John Patterson News

Following the sold-out opening for Bickford Summer Jazzfest, the party continues with three more great concerts on July 20, July 24, and August 3. The hot swinging jazz will be combined with the area's best Food Trucks on-site for tailgate picnics before each concert.

Theatre Southwest presents the 20th Annual Festival of Originals (FOO). Produced by Artistic Director Mimi Holloway, The FOO produces five original 20-minute plays from writers across the country (and sometimes the world.)

Seventeen-year-old Paige Gross has attended all of the teen dances at DreamWrights. She and her friends have enjoyed them so much that she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Seventeen-year-old Paige Gross has attended all of the teen dances at DreamWrights. She and her friends have enjoyed them so much that she decided to take matters into her own hands.

The almighty Men of Letters returns to the Zoo to celebrate on Sunday November 6th with a glorious selection of the country's finest and most wonderful all-male talent.

This spoof on Shakespeare's Macbeth asks, 'How far would you go for your child?' For Genevra and Joshua Bradley, the question is no longer hypothetical. Their three-year-old son, Mac, is next on the waiting list to get into the Bright Ideas Early Childhood Development Academy-and everyone knows once you're in there, your life will unfold with glorious ease. Josh and Gen have had to scramble all their lives to get this far…and now they are one fatal dinner party away from the ultimate success as parents: The Right Pre-School. You may never look at pre-school-or pesto-the same way again…

Bayou City Theatrics constantly seeks to present "art from new perspectives." In their spring offering of the Tennessee Williams play, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Houston audiences will experience a whole new point of view on the classic drama. With in-depth direction by Travis Ammons and a lush design by Colton Berry, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is 'reborn' at The Kaleidoscope, March 4 through 20.

Bayou City Theatrics constantly seeks to present "art from new perspectives." In their spring offering of the Tennessee Williams play, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Houston audiences will experience a whole new point of view on the classic drama. With in-depth direction by Travis Ammons and a lush design by Colton Berry, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is 'reborn' at The Kaleidoscope, March 4 through 20.

I was welcomed to Leighzaland and graciously introduced to the powerful presence of Leighza Walker. We talked about a variety of topics: family, theatre and, of course, her series of one woman shows.

Scriptwriters/Houston invites you to experience a variety of theatrical experiences all in one night, on one stage. The 24th Annual 10x10 Showcase ten new short plays and nine monologues from a diverse array of Houston writers and directors.

Scriptwriters/Houston invites you to experience a variety of theatrical experiences all in one night, on one stage. The 24th Annual 10x10 Showcase ten new short plays and nine monologues from a diverse array of Houston writers and directors.

Playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb has a distinctive and unique voice that makes for quality entertainment that encourages thought as much as it tickles our ribs. Currently, Cabal Productions is producing a hysterical production of his 2006 dark comedy HUNTER GATHERERS, which had a 2009 Houston Premiere with the Catastrophic Theatre and then returned in 2010 to the Catastrophic Theatre with script revisions. In its current state, the riotous play is an all you can eat buffet of betrayal, sexual awkwardness, blood, red wine, lust-filled passions, subverted gender roles, and a blurring of the lines between civilization and primal instincts.

I can only imagine that one would be hard pressed to find someone who is not familiar with William Shakespeare's HAMLET. It is often produced in theatres and taught in many classrooms; however, this familiarity with the show doesn't make it any easier to being to life on stage. It is an ambitious undertaking, and not one that most companies would schedule as their second production. Yet, Houston's up and coming Trebuchet Players gleefully took the challenge head on and created a satisfying and eclectic production that springs to life with their unique brand of theatre magic.

Bestselling author Chip R. Bell believes we have lost the element of surprise in customer service, leaving today's customer bored. Upgrades to a nicer room or a first class airline seat are now computer driven not frontline employee created. What once enchanted the customer is today just assumed. As the value-added extras have gotten more expensive, the business world needs a new, yet inexpensive, approach to exceeding customer expectations.

In 1964, Tom Stoppard emerged from a mansion in Berlin with a one-act play called ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN MEET KING LEAR. Two years later, his reworked play, entitled ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, opened to acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival on August 24, 1966. A successful 1967 production at London's Old Vic made Tom Stoppard an overnight success. At almost 47-years-old, this play still excites theatergoers, actors, directors, and producers alike. The savvy exploration of the relevance of art, the commentary on insignificance, the absurdity, and the existentialism are just a handful of the hooks that allure people to the work and have garnered the show praise time and time again. In Houston, it feels that Cabal Productions' presentation of the play proudly exclaims Guildenstern's line 'We're still finding out feet,' without heeding The Player's warning, 'I should concentrate on not losing your heads.'

Tampa Bay, Florida is the setting for all eight short plays, presented this past weekend, at Stageworks in Tampa. Scripts were submitted from all over central Florida; and were evaluated by a panel of judges. The participating artists received only an honorarium; donating their talents to the production. All of the plays were produced by StageWorks with minimal set pieces and props. This was an exceptional opportunity for area playwrights and 'showcase for newbies'.