Category: Theater News

‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Cast includes, from left to right: Rachel Pena, Aiden Michael, Madeline Gutierrez, Ivan Ortega, Joshua Buce with Manny as Toto. Photo courtesy of Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is the family favorite musical ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ This show opened last Friday and will run through Sunday July 29 with show times every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is based on the popular 1939 movie adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s novel and comes to life onstage at the Woodlawn Theatre bringing with it the magic and music that has captivated audiences for almost 80 years. 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, military and first responders and $30 for adults. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2018)

‘The Wizard of Oz’ is the story of Dorothy Gale who lives in a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and dog Toto. After being blown away by a twister, she ends up in the magical world of Oz where she meets Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion. Together they journey to the Emerald City in search of a brain, a heart, courage and a way back home. It includes memorable songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “If I Only Had a Brain” and “The Merry Old Land of Oz.” Cast includes Madeline Gutierrez as Dorothy, Aiden Michael as Scarecrow, Ivan Ortega as Tin Man and Joshua Buce as Lion. Jamie Rodriguez is the Musical Director and Michelle Pietri is the Choreographer.

During the run of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ the Woodlawn Theatre is accepting donations to benefit SNIPSA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless and unwanted animals in and around San Antonio. A complete list of requested items is online. The theater has partnered with Bihl Haus Arts to incorporate local visual art with performance art and David Guerrero, a retired NISD art teacher, will be exhibiting his works in the Woodlawn Theatre lobby. Upcoming promotional nights include Pride Night – July 7, ASL (American Sign Language) Night – July 14 and Student Night – July 20.

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

‘Mamma Mia!’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

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‘Mamma Mia!’ opens Friday July 6 at The Public Theater of San Antonio.

Up next at The Public Theater of San Antonio is the global smash hit ‘Mamma Mia!’ It will be playing in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater from Friday July 6 through Sunday August 5. This jukebox musical is based on the music of ABBA with music and lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and some songs with Stig Anderson. Book is by Catherine Johnson. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. Thursday July 5 is ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ preview day and on opening night Friday July 6, 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. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

‘Mamma Mia!’ takes place on the Greek Island of Kalokairi.  Twenty-year-old Sophie is getting ready to marry her fiancée Sky and wants her father to walk her down the aisle, but she doesn’t know who he is. When she discovers her mother’s old diary with details about the men she dated, she invites them to the wedding. Donna, Sophie’s mother, has invited her two best friends, practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy and multi divorcee Tanya to the wedding. The three of them were once part of the girl group “Donna and the Dynamos.” During the next 24 hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled. ‘Mamma Mia!’ has been seen by over 54 million people around the world in 14 different languages and is one of the longest running shows on Broadway. With its enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship it is the ultimate feel good show that keeps audiences coming back for more. Featured songs include “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Money, Money, Money.”

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

‘Assassins’ at The Cellar Theater

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Chris Berry as John Wilkes Booth in ‘Assassins’ playing at The Cellar Theater.  It opens on Friday June 8, 2018.  Photo: Carrie Daniels, used with permission.

Opening this weekend at The Public Theater of San Antonio’ Cellar Theater is ‘Assassins’ and will play from Friday June 8 through Sunday July 1. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. This musical has music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. It is directed by George Green. 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. Group Rates 10 or more are available.  Additional ticket service fees may apply. Tickets are selling fast. (The Cellar Theater, 2018)

* Contains themes and content not suitable for all audience members

‘Assassins’ uses the premise of a murderous carnival game to produce a revue-style portrayal of men and women who have, successfully or not, attempted to assassinate Presidents of the United States. The musical numbers vary depending on the eras being depicted. While this production focuses on the individuals, there is a much deeper message.  The topic is one that has existed for decades and has now come to the forefront of everyday debate. While gun control seems to be to leading point of the discussion, the bigger question remains: what draws a person to violence? History shows that this is not a new problem. It is simply a growing one. Cast includes Chris Berry as John Wilkes Booth, Brendan Brady as Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald, Tyles Askins as The Proprietor, Brian Hodges as Charles Guiteau and James R Welch as John Hinckley.

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

‘The Bridges of Madison County’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

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‘The Bridges of Madison County’ is now playing at The Public Theater of San Antonio.  Photo:  Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Now playing in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater at The Public Theater of San Antonio is ‘The Bridges of Madison County.’ It opened on Friday May 11 and will run until Sunday June 3. This musical is based on Jason Robert Brown’s 1992 novel of the same name with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. 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. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

‘The Bridges of Madison County’ is set in Iowa in 1965 and tells the story of Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride who has led a quiet and unfulfilling farm life. When her husband and two children leave on a three-day trip to Indianapolis, she meets and has an affair with Robert, a photographer for the National Geographic, who is in town to photograph the famous covered bridges of Madison County. This show captures the lyrical expanse of America’s heartland and is the winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations. The themes include the roads people travel, the doors they open and the bridges they dare to cross. It stars Mary Morrow as Francesca, Nick Szoeke as Robert Kincaid, Robby Vance as Bud, Ramsay Sweatmon as Michael and Campbell Wilford as Carolyn. J. Scott Lapp is the director, Darrin Newhardt the music director and Courtnie Mercer the choreographer.

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

‘The Cherry Orchard’ opens Friday at The Classic Theatre

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Sam Mandelbaum as Trofimov and Gloria Sanchez as Pishchik in ‘The Cherry Orchard.’  Photo:  Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Opening this weekend at The Classic Theatre is the play ‘The Cherry Orchard’ by Anton Chekhov. Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short-story writer and is considered one of history’s greatest writers of short fiction. ‘The Cherry Orchard’ centers around an aristocratic Russian landowner who returns to her family estate, which includes a large and well-known cherry tree, just before it is auctioned off to pay off debts. It opens on Friday May 4 and will run until Sunday May 27 with show dates Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. Tickets are available online with prices at $32 for general admission, $28 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $17 for students. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception. (The Classic Theatre, 2018)

‘The Cherry Orchard’ is translated by Richard Nelson, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky and directed by Andy Thornton. The Cherry Orchard takes place in 1904 Russia and 2018 USA, at the same time. It is Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece about a family on the edge of ruin and a country on the brink of revolution. Early one May morning, after a five-year absence, the widow Madame Ranevsky returns home to her family estate to find that it has been heavily mortgaged to pay for her extravagances and that it is to be auctioned off. Madame Ranyevskaya and her brother find themselves scrambling to retain a vision of gentility amidst a climate of huge social and economic transition. Chekhov described the play as a comedy with some elements of farce.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 468-3900

‘The Book of Mormon’ announces lottery ticket policy

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‘The Book of Mormon’ opens at the Majestic Theatre on Tuesday May 1. Photo: Julieta Cervantes, used with permission.

‘The Book of Mormon,’ winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, is pleased to announce a lottery ticket policy for the national tour, which begins Tuesday, May 1, at the Majestic Theatre Majestic Theatre and plays a limited engagement through Sunday, May 6.  In San Antonio, the production will conduct a pre-show lottery at the box office, making a limited number of tickets available at $25 apiece. This wildly popular lottery for the Broadway production has attracted as many as 800 entries at some performances.  The producers of ‘The Book of Mormon’ are pleased to offer low-priced lottery seats for every city on the national tour. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2018)

Each day, 2½ hours prior to show time, people who present themselves at the Majestic Theatre box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum and then thirty minutes later, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only.  Each person will print their name and the number of tickets, 1 or 2, they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Only one entry is allowed per person. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets are subject to availability.

‘The Book of Mormon’ opens with performances at 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8p.m. on Friday; 2p.m. and 8p.m., Saturday and at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday.

In ‘The Book of Mormon,’ Elder Kevin Price and Elder Arnold Cunningham are sent to Uganda for a two-year mission. Upon their arrival the villagers share their experiences of living with famine, poverty and AIDS. Eventually they meet the other missionaries who are stationed there but have been unable to convert anyone to Mormonism. Elder Price is convinced he will be different and he tries to teach the natives about Joseph Smith, the founder of their religion but he has trouble connecting with the natives. It features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series “South Park.” Considered a religious satire musical, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2011.

*Please be aware that this production contains explicit language.*

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

‘Hand to God’ at the Cellar Theater

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‘Hand to God’ opens at the Cellar Theater this Friday April 13. Photo: Jeremy Whittington, used with permission.

Opening this weekend in The Public Theater of San Antonio’s Cellar Theatre is ‘Hand to God.’ It will play from Friday April 13 through Sunday May 6 with show times on Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. Written by Robert Askins, this ridiculously raunchy, irreverent, and funny show is bound to leave audiences sore from laughing. When Jason’s puppet takes on a shocking personality all its own, they begin to contemplate the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality and the ties that bind everyone. This production is directed by David Rinear and stars Nicholas Ponting as Jason/Tyrone, Kimberlyn Kacie as Jessica, Doug Dawson as Pastor Greg, Renee Garvens as Margery and Michael Roberts as Timothy. (Cellar Theater, 2018)

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. Group Rates 10 or more are available.

* Contains themes and content not suitable for all audience members.

‘Hand to God’ is set in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Margery is recently widowed, so to keep her occupied, her minister, Pastor Greg, has asked her to run the puppet club. Fundamentalist Christian congregations often use puppets to teach children how to follow the Bible and avoid Satan. The teenage members of the club are her son Jason; Jessica, the girl next door that Jason has a crush on; and Timmy, the neighborhood troublemaker whose mother is attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the church. Pastor Greg wants the puppet club to put on a performance at the church next Sunday, but the characters have a plan of their own. They become sexually attracted to each other and Jason’s hand puppet, Tyrone, takes on a life of his own, announces that he is Satan, leads them into sin and expresses secrets that the characters would rather have left unacknowledged.

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

‘Anything Goes’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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Carla Sankey and Matthew Lieber in the Woodlawn Theatre’s performance of ‘Anything Goes.’ Photo:  Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

The next production at the Woodlawn Theatre is the musical comedy ‘Anything Goes.’ This show opens on Friday April 13 and runs through May 13 with show times every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m.  On Saturday April 21 there will be a special matinee show at 2p.m. with no evening show that day. It is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., 560 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10022. ‘Anything Goes’ features songs and lyrics by Cole Porter, is directed by Christopher Rodriguez and stars Carla Sankey as lead Reno Sweeney. Sankey is also director of choreography for the production. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2018)

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, military and first responders and $30 for adults. 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.

‘Anything Goes’ is based on the book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, later revised by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The setting is 1934 aboard the ocean liner SS American. Along for the ride are headstrong temptress Reno Sweeney and her pal Billy Crocker. The two team up when Billy, a known playboy, falls for heiress Hope Harcourt, only to find she’s engaged. Reno and Billy concoct a wild plan to break up Hope and fiancé Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Hilarity ensues and musical dance numbers abound as the ship makes it way from New York to London. With musical direction by Jane Haas, ‘Anything Goes’ features a renowned score from legendary Cole Porter, including “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and the musical’s main title “Anything Goes.”

During the production’s run, Woodlawn Theatre will be accepting donations to benefit The Guadalupe Dance Company. In addition, the Theatre will showcase works by local artist Sarah Brooke Lyons as part of their mission to highlight and support visual arts in the San Antonio community.

Special performances: 
Pride Night – April 20th
College Night – May 4th
Educational Night – May 11th
ASL (American Sign Language) Night – May 12th

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

‘Wit’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

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‘Wit’ opens Friday February 23 at The Public Theater of San Antonio’s Cellar Theater.  Photo: Jeremy Whittington, used with permission.

Up next at The Public Theater of San Antonio is ‘Wit,’ a one-act play by American playwright Margaret Edson. The winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it opens this Friday February 23 at the Cellar Theater and runs until Sunday March 11, 2018. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Prices are $35 for general adult, $25 for military with valid ID, $25 for seniors aged 60 and older and $20 for students with valid ID. Additional ticket service fees may apply and discounts are available for groups of ten or more. Tickets are available online and at the box office at (210) 733-7258. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

‘Wit’ tells the story of Vivian Bearing, a renowned English professor, who is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. The action takes place during her final hours as she recalls the initial diagnosis and looks back on her life through the intricacies of the English language, especially with wit and using the metaphysical poetry of John Donne. She reassesses her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience. The cast includes Diana Trotter as Vivienne Bearing, PH. D, Shane Vickers as Harvey Kelekian, M.D., Brendan Brady as Jason Posner, M.D., Erin Polewski as Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N, Linda Ford as E.M. Ashford and Sam Mandelbaum, Michael Zaiontz and Kimberlyn Kacie as Ensemble cast members.

Disclaimer: this show contains adult themes and content.

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

‘The Balcony’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

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Walter Sanders, III as Lee Johnson in ‘The Balcony’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio.  Photo: The Public Theater of San Antonio, used with permission.

Coming up at The Public Theater of San Antonio this month is ‘The Balcony.’ It will play in the Cellar Theatre on Tuesday February 27 and Wednesday February 28 at 7:30p.m. as part of Black History Month. Tickets are $20 and are available online or at the box office at (210) 733-7258. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

Set in 1913, ‘The Balcony’ is a historical fiction production about a young Black man named Lee Johnson. Mr. Johnson is accused of murdering San Antonio’s most beloved physician, Dr. Augustus Maverick and the city of San Antonio is up in arms, threatening to lynch the young man before he has his day in court. To keep him from being killed by the 1,500 angry citizens in the street outside the courthouse, the Bexar County Judge hides the young man in his chambers. The trial testimony reveals some surprises that no one anticipated but Mr. Johnson becomes a victim of his circumstances.

‘The Balcony’ is an original play written by attorney and author Lee Cusenbary, who has been a contributing writer to The Renaissance Guild’s series “Divas and Men of Eastwood,” receiving the Best Script Award from ATAC for his script, “Men of Eastwood,” produced at the Carver Center. It stars Walter Sanders, III as Lee Johnson, Tyler Askins as Sidney Overton, Kimberly Askins as Mary Overton/Fena Nussbaum, Judge Philip Kazen as Judge Charles Anderson, Scott Leibowitz as District Attorney A.B. Storey, Robert Mortiz as Dr. L.L. Shropshire, John Heller as Bailiff Fred Barnes and Rebekah Williams as Mable Lewis.

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