Houston Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 8

BWW Review: Houston Grand Opera's Pushes Boundaries in Mozart's Exhilarating THE MAGIC FLUTE
by Armando Urdiales - February 07, 2022

Co-Directors Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade's production of Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE as staged by the Houston Grand Opera is brilliant and astounding. From the incredible set and projection design to its clever staging and superb acting—this production is one that even a 'non-opera-goer' should at...

BWW Review: A.D. Players' NO ONE OWNS ME Provides an Insightful Outlook on Trafficking in Houston
by Armando Urdiales - February 01, 2022

NO ONE OWNS ME by Chris Cragin-Day and Pia Wilson running at AD Players is one of the most exciting productions occurring this winter in Houston. The play involves the daily lives and conversations of two Houston women. Sex trafficking advocate and counselor, Carla, and recent victim, Macey, discuss...

BWW Review: Vichet Chum Brings Back the Early 2000's to The Alley Theatre
by Christian Gill - January 27, 2022

The story of Vichet Chum's High School Play revolves around the Texas UIL program but it's also about everything. If you have any sort of experience with High School Theater then this play will likely speak to you....

BWW Review: Classical Theatre Brings a Century-Old Sci-Fi Classic to Houston
by Christian Gill - January 26, 2022

Classical Theatre Company has brought R.U.R. to Houston. It quickly became apparent that there were no clear rules on what could happen next. A transition could cover ten years or a few seconds. A character's attitude on death could be funny or horrifying. As the play went on it became clear that th...

BWW Review: WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT Shows Intelligence and Cleverness at The Garden Theatre
by Armando Urdiales - January 28, 2022

When one thinks of a production, usually there is a script, with a director, creative team and the actors have a bevy of time in order to put on the best performances of their life. However, the newly formed Garden Theatre has chosen to do the exact opposite in a smart, clever, and brilliant product...

BWW Review: THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT Brilliantly Poses Complex Questions at 4th Wall Theatre Company
by Armando Urdiales - January 17, 2022

Within the realm of fantasy roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons, players have the ability to choose between moral alignments. One of these is the notion of chaotic good and this phrase is the perfect summation of 4th Wall Theatre Co.'s production of THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT. In short, this ...

BWW Review: THE NUTCRACKER is a Prancing Good Time at Houston Ballet
by Comfort Katchy - December 15, 2021

Yet another holiday tradition for Houstonians returns to its beloved stage for live and in-person performances. The Houston Ballet's the Nutcracker is a family experience for all and has continued on in its legacy of giving Houston a symphonic  treat. The music in the ballet is stellar, beautifully ...

BWW Review: THE LAST NIGHT OF JOSEPHINE BAKER from Vincent Victoria Presents
by Brett Cullum - December 14, 2021

Josephine Baker is a historical figure that is not discussed nearly enough, but one of the joys of the Vincent Victoria company is they make sure attention will be paid.  And they do it with a keen eye for detail, and an honor for the spirit of the lady who lived it....

BWW Review: STAGES PANTO LITTLE MERMAID is a Glorious Romp
by Armando Urdiales - January 03, 2022

The annual tradition of STAGES THEATRE's Christmas PANTO comes roaring back with a jolly great time in Shawanna Renee Rivon's and Elizabeth A.M. Keel's PANTO LITTLE MERMAID. Set in the beach town of Galveston, TX, the story is a great time for all as audience members are integral parts of the produc...

BWW Review: POTTED POTTER Delights Audiences with Cheeky Family Fun
by Armando Urdiales - January 03, 2022

A 3D Quidditch Match, a Live Dragon, and an interesting take on Dobby the House Elf greets the young and young at heart at Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. This Harry Potter experience is a 75-minute hilarious summary of all seven Harry Potter Books. Writers, Daniel Clarkson ...

BWW REVIEW: Theatre Under the Stars' THE LITTLE MERMAID is a Timeless Tale Bursting with Talent
by Audrey Morabito - December 10, 2021

It's holiday time in Houston, and THE LITTLE MERMAID has arrived at Theatre Under the Stars! With music by the legendary Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright, this production does your favorite childhood movie justice—and then some. ...

BWW Review: Phone Rings, Door Chimes, in Comes COMPANY at ArtFACTORY!
by Alric Davis - December 06, 2021

This hilarious Tony Award winning musical surrounds confirmed bachelor Robert on and around his thirty-fifth birthday. Through a series of dinner parties, drinks, weddings, and dates, Robert weighs the pros and cons of staying single with his zany group of closest friends. Including beloved songs by...

BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Returns to The Alley Theatre!
by Comfort Katchy - December 03, 2021

A Christmas Carol is an age-old classic that tells the story of redemption and the importance of love and compassion. It follows a man, Ebeneezer Scrooge, known for his greed and cruelty to others. Following the visits of an old friend, and three timely spirits, Ebeneezer is shown what his greed and...

BWW Review: MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY at Main Street Theater
by Brett Cullum - December 02, 2021

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY is the sort of show that will remind audiences you should do anything but marry without affection.  There is a lot to love in this Christmas play that feels authentically like a gorgeous Christmas coda to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. ...

BWW Review: THE CHRISTMAS SHOES at A.D. Players At The George
by Alric Davis - November 29, 2021

The A.D. Players shows many walks of life with their poignant production of The Christmas Shoes!...

BWW Review: 4.48 PSYCHOSIS at The Catastrophic Theatre
by Armando Urdiales - November 26, 2021

A hospital bed, chairs, and a large screen greet audiences as Catastrophic Theatre returns with a heartbreaking production of 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane. British playwright, Sarah Kane, is semi-autobiographical as the work deals with mental illness and a young person's descent into finally committ...

BWW Review: A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS Starts A New Christmas Tradition at The Ensemble Theatre
by Comfort Katchy - November 22, 2021

The Ensemble Theatre brings Houston a new holiday tradition with A Motown Christmas. In it's 45th season, the Ensemble invites you to come and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this exciting, family-fun Christmas musical. Featuring holiday favorites such as 'Deck The Halls', 'This C...

BWW Review: Broadway Across America's TOOTSIE THE MUSICAL is On a Roll!
by Brett Cullum - November 17, 2021

My advice for TOOTSIE THE MUSICAL is to distance yourself from the original film, and accept they are taking a dated concept and transposing it awkwardly onto today.  You are going for the exquisite comedy performances that surpass the fact that TOOTSIE has not very much to say about gender that see...

BWW Review: Mildred's Umbrella Presents the Regional Premiere of EL HURACAN
by Christian Gill - November 17, 2021

After a two-year absence, Mildred Umbrella comes back with the regional premiere of El Huracan by Charise Castro Smith. This production reopens a theatre, reestablishes their commitment to telling female-centric stories, and promises a more diverse future for Mildred's Umbrella where they continue t...

BWW Review: Raise Your Voice for Theatre Under the Stars' Lively & Joyful SISTER ACT
by Comfort Katchy - November 08, 2021

Based on the hit-film, Sister Act is a feel-good musical comedy that is bringing joy, song and laughter to the people of Houston. Sister Act tells the story of a nightclub singer (Deloris) who is forced to take refuge from the mob in a convent. The story brings brings audiences joy and laughter as D...

BWW Interview: Susan Koozin Shares the Joy of TUTS' SISTER ACT & Reflects On Her History in Houston Theatre
by Audrey Morabito - November 05, 2021

One of the things that drew me to Houston theatre as a young audience member was when I began to recognize the faces onstage. After spending some time in Houston, you start to recognize the same smiling, singing faces (and make a habit of looking forward to seeing their name appear in your program!)...

BWW Review: INTO THE WOODS Charms From The Garden Theatre at the MATCH
by Brett Cullum - October 28, 2021

As an ensemble the players make the most of this work without the usual cast of thousands that the play can sometimes utilize. The way it is all staged I could hear each performer solely during different group times, and everyone was right in the pocket with harmonies and projection....

BWW Review: Stages' 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Steals the Show for Best Fall Musical
by Armando Urdiales - October 25, 2021

F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. Fantastic is defined in the dictionary as 'extraordinarily good' Simply put, and to use in a sentence, 'The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at STAGES Theatre is simply a FANTASTIC production that should and needs to be seen by all.' Not only is the show brilliant, but it has easil...

BWW Review: 72 MILES TO GO Brings a Story of Familial Love and Heartbreak to the Alley Theatre
by Christian Gill - October 21, 2021

Review: 72 Miles to Go is how every character has a life beyond the central issue....

BWW Review: 4th Wall Theatre's A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 is Bursting with Feminist Energy
by Armando Urdiales - October 20, 2021

When Henrik Ibsen's character of Nora left her family in his famous work A Doll's House, western theater was thrust in to the modern era. Now in the 21st century, Nora returns in in Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House Part 2, and the audiences gets answers to the many questions one could have on what happe...