BWW REVIEW: AD Players Blends Faith and Space Adventure in APOLLO 8
As a young boy scout from San Antonio, one of the annual trips I always looked forward to was visiting NASA'S Johnson Space Center. Partially, my move to Space City USA was because of Houston's long history and fascination with outer space. AD Players' production of their world premiere production of Jayme McGhan's APOLLO 8 reignites this childhood passion. This stunningly visual play is a tremendous documentary play on the politics, humanity, and faith of the first space mission that led us eventually to walk on the moon.
BWW Review: A.D. Players' GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER Is Both Hopeful & Honest
The year is 1967, the place is San Francisco, and the conflict? A young and optimistic mixed-race couple has just announced their upcoming plans of marriage to unsuspecting parents. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner extracts the nuances and subtleties of prejudice and plops them center stage, both literally and figuratively, in the living room of the liberal, upper-class Drayton family.
BWW Review: THE HIDING PLACE World Premiere is Poignant & Powerful at A.D. Players
Is it possible to be released from the bondage of suffering, while still in the midst of it? How often does sufferinga?'past or presenta?'grasp hold of our entire being, making it near impossible to believe in the goodness around us? The World Premiere Adaption of THE HIDING PLACE asks us these questions, while simultaneously being an answer to them. Additionally, A.D. Players holds strong ties to the telling of this story. Founder Jeannette Clift George starred as Corrie ten Boom in the critically acclaimed film adaptation after working alongside Corrie to bring her to life on the screen. This heart-wrenching and enlightening play sets the tone for A.D. Players' 53rd Seasona?'A Season of Hope.
BWW Review: A.D. Players Brings Electric Energy to WEST SIDE STORY
As the biggest musical A.D. Players has produced in their 52 years, I believe that this production of WEST SIDE STORY has distinguished A.D. Players as an enormously capable participant in our city's musical theatre scene. In the show program, A.D. Players Executive Director Jake Speck and Artistic Director Kevin Dean discuss choosing their season for this past year, which WEST SIDE STORY was not originally a part of. Both individuals recount that though they were pleased with the season's selections, none of the titles scared them. In their mission to continue to set the bar higher, WEST SIDE STORY earned its place in the season. Pay attention, Houston. They're doing big things over at the George Theater, and you've got one more week to catch it!
BWW Review: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Is Your Imagination Personified at A.D. Players
The year is 1872, the setting is London, and the bet was made at exactly 8:55pm for 20,000 pounds. Or, at least that's how our practical, punctual main character Phileas Fogg would describe the scene. Fogg, a logical and calculated gentleman is willing to bet his entire fortune on the latest claim that with the developments of railways and steam engines, one is able to go around the world in 80 days (I bet you can guess the title of this little play now, huh?). Fogg is so convinced, that he intends to complete the trip himself, with his newly hired servant Passepartout (Braden Hunt), and a few others that get strung into the chaotic voyage along the way.
Christmas Cheer Spreads Onto A.D. Players' Stage
A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, is pleased to announce their upcoming lineup of family-friendly Christmas entertainment at the Jeannette and L.M. George Theater.
Photo Flash: First Look at A.D. Players' Unique Interpretation of GODSPELL
A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, presents 'Godspell,' its final mainstage show for the 2017 season. Based on the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, this re-imagined, updated version of Stephen Schwartz's Broadway classic takes place in an untraditional setting, and includes the show's parade of beloved musical classics, including 'Day by Day,' 'Learn Your Lessons Well,' 'All for the Best,' 'All Good Gifts,' 'By My Side' and 'Beautiful City.' The show runs July 21 - August 13, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Photo Flash: First Look at A.D. Players' Unique Interpretation of GODSPELL
A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, presents 'Godspell,' its final mainstage show for the 2017 season. Based on the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, this re-imagined, updated version of Stephen Schwartz's Broadway classic takes place in an untraditional setting, and includes the show's parade of beloved musical classics, including 'Day by Day,' 'Learn Your Lessons Well,' 'All for the Best,' 'All Good Gifts,' 'By My Side' and 'Beautiful City.' The show runs July 21 - August 13, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS OF MANY PARTS at A.D. Players
A.D. Players has taken their one act A CHRISTMAS OF MANY PARTS, and extended it to a more formal two act structure for the holiday season. It's a great deal of fun, and theater goers should find a lot to love here
BWW Reviews: A.D. Players' ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Proves The Classic is as Funny as Ever
Joseph Kesselring wrote ARSENIC AND OLD LACE in 1939, and the darkly comic play premiered on Broadway on January 10, 1941 at the Fulton Theatre, now named the Helen Hayes Theatre. Brooks Atkinson, theatre critic for The New York Times, famously stated that the play was "so funny that none of us will ever forget it." Eventually, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE moved to the Hudson Theatre, and closed on June 17, 1944, after having played 1,444 performances. The zany, madcap comedy is considered to be Joseph Kesselring's most successful play and is one that still manages to captivate audiences today. A.D. Player's current production of the classic, well directed by Joey Watkins to pop with delightful enthusiasm and energy, proves that the roughly 74-year-old play is as funny as ever.