John Johnston News

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) presents The Speckled Band: An Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, tonight, February 4 - 22, 2015.

In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) is announcing that it will be moving all of its operations into the Chelsea Market theatre property (4617 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006), which until recently was home to one of Main Street Theater's two performance spaces. Formerly the home of Main Street Theater's Theater for Youth and educational programming, the theater property at Chelsea Market will allow CTC to consolidate all of its operations to one physical location. Because of daytime traffic issues, Main Street Theater was forced to move its Theater for Youth programming to Talento Bilingue de Houston, located at 333 S. Jensen Drive Houston, TX 77003, where its school buses can be better accommodated.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) has announced the lineup for its 2014-2015 Mainstage Season. As the only professional theatre company in the State of Texas that solely produces classical drama on a year-round basis, CTC only produces plays that are 100 or more years old.

Since its World Premiere performance on February 14, 1895, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST has been an enduring favorite of audiences. Critics recognized the play for its wit and popularity with audiences. In 2014, those same attributes hold up well. Currently, Houston's Classical Theatre Company is producing THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and earning many hearty laughs with their take on the classic.

CTC will present the last installment of their season of English language masterpieces by way of The Importance of Being Earnest. Oscar Wilde's final, and most masterful, play, The Importance of Being Earnest deals with a common theme in Wilde's work: the leading of double lives. Socialite Jack Worthing and dilettante friend Algernon Moncrieff create fictitious alter egos for themselves in order to buck society's stifling restrictions placed upon them. Hilarity ensues when their love interests, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, fall in love with their false personas. Full of witty repartee and scathing social commentary, The Importance of Being Earnest, will bring down the house with laughter.

CTC will present the last installment of their season of English language masterpieces by way of The Importance of Being Earnest. Oscar Wilde's final, and most masterful, play, The Importance of Being Earnest deals with a common theme in Wilde's work: the leading of double lives. Socialite Jack Worthing and dilettante friend Algernon Moncrieff create fictitious alter egos for themselves in order to buck society's stifling restrictions placed upon them. Hilarity ensues when their love interests, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, fall in love with their false personas. Full of witty repartee and scathing social commentary, The Importance of Being Earnest, will bring down the house with laughter.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) first production of the 2013-2014 season will be Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The production runs three weeks from September 11th- September 29th 2013 at the Barnevelder Arts Complex - 2201 Preston Street.

A gripping tale of hunting a wolf pack that has returned to their genetic origins, the Dire Wolf due to a misstep in breeding attack dogs. The reader feels the horror and suspense of the hunt. The tragedy of defeat and the exhilaration of success as the reader follow's John Johnston through the wilds of Montana in pursuit of the wolf pack.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) is entering the company's sixth season, and is proud to announce the plays that make up its three full Mainstage productions in 2013-2014: William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe, and finally The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. 'We have an all-star line up of three of the greatest plays by three of the greatest English language playwrights,' says CTC Executive Artistic Director John Johnston.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) presents the second installment of this year's Reading Series with a staged reading of Cosmo Hamilton's Why Cupid Came to Earl's Court, directed by CTC's Associate Artist Kalob Martinez. The performance will be presented tonight, February 13th at 7:00pm at the Brazos Bookstore. A pre and post wine reception and a shopping open house will accompany the reading starting at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to the public.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) presents the second installment of this year's Reading Series with a staged reading of Cosmo Hamilton's Why Cupid Came to Earl's Court, directed by CTC's Associate Artist Kalob Martinez. The performance will be presented on Wednesday, February 13th at 7:00pm at the Brazos Bookstore. A pre and post wine reception and a shopping open house will accompany the reading starting at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Before a recent rehearsal, I had the opportunity to sit down with Philip Hays at Studio 101. He is directing Classical Theatre Company's upcoming production of Alfred Jarry's UBU ROI. Walking into Studio 101, the first thing that struck me was the elaborate and large set. Even in its unfinished state, I could tell Philip Hays and Classical Theatre Company are in the process of creating something impressive and a theatrical experience that simply should not be missed. Sitting in sight of the expansive set, Philip Hays took the time to talk to me about his career, directing, and UBU ROI.

Classical Theatre Company (CTC), announces that it has thrived and survived into its 5th anniversary season! In celebration of all the company's accomplishments, the CTC will host an exhibit spanning the month of September in the Alliance Art Gallery located in the Houston Arts Alliance. The exhibit will provide a snapshot of CTC's history, featuring photographs, costumes, designer renderings, and ground plans from its past seasons. The gallery opening and season kick off party is scheduled for today, September 6th, 2012, at 6:30pm.

Classical Theatre Company (CTC), announces that it has thrived and survived into its 5th anniversary season! In celebration of all the company's accomplishments, the CTC will host an exhibit spanning the month of September in the Alliance Art Gallery located in the Houston Arts Alliance. The exhibit will provide a snapshot of CTC's history, featuring photographs, costumes, designer renderings, and ground plans from its past seasons. The gallery opening and season kick off party is scheduled for Thursday, September 6th, 2012, at 6:30pm.

Classical Theatre Company (CTC) will host an exhibit spanning the month of September in the Alliance Art Gallery located in the Houston Arts Alliance. The exhibit will provide a snapshot of CTC's history, featuring photographs, costumes, designer renderings, and ground plans from our past seasons. The gallery opening and season kick off party is scheduled for Thursday September 6th 2012 at 6:30pm.

This summer, Animal Planet's Saturday nights are overrun with feisty felines and conniving canines with the return of hit series MY CAT FROM HELL and BAD DOG!

Following a sell out run at the Traverse Theatre during the 2011 Fringe, A Slow Air, written and directed by David Harrower, will tour to 59E59 Theatres, New York (4-28 April) before arriving at the Tricycle Theatre for a limited run from 7 May to 2 June, with opening night on 10 May. A Slow Air is being produced by Tron Theatre Company.

Houston's seasonal favorite described by the Houston Press as having 'Spectacular London sets ... the inimitable Dickens' tale - spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past, present and future.

Houston's seasonal favorite described by the Houston Press as having 'Spectacular London sets ... the inimitable Dickens' tale - spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past, present and future.