Philip Hays News

Main Street Theater continues its 42nd Season with MEN ON BOATS by Jaclyn Backhaus - and it's played by all women.  MEN ON BOATS tells the story of Major John Wesley Powell's actual expedition of the Grand Canyon in 1869.  The play depicts the amazing journey of these 10 explorers with all its humor and wonder and danger and excitement.  It's an extraordinary adventure.

Main Street Theater continues its 42nd Season with Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus - and it's played by all women. Men on Boats tells the story of Major John Wesley Powell's actual expedition of the Grand Canyon in 1869. The play depicts the amazing journey of these 10 explorers with all its humor and wonder and danger and excitement. It's an extraordinary adventure.

In a unique partnership with Dallas-based dance theatre company the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group, the Dallas Public Library will present the local premiere of Things Missing/Missed, a devised, movement theatre work by playwrights Philip Hays, Melissa Flower, and Justin Locklear. Directed by Locklear, the ensemble cast, including Danielle Georgiou and Gloria Benavides, will use physical theatre techniques, puppetry, and contemporary dance to bring to life the story of a young couple on the brink of disaster and a hermit, who may or may not, be stealing their property.

In a unique partnership with Dallas-based dance theatre company the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group, the Dallas Public Library will present the local premiere of Things Missing/Missed, a devised, movement theatre work by playwrights Philip Hays, Melissa Flower, and Justin Locklear. Directed by Locklear, the ensemble cast, including Danielle Georgiou and Gloria Benavides, will use physical theatre techniques, puppetry, and contemporary dance to bring to life the story of a young couple on the brink of disaster and a hermit, who may or may not, be stealing their property.

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, is pleased to announce 'Balloonacy' by Barry Kornhauser, as its next Children's Theater production. The play, a young audiences' favorite, showcases the joys of imagination and friendship and is told entirely through mime, music and improvisational play.

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, is pleased to announce 'Balloonacy' by Barry Kornhauser, as its next Children's Theater production. The play, a young audiences' favorite, showcases the joys of imagination and friendship and is told entirely through mime, music and improvisational play.

Horse Head Theatre Co.'s (HH) Houston Premiere of SONIC LIFE... by Toshiki Okada will be presented at Near Northside Studios (NeNo), 1506 Lorraine Street from November 3 - 18, 2017. All performances will begin at 8pm. Concessions sponsored by Buffalo Bayou Brewery, Mid State Wine & Liquor and Frost Bank.

The Gravity Players present an encore performance of THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, where the courtroom is in purgatory, the special witnesses include Mother Teresa and the Devil, and the defendant is Judas Iscariot.

On Friday night The Gravity Players opened a courtroom comedy and exploration of faith, THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, to a lively audience. Set in the Court of Purgatory, a place of redemption and a 'waiting list' between Heaven and Hell, the audience was to witness trials regarding sinners' placement in Purgatory, as many desired to appeal their judgment to move on to Heaven. Judge Littlefield, played by Paul Menzel, demands Bailiff (Philip Hays) to call the cases, 'God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Thorseen the Implacable', 'God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Benedict Arnold', and finally 'God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth versus Judas Iscariot'.

What has become of Jesus' most notorious follower? In this dark comedy, time and space bend in a provocatively poignant quest to decide Judas' fate. Set in a courtroom in Purgatory, an uproarious cast of characters from Heaven and Hell swarm the stage to determine whether he has any grounds for redemption. 

A winner of the prestigious National Theatre Company Grant Award by the American Theatre Wing, Classical Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2017-2018 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.

Gravity Players Theatre Group presents The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (in an Equity MPC Showcase) by Stephen Adly Guirgis, running August 10 through September 3, 2017.

Horse Head Theatre Co. (HH) strives to inspire empathy and engagement with new ideas. This year we will explore the idea of self knowledge.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (the eighteenth century play written by French native Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, not Rossini's opera) makes for a charming spectacle at Classical Theatre Company.

Most everyone is familiar with the opera The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, but few know that the opera is based on the 1775 play by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. In fact, the play has never before been professionally produced in Houston's long history. Beaumarchais' play is the origin for such iconic characters as Count Almaviva, Bartholo, Rosine, and of course, Figaro. 'This piece of theatre is so ripe with comedy that it directly spawned two operas, three plays, and a comic strip,' says director John Johnston. 'I'm thrilled to be able to produce Barber. It's one of those forgotten scripts that I've been champing at the bit to direct.' The hilarious love story of the dashing Count Almaviva as he woos the sweet and beautiful Rosine, all the while facilitated by the clown Figaro is sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles. 'And the chance to bring it to our Houston audiences, who will have never seen it before, particularly excites me.'

Copenhagen by Michael Frayn is a play about many things. Certainly it is about physics and the mysterious meeting between Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr in 1941. But patriotism and morality/ethics along with friendship and human nature are crucial subjects explored in the play.

Copenhagen by Michael Frayn is a play about many things.  Certainly it is about physics and the mysterious meeting between Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr in 1941.  But patriotism and morality/ethics along with friendship and human nature are crucial subjects explored in the play.  What do we owe to our country?  What do we owe to humanity?  What do we owe to each other?

Main Street Theater (MST) continues its 2016 - 2017 MainStage season with Tony Award Winner for Best Play, Copenhagen by Michael Frayn.  The production opens February 11 and runs through March 12 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.  Performances are on Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm.  Tickets are $36 - $45, depending on date and section, and are on sale via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. 

BWW Review: 4th Wall Theatre Gives A Nice Spin To MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

For the holiday season, 4th Wall Theatre Company (formerly Stark Naked Theatre Company) brings love and laughter to Houston audiences with Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. Widely considered to be one of Shakespeare's best comedies, Much Ado is a delightfully hilarious and witty tale of love, friendship and intrigue. Appropriate for all ages, this not-to-be-missed holiday treat opens tonight, December 1st, and runs through Christmas Eve. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!