The Why Collective will begin its inaugural residency with Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in Manhattan. You can experience the festival from February through May 2023 and share its founders' pride and excitement at this dream come true.
Many already know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. However, despite the many productions and movies I have seen of this timeless story, I truly believe that the Alley Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL was the most exciting telling that I have experienced. Live music, active puppets, and daring spectacle kept the piece enchanting every single moment.
When I go to a theatre production, I hope for a show that whisks me away from my current worries. I crave to see spectacle and beauty in the visual elements, and I wish to be stunned by the talent. Ken Ludwig's LEND ME A SOPRANO at the Alley Theatre gave me everything I desire in a theatre production! You do not want to miss this show's debut.
It was a cool and quiet night on the streets of Los Angeles, the City of Angels abuzz with secret lives, and an anxious shut-in was waiting to tell us a story. This is the lead-in to Noir, the new world premiere musical by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening, American Psycho) and Kyle Jarrow (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical) - and what a story it is.
Everyone has those important artists they dream of seeing together, the genius writers who if locked in a room together would have some of the greatest conversations. The wonderful thing about fiction is how we can bring life to those conversations and make them just as exciting as we imagine they are.
As the curtain rises in Houston Grand Opera's production of Romeo and Juliet, Charles Gonoud's 1867 adaptation of the seminal Shakespeare play, the audience is transported into a realm of romance and passion, brought to life by the soaring score and gifted performers. Though devotees of the original play may note that Gonoud trims down elements of the original story to focus in on the two lovers, the story of their star-crossed romance is told with enough power and gravitas that those who invest in the central couple will be wiping away tears by the end.
A jovial spirit permeates the Alley Theatre as people pack in for the opening night performance of Dead Man’s Cell Phone, MacArthur Genius Sarah Ruhl’s effervescent, acerbic and poignant play. Director Brandon Weinbrenner offers a talented cast of six actors staged in the circular thrust Hubbard Theatre, actors with a wealth of talent who bend, break, and bow selflessly with brevity to get every single laugh they can out of the audience. And boy, did we laugh! This deliciously delirious production proudly combines surrealism and existentialism with knowing wit and gut-busting physical comedy.
This take on Jane Austen's classic novel, adapted by Kate Hamil, adds a great deal of humor to the surroundings of the story. The production could have easily lost the heart of the piece by over bloating the comedy, but by keeping it, for the most part, with the ensemble players we're allowed to take in the breadth of the emotions.
There's a question at the heart of Chisa Hutchison Amerikin. Should we sympathize with hateful people? The piece in many ways acts as an exercise in empathy. We have characters willing to do reprehensible things yet suffer great turmoil. Do they deserve sympathy? If they do, whose job is it to give it to them?
Co-Directors Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade's production of Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE as staged by the Houston Grand Opera is brilliant and astounding. From the incredible set and projection design to its clever staging and superb acting—this production is one that even a 'non-opera-goer' should attend. While the production is primarily in German, this is one of the most accessible operas for anyone and everyone. As far as it's concerned to this reviewer, you must make every attempt to attend this production.
The story of Vichet Chum's High School Play revolves around the Texas UIL program but it's also about everything. If you have any sort of experience with High School Theater then this play will likely speak to you.
A Christmas Carol is an age-old classic that tells the story of redemption and the importance of love and compassion. It follows a man, Ebeneezer Scrooge, known for his greed and cruelty to others. Following the visits of an old friend, and three timely spirits, Ebeneezer is shown what his greed and cruelty will lead to if he does not turn from his stubborn ways. In the third and final visit, Ebeneezer realizes that the outcome he is shown is not the outcome he wants and so he chooses to humble himself and allow kindness to dictate the way he interacts with others. This changes his life and the lives of those around him.
Dastoor began her operatic career performing in the U.S. and internationally as a lyric soprano before pursuing a trailblazing career in arts administration, joining Opera San José (OSJ) as Artistic Advisor in 2013 and as General Director 2019.
The Forgotten Empress from Farah Yasmeen Shaikha?"formerly of Chitresh Das Dance Company and now founder of Noorani Dancea?"will come to two Bay Area stages; San Jose at the end of February and Z Space at the beginning of March. These performances are not only timely and topical because of the subject matter, but arrive just as the world celebrates International Women's Day, which this year occurs on Sunday March 8.
HGO's popular Studio Recital series returns with artists of the 2019-20 Houston Grand Opera Studio performing an intimate program of diverse works on Dec. 6 and Dec. 8 at Rienzi, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The up-and-coming singers and pianist, among the most talented in the world of opera, have designed a program consisting of three groups of mixed repertoire that create a loose narrative around stages of life a?" before, during, and after times of personal/interpersonal upheaval.
Musiqa, two-time winner of the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, is announcing its 2019-20 season. Its Eighteenth season features bold programming including the world premieres of two commissioned operas, new works for dance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community and educational programming.
This one has everything you could want - broadly drawn characters, exotic settings, and a spectacular murder with no shortage of suspects. It's a great thriller to chill you off this summer.
Despite the labyrinthine theories at the heart of CONSTELLATIONS, Nick Payne has written an engaging play. It is not, as we say, 'challenging,' a word often used as a euphemism for 'hard to watch.' It's funny and sweet and sad and intense. You can't look away.
Renowned playwright and director Theresa Rebeck (Alley's Fool, All My Sons) returns to the Alley to direct an all local cast of Crimes of the Heart. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play runs April 12 - May 5, 2019 in the Alley's Hubbard Theatre. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.