Rodrick Randall News

A young black man leaves his California home to find his art and what is real in Europe.

Theater in association with SRO Productions will stage the Tony and Drama Desk Award winning Broadway musical PASSING STRANGE for 14 performances at Theater - Feb 9 though March 4. Written by Stew and with music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, PASSING STRANGE is a comedy-drama rock musical about a young black man's journey of self-discovery about family, cultures, spirituality, love, drugs, sex and music.

Fourth grader Peter Hatcher has a terrible problem...his little brother Fudge!! From the classic book by Judy Blume, this hilarious adaptation will play Sundays at 1pm and 4pm, April 19 - May 17. Performances are at TALENTO BILINGUE DE HOUSTON (performances are in English), 333 S. Jensen Dr., Houston, TX 77003. Ticket prices for public performances are $17 and $15. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village, via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies).

This summer the Texas Repertory Theatre Company serves up a slice of apple pie and southern charm with PUMP BOYS AND THE DINETTES. Prior to the show, I wasn't really sure what to expect. It certainly sounded like something that had country charm splattered all over it. Turns out, I wasn't too far off. Being born and bred in Texas along with an affinity for diners this was a great treat.

Main Street Theater presents the fantastical tale of James and the Giant Peach, based on the book by Roald Dahl. James... will play Saturdays, April 19 - May 17 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm at Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Boulevard in the Museum District. Ticket prices for public performances are $17 - $13. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village, via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Group rates are available.

On January 28 at 7pm, Main Street Theater will present the first reading of local playwright Thomas Hagemann's latest work, 1946. Main Street produced the world premiere of Hagemann's Breakfast at Eight in 2010. This staged reading, which will be followed by a discussion with the playwright and wine and cheese reception, is a Part of the Art Series event at Main Street and will benefit MST's current Capital Campaign to purchase and renovate its Times Blvd. location in Rice Village. Tickets are $50 and $25 (and $25 of the $50 ticket is tax-deductible). Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office, 2540 Times Blvd., via phone at 713.524.6706, or online at MainStreetTheater.com.

Every year, the holiday season is marked by gooey, theatrical mind-candy confections. The syrupy and saccharine spectacles fill audiences with joy and boil pots all over town. Yet, for 2013 Main Street Theater is taking a bold risk and producing the brilliantly crafted and deeply moving Houston Premiere of A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL CELEBRATION by Paula Vogel, with music by Daryl Waters. The play is not the light-hearted, feel-good fare audiences have come to expect; however, I defy anyone to walk away from a performance without feeling moved and permanently altered.

Main Street Theater is extending the run of A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration through Dec. 29. Added performances are Dec. 26 at 7:30pm, Dec. 27 & 28 at 8pm, and Dec. 29 at 3pm. Scroll down for photos of the cast in action!

Main Street Theater's 2012-2013 Theater for Youth Season is closing with a musical presentation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. The Prince Street Players, founded in New York City in 1965, originated the production, which featured Adaptation, Book, and Lyrics by Jim Eiler with Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy. Main Street Theater's production captures the frenetic whimsy of Wonderland, complimented by the cast's resounding and remarkable youthful energy.

Based on the endearing Little House on the Prairie book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Main Street Theater's Theater for Youth is presenting a feel good children's holiday show that the whole family can enjoy. A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, adapted by James DeVita, is inspired by the Christmas happenings in Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, and borrows Mrs. Oleson and Nellie Oleson from On the Banks of Plum Creek. The plot of the play revolves around a pre-Christmas party that is being thrown at the Ingalls' home. An unexpected storm threatens to cut off everybody's access to town, so the guests have to make a hurried departure and cut the party short. Continued rains and a ruined bridge threaten to ruin Christmas for Laura and Mary, until they come up with their own plan to preserve the magic of the holiday.

The Ensemble Theatre joyfully concludes its 35th Anniversary with its season finale gospel-musical comedy, Sanctified, by Javon Johnson; Opening Night and Media Reception, June 28, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

How I Became a Pirate, adapted from the book by Melinda Long, plays Saturdays, March 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2012 at 1pm and 4pm, and during Spring Break at 11:30am: March 12, 13, 14 & 16 at Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market. Ticket prices for public performances are $12 and $14. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village, via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at mainstreettheater.com. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies).

How I Became a Pirate, adapted from the book by Melinda Long, plays Saturdays, March 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2012 at 1pm and 4pm, and during Spring Break at 11:30am: March 12, 13, 14 & 16 at Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market. Ticket prices for public performances are $12 and $14. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Office at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village, via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at mainstreettheater.com. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies).