Jeff Davis - Page 3

Depending on who you speak with, there are between three and six "problem plays" attributed to William Shakespeare, but almost all Shakespearian scholars consider All's Well That Ends Well as one of them. On the surface, the play about unrequited love is a comedy. No one dies, and as the title suggests, it ends well for all of the characters. Still, there are themes and motifs of war, and many characters come perilously close to death. The duality of the play is the primary reason why it's considered a tragicomedy and a problem play, but it's that duality that has drawn 7 Towers Theatre Company to it. Their production of All's Well That Ends Well masterfully brings out both the drama and comedy in the piece and is one of the most thoughtful Shakespeare productions to grace Austin in a long while.

Want to know how to succeed at producing an entertaining musical comedy? Check out Archangel Community Theatre's current production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The production, which is packed with top tier talent, is an unbridled success from beginning to end.

I wish I had Cyrano de Bergerac's way with words. If I did, maybe it would be easier to write what I'm about to say here. City Theatre's current production of the Edmond Rostand classic, Cyrano de Bergerac has several of the elements that a show needs to succeed. It has an incomparable lead actor, two amiable supporting leads, and a text beloved by many a theatergoer. Still, due to a lackluster ensemble and odd directing choices, the production fails to gel or leave a positive impression.

Genius is not a term to throw around lightly. Genius suggests distinctiveness and even superiority. Geniuses are people that are seldom matched in their field. It's a level that most of us strive to reach but never achieve. Yet for director Dave Steakley, it's a well-deserved moniker. With his current production of Tommy, now playing at the Zach Theatre, Steakley pairs The Who's beloved rock-opera with the imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland. The result is a theatrical event that is impossible to forget.

There's no doubt that George Gershwin has made a lasting impact on musical theatre. Without him, the world wouldn't have songs like 'I Got Rhythm,' or shows like Porgy and Bess. And of course, the vast and illustrious songbook of Gershwin tunes has inspired many a jukebox musical or revue.

Injustice in the workplace is a common thread in U.S. history. It's sad, but true. There are countless stories of workers being mistreated by their employers, and some of those stories have greatly impacted employment legislation.

BOB: A LIFE IN FIVE ACTS Half and Half Productions presents this new comedy by Peter Sinn 'Boom' Nachtrieb, in which nine actors play more than 30 characters in relaying 'the hilarious and poignant story of one man's dream.'

From 'Rhapsody in Blue' to 'Porgy and Bess' to 'An American in Paris' to a treasure trove of great American songs, George Gershwin is widely thought of as one of our nation's greatest composers. Conceived and written by ATP's David Blackburn, 'S Gershwin will take you on a journey through the life and music of this great American icon as seen through the eyes of the people he shared his life with.

BOB: A LIFE IN FIVE ACTS Half and Half Productions presents this new comedy by Peter Sinn 'Boom' Nachtrieb, in which nine actors play more than 30 characters in relaying 'the hilarious and poignant story of one man's dream.'

Sky Candy, east Austin's aerial and circus arts company, is collaborating with acclaimed Austin theatre director, Rudy Ramirez on an aerial theatre production of COSMICOMICS, Italo Calvino's beloved collection of short stories of the same name. Italo Calvino's Cosmicomics, a beautiful and unique achievement in storytelling, tells tall tales about creation-magical, fantastical, adventurous stories-but it bases those stories on the findings of science and does not ask that we give these stories our belief, the way that countless creation myths have done over the centuries. In doing so, these stories insist that science and magic are not mutually exclusive: that the discoveries of science can give us meaning and show us miracles through the bridge of our imagination.

BroadwayWorld is pleased to share an interview with James Brownlee and Bill Claussen regarding The Wimberley Players' production of Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth. Bill Claussen stars in the production in the leading role of Antrobus. The production is directed by James Brownlee.

Below, BroadwayWorld is pleased to share a few production and promotional photos from The Wimberley Players' production of Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth!

There's no shortage of incredible pieces of art and theater that were lost, at least temporarily, during the Stalinist era of Communist Russia. Thank God, though, that Nikolai Erdman's absurdist masterpiece The Suicide somehow survived. Had it not, the world would be without one of the best commentaries on Communist society's impact on the freedom of the individual to think, feel, and be for themselves. Additionally, Austin theatergoers would be without one of the best theatrical productions of the year.

It's the perfect excuse for an Austin girl's night out. 50 Shades! The Musical-The Official Parody, a hilarious take on the global Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon, will premiere at Austin's Long Center June 3 and 4. Think: 90 minute SNL skit!

'Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery-all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.' So begins the classic Kander and Ebb musical, Chicago. Of course, there are some other things that we hold near and dear to our hearts, such as pitch perfect voices, showy choreography, imaginative staging, and a good rum and coke. Thankfully, all are present and accounted for in Half and Half's current production of Chicago. Whether you've seen the show or the Oscar-winning movie before, you owe it to yourself to see this uniquely immersive production.

From 'Rhapsody in Blue' to 'Porgy and Bess' to 'An American in Paris' to a treasure trove of great American songs, George Gershwin is widely thought of as one of our nation's greatest composers. Conceived and written by ATP's David Blackburn, 'S Gershwin will take you on a journey through the life and music of this great American icon as seen through the eyes of the people he shared his life with.