prize. Then it is tucked away like a nice museum piece, and the world moves on. Almost all of that is true for Houston native Bruce Norris' CLYBOURNE PARK. Except this provocative, insightful, and humorous play, I predict, will not be tucked away. It will not be some untouched museum piece awaiting a flashy revival. This fiery comedy that is more of a well-polished mirror than theatrical exhibition has a long future of production ahead of it. Walking out of the opening night performance at The Alley, I understood all of the hype surrounding this piece. Simply put, CLYBOURNE PARK is must see social commentary.