BWW Review: LUCKY STIFF Stylishly Executed Musical Souffle
by Frank Benge - Jun 10, 2018
LUCKY STIFF is a musical farce with lyrics and libretto by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, that is notable historically for several things. To begin with, It was the first collaboration for the team whose later collaborations include Ragtime and Once On This Island. It was created and performed at Playwrights Horizons off-Broadway in 1988, and won the Richard Rodgers Award for that year. LUCKY STIFF is based on a 1983 novel The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth. It received a full production in London's West End in 1997 but, to date, has never had a Broadway production. In 2015, a film version was created but it has only been seen at film festivals.
BWW Review: Festival of New Texas Plays at Austin Playhouse
by Frank Benge - May 2, 2018
Austin Playhouse recently produced staged readings of the three winning plays from their Festival of New Texas Plays. EIDOPHUSIKON by Reina Hardy kicked off the festival on Friday, April 27, NUTSHELL by C. Denby Swanson was on Saturday, April 28, and MONROE by Lisa B. Thompson concluded the lineup on Sunday, April 29. Along with the professional staged reading, which featured Austin Playhouse directors and company members, each of the winning playwrights received a $500 prize.
BWW Review: THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD Charms Audiences at Austin Playhouse
by Lacey Cannon Gonzales - Apr 12, 2018
THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD is a must-see production for kids of all ages. With a funny, heartwarming story and engaging characters that rival any superhero this show is the perfect family theatre experience. Run don't walk to catch this story that is truly one of a kind.
BWW Review: THE IMMIGRANT is a Touching and Timely Piece of Theatre
by Frank Benge - Jan 8, 2018
Director Don Toner first directed Mark Harelik's THE IMMIGRANT 28 years ago. Happily for Austin, he and Austin Playhouse have decided to restage this charming, inspiring and touching tale for a new generation. THE IMMIGRANT is based on the true story of Harelik's grandfather, a young Russian-Jewish man who entered America through the port of Galveston. Set in Hamilton, Texas (a tiny town with a population of 1,203, no Jews) Haskell Harelik (Joseph Garlock) begins life in America with only a hand pushed fruit cart and a mere smattering of English words at his disposal. It is his gentle spirit and hard work that touches the heart of the local banker and his wife to win him a helping hand. Milton (Huck Huckaby) and Ima Perry (Cyndi Williams) offer him a place to live and eventually, financial help from Milton. With their help, Haskell finally saves up enough money to open a store and send for his wife, Leah (Estrella Saldana). Since the original World Premiere production, directed here in Austin by Toner, Harelik has also adapted the show into a chamber musical.
BWW Review: MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERELY at Austin Playhouse is a Charming Holiday Comedy
by Lacey Cannon Gonzales - Dec 7, 2017
Austin Playhouse's production of MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, continues the season of holiday-themed entertainment in Austin. Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, but taking the characters from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, this play endeavours to be a potential sequel to the beloved classic. This time, however, the focus is shifted from previous heroine, Elizabeth to her sister, Mary.
BWW Review: THIS RANDOM WORLD Soars at Austin Playhouse
by Scott Shipman - Sep 10, 2017
This Random World, the new Steven Dietz play that kicked off Austin Playhouse's 18th season on September 8th, is a well paced and finely built show. The production at Austin Playhouse, utilizing a handful of skilled actors and minimalistic set, deftly crafts a consistently interesting and entertaining show that captivates the audience as it unfolds.
BWW Review: THE MOORS Darkly Delightful Gothic Twist
by Frank Benge - Jul 10, 2017
Jen Silverman's black comedy THE MOORS is an interesting concoction; a black comedy about love, desperation and visibility. Set in the thick of the English literary landscape, Silverman spoofs the Bronte sisters with a bit of a queer twist. She uses all the expected elements of the Gothic (diaries, governesses, hidden lust) yet employs them for a different set of romantic fantasies, where boys are more on the outskirts of the action. Two sisters, Agatha (Catherine Grady) and Huldey (Jess Hughes) and their Mastiff (David Yakubik) live out their lives on the English moors, dreaming of a life different from their current existence. When a hapless governess, Emilie (Katie Kohler) and a moor-hen (Lindsay Hearn Brustein) arrive on the scene, it sets all three on a strange and dangerous path.
BWW Review: Fine Performances Propel THE REALISTIC JONESES
by Frank Benge - Mar 14, 2016
THE REALISTIC JONESES is a play by Will Eno. It opened on Broadway in 2014 after premiering in 2012 at the Yale Repertory Theater. Eno has said that he wrote the play because he 'wanted to really just write a naturalistic and realistic play." What he has created plays more like deeply melancholy sitcom. While there are lots of laughs to be found in this 90 minute slice-of-life, they come from a surreal sense of awkwardness that allows the audience to connect to the intense loneliness that permeates these four people's lives.
2015 BroadwayWorld Austin Awards - Last Week to Vote!
by BWW Special Coverage - Dec 24, 2015
Happy Holidays! It's the last week to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!
2015 BroadwayWorld Austin Awards Update - Jennifer Allen in Lead!
by BWW Special Coverage - Dec 11, 2015
Voting is fully underway for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Austin Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 11. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31.