‘Avenue Q’ opens this Friday at the Woodlawn Theatre

woodlawnaveq — The cast of ‘Avenue Q,’ opening this Friday at the Woodlawn Theatre. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

Opening this Friday at the Woodlawn Theatre and just in time for the Halloween season, is the riotous ‘Avenue Q.’ The Tony-Award winning musical features dysfunctional twenty-something puppets coping with personal insecurities and identities while living on Avenue Q. This heartwarming and timely production runs from Friday October 12 through Sunday November 4. Show times are every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets prices are $30 for adults, $24 for senior/military/first responders, $18 for children/students and groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. Tickets are on sale online or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2018)

*’Avenue Q’ contains adult language, and explicit content and situations. Parental discretion is advised.

‘Avenue Q is based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. This coming-of-age story is performed by puppets, animated by visible puppeteers in full view of the audience and alongside human actors. “What happens when you’ve been told throughout your entire childhood that you’re special, only to find out that, as an adult, maybe you’re not?” Recent college graduate Princeton is learning that very difficult lesson upon his arrival in New York City. Lacking in finances, Princeton is forced to get a place in a tiny apartment on Avenue Q where he meets Kate Monster, Rod, Trekkie, Christmas Eve, Lucy, Brian and more quirky characters who are each trying to find their own way in love, career and life. They discover to their surprise and dismay, that in the real world their options are limited and that they are no more “special” than anyone else. With musical numbers like “It Sucks to be Me,” Everyone’s a Little Racist” and “Schandenfreude,” it does not shy away from tackling tough, mature subjects in an entertaining way.

During this production’s run, Woodlawn Theatre will be accepting personal hygiene donations to benefit Martinez Street Women’s Center, a non-profit organization that provides critical services to girls, women, and families in San Antonio.

Promotional Nights:
Pride Night – Saturday October 27
College Night – Friday November 2
ASL (American Sign Language) Night – Saturday November 3

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

‘Waitress’ tickets on sale this Friday

waitressmusical — Tickets to ‘Waitress’ go on sale this Friday October 5 at 10a.m.

Broadway in San Antonio announces this week that ‘Waitress’ is coming to the Majestic Theatre as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2018-2019 season. It will play for eight performances only from Tuesday January 8 through Sunday January 13, 2019 and tickets go on sale at 10a.m. this Friday, October 5. Ticket prices start at $40, are available at Ticketmaster online, by phone at (800) 982-2787 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. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. Show times are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8p.m. Friday; 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2018)

‘Waitress’ is inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film and tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker. Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. To make a real change, Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life. Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Dangereuse Liasons, Waiting For Godot) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland).

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

Tickets to ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ go on sale Friday September 21

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is coming to the Majestic Theatre in December and tickets go on sale this Friday September 21 at 10a.m. A part of the 2018-2019 North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio season, it will run from Thursday December 6 through Sunday December 16. Showtimes are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m.,Saturday, 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday and a special 2p.m. performance on December 6. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2018)

Tickets start at $45 and are available online, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 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. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967.

Based on the classic novel ‘Le Fantôme de L’Opéra’ by Gaston Leroux, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all devious methods at his command. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making it one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is presented by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Group and NETworks Presentations. It is directed by Laurence Connor and features choreography by Scott Ambler, set design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, sound design by Mick Potter and musical supervision by John Rigby. The production is overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh and has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber and orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

‘Disney’s Newsies’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

‘Disney’s Newsies’ is the next big musical playing in the Russell Hill Rogers Theatre at The Public Theater of San Antonio. It opens on Friday September 14 and will run through Sunday October 14. A co-presentation with Ballet San Antonio, this musical tells the story of the New York City newsboys who seize the day when they strike against unfair working conditions put in place by the publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer.

Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. On opening night Friday September 14, there will be a reception following the performance. Tickets are available online or at the box office at (210) 733-7258 and are $35 for adults, $25 for military members with ID, $25 for seniors age 60 and older and $20 for students with ID. Groups of ten or more receive a special rate. Tickets are going fast. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

‘Disney’s Newsies’ is adapted from the 1992 Disney film Newsies which in turn was inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. It has music by Alan Merken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Jack Kelly is a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city but when newspaper prices rise at the expense of the newsboys, Kelly and his fellow newsies fight back.

Special performances:
Thursday September 27 – Education Night
Friday September 28 – Food Truck Friday
Saturday September 29 – ASL Night – Interpreters present

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

The Public Theater of San Antonio announces new COO/Managing Director

The Public Theater of San Antonio recently announced the addition of Shelly Chance to their team as COO / Managing Director. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

Shelly Chance was born and raised in San Antonio and has been actively involved in the theatre most of her life. Her first paid gig was as the spotlight operator at age 11 at The Public. She received her BA in theatre arts from the University of the Incarnate Word and has worked as an actor, director, producer, stage manager and costume designer. After college Shelly moved to Tokyo, Japan where she worked as an educator and was instrumental in incorporating theatre, music and dance into the stringent Kokudai Seminar curricula. In 2013, Shelly joined Theatre for Change as COO where she cultivated her passion for pairing the arts with social justice issues and service projects. In December 2017 Shelly received The Community Project of the Year award from The Alamo Area Council of Governments for her volunteer efforts. She is the president of the China Grove Lions Club and is lucky enough to spend every minute of her spare time giving back to the community.

“Shelly’s passion for theater combined with community service is the perfect combination. As we move forward with new programming Shelly’s understanding of the ‘theater way’ will be instrumental to our advancement. Her collaborative spirit will allow me to set and guide the vision for The Public as well as continue to raise the bar for our artistic quality.” – George Green CEO/Artistic Director

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

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at The Classic Theatre

midsummersnightdream — John Stillwagon and Carolyn Delinger in William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ now playing at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio opened their 11th season on Friday with Shakespeare’s comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ This classic production will run until Sunday September 30 with show dates on Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for students. Valid ID required. Season Passes are now available. (The Classic Theatre, 2018)

In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ magic, action, love and humor are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell. Shakespeare’s most famous comedy features four interconnecting love stories, connected by a wedding celebration, which is set simultaneously in the woodland and in the realm of Fairyland, under the light of the moon. But sometimes while dreaming and desiring, a little magic is all it takes to set the course of love, comedy and reality in motion.

Student Performances nights are on September 20 and September 27, 2018 at 7p.m. and include a talk back with the cast and crew after the show.

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

Teatro Audaz’ ‘Aye, No!’ at the Cellar Theater

ayenoset — ‘Aye, No!’ at the Cellar Theater. The last two performances this weekend are sold out but there will be an encore performance on August 31. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Word around town has it that Teatro Audaz’ ‘Aye, No!’ is a hilarious and poignant production. It sold out during its run at The Public Theater’s Cellar Theater this month, so it is back by popular demand for an encore presentation for one night only at Woodlawn Pointe on Friday August 31 from 8p.m. to 10p.m. Tickets are $15 to $20 and are available online but are going fast. Do not miss a chance to catch this show written by Liz Coronado-Castillo and directed by Laura T. Garza. Cast includes Miranda Valdez, Jaime Gonzalez-Quintero, Nora Moreno-Jarrell, Brizzo Torres, Karlyn Buchaus, Ivan Ortega, Louie Canales, Ray D. Seams and Christian Gomez. The show is bilingual, 90% English, 10% Spanish.

‘Aye, No!’ takes place in a small town, where young Alicia comes home from college with a ‘friend’ for her family to meet. The trouble begins when her loving grandma and well-intentioned, yet nosy aunts assume that Alicia is bringing home a boyfriend or fiancée. Alicia, wanting her family’s acceptance and fearing ancient Mexican magic, turns to her three fairy-drag-queen friends for guidance.

Woodlawn Pointe
702 Donaldson Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 468-2787

‘Hello Dolly!’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

‘Hello Dolly!’ opens at the Woodlawn Theatre on Friday August 24. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

Coming up at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘Hello Dolly!’ the blockbuster Broadway hit that is filled with humor, romance, high-energy dancing and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. The romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, turn of the century matchmaker and “woman who arranges things” are certain to thrill and entertain audiences. This show opens this Friday August 24 and will until through Sunday September 16 with show times every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are on sale online or by calling the box office. Prices are $18 for students and children, $24 for seniors, military and first responders and $30 for adults. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2018)

‘Hello Dolly!’ is based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers and follows the story of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker, who travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly ‘well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder. In doing so, she persuades his niece, his niece’s intended and Horace’s two clerks to travel to New York City. It stars Anna Gangai as Dolly Levi, Tim Hedgepeth as Horace Vandergelder and Brian Hodges as Cornelius Hackl. Christopher Rodriguez is the director and choreographer and Josh Pepper is the musical director.

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

Last Call to register for Camp Broadway

Camp Broadway, in partnership with Las Casas Foundation is the only dramatic camp in San Antonio that immerses young aspiring artists in a week of theatrical training, rehearsals and fun with professional actors from Los Angeles and New York. Broadway’s original summer camp will shine its spotlight at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre from Monday July 30 through Friday August 3. This is a last call for young aspiring artists to register for Camp Broadway. (Las Casas Foundation, 2018)

Camp Broadway is a five-day summer camp open to all skill levels and held daily from 9a.m. to 5p.m. and designed to immerse children ages 10 to 17 in an authentic Broadway rehearsal process. No previous theatre experience is necessary to enroll in the camp. After a week of training, the program ends in a special on-stage performance for family and friends with professional actors at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre.

For $600, Camp Broadway enables theatre-loving children to develop their confidence, character and presentation skills through ensemble performance. The week-long program includes:

Five days of instruction in singing, acting and dancing by trained Broadway professionals
Master classes with Broadway artists
Q&A sessions with industry professionals
Backstage seminar with a production crew
Official Camp Broadway T-shirts
Official Cast of Characters headshot
Healthy lunches, snacks and water
Complimentary admission to the Family Finale

Registration for this can’t-miss camp is available online. Camp Broadway San Antonio features a sibling discount for families with multiple children who want to enjoy a turn in the spotlight. A special discount for military families is also available.

Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
226 N. Saint Mary’s St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

Tickets for ‘Wicked’ at the Majestic Theatre go on sale Friday July 13

wicked18 — ‘Wicked’ returns to the Majestic Theatre in September and tickets go on sale this Friday July 13.

San Antonio’s most popular musical, ‘Wicked,’ returns to the Majestic Theatre when it opens the 2018-2019 North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio season. It will play for 24 performances starting on Wednesday September 26 and will run through Sunday October 14. Tickets go on sale at 10a.m. this Friday July 13. Tickets start at $53.50 and are available through Ticketmaster online by calling 800-982-2787 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. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2018)

‘Wicked’ is based on the 1995 bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire and has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is the story of two girls who meet in the land of Oz before Dorothy drops in. One is Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West who is born with emerald green skin and is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North who is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Their friendship is put to the test through a series of events including a similar love interest, their reaction to the Wizard’s corrupt government and Elphaba’s eventual fall from grace. The plot makes several references to events in the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ as a back story.

Since opening in 2003, ‘Wicked’ has been performed in over 100 cities in 15 countries around the world and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. The musical has amassed nearly $4.5 billion in global sales and has been seen by nearly 55 million people worldwide. Declared “The Best Musical of the Decade” by Entertainment Weekly and “A Cultural Phenomenon” by Variety, ‘Wicked’ is the recipient of over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.