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 stage west …
A Charmed Actor’s Life: Denton’s Caroline Dubberly
It seems like 24-year-old Denton resident Caroline Dubberly leads a charmed life as an actor. She’s popular, respected and sought after, across the DFW region. She got invited to perform in a major professional stage show touring the US for a year while still a college undergraduate. She will graduate from University of North Texas … Continue reading
Best on the Boards: DFW Theatre Critics Forum 2015
Another year of outstanding D/FW thespian endeavor rolls by. Herein I post the decisions arrived at by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum after three hours of deliberation, negotiation, advocacy and munching David Novinski’s delicious gluten-free brownies to finish our potluck meal at Martha’s. I’m stoked by the diversity and quality of performance art in … Continue reading
unMasqued Theatre’s WASTELAND tours Stage West August 20-23
Wasteland, Susan Felder’s searing prisoner of war play, opened at TimeLine Theatre in Chicago in 2012, and she wrote it like a veteran. It delivers unforgettable visceral impact in portraying the mind-warping suffering of two young American soldiers imprisoned and isolated from each other in Vietnam, while examining the universal themes of connection and isolation. … Continue reading
Burnin’ for the Future at Stage West
Nobody would ever accuse Stage West of shying away from risk-taking in show programming. Over the years I have seen an enjoyably eclectic assortment of quirky, thought provoking, over the top and often intellectually rigorous work on their main stage. No apologies, full steam ahead. Some works turn out more memorable, more effective than others. … Continue reading
2013-14 DFW Theater Critics Forum Awards
Some of these shows I did not see. A number I would not honor with awards. EVER. I am disappointed that neither Ochre House’s Christhelmet (directed by Matthew Posey) nor Diana Sheehan’s Full Gallop or her sophisticated cabaret, Searching for Gertrude Lawrence at WaterTower Theatre met the critical popularity threshold. I am quite thrilled for other wins. Call it a draw…. Direction: … Continue reading
Stage West’s Molly Ivins Rides Again at WaterTower Theatre
Yes, I am an ardent Molly Ivins fan and longtime progressive feminist activist. Yes, I do believe Wendy Davis should run for Texas Governor and whup ol’ misogynist Greg Abbott’s lily-white fanny. After all, his politics are from the Dark Ages, and he deserves it. No, I am not seeing this production, again. I saw … Continue reading
Stage West: Dead Playwrights Society Revives Orton Farce
Ranking right up there with Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” as ‘possibly the funniest play ever written’ to some, Joe Orton’s “What the Butler Saw” earned cries of “filth!” from members of the audience at its initial run at The Queen’s Theatre in London in 1969. In its press release, Stage West describes … Continue reading
Take That, Scott Walker @ Stage West
Stage West responds to its audiences and extends Red Hot Patriot: the Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins 6/22-24 Stage West is pleased to announce that it has a new box office record-holder with its production of Red Hot Patriot, the Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. The show has been … Continue reading
An August, Osage State of Mind: Letts Ride at WaterTower
The Big Apple’s critical embrace: Charles Isherwood from his 12/5/2007 Broadway review in the NY Times: “A fraught, densely plotted saga of an Oklahoma clan in a state of near-apocalyptic meltdown, “August” is probably the most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years. Oh, forget probably: It is, flat-out, no asterisks and without … Continue reading
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 