Lisa Villegas News

FEFU AND HER FRIENDS passes the Bechdel test with glowing colors a?" there are no men seen, and only mentioned briefly, even though we feel their presence as plot catalysts. As these women make soup, have water fights and practice French, read aloud from magazines and eat bourbon popsicles, cry and laugh and struggle, they mostly talk about what it is like to be women. How to make space for themselves, and hold space for other women. That is a rare thing.

The Catastrophic Theatre is proud to produce Fefu and Her Friends, a signature work of feminist theatre by a giant of the avant-garde, Maria Irene Fornes, directed by Julia Oppenheim Traber. Over the years, The Catastrophic Theatre (and its predecessor Infernal Bridegroom Productions) have produced Fornes's The Danube and MUD, to much critical acclaim. Fefu and Her Friends runs February 14 a?" March 8 at the Midtown Arts and Theatre Center Houston (MATCH).

THE MOORS seeks to say something about the visibility and state of women today through the lens of satirizing Victorian era romantic literature like JANE EYRE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, or THE WOMAN IN WHITE. I am not sure it wholly achieves what it sets out to do, but it certainly has a lot of fun along the way.

MST's popular "Cocktails & Coward" is back for 2 nights only, August 18 & 19 at 7:30pm in Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd., 77005. The evening features scenes from the comedies of Noel Coward such as Present Laughter, Private Lives, Blithe Spirit, and Fallen Angels and a taste of his hilarious songs such as "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," "Chase Me Charlie," "Has Anybody Seen Our Ship," "I Went to a Marvelous Party," and "Don't Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington."

Kate Parr is smart, confident, and passionate: a rising star in a world of intense competition. But her obligatory marriage to Henry is rife with the threat of violence and lure of deceit; her secret liaisons with Thom, her husband's former brother-in-law, could send her to an early grave; and her devotion to the education and equal rights of Henry's daughters is putting an even bigger strain on her marriage.

Kate Parr is smart, confident, and passionate: a rising star in a world of intense competition. But her obligatory marriage to Henry is rife with the threat of violence and lure of deceit; her secret liaisons with Thom, her husband's former brother-in-law, could send her to an early grave; and her devotion to the education and equal rights of Henry's daughters is putting an even bigger strain on her marriage. A contemporary retelling of the compelling relationship between Katherine Parr and Henry VIII, The Last Wife is a funny, powerful examination of patriarchy, sexual politics, and women's rights.

Kate Parr is smart, confident, and passionate: a rising star in a world of intense competition. But her obligatory marriage to Henry is rife with the threat of violence and lure of deceit; her secret liaisons with Thom, her husband's former brother-in-law, could send her to an early grave; and her devotion to the education and equal rights of Henry's daughters is putting an even bigger strain on her marriage.

That this work could be adapted at all for the stage, much less a small black box theater, is somewhat remarkable, but Udden and her team of more-than-capable actors and designers have done it proud.

Wolf Hall: Parts I and II, based on the novels by Hilary Mantel and adapted for the Stage by Mike Poulton, is making its Regional Premiere, directed by Rebecca Greene Udden, at Main Street Theater (Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd., Houston, TX) this fall. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Part II below!

Main Street Theater gives WOLF HALL, a political thriller set in the court of Tudor ruler and serial spouse King Henry VIII, the same grab and intensity of a popcorn flick.

Wolf Hall: Parts I and II, based on the novels by Hilary Mantel and adapted for the Stage by Mike Poulton, is making its Regional Premiere, directed by Rebecca Greene Udden, at Main Street Theater (Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd., Houston, TX) this fall. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Luciole International Theatre continues their inaugural season with passion, risk and awe. Houston has been named one of the most diverse cities in the United States.

?Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company and Wordsmyth Theatre proudly present Museum of Dysfunction VIII: A SHOWCASE OF SHORTS. Now in its eighth year, this annual short play festival features new pieces by playwrights from across the nation and produced by the professional actors and designers in the Mildred's Umbrella Company. With over 200 submissions this year, only the top nineteen will be produced over two consecutive weekends. The first group of nine plays will run June 23-25 and the second group of ten will run June 30-July 2.  

Next Iteration Theater Company (NITC) announces its inaugural Intercultural Play Reading Series (IPRS). This May, NITC brings to Houston three plays that deal with constructing and reconstructing ourselves in an ever-changing world, in the face of tragedy, change and socio-cultural conflicts.

Next Iteration Theater Company (NITC) announces its inaugural Intercultural Play Reading Series (IPRS). This May, NITC brings to Houston three plays that deal with constructing and reconstructing ourselves in an ever-changing world, in the face of tragedy, change and socio-cultural conflicts.

Next Iteration Theater Company (NITC) announces its inaugural Intercultural Play Reading Series (IPRS). This May, NITC brings to Houston three plays that deal with constructing and reconstructing ourselves in an ever-changing world, in the face of tragedy, change and socio-cultural conflicts.

Main Street Theater (MST) continues its 40th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of 1946 by Houston playwright Thomas Hagemann. Main Street produced the world premiere of Mr. Hagemann's Breakfast at Eight in 2010 as well as the staged reading of 1946 in 2014. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in costume!

Main Street Theater (MST) continues its 40th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of 1946 by Houston playwright Thomas Hagemann. Main Street produced the world premiere of Mr. Hagemann's Breakfast at Eight in 2010 as well as the staged reading of 1946 in 2014.

Witness the magic of THE DROWNING GIRLS at Mildred's Umbrella.

Main Street Theater is extending its production of Noel Coward's Fallen Angels through August 10. 4 performances have been added: Thursday, August 7 at 7:30pm, Friday, August 8 at 8pm; Saturday, August 9 at 8pm; Sunday, August 10 at 3pm. Scroll down for a look at the production!