Show review: ‘Blue Man Group Speechless Tour’ at the Majestic Theatre

bluemangroup19 — The Blue Man Group performs at the Majestic Theatre through Sunday November 24. Photo: Blue Man Group, used with permission.

Opening night pre-show energy at the Majestic Theatre last night was unmistakable as the audience awaited the return of the Blue Man Group to San Antonio, part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2019-2020 season. Fans of all ages came to witness the multimedia sensation made up of the blue tinted, wide eyed men who have delighted people worldwide without uttering a single word. Tickets start at $40.

The ‘Blue Man Group Speechless Tour’ features new and original compositions, acts and instruments alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments based in joy, art, music, laughter and escapist absurdity. It is the same blue but the rest is new at this interactive experience perfect for the whole family. The Blue Man characters embark on a fresh journey of discovery on this all-new tour, the result of more than 27 years spent observing humanity. The tour features material that fosters communal moments, continues the evolution of tube-based instruments to support all new music and includes large-scale audience participation. Blue Man Group is the global entertainment phenomenon, known for its award-winning theatrical productions, iconic characters and multiple creative explorations. The performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication.

The Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds as evident by last night’s make up of the audience. Without giving too much away, this is a one of a kind show and must be experienced with fresh eyes not knowing what to expect. The often heart pounding music, percussions and a guitar, is loud but not as loud as in previous productions and there are plenty of bright and flashing lights. Audience participation segments include the blue men walking among the audience while they appear on screens and three audience members appear in skits. As always, the shaming of late-comers draws the most laughter. The combination of comedy, music and technology with some science lessons snuck in makes for a show the entire family can enjoy. It has a rock concert vibe that ends in a party like celebration.

There are only three more chances to catch this electrifying show. It plays until Sunday.

Saturday November 23 at 8p.m.
Sunday November 24 at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m.

This is an hour and a half show with no intermission.

‘Elf The Musical’ opens this Friday at The Public Theater

elfmusical — James R. Welch as Buddy the Elf in The Public Theater’s production of ‘Elf The Musical.’ It opens this Friday November 22. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Opening at The Public Theater of San Antonio this week just in time for the holiday season is ‘Elf The Musical.’ It opens on Friday November 22 and will run through Sunday December 22 in the Russell Hill Rogers Auditorium. Buddy the Elf embarks on a journey to discover his true identity and is determined to win over his new family. ‘Elf The Musical’ is the modern day holiday classic that reminds us that the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is by singing loud for all to hear. Tickets are available online and at the box office by calling (210) 733-7258. Prices are $45 for adults, $35 for military members with ID, $25 for seniors age 60 and older and students with ID and $20 for children aged 12 and under. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more. Additional ticket services fees may apply. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. On opening night, there will be a special reception following the performance. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2019)

‘Elf The Musical’ is based on the New Line Cinema film by David Berenbaum with a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. It is the story of William “Buddy” Hobbs, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa Claus’ bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. After discovering the baby, Santa and his elves decide to raise the child as an elf. Years later, Buddy finds out that he is actually human and, with Santa’s approval, goes to New York City in search of his father, Walter Hobbs. Faced with the harsh reality that Walter is on the naughty list and that his son Michael does not even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his birth family and help New York City remember the true meaning of Christmas. Cast includes James R. Welch as Buddy, Brandon R. Mace as Walter Hobbs, Pamela Sharkey as Emily Hobbs, Mariel Ardila as Jovie, Chip Wood as Mr. Greenway, John Paul Tucker as Michael Hobbs and Robert Moritz as Santa Claus.

The Public Theater of San Antonio
800 W. Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

Alamo Heights’ annual holiday parade and Fun Run this Saturday

holidayparade19 — Alamo Heights will have its annual holiday parade this Saturday November 23. Photo: Google

Grande Communications is an award-winning locally based broadband communications company offering internet, TV and phone services. This weekend they are once again sponsoring the Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 42nd annual Holiday Parade set for Saturday November 23. New to this year, the parade is changing routes and will feature a Fun Run. Both the Parade and Fun Run will begin at Alamo Heights High School, proceed across Broadway Street along Castano Avenue and end at the intersection of Alamo Heights Boulevard and Argo Avenue. (Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce, 2019)

The Holiday Parade and Fun Run will bring together neighbors in the community for the city’s biggest annual get-together to help raise funds for the Elf Louise Christmas Project, a nonprofit charity that brings Christmas to children in need. This event features a scenic .9-Mile course with holiday cookie aid stations, water stations, a champagne first aid station and a holiday party at the end that would make Santa proud. Activities at the kid-friendly party following the Parade and Fun Run will include a Moon Bounce, music, food and more. Grande is the host of the after-Parade party and will be cooking up barbeque treats. Everyone is welcome to the after-party in the parking lot of the Alamo Heights Pool.

Several local companies and organizations across the city will be participating in the parade with their own floats. Last year’s parade held a crowd of over 1,500 and showcased 40 floats and other entrants. Previous parade participants have included several Girl Scout Troops, Girls on the Run, and the 2019 Fiesta Queen. Community members are encouraged to register for the Fun Run and attend the celebration following the parade. For more information and to register, please visit the Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce online.

The Fun Run will start at 5:30p.m. and will be followed immediately by the parade. The starting point will be at the Alamo Heights High School (6900 Broadway St.) parking lot at the corner of E Castano Avenue and Broadway Street, and it ends at the intersection of Alamo Height Boulevard and Argo Avenue. The after-parade party will be in the parking lot of the Alamo Heights Pool. Registration is now open for the run.

San Antonio Food Bank helping veterans this holiday season

Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. In the United States, food insecurity affects one in nine people. Food insecurity is a social determinant of health, which are conditions in people’s environment that can affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. One in five households served by a local food bank has at least one member who has served in the U.S. military. To make an impact, the San Antonio Food Bank; Humana, a leading health and well-being company; and Conviva Care Centers have partnered on a food and fund drive benefitting military veterans from Veterans Day, November 11 through December 7, 2019. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2019)

As part of the “March Out Hunger” campaign, non-perishable food will be collected at locations throughout San Antonio, including: the Humana neighborhood location (950 S. General McMullen), the Humana office, and five Conviva Care Center locations. In addition to food donations, members of the community can provide monetary donations. Every $10 donation helps the San Antonio Food Bank provide 70 meals and can be done online.

The community is also invited to participate in a Ruck March at the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon during the 5K on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30a.m. In the military, soldiers carry a heavily-loaded rucksack, similar to a backpack, over a long distance. To bring awareness to food insecurity among our military and veteran community, participants will carry packs filled with non-perishable food donations and march the 5K route, delivering the food to the San Antonio Food Bank at the finish line. Those interested in marching should email Humana.

Donation stations:
Humana neighborhood location, 950 S. General McMullen, San Antonio, TX
Humana office, 8119 Datapoint Dr., San Antonio
Conviva – Guadalupe Care Center, 1314 Guadalupe St., Ste. 105, San Antonio
Conviva – DeLeon Care Center, 9727 Poteet Jourdanton Fwy., Ste. 108, San Antonio
Conviva – Greco Care Center, 4360 Greco Drive, San Antonio
Conviva – Legacy Place Care Center, 18414 US-281 North, Ste. 104, San Antonio
Conviva – Live Oak Care Center, 12602 Toepperwein Road, Ste. 100, San Antonio

Thanksgiving specials from Bakery Lorraine and La Panaderia

panaderiacroissants — La Panaderia’s Tequila Apple Pie Croissants. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Bakery Lorraine and La Panadería are making it easier than ever to make dessert the star of the big day with delicious pies and croissants for sale. (Bakery Lorraine, La Panadería, 2019)

Bakery Lorraine will have Thanksgiving pies available for order at all of their locations across the city and in Austin. Pies can be purchased for $26 each and customers are able to place orders now through Sunday, November 24. Pick up day will be Wednesday, November 27, the day before Thanksgiving and pick up time will vary based on location. There will be additional pies for sale that Wednesday on a first come first serve basis. Orders can be placed on the Bakery Lorraine website under the “store” tab. From there, customers can set their preferred pick up time and location.

Pie flavors include:
- Roasted In-House Pumpkin Pie
- Dutch Apple Pie
- Jack Daniel’s Pecan Pie
- Apple Cranberry with Christmas Spice

La Panaderia is serving up their scrumptious Tequila Apple Pie Croissant this Thanksgiving. The unique pastry is made with a double baking technique and filled with caramelized apples and topped with a sweet crumble. The Tequila Apple Pie Croissant is a spin on the classic American dessert and a delicious blend of cultures.

Twin Liquors announces new location in Hardy Oak

Twin Liquors, Texas’s fine wine and spirits retailer, is pleased to announce the opening of its new Hardy Oak store in San Antonio. The new store will open the week of November 18, 2019. Known for its wide selection of wine and spirits and its associates’ vast knowledge and friendly service, Twin Liquors currently operates more than 90 neighborhood stores in Texas and continues to grow to meet the response of its dedicated customers. (Twin Liquors, 2019)

Every Twin Liquors location stocks an impressive inventory of fine wines and industry staples at exceptional values in addition to hard-to-find specialty wines and spirits. Each individual Twin Liquors store further distinguishes itself by offering a unique experience: specifically catering to nearby communities and neighborhoods.

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful “home-grown” Texas company. It has a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates over 90 neighborhood stores across Texas, including Sigel’s in Dallas.

Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits
23714 Hardy Oak Blvd #Ste 101
San Antonio, TX 78258

The Shops at La Cantera includes retailers once found only online

dogatlacantera — The Shops at La Cantera has had unique tenants open their doors onsite. Photo: The Shops at La Cantera, used with permission.

Patrons of The Shops at La Cantera have had a variety of new options for fitness, dining and shopping pleasures in 2019 thanks to several new tenants that opened their doors at one of Texas’ premier luxury retail destinations. Stores that were once only available as online retailers now have a brick-and-mortar presence at The Shops at La Cantera. New-to-market restaurants, retailers and health and wellness businesses made their mark here this year, further solidifying the position of The Shops as South Texas’ premier unique and upscale open-air center. This comes as The Shops approaches its 15^th anniversary as an Alamo City icon. (The Shops at La Cantera, 2019)

Stores like Tecovas, formerly an online-only cowboy boot retailer, added their second physical location at The Shops in July and has been well-received by patrons. Quay Australia, a once digital native retailer of sunglasses, brought their “notoriously cool sunnies” to the property as well. The Shops will also be home to one of two American locations for high-end fashion retailer Purificación Garcia, which boasts nearly a dozen locations across Central and South America. Premium jeans maker 7 for All Mankind is another first-to-market retailer at The Shops. While Louis Vuitton has had a store inside anchor tenant Neiman Marcus for years, they expanded their presence in 2019 with a new store to display more of its luxury French handbags and accessories in the Neiman Marcus wing of The Shops. In May, California-based Restoration Hardware opened its doors to offer patrons the chance to enjoy its many lines of select furniture designs, including sections for children and babies.

Several new dining and food-related options are also new additions to The Shops, including upscale fast casual creperie Sweet Paris and another French-inspired café, Le Macaron French Pastries. In the mood for more sweets? Try unique ice cream sandwich shop The Baked Bear. In San Antonio, these culinary offerings are only available at The Shops at La Cantera.

On the health and wellness front, Orange Theory Fitness will be coming by the end of 2019. Pop-up yoga studio Half Moon Power Yoga opened earlier in 2019 and will continue to offer its healing services to patrons at their location next to Nordstrom.

As it celebrates another year of redefining destination shopping and lifestyle experience in South Texas, guests can enjoy a diverse experience that can only be found at The Shops at La Cantera this holiday season.

“Fifteen years after we opened the first phase of The Shops at La Cantera, we continue to draw exciting and innovative stores to this beautiful space. This is going to be a great holiday season to come out and see new faces, to taste new flavors and to enjoy new experiences.” – Brian Schroeder, senior general manager at The Shops at La Cantera

The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 582-6255

Fortieth anniversary of ‘Flowers in the Attic’ by V.C. Andrews

V.C. Andrews was an American novelist whose works combine Gothic horror and family saga, revolving around family secrets and forbidden love and sometimes include a rags-to-riches story. She is best known for ‘Flowers in the Attic,’ a tale of four children smuggled by their mother into the attic of their wealthy estranged pious grandmother’s home. One of the most popular authors of all time, V.C. Andrews has been a bestselling phenomenon since the publication of ‘Flowers in the Attic,’ the first in the renowned Dollanganger family series, which includes ‘Petals on the Wind,’ ‘If There Be Thorns,’ ‘Seeds of Yesterday’ and ‘Garden of Shadows.’ This year marks the fortieth anniversary of this unforgettable forbidden love story that earned V.C. Andrews a fiercely devoted fan base and became an international cult classic. There are more than eighty V.C. Andrews novels, which have sold over 107 million copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty-five foreign languages.

According to Amazon, ‘Flowers in the Attic’ is the story of a perfect and beautiful family, until a heartbreaking tragedy shatters their happiness. For the sake of an inheritance that will ensure their future, the children must be hidden away out of sight, as if they never existed. They are kept in the attic of their grandmother’s labyrinthine mansion, isolated and alone. As the visits from their seemingly unconcerned mother slowly dwindle, the four children grow ever closer and depend upon one another to survive both this cramped world and their cruel grandmother. It is a suspenseful and thrilling tale of family greed, murder and forbidden love and the first novel of the epic Dollanganger family saga.

‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ returns to The Classic Theatre

Back by popular demand, ‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,’ returns to The Classic Theatre of San Antonio this month. It opens Friday November 22 and will run through Sunday December 22. This charming production is based on the characters from Jane Austen’s beloved novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and is written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon and directed by Kelly Roush. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $34 for general admission, $30 for senior, military, educator, SATCO and AEA Members and $19 for student. ID is required. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception after the show. (The Classic Theatre, 2019)

‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ takes place two years after the conclusion of Jane Austen’s beloved novel ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ where the bookish, oft-neglected middle sister, Mary Bennet becomes the center of this holiday story. When the shy, bookworm Arthur de Bourgh turns up unexpectedly at the family celebration, Mary must learn to be the heroine of her own story in order to receive the romance she longs for.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

Tickets for Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ go on sale Friday

aladdinmusical — Tickets for ‘Aladdin’ go on sale this Friday November 15. Photo: Google

Disney Theatrical Productions and North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio announced this week that tickets for the long-awaited engagement of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ at the Majestic Theatre will go on sale to the public at 10a.m., Friday, November 15. ‘Aladdin’ follows the familiar tale of a poor young man who is granted three wishes by a genie in a lamp which he uses to woo a princess and to thwart the sultan’s evil Grand Vizier.

Performances begin Wednesday, March 25, 2020 for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, April 12. Performances are Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30p.m.; Fridays at 8p.m.; Saturdays at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sundays at 1p.m. and 6:30p.m. Additional matinee performances are on Thursday, March 26 at 2 p.m. and Friday, April 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $36 and are available by calling Disney’s Broadway Hotline at (866) 870-2717, online or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. The Majestic Box Office does not accept single ticket orders over the phone; all ticket sales must be made in person. Majestic Box Office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours vary weekly, call (210) 226-3333 to verify. Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2019)

‘Aladdin,’ adapted from the animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage. ‘Aladdin’ is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar^® winner Alan Menken, lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman, three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice and six-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin with a book by Beguelin and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw.

Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-3333

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Author: Sandra Cruz