2020 ushers in my fifteen-year mark of writing theatre critique, advocacy and arts features in the Texas/Oklahoma region. How tempus does fugit. I saw an array of well wrought, engaging productions throughout the year. The endeavors of young, adventuresome artists encourage me to think that the region has enormous growth potential. Small companies with strict … Continue reading
Best of 2017? DFW fosters a diverse, vibrant theatre community with more talent expanding its depth and range every year. Many interesting roles for women in 2017…. Despite the focus on harassment issues and the #MeToo paradigm shift, DFW theatre trends towards more parity in male/female engagement. It’s always easy to recall an array of … Continue reading
Handsome, expressive, congenial, versatile. Longtime Dallas stage and film actor John Venable earned that reputation honestly among his peers in the DFW theatre community. For five years he has had the good fortune to join the unique ranks of actors hired to nationally tour as the solo “apologist” for the entire male gender in Rob … Continue reading
How do two best friends of almost 40 years celebrate the holidays together? They mount a simple little two-person show for their friends and family. Except it also happens to be the most requested show and biggest hit in Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre’s 15-year history. A Tuna Christmas, Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard’s … Continue reading
Why do we willingly attend plays we know don’t end happily? This past Sunday we gassed up Esteemed Colleague’s sleek, new jet black Toyota and happily cruised the c. 7 1/2 hour trek up I-35 to Oklahoma City from Dallas and back at 80+mph to attend Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre’s production of Marsha Norman’s … Continue reading
2015 unfolded as a stunner of a thespian year, from classics to new work, dynamic paradigm-shifters to re-invigorated audience favorites, ensemble achievements to compelling solo work. Youth to senior artists. And music? Glorious music! Performance art in our region thrives with energy, respect, initiative and genuine variety. Dedicated, impassioned creative people form the backbone … Continue reading
Running through November 15 at the Studio Theatre at the Wyly Theatre, Katori Hall’s Broadway hit and 2010 Olivier Award winner The Mountaintop demonstrates how a properly mounted, carefully-crafted work of fantasy based loosely on real life events can manifest as some of the finest dramatic entertainment on a local stage. Dallas Theater Center came … Continue reading
You might call them the Three Musketeers of Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre (CityRep). You won’t ordinarily find them striding about in hip-high boots, buckling swashes while wearing brocaded hats adorned with extravagant feathers, unless they get cast in roles that call for that costume. On any normal day, you’ll find Founding Artistic Director Donald Jordan, … Continue reading
“It’s always the right time to do a play about forgiveness.” Are you not sure you want to see a play based on a deranged man’s shooting of ten children in 2006? It would give anyone pause. Before you write it off as sensationalistic capitalization on a horrific deed that could guarantee nightmares, please read … Continue reading
Memphis, Tennessee. April 3, 1968. Rain pouring down. The Lorraine Motel. A shabby but orderly hotel room. One occupant: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. .He has just delivered his epic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” sermon to a huge church congregation. It’s his last night on earth. Did he have premonitions? Did he call home? … Continue reading
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 