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
Tagged with Rene Moreno …
Luminosity in blu: Cara Mia Theatre Company Illuminated
The Cambridge English dictionary defines luminosity as the total amount of energy produced by a star in one second. Another source describes it as the rate at which a star radiates energy in all directions. As soon as the lights come up on Cara Mia Theatre Co.’s production blu, by Virginia Grise, running through October … Continue reading
Reaching for the Summit: “The Mountaintop” in Oklahoma
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
Gone Southie: Watertower Theatre’s GOOD PEOPLE
David Lindsay-Abaire’s homage to the work-worn, hard-edged folk of South Boston (known as ‘Southies’), “Good People”, gets a sincere production from a strong acting ensemble in WaterTower Theatre’s regional premiere running through June 29 in Addison. Its 2011 Manhattan Theatre Club production won numerous prestigious award nominations from the reigning East Coast set, winning Tony … Continue reading
CityRep Soufflé: Cooking Up Much Ado
Producing a play shares similarities with cooking a perfect soufflé. Carefully selected, measured ingredients get mixed with scientific precision (with a master chef or director’s signature touch) and then “baked” at the right temperature for an exact duration. Removed carefully from the “oven” and presented elegantly to its audience at table (or in the theatre), … Continue reading
Going Gurney Class at WaterTower Theatre
Characters Velma and the Prison Matron sing it best in the Tony Award-winning musical Chicago… Whatever happened to fair dealing? And pure ethics And nice manners? Why is it everyone now’s a pain in the ass? Whatever happened to class? Class…. Class and good manners take a genteel beating in A.R. Gurney’s 2011 situation comedy … Continue reading
A Passing Grace: Angels Fall @ Contemporary Theatre of Dallas
Expressing exuberance when quoted in a 1982 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article as his new play Angels Fall worked its way towards Broadway, playwright Lanford Wilson exclaimed, “The writing is as good as anything I’ve ever done. I don’t think I’ve ever had a show that audiences liked so much, except maybe Talley’s Folly.” Even as nominated … Continue reading
Get Ye Olde Laugh-In On: Echo Theatre’s “The Lucky Chance”
And you thought Beyonce was the Queen of Lip-Sync? She has nothing on the cast of “The Lucky Chance, or The Alderman’s Bargain”, playing through February 23rd at The Bath House Cultural Center, courtesy of Echo Theatre. Get your laugh-in on. Echo’s production consists of a longish farce, employing lip “synchage” by all involved of … Continue reading
The 47% Solution: “November” @ Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre
And now for more political news, Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre wades into the fray with a timely, hilarious production of “November”, running through September 23 in its intimate downstairs CitySpace Theatre. Imagine combining the most controversial aspects of Herman Cain, Donald Trump and Teddy Kennedy into one relentlessly swashbuckling “flimflammer-in chief”. President Charles Smith dominates … Continue reading
2012 DFW Theatre Critics Forum Awardees
Nobody got tossed through any windows. The crockery remains intact. No hit men have been surreptitiously slipped piles of unmarked bills and notes containing home addresses, to my knowledge. The DFW Theatre Critics Forum met for a few intense hours and came up with a list. I’m mostly pleased. As voted on: Direction: Bruce R. … Continue reading
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 