Category: Theater News

‘Hairspray’ at The Playhouse San Antonio

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Kass Ortiz stars as Tracy Turnblad in The Playhouse San Antonio’s production of ‘Hairspray’ opening this week.  Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

Opening at The Playhouse San Antonio this week is the local production of the Tony Award-winning musical ‘Hairspray.’ This wildly popular musical opens on Friday July 7 and will run until Sunday August 6 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater. It is the story of Tracy Turnblad, whose innocent desire to dance on a television show ends up shaking up her hometown of Baltimore. The book was written by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music is by Mark Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Mark Shaiman. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $42 for general adult, $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘Hairspray’ is set in 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a plus size teenager with a passion for singing and dancing, dreams of her chance to dance on the local dance television show. When she finally wins a spot on The Corny Collins Show, she becomes an overnight celebrity and meets a wide variety of characters. They band together to challenge the status quo which leads to social change when they campaign for the show’s integration. Amid singing and dancing, ‘Hairspray’ tackles such topics as racism, segregation and finding love despite weight and color differences. Omar Leos is the director and it stars Kass Ortiz as Tracy Turnblad, David Nanny as Edna Turnblad, Brendan Brady as Corny Collins, Emily Cleveland as Penny Pingleton and Cade Thomas as Link Larkin.

The Playhouse San Antonio
Russell Hill Rogers Theater
800 W Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-725

‘Burning Patience’ at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio

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Hector Machado as Pablo Neruda in ‘Burning Patience’ opening Thursday at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio.  Photo by Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Opening this week at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is ‘Burning Patience.’ Teatro Farolito is bringing the premiere of this love story to San Antonio audiences as part of the Classic Presents series. It opens on Thursday July 6 and runs until Sunday July 16, 2017. This stage adaptation of the 1985 novel by Antonio Skármeta tells the story of Mario Jiménez, a fictional postman in revolution-era Chile who befriends the real-life poet Pablo Neruda. It was adapted to the screen in the 1994 film Il Postino: The Postman. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)

In ‘Burning Patience,’ Mario is the postman of Isla Negra, a small Chilean fishing village where almost everyone is illiterate except for Latin America’s greatest poet Pablo Neruda. Neruda not only lived through World War II, but he also lost his friend and fellow poet, Federico García Lorca, during the Spanish Civil War. In Chile, there is a dance in which wives, daughters and mothers of thousands of “missing” dance with photographs of loved ones pinned to their clothing. Skármeta’s ‘Burning Patience’ is such a dance. In the absence of marked graves, art is the closest thing to a memorial that the missing in Chile may ever have.

There will be only eight performances with show times on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. General admission tickets are $20 and are available online. There will be no late seating at any performance. It is directed by José Rubén De León and stars Hector Machado, Marisa Varela, Amanda Ireta-Goode and Juan Calderon.

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

Broadway Sings The Playhouse at the Empire Theater

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Broadway Sings The Playhouse at the Empire Theater on Saturday August 26, 2017.  Photo design: Jeremy Whittington, used with permission.

On Saturday August 26, The Playhouse San Antonio is hosting an evening of music at the Empire Theater as part of  ‘Broadway Sings The Playhouse.’ Some of Broadway’s biggest stars will be singing from The Playhouse’s upcoming season as part of the New Gala and Founders Awards/Preview Show. The night will consist of dinner, drinks, Broadway songs and a special After-Glow Party at Hotel Valencia for guests who attend the dinner. Tickets for the dinner and awards ceremony and the season showcase afterwards are available online. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

Dinner will be from 6p.m. to 7:30p.m. courtesy of Absolutely Delicious Catering & Events. The Playhouse’s Annual Founder’s Awards will include artists singing selections from their favorite Broadway credits. At 8p.m. guests will be able to hear Broadway guests sing songs from the upcoming season including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, All Is Calm, Assassins, If/Then, The Bridges of Madison County and Mamma Mia! The lineup includes: Tommaso Antico (Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Altar Boyz, Cabaret), Sarah Uriarte Berry (Drama Desk Nominee- The Light In the Piazza, Beauty and the Beast, Next to Normal, Les Miserables ), Charl Brown (2013 Tony Nominee-Motown, Jersey Boys, Sister Act, Hair), Crystal Kellogg (Finding Neverland, School of Rock, Kinky Boots, Pajama Game), Carrie St. Louis (Wicked, Rock of Ages, Something Good), Kate Rockwell (Bring it On- The Musical, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, Hair) and Christeena Riggs (Les Miserables, Wicked, Cinderella, Jane Erye).

Empire Theater
226 N St Mary’s St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

‘Shrek, The Musical’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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‘Shrek, The Musical’ opens on Friday June 30 at the Woodlawn Theatre. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

The next production at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘Shrek, The Musical.’ It opens on Friday June 30 and runs until Sunday July 30, 2017. This family friendly musical is based on the Oscar® winning DreamWorks Animation film and contains music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. It stars Morgan Clyde as Princess Fiona, Alejandro Pesina as Donkey and Joshua Goldberg as Shrek and has Mark McCarver as director, Alonzo Corona as choreographer and Darrin Newhardt as musical director. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are now 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. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2017)

‘Shrek, The Musical’ brings the beloved characters from the movie to life onstage for a musical about an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess. Other characters include a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale characters who were exiled from the Kingdom of Duloc by the evil Lord Farquaad for being different. Shrek decides to travel to see Farquaad and try to regain his swamp after he was chased out of his parent’s house to live on his own.

On July 8, the cast of Shrek, The Musical will perform musical favorites from 9a.m to 11a.m. at Whole Foods Market located at The Vineyards at 18403 Blanco Rd. During the July 22 performance, the Woodlawn Theatre will host an ASL (American Sign Language) night.

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

The Playhouse San Antonio’s 2017- 2018 season

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The Playhouse San Antonio’s 2017 – 2018 season. Photo: The Playhouse San Antonio, used with permission.

The Playhouse San Antonio recently announced their 2017 – 2018 Season Cast List. These are the shows playing next season at the Russell Hill Rogers Theater. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame – September 15 through October 15
Director: George Green, Choreographer: Courtnie Mercer, Quasimodo: Nick Szoeke, Esmeralda: Alyssa Lopez, Dom Claude Frollo: Bob Galindo

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 – November 24 through December 24
Directors: George Green and Bill Gundry, Music director: Nicolas Ponting, Choreographer: Courtnie Mercer

Little Women – January 26 through February 18
Director: Andy Meyers, Choreographer: Briane Green, Jo March: Chloe Voreis, Meg March: Katherine Leidlein, Beth March: Campbell Wilford, Amy March: Rosa Gardner

If/Then – March 16 through April 8
Director: Molly Cox, Choreographer: Courtnie Mercer, Elizabeth: Stephanie Genito, Lucas: Nicolas Ponting, Josh: Grant Bryant

The Bridges of Madison County – May 11 through June 3
Director: J Scott Lapp, Choreographer: Courtnie Mercer, Francesca Johnson: Mary Morrow, Richard “Bud” Johnson: David Blazer, Robert Kincaid: Roy Bumgarner

Mamma Mia! – July 6 through August 5
Director: Ken Urso, Choreographer: Briane Green, Donna Sheridan: Megan DeYoung, Sophie Sheridan: Jessie Little

The Playhouse San Antonio
800 W Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-725

‘Crimes of the Heart’ at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Cellar Theater

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Beth Henley’s ‘Crimes of the Heart’ opens this weekend at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Cellar Theater.  Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

Up next at The Playhouse San Antonio is Beth Henley’s ‘Crimes of the Heart.’ It opens this weekend in the Cellar Theater and runs until Sunday June 25, 2017. Beth Henley is an award-winning American playwright, screen writer and actress and this play won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama while the screenplay was nominated for an Oscar as Best Adapted Screenplay. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. and tickets are available online or at the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices are $42 for general adult, $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Additional ticket service fees may apply. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘Crimes of the Heart’ is a tragicomedy set in Hazlehurst, Mississippi in 1978 and tells the story of the three Magrath sisters: Meg, Beth and Lenny who reunite at Old Granddaddy’s home after Babe shoots her abusive husband. The sisters, who were raised in a dysfunctional family and have endured their share of hardships, a sassy cousin and a fresh-faced lawyer dig up more than just clues to the case as the bonds of sisterhood and family are put to the test. The past resurfaces as the sisters are forced to deal with relatives and past relationships while dealing with Babe’s latest incident. Themes include complex family dynamics, sibling rivalry and loss. Directed by Bill Gundry, it stars Erin Polewski as Lenny Magrath, Emily Cleveland as Meg Magrath, Kimberlyn Kacie as Babe Botrelle, Rosa Gardner as Chick Boyle, Tyler Askins as Doc Porter and Brendan Brady as Barnette Lloyd.

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

‘9 Circles’ at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio

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‘9 Circles’ by Bill Cain opens on Thursday June 15 at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. Photo:  The Surround Project, used with permission.

The Surround Project is a new San Antonio theater company created by theater artists Eva Laporte and Zach Lewis and it focuses on producing contemporary work new to the city. Their work will be innovative in the sense that they plan to “surround” a play with a context for themes and issues within a story. Producer Eva Laporte has worked with community agencies and individuals to give theater guests a rich and dynamic experience. In partnership with The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, The Surround Project will produce its first play, ‘9 Circles,’ from June 15 through June 25 as part of their Classic Presents Series. (The Surround Project, 2017)

‘9 Circles’ is a play by Bill Cain and is a fictional story based on the real military career and subsequent civilian trial of Steven Dale Green. The title is a reference to Dante Alighieri’s ‘Inferno’ in which Dante descends into the “nine circles of hell.” Green is charged with unspeakable crimes and like Dante, passes through a surreal labyrinth ranging from his discharge from the Army to various judicial and administrative procedures. The play is structured so that other cast members can return to play multiple characters, each at a different circle. It is directed by Eva Laporte and stars Zach Lewis, Makenzie Jene, Torence B White and Andrew Thornton.

There will be only eight performances of ‘9 Circles’ with show times Thursday through Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. General admission tickets are $20 and are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. Guests will check in and will receive a seating arrangement the day of the performance. Seating begins 45 minutes before curtain time and no late seating or re-entry will be allowed. This play is for adults aged 17 and older and contains nudity, explicit language and descriptions of war and sexual violence.  There will be pre-show information and resources about military trauma and PTSD and in partnership with community agencies, The Surround Project will bring panels, forums, exhibits and resources to the theater.

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

‘Matilda the Musical’ at the Majestic Theatre

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‘Matilda the Musical’ opens at the Majestic Theatre on Tuesday June 6, 2017. Photo: Joan Marcus, used with permission.

The next performance at the Majestic Theatre is ‘Matilda the Musical,’ a part of the North Park Lexus Broadway In San Antonio season. It is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Dodgers and will play for eight performances only from Tuesday June 6 through Sunday June 11, 2017.  Tickets begin at $30 and are available at the theatre box office, online, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Box office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday hours vary. Performances are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. on Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)

‘Matilda the Musical’ is a musical based on the novel of the same name by best-selling author Roald Dahl. It is the story a Matilda, a precocious five-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school and helps her teacher reclaim her life. She dreams of a better life and armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind she dares to take a stand and changer her own destiny. Winner of four Tony Awards, it is directed by Matthew Warchus with a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin.

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

‘Bus Stop’ at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio

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The cast of ‘Bus Stop,’ opening at The Classic Theatre on Friday May 5, 2017. Photo by Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is getting ready for the fourth and final production of their 9th season. ‘Bus Stop’ is set to open on Friday May 5 and will run through Sunday May 28, 2017. It is a drama with romantic and comedic elements and is set in a diner in rural Kansas in early March 1955. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $25 for general admission, $20 for senior, military, educator or SATCO and $10 for students. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception and after the Saturday May 20 performance there will be a Community Talk Back. (The Classic Theatre, 2017)

‘Bus Stop’ is a 1955 play by William Inge, an American playwright and novelist, whose works rooted in the American heartland earned him the title of “Playwright of the Midwest.” The story unfolds in the middle of a howling snowstorm as a bus out of Kansas City, Missouri pulls up at a roadside diner about 25 miles west of Kansas City. The weather-enforced layover forces the passengers to hole up in the diner until morning. One of those passengers, Cherie, a nightclub singer, is being pursued by a cowboy on the bus. Romantic relationships form within the group as they wait for sunrise. Virgil is the older, wiser cowboy and Will is the local sheriff and both are the authority figures in the group.

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

‘Urinetown, The Musical’ at The Playhouse San Antonio

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‘Urinetown, The Musical’ opens at The Playhouse San Antonio on Friday May 5, 2017. Photo courtesy of The Playhouse San Antonio, used with permission.

The Playhouse San Antonio is getting ready for their next production coming up in May. ‘Urinetown, The Musical’ opens on Friday May 5 and will run until Sunday May 28, 2017. It includes a book by Greg Kotis, music by Mark Hollmann and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. in the Russell Hill Rogers Theatre. Tickets are available online and prices are $42 for general adult, $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘Urinetown, The Musical’ is a satirical comedy musical that satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics. It is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. The story unfolds when a twenty-year drought has led to a government enforced ban on private toilets. Due to this water shortage people must use public amenities which are regulated by a single, malevolent company. When a hero decides he has had enough he plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.

The Playhouse San Antonio
Russell Hill Rogers Theater
800 W Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258