Theater review: ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

littleshop17 — ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre until Sunday November 5, 2017. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

October is Halloween month and nothing says horror and creepiness like ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre until Sunday November 5, is the horror comedy rock musical about an unlucky florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $29 and are available online. This production is recommended for audiences 13 and over and parental supervision is advised due to mature language.

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is a musical about Seymour Krelborn who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. Seymour is a poor young orphan living in skid row who was taken in by Mr. Mushnik, a flower shop owner. He works for him now at the shop along with Audrey, a pretty young blonde and as the story begins, they both lament their stations in life, “Skid Row (Downtown).” Every day, Seymour cares for the mysterious new plant, “Grow for Me,” that looks like a large Venus flytrap and turns out to be a foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore. It promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Seymour if he keeps on feeding it blood. After he witnesses Audrey’s boyfriend Orin being abusive to her, he longs to protect her and plots to kill him. Eventually he discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination but not before he loses everyone he cares about.

Far from a typical musical happy ending, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is a wickedly fun time. Brian Hodges shines in the role of the shy and unlucky Seymour and is paired well with Paige Berry as Audrey. Despite not being a lead character, Orin the sadistic dentist, leaves audiences conflicted because they love to hate him. Chris Berry’s hilarious portrayal of Orin during “Now (It’s Just the Gas)” had the audience in stitches but is a perfect example of why this production is not for the very young. Show highlights include when Orin makes his entrance “Dentist!,” “Grow for Me” when Seymour discovers what makes Audrey flourish and “Suddenly, Seymour” when Seymour and Audrey finally get together, even if it does not last. Overall, it is a dark and tragically funny production filled with humor, drama and heart and is a must see for the Halloween season.

Theater review: ‘The King and I’ at the Majestic Theatre

kingandicast — ‘The King and I’ plays at the Majestic Theatre through Sunday October 22. Photo: North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, used with permission.

Now playing at the Majestic Theatre is the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I.’ There are still a few chances to catch it this weekend with show times at 8 p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available at the box office and through Ticketmaster and prices start at $35. This musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher hired by the King to teach his many wives and children. It stars Jose Llana as the King of Siam and Heather Botts as Anna Leonowens.

‘The King and I’ starts off with Anna and her son Louis as they are arriving in Bangkok, “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” and are met by the King’s Prime Minister, the Kralahome. They start off on the wrong foot when he informs her that they are expected to live in the palace, which is a violation of Anna’s contract which stated that they were to have their own house. Despite this breech in contract, she agrees to keep her part of the bargain but constantly reminds the King that he must do the same. Eventually they become friends and with Anna’s help he slowly attempts to modernize Siam. Conflicts arise at the palace and Anna and the King become estranged but she returns when he is at his deathbed and stays with him until his death when his son Chulalongkorn takes over.

The cast may be big but they work together splendidly to make this Broadway favorite work. Jose Llana and Heather Botts have outstanding stage chemistry that makes this true story come to life. Show highlights include “Getting to Know You” when Anna meets the royal children and wives and “Shall We Dance” when Anna and the King dance towards the end of Act II. Especially poignant is “We Kiss in a Shadow” by Lun Tha, the slave girl and Tuptim, her forbidden lover. “The Small House of Uncle Thomas,” the ballet the Royal Singers and Dancers put on for the British guests, is visually stunning and showcases the depth of talent of the cast. With its combination of humor, drama, and spectacular singing and dancing, ‘The King and I’ appeals to all ages and the universal themes of family and love, in all its forms, are relatable and timeless.

Whataburger hosts Customer Appreciation event

whataburgerchickensandwich-jpg — Whataburger is hosting a Customer Appreciation event this Tuesday October 17, 2017. Photo: Whataburger, used with appreciation.

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. On Tuesday October 17 from 5p.m. to 8p.m., Whataburger is having a Customer Appreciation event at their 12510 SW Loop 410 location only. Customers who purchase a medium order of fries and a 32oz drink will receive a free Whataburger. This family-friendly event will consist of activities and giveaways, including the popular Whataburger for a Year drawing where one customer’s name will be drawn to win the ultimate prize-a free Whataburger every week for a year. There will also be a photo booth and a balloon artist as well as a special appearance by Whataguy, the Whataburger mascot. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Whataburger
12510 SW Loop 410 (near Palo Alto Rd)
San Antonio, TX 78224
(210) 923-3155

Dia de los Muertos celebration at Pearl

pearldiadelos.jpg.png — Pearl will be having its first annual Dia de los Muertos event on Wednesday November 1 and Thursday November 2. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated in Mexico mostly in the Central and Southern regions. During this multi-day holiday, family and friends gather to pray for and remember those who have died and to support their spiritual journey. It includes private altars that feature calaveras, Aztec marigolds and the favorite food and drinks of the deceased and visits to graves with these gifts. Children and infants on remembered on November 1 and adults on November 2.

This year the Pearl will be hold the first annual Día de los Muertos event on Wednesday November 1 and Thursday November 2. This two-day celebration will consist of a community altar, a community procession, altars created by local artists, traditional contemporary music, theatre performances, children’s crafts and programming and collaborations with traditional food vendors. Pearl will transform the grounds to reflect traditions of the Mexican holiday, which pays homage to deceased family and friends. Decorations will include customary flowers, installations and papel picado unique to Día de los Muertos as well as ofrendas, live mariachi music, a formal procession and sugar skull making. Guests are encouraged to bring a photo or memento and participate in the community altars on both days. (Pearl, 2017)

Planned events:
Wednesday, November 1 from 4p.m. to 7p.m.
There will be children’s workshops and performances where kids can enjoy calavera face painting by Hippy’s FX, crafts by Southwest School of Art and Magik Theatre and milkshakes from Honeysuckle Tea Time. On stage, literary artist Carmen Tafolla will read and serve as emcee followed by readings from Erica Prosper Nirenberg and Jonah Nirenberg. Mexican musical performers include Los Inocentes and Conjunto Taller. Bertha Sandoval, ‘La Catrina de Mexico,’ will speak about the rich Mexican tradition at Hotel Emma library.

Thursday, November 2 from 5p.m. to 9p.m.
Altar artists will be on site to discuss their work from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kristin Forrester will kick off the performance program with a reading and will serve as emcee. At 6 p.m., the community is invited to join in on a formal procession around the Pearl campus. Live music will be by the all-female mariachi group Las Coronelas followed by San Antonio native and Latin roots rocker, Patricia Vonne. Complimentary paletas will be available courtesy of La Paleteria and Panifico, a favorite local Mexican bakery, will be selling pan de muerto.

Pearl
312 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-726

Movie adaptation: ‘The Snowman’ by Jo Nesbo

thesnowmanpic — The movie adaption of ‘The Snowman’ by Jo Nesbo will be out in theaters on Friday October 20.

Jo Nesbø is a Norwegian writer, musician, former economist and reporter. His books have sold more than 3 million copies in Norway and his work has been translated into over 40 languages and have sold 30 million copies worldwide. He has written several stand-alone novels and the Doctor Proctor series of children’s books but he is best known for his crime novels about Inspector Harry Hole. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Glass Key for best Nordic crime novel. “The Snowman” is the seventh book in the Harry Hole series and the movie adaptation will be released in theaters on Friday October 20, 2017. It stars J.K. Simmons, Val Kilmer, Rebecca Ferguson and Michael Fassbender as Detective Harry Hole.

According to Amazon, in “The Snowman,” Inspector Harry Hole tracks a Norwegian serial killer in a case that will test him to the very limits of his sanity. Harry is a brilliant and driven detective with the Oslo Crime Squad. His methods are unorthodox methods and that has made him a loose cannon in the police force. This case involves the murder of a woman whose son wakes up one day and discovers that she has disappeared. The only thing left behind is the pink scarf that he gave her as a Christmas present and the snowman that mysteriously appeared in their front yard is now wearing it. As Harry investigates, he uncovers a pattern over the past decade where eleven women have vanished all on the day of the first snow. All killed by someone who makes his own rules and is willing to break his pattern just to keep things interesting.

Destination Cocktails at La Cantera Resort & Spa

destinationcocktailspic — Destination Cocktails is set for October 20 through 22 at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, in partnership with the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, is hosting Destination Cocktails. Set for Friday October 20 through Sunday October 22, this event will benefit children’s charities through Houston Street Charities. It will explore the creation and execution of handcrafted cocktails through tastings, seminars and paired dinners. Guest mixologists scheduled to appear are: John Garrett, Victory Wine Groups, Jason Kosmas, The 86 Company and Elyse Blechman. Ticket prices range from $40 to $150 and are available online. They can be purchased alone for any event or as a package to include a one night or two-night stay at La Cantera Resort & Spa. The resort stay includes two seminars per adult, admission to Texas Tasting Suite and daily breakfasts. Paired dinners are not included and must be purchased separately. A complete list of events is available online. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2017)

Event highlights:
Texas Tasting Suite
Saturday October 21, 2p.m. to 4p.m. – $40

Seminar: Understanding Tequila
Saturday October 21,10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. – $50

Seminar: The Drinkable Journey of Gin & Tonic
Saturday October 21, 10:30a.m. – 11: 30a.m. and 1p.m. to 2p.m. – $50

Seminar: The Twelve Fashioned
Saturday October 21, 1p.m. – 2p.m. – $50

Paired dinner: SweetFire Kitchen and Cadre Noir Imports
Saturday, October 21, 7 p.m. – $150

Paired dinner: Primero Cantina and Mezcal El Silencio
Saturday, October 21, 7 p.m. – $100

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

The next production at the Woodlawn Theatre is the horror comedy rock musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ It opens on Friday October 13 and runs until Sunday November 5 with show times every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tim Hedgepeth is the guest Director, Lizel Sandoval is the Choreographer, Andrew Hendley is the Music Director and Rose Kennedy is the Costume Designer. This production is recommended for audiences 13 and over and parental supervision is advised due to mature language.

Tickets are on sale online, or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. Prices are $18 for students and children, $24 for seniors and military and $29 for adults. There is a $3 service fee for tickets. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. Free parking is available and located behind Vogue College of Cosmetology on W Lynwood Ave. This area is specifically designated for patrons and is patrolled by a uniformed security guard during the run of each show. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2017)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is based on the low budget 1960 black comedy of the same name about an unlucky florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. The foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Seymour if he keeps on feeding it blood. Eventually he discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination. This deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical features a lovesick hero, a bloodthirsty plant and a 1960s pop/rock score by creative geniuses Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.

Special dates:

Friday, October 27 – Little Shop of Horrors Costume Contest, dress as your favorite character.
Saturday, October 28 – Halloween Costume Contest, dress as you please.
Sunday, October 29 – Kids Costume Contest, kids dress up.
Saturday, November 5 – American Sign Language Night, interpreted services by Robert Cardoza.

Woodlawn Theatre
1920 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 267-8388

Whataburger fundraiser for O’Connor High School Band

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. This Wednesday October 11 from 5p.m. to 8p.m., Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser in San Antonio for the O’Connor High School Band. The public is invited to come and show their support by enjoying their favorite menu items and Whataburger will donate 20 percent of the sales during the posted hours to the organization. The first 100 customers will also receive a free Whataburger gift. This Whata Night fundraiser will be at the 9263 N Loop 1604 W location only. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger
9263 N Loop 1604 W (near Bandera Road)
San Antonio, TX 78249

Whataburger and James Avery release new charm

whataburgercharmpic — The new James Avery Whataburger charm is now available online. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Two Texas favorites, Whataburger and James Avery, have teamed up to release this season’s must-have keepsake. Effective today, the authentic sterling silver James Avery Charm, engraved with the Whataburger logo and measuring 5/8” long, is available just in time for holiday shopping. It features the Whataburger “flying W” at its heart and is exclusively available online. Customers can purchase the charm individually or they can build the perfect ready-to-wear pieced with James Avery’s Hook-On Bracelet or Changeable Charm Holder Necklace. This charm represents a partnership between two legendary Texas brands that got their start in the 1950s. Now, the beloved brands are joining forces to share a piece of history with fans. (Whataburger, 2017)

In other Whataburger news, during the month-long SA Goes Orange initiative, Whataburger donated $60,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank, which is the highest amount raised to date. With the funds raised, the San Antonio Food Bank can feed those who need it most in the San Antonio community. All this was made possible with customers’ help during the September 12 – 26 fundraising event.

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival

butterflyposter — The second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is scheduled for October 20 through October 22, 2017. Photo: Monarch Butterfly Festival, used with permission.

The second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival will take place this month from Friday October 20 to Sunday October 22, 2017. This three-day event is organized by the Texas Butterfly Ranch and the theme this year is Butterflies without Borders. The goal is to raise awareness and appreciation of the insect pollinators that make food possible. This celebration takes place during peak Monarch migration week in San Antonio, which generally occurs during the last two weeks of October. Each year, millions of the migrating black-and-orange butterflies move through the “Texas Funnel” on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter. Studies suggest the eastern migrating Monarch population has dropped more than 60% in recent years and the insect has been petitioned for listing as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. A full schedule of planned events is available online. (Monarch Butterfly Festival, 2017)

With the generous support from The Pearl, The San Antonio River Authority, HEB, the Rivard Report, Trinity University and the Mexican Cultural Institute, the Festival begins on Friday October 20, with an international scientific symposium at the Pearl Stable. Scientists from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada will explore the intersections of pollinators and politics in a Butterflies without Borders panel discussion: The Monarch Migration and our Changing Climate. On Saturday, there will be various art and education events throughout town including a teacher training workshop at the San Antonio River Authority, a “bug lunch” at the Witte, a butterfly walk and talk at the San Antonio Botanical Garden and art events at Yanaguana Gardens and the Mexican Cultural Institute.

On Sunday October 22, there will be a “People for Pollinators Parade” at the Pearl and costumes are encouraged. The parade route will march down Pearl Parkway and trained docents will teach kids the citizen science of tagging Monarch butterflies. More than 20 educational booths will offer education, engagement and fun. Tagged Monarch butterflies will be released at the Pearl amphitheater at noon. There will be numerous activities including Pedaling Pollinators Butterfly Bikes, face painting, kite making, story time by the Book Fairy, food and music.

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Author: Sandra Cruz