Houston Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 31

BWW Reviews: TUTS' A CHORUS LINE is Simply Sensational
by Kristina Nungaray - July 20, 2013

A CHORUS LINE, inspired by the real stories of several Broadway dancers, first opened on Broadway on July 25, 1975. It ran for an unprecedented 6,137 performances and held the distinction of being the longest running Broadway musical until it was surpassed by Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS. It is curren...

BWW Reviews: Bayou City Theatrics' THE WILD PARTY is Racy, Raucous, and Visceral
by David Clarke - July 19, 2013

It is generally agreed upon that the best theatre challenges audiences, and after they experience the piece they are altered. Bayou City Theatrics' production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY vastly excels in this domain. If you're unfamiliar with the show, rest assured that Andrew Lippa's THE WILD ...

BWW Reviews: A.D. Players' ANNE OF AVONLEA Will Bring a Smile to Your Face and Warm Your Heart
by Kristina Nungaray - July 15, 2013

The A.D. Players is closing their 2012-2013 MainStage season with a beautiful and heartwarming production of Joseph Robinette's adaptation of L. M. Montgomery's ANNE OF AVONLEA. This delightful sequel to Anne of Green Gables focuses on the next chapter of the beloved protagonist, Anne Shirley's, lif...

BWW Reviews: Stages' THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: CAPS AND GOWNS is a Guaranteed Good Time
by David Clarke - July 15, 2013

For a third time, Rachael Logue, Chelsea Ryan McCurdy, Christina Stroup, and Holland Vavra are taking the stage as The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Houston audiences couldn't be more thrilled. Stages Repertory Theatre is currently producing the Regional Premiere of Roger Bean's frilly musical THE MARV...

BWW Reviews: Standing Room Only Productions' THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL Sizzles With Heart and Hilarity
by David Clarke - July 14, 2013

Houston audiences adore Betsy Kelso and David Nehls' THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL. The raucous musical originally opened Off-Broadway in September 2005. Stages Repertory Theatre initially brought the musical to Houston in a production that ran from July 12, 2006 to March 31, 2007. Due to ...

BWW Reviews: Tamarie Cooper's OLD AS HELL! is Jocular, Vivacious, and Heartfelt
by David Clarke - July 13, 2013

Tamarie Cooper's OLD AS HELL is meh. NOT! In fact, this year's offering in the cherished tradition of Houston theatre's summer line-up sparkles with clever wit and ebullient hilarity. This may only be my second summer to see a Tamarie Cooper musical, but in so many ways I found this one better than ...

BWW Reviews: WICKED is Magically Bewitching!
by David Clarke - July 12, 2013

I was a freshman at Sam Houston State University when I first read Gregory Maguire's riveting and racy novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. That same year, on October 30, 2003 WICKED opened on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre. I was first bewitched by WICKED when the Ori...

BWW Reviews: Scriptwriters/Houston's 23rd Annual 10X10 Showcase is Inspiring and Thought-Provoking
by Kristina Nungaray - July 12, 2013

To say that Houston has an exceptional theatre scene is an understatement. One of my favorite aspects is that there is always something new to see. Last night I had the pleasure of attending Scriptwriters/Houston's 23rd Annual 10X10 Showcase, a production that highlights original plays by local play...

BWW Reviews: The Alley's THE HOLLOW is Engaging and Engrossing Entertainment
by David Clarke - July 11, 2013

Tradition is often a beautiful thing, especially when it invites Houstonians and tourists alike out of the summer heat and into the splendors of air conditioning. Mix in delightful, sometimes even frightfully chilling, entertainment, and you've got the recipe for the Alley Theatre's annual ExxonMobi...

BWW Reviews: AVENUE ZOO is Fun for All Ages
by Kristina Nungaray - July 09, 2013

It is summertime in Houston and the perfect time to get outdoors and explore with family members and friends. What's a better place to visit than the Houston Zoo? This summer, in the first-ever collaboration between the Houston Zoo and Theatre Under the Stars, Houstonians have one more reason to vis...

BWW Reviews: Stage Door, Inc.'s SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET is Exciting and Fascinating
by David Clarke - July 08, 2013

If you are alive and well in Houston, you know that audiences were able to pick from three different productions of Stephen Sondheim's infamous SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF STREET FLEET last weekend. Two of those productions even share the same opening and closing dates. Luckily for Houston aud...

BWW Reviews: Generations, A Theatre Company's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET is Captivating and Unforgettable
by Kristina Nungaray - July 08, 2013

It has been one of the most anticipated productions of the summer, and the demon barber of Fleet Street has finally arrived in Houston. Generations, A Theatre Company is known for its outstanding summer musical productions, and with every production they continue set the bar higher for the year to c...

BWW Reviews: Texas Repertory Theatre's NUNSENSE is Heartwarmingly Hilarious
by David Clarke - July 01, 2013

NUNSENSE is an international phenomenon and beloved favorite of community and regional theatres. The musical, which first premiered in 1985, has enjoyed over 8,000 productions worldwide and has been translated into over 20 languages. This summer Texas Repertory Theatre Compnay is producing the class...

BWW Reviews: Eklektix Theatre's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is Sensationally Fabulous
by David Clarke & Kristina Nungaray - June 30, 2013

The best part about summer is the fun, frivolous pot-boiling productions that many companies offer to enchant and beguile audiences. The Eklektix Theatre Company, fresh off of celebrating their one year anniversary in Houston, is kicking off their Summer Stock season with a tremendously amusing and ...

BWW Reviews: The Ensemble Theatre's FROM MY HOMETOWN - An Energetic and Effervescing Summer Sensation
by David Clarke - June 28, 2013

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BWW Reviews: Main Street Theater's ALICE IN WONDERLAND is Whimsical Family Fun
by David Clarke - June 24, 2013

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 ...

BWW Reviews: Vagabond Theatre Project's DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA is Unflinchingly Guttural and Stirring
by David Clarke - June 21, 2013

The Vagabond Theatre Project is a University of Houston student run production company that focuses on bringing Houston audiences pieces of theatre that they feel passionate about. Though Vagabond Theatre Project, these intrepid students are expanding their educations and exploring the business aspe...

BWW Reviews: Houston Ballet's PETER PAN is a Whimsical Good Time
by Kristina Nungaray - June 17, 2013

The Houston Ballet is known for its elaborate and beautiful productions. Every ticket purchased guarantees a performance filled with masterful dancing, brilliant choreography, remarkable sets, and music. Houston Ballet's much anticipated production of PETER PAN is no exception and nothing short of f...

BWW Reviews: Jaston William's BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS is Hysterical and Poignantly Touching
by David Clarke - June 16, 2013

The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston hosted Jaston Williams, of GREATER TUNA fame, on Saturday, June 15, 2013 for two command performances of BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS. BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS, one of four one-man shows crafted by Jaston Williams, had its World Premiere on February 14, 20...

BWW Reviews: WMGE, LLC and LeighzaLand Productions' FADE TO BLACK is Exhilarating and Deeply Thought-Provoking
by David Clarke - June 14, 2013

Last night was the premiere of FADE TO BLACK, an innovative 10 minute play festival promoting and supporting original works created by African-American artists. This showcase is the creative brainchild of Denise O'Neal of WMGE, LLC and Leighza Walker of LeighzaLand Productions, and it is a true firs...

BWW Reviews: Theatre Southwest's DRACULA is Resplendently Gothic and Inspired
by David Clarke - June 10, 2013

Dracula is a name that invokes fear and terror in me. Not because it is a horror story, but because just about every adaptation of Bram Stoker's legendary Gothic novel gets it so wrong that I am left completely cold and empty. Astonishingly, this is not the case with Theatre Southwest's brilliant an...

BWW Reviews: Stark Naked Theatre's MACBETH is Gloriously Breathtaking
by David Clarke - June 08, 2013

Stark Naked Theatre Company's production of William Shakespeare's MACBETH has been on everybody's lips for weeks, even months, now. As soon as the show was announced a gentle hum of excitement began, and turned into a blistering roar by last night's opening night performance. Co-Executive Directors ...

BWW Reviews: DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY is Sensationally Hilarious and Heartwarming
by David Clarke - June 06, 2013

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts has two stages, but most people are only familiar with Sarofim Hall. Nestled on the corner of Rusk and Bagby is the gorgeous and intimate Zilkha Hall, which seats 500. The space was originally planned as a black box theater, and Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)...

BWW Reviews: FLASHDANCE - THE MUSICAL is Lackluster Despite Abundant Dance Spectacles
by David Clarke - June 05, 2013

The hugely popular 1983 film Flashdance, starring Jennifer Beals, received a musical facelift and had its world premiere in July 2008 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. Following a UK Tour, FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL opened on London's West End in late 2010. However, the show closed earlier than expected ...

BWW Reviews: Houston Ballet's JOURNEY WITH THE MASTERS is Exhilarating, Extravagant & Immaculately Programmed
by David Clarke - June 03, 2013

Houston Ballet is kicking off the summer with their resplendent production of JOURNEY WITH THE MASTERS. This amazing treat is made complete with thrilling dance compositions by three of the world's leading modern choreographers, George Balanchine, Ji?i Kylian, and Jerome Robbins. The three acts are ...