Philip Lehl News

Stark Naked Theatre Company concludes its award-winning second season with a bold interpretation of Macbeth, William Shakespeare's timeless and powerful tale of corruption, betrayal, fate, and the deadly consequences of unfettered ambition.

Houston's Classical Theatre Company (CTC) has had one amazing season at their new home at Studio 101 in the Spring Street Studios. I was impressed by their productions of MISS JULIE and UBU ROI, but their production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE deftly exposes the sincere theatrical talent that legends are made out of. As affair warning, because this brilliantly raw production is pared down to three actors and utilizes an abridged adaptation by CTC's dramaturg Shea Thomas Cooper, it won't hurt to re-familiarize yourself with the plot to ensure that you don't get lost in this stirring translation of the text.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) final production of their 2012-2013 Main Stage Season will be The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. The production runs three weeks from tonight, March 27th-April 14th 2013 at Studio 101 in Spring Street Studios- 1824 Spring Street.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) final production of their 2012-2013 Main Stage Season will be The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. The production runs three weeks from March 27th-April 14th 2013 at Studio 101 in Spring Street Studios- 1824 Spring Street.

There is always that one play that captures attention at a national or international level. It hits a nerve and becomes dominant in the cultural zeitgeist. That play is talked about for a couple of years because of powerful productions in prominent theatre cities. It wins Tony Awards. It wins Olivier Awards. Sometimes it wins the Pulitzer Prize. Then it is tucked away like a nice museum piece, and the world moves on. Almost all of that is true for Houston native Bruce Norris' CLYBOURNE PARK. Except this provocative, insightful, and humorous play, I predict, will not be tucked away. It will not be some untouched museum piece awaiting a flashy revival. This fiery comedy that is more of a well-polished mirror than theatrical exhibition has a long future of production ahead of it. Walking out of the opening night performance at The Alley, I understood all of the hype surrounding this piece. Simply put, CLYBOURNE PARK is must see social commentary.

January 18, 2013 - Stark Naked Theatre Company (named "Best New Addition to the Houston Arts Scene" by the Houston Press) continues its highly anticipated second season with acclaimed playwright Yasmina Reza's award-winning play God of Carnage. Following rave reviews for Body Awareness, (which was chosen as best play of the season by theatre critics for the Houston Chronicle and Broadway World), Stark Naked's upcoming production of God of Carnage is the first production of Reza's emotionally charged, thought-provoking, and uproariously funny comedy featuring a Houston cast and creative team. Previewing February 21st, opening February 22nd and running until March 9th, performances will be held Thursdays through Sundays (with a special "Pay What You Can" performance on Monday, March 4th) at Stark Naked's STUDIO 101, located at Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street in Houston, Texas, 77007.

The Alley Theatre's production of Houston native Bruce Norris' Clybourne Park, winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize, the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, and the Olivier Award for Best Play (London) starts on the Alley Theatre's Neuhaus Stage January 18 and opens Wednesday, January 23. Clybourne Park is directed by Alley Theater Associate Director James Black.

Stark Naked Theatre Company rings in the New Year with a New Year's Eve celebration, hosted by Co-Executive Directors Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin. Following rave reviews for Body Awareness (Stark Naked's first play of the season), the New Year's Eve party celebrates the anticipated upcoming production of God of Carnage --the first production of Yasmina Reza's award-winning play featuring a Houston cast and creative team. Stark Naked will also raise a glass to Macbeth (its final production of the season), opening in June of 2013, and featuring Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin as Mr. & Mrs. Macbeth

Stark Naked Theatre Company rings in the New Year with a New Year's Eve celebration, hosted by Co-Executive Directors Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin. Following rave reviews for Body Awareness (Stark Naked's first play of the season), the New Year's Eve party celebrates the anticipated upcoming production of God of Carnage --the first production of Yasmina Reza's award-winning play featuring a Houston cast and creative team. Stark Naked will also raise a glass to Macbeth (its final production of the season), opening in June of 2013, and featuring Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin as Mr. & Mrs. Macbeth

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: The Des Moines Community Playhouse in Des Moines, IA

The Alley Theatre in Houston has been annually producing a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas since 1988. In 1990, Michael Wilson's adaptation, titled A CHRISTMAS CAROL - A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS, had its premiere at The Alley. With family friendly chills and a thrilling, Wizard of Oz-esque spin on the classic parable of redemption and the true meaning of Christmas, the show continues to delight audiences year after year.

Houston's seasonal favorite A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns to light up the Holiday Season downtown on the Hubbard Stage November 16 to December 24. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Providing the Regional Premieres of both the play and playwright, Stark Naked Theatre Company's production of BODY AWARENESS by Annie Baker is an exciting and captivating examination of familial dysfunction and how destructive and liberating the self-objectification and exploitation of the human body can be.

Houston's seasonal favorite A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns to light up the Holiday Season downtown on the Hubbard Stage November 16 to December 24.

Stark Naked Theatre Company opens its 2nd season with the Houston premiere of Body Awareness, a relevant and thought-provoking comedy written by two-time Obie Award-winning author Annie Baker and directed by acclaimed Houston actor/director Philip Lehl. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Stark Naked Theatre Company opens its 2nd season with the Houston premiere of Body Awareness, a relevant and thought-provoking comedy written by two-time Obie Award-winning author Annie Baker and directed by acclaimed Houston actor/director Philip Lehl. Nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play/Emerging Playwright), Body Awareness explores the question of who is the toughest critic of a woman's appearance: men, society, or women, themselves?

Stark Naked Theatre Company opens its 2nd season with the Houston premiere of Body Awareness, a relevant and thought-provoking comedy written by two-time Obie Award-winning author Annie Baker and directed by acclaimed Houston actor/director Philip Lehl. Nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play/Emerging Playwright), Body Awareness explores the question of who is the toughest critic of a woman's appearance: men, society, or women, themselves?

Another week, another roundup! Today, we bring you a list of the most-read stories in our regional markets for the week of September 21. Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, check out what productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!

Rains are coming and going, altering the barometric pressure in the air and creating what feels like a mix between a pressure cooker and sauna. It's that time of year where summer takes it last, lingering steps before being put to bed for a handful of months in Houston. All of this occurs simultaneously with a new season of theatre dawning in the city. On a particularly humid, rainy Saturday evening, Kim Tobin and Philip Lehl, co-founders and Artistic Directors of Stark Naked Theatre Company, invited me to chat with them in their studio at Spring Street Studios. On the floor below us, Studio 101 is well on its way to be a hot locale for local theatre and the starting point for our conversation.

Stark Naked Theatre Company has announced its 2012-13 season, including Body Awareness, Beyond Therapy and Macbeth. More details below!