Tag: The Classic Theatre of San Antonio

Theater review: ‘Anna in the Tropics’ at The Classic Theatre

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Josey Porras and Joshua Segovia in ‘Anna in the Tropics’ playing now at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is Nilo Cruz’ 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘Anna in the Tropics.’ There are still four more chances to see this dramatization of the lives of cigar factory workers in Ybor City, Tampa Florida; it runs until Sunday March 1. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets start at $19 and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. On Sunday February 23, there will be a Community Conversation with Dr. Gerald Poyo from St. Mary’s University, whose great-grandfather was a lector, as well as the cast and director of the show. The story in ‘Anna in the Tropics’ revolves around a new lector, perhaps the last of his kind, and the lives that are affected when is hired and he begins to read from Anna Karenina, a novel of adultery set in nineteenth-century Russia.

‘Anna in the Tropics’ is set in 1929 Florida where cigars are still rolled by hand, and lectores are employed to educate and entertain the workers. It begins with Santiago (Philip Marzec) and CheChé (Joshua Segovia) betting at cockfights and when Santiago is on a losing streak, he asks CheChé for a loan. He agrees to the loan, but when they can not find a piece of paper to write a promissory note, Santiago carves it on the bottom of CheChé’s shoe with a knife and promises to give him part of the cigar factory if he does not repay the loan. Meanwhile, Marela (Josey Porras), Conchita (María A. Ibarra) and Ofelia (Marisa Varela) are at the seaport waiting for the cigar factory’s new lector, Juan Julian (Mark Riojas), to arrive. Juan Julian reports to work to begin his first reading and CheChé shows an immediate dislike to him because his wife ran away with the factory’s last lector. As Juan Julian begins reading Anna Karenina, the play delves into desire, power, rivalry, secrets and love. Conchita has an affair with Juan Julian to get back at her husband Palomo’s (Gabriel Itzcoatl Luera) own infidelity and CheChé’s dangerous and violent personality emerges when he kills Juan Julian and insistently pursues the young Marela. The group agrees to continue the tradition of reading and when Santiago suggests something other than Anna Karenina, Conchita states “stories should be finished or they suffer the same fate as those who die before their time.”

The need for culture, tradition and the arts is at the center of Nilo Cruz’ ‘Anna in the Tropics’ and The Classic Theatre should be commended for bringing this outstanding production to San Antonio. With universal themes like family, love, relationships and culture, it speaks to audiences everywhere about the importance of traditions as well as the inevitability of progress and change. The tradition of lectores is an impressive one because even though some of the workers were illiterate, they could quote Shakespeare and Tolstoy and had awareness of the world outside the factory. This is reflected throughout the play in the character’s poetic language, for example, when Ofelia comments on the silence after Juan Julian dies: “It’s as if a metal blanket has fallen on us” and in their thirst for the knowledge that the lector brings them. Standout scenes include when Juan Julian begins reading to the workers and when the group celebrates the launch of a new cigar with the ritual of passing the lit cigar around. Overall, excellent performances by everyone, but Mark Riojas does an outstanding job as Juan Julian and Josey Porras shines as the smart but naïve Marela. ‘Anna in the Tropics’ is a definite must see and despite a love scene, a provocative conversation between Palomo and Conchita meant to heat up their marriage and the normalization of cockfighting, it is worth experiencing on The Classic Theatre stage.

‘Anna in the Tropics’ at The Classic Theatre

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Josey Porras and Joshua Segovia in ‘Anna in the Tropics’ at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

The next production at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, Nilo Cruz’ 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘Anna in the Tropics,’ opens on Friday February 7. Set in 1929 in a Cuban-American cigar company, it is written by Nilo Cruz and directed by Kelly Hilliard Roush and will run until Sunday March 1. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $34 for general admission, $30 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $19 for student and are available online. ID is required. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception after the show. (The Classic Theatre, 2020)

‘Anna in the Tropics’ is set in 1929 Florida in a Cuban-American cigar factory, where cigars are still rolled by hand, and “lectors” are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The lector reads Anna Karenina as the play delves into desire, power, rivalry, secrets and love. As the lives of a Cuban immigrant family begins to intertwine with the scandalous lives of Tolstoy’s characters, we ask what do we need to feel loved and alive?

Special event:
Community Conversation- February 23, 2020. Join The Classic Theatre for a conversation with Dr. Gerald Poyo from St. Mary’s University, whose great-grandfather was a lector, as well as the cast and director of the show.

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

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

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Alyx Gonzales and Hunter Wulff in The Classic Theatre’s production of ‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

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

Theater review: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at The Classic Theatre

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Josh Davis and Alyx Gonzales as Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ It runs through Sunday September 29 with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission,  $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for student and are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Joe Goscinski, this is one of Shakespeare’s most famous stories and revolves around two star-crossed lovers in the depths of forbidden love despite an ancient family feud

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set in Verona, Italy and begins with an argument on the street between Montague and Capulet servants who, like their masters, are sworn enemies. It is broken up by Prince Escalus of Verona (Torrence White) who warns them that disturbance of the peace is punishable by death. Count Paris (Gabriel Maldonado) wants to marry Juliet (Alyx Gonzales) but Capulet (Gabriel Itzcoatl Luera) asks him to wait another two years and invites him to a ball the Capulet family is hosting. Romeo (Josh Davis) has a crush on Rosaline, one of Capulet’s nieces, so Benvolio (Laura Boyd)  persuads him to attend the Capulet ball so they can meet.  Instead, Romeo meets and is instantly smitten with Juliet. Despite being from feuding families, the two fall passionately in love and convince Friar Laurence (Carolyn Provencher) to marry them. He agrees in the hopes of reconciling the families through their children’s marriage.

With increasing pressure to marry Paris, Juliet visits the Friar for help and he offers her a potion that will temporarily put her in a deathlike coma. She takes the potion the night before her wedding to Paris and when she is discovered “dead,” she is laid in the family crypt.  Romeo does not receive word of Juliet’s plan in time, so when he learns of her death, he is heart broken and after buying poison from an apothecary, he rushes to the Capulet crypt.  Believing Juliet to be dead, he takes the poison and when Juliet awakens and sees him dead besides her, she stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger and joins him in death. In the end, the families do reconcile, but it is by their children’s deaths and not their marriage. They agree to end their feuding ways.

There is something unique about experiencing Shakespeare at The Classic Theatre.  The intimate theater setting combined with the talented cast makes the classics accessible to everyone, from newbies to seasoned fans. This is especially true for ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy examines the universal theme of love, but it also experiments with fate, chance and predetermination. By calling the couple “star-crossed lovers,” is their love predetermined by the stars but also doomed to eventually fail because they are from feuding families? The contemporary setting makes these themes relevant to modern times. Kudos to the costume designer for using monogrammed clothing so it is easier to distinguish the Montagues from the Capulets. Josh Davis and Alyx Gonzales have a magnetic stage presence and chemistry that brings Romeo and Juliet hauntingly to life. But it is Josh’s performance during the famous “balcony scene” that makes the audience truly feel the depth of the love he feels toward Juliet. Nick Lawson is excellent as Mercutio, Romeo’s close friend; his animated performance makes the often difficult dialogue easier to understand. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a classic that never goes out of style and is now, more than ever, applicable to our times. It is a must-see production that should be experienced more than once.

*Special Student Performances — September 19 and 26, 2019 at 7p.m. School groups can register for this program online.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ at The Classic Theatre

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‘Romeo and Juliet’ opens at The Classic Theatre on Friday September 6. Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission.

Coming up next month at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ written by William Shakespeare and directed by Joe Goscinski. Shakespeare’s famous story about two star-crossed lovers in the depths of forbidden love despite an ancient family feud opens on Friday September 6 and will run through Sunday September 29. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for student and are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. Proper ID is required. Season Subscriptions and Flex Passes are now available. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception after the show. (The Classic Theatre, 2019)

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set in Verona, Italy and is described as a tragedy that Shakespeare wrote early in his career. It centers around the two young lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. During his lifetime, it was one of his most famous plays and along with ‘Hamlet,’ it is one of his most frequently performed. The title characters are often regarded as archetypal young lovers. Cast includes Josh Davis as Romeo and Alyx Gonzales as Juliet.

Special Student Performances — September 12, 19, 26, 2019 at 7p.m. School groups can register for this program online.

“So often the first Shakespeare play students are exposed to in high school is Romeo and Juliet. Its impetuous teen protagonists, fighting, flirting and fast-paced time frame make it a great beginners’ slope for Bard newbies.” – The Hollywood Reporter

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

Theater review: ‘Don’t Blame the Car’ at The Classic Theatre

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Jaston Williams’ ‘Don’t Blame the Car’ runs until Sunday June 30 at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Sandra Cruz

On Thursday June 27, The Classic Theatre opened their Second Series production of Greater Tuna’s Jaston Williams’ ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ Texan favorite Jaston Williams returns to the Classic Theatre with more amusing anecdotes from his childhood and personal experiences and there are still a few chances to catch the show. It runs until Sunday June 30 with showtimes at 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7p.m. on Sunday. General admission tickets are $25 and available online. There will be no late seating at any performance. Written and Performed by Jaston Williams.

As is customary, Jaston Williams did a small introductory scene and introduced himself and the material he is about to cover. This is not his first visit to the Classic Theatre and most of his loyal fans are those who are familiar with his work with Joe Sears in the Greater Tuna franchise, the much-loved series of satires set in Texas. He builds up the anticipation by carefully setting up his props before he begins the storytelling and does it with a subtle smile. The show’s title comes from when his mother tried to teach him how to drive a standard and basically assured him it was permitted to pass on the right, even on a two-lane road. His father’s advice: he told him to “write down everything she had told me about driving a standard, take it out in the backyard and burn it.” Spoiler alert: his life-time hatred of potatoes comes from being overexposed to them because his family farmed potatoes. True story. The guy was traumatized by the experience.

The set has funny graffiti on the wall and a couple of paintings. Scattered throughout the stage are several props, including a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. In ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ Jaston Williams shares his lifetime of experiences and, being a humorist, manages to make them hilarious. One audience favorite was when he went trick or treating as an adolescent and an elderly female neighbor questioned whether he was too old for the Halloween tradition and threw in a single Tootsie Roll into his candy bag. He did not make a scene but rather returned later that night and toilet papered her house and “made it rain” with a water gun. The one that goes with the St. Francis of Assisi statue on stage? Earlier he placed several stuffed dogs around it and later explained that they represented the dogs his mother had accidentally ran over on the driveway with her car. That one is more sad than funny. But overall, he recounts his stories with a certain gusto that makes them enjoyable. Overall, it is also a tribute to his brother Corky, who taught him to see beyond a person’s outer shell. It is a must see production and fans of his work are in for a treat. The show runs approximately 90 minutes long without an intermission.

Greater Tuna’s Jaston Williams in ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ at The Classic Theatre

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Jaston Williams’ ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ opens on Thursday June 27 at The Classic Theatre. Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission. 

On Thursday June 27, The Classic Theatre is opening their Second Series production of Greater Tuna’s Jaston Williams’ ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ It will run until Sunday June 30 with only six performances: June 27 at 8p.m., June 28 at 8p.m., June 29 at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and June 30 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. General admission tickets are $25 and available online. There will be no late seating at any performance. Written and Performed by Jaston Williams. The theatre is handicapped accessible. (The Classic Theatre, 2019)

Jaston Williams’ first driver’s license read 4 feet 11 and 85 pounds. He learned to drive from his mother who assured him that passing on the right was permitted even on a two-lane road. The day his father tried to teach him to drive a standard shift, the man had to cut the lesson short and return home for bed rest. Hear this along with other stories including the one about the twirler who repeatedly injured herself with her own baton and the true account of why Jaston holds a lifelong grudge against potatoes.

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

‘Four Places’ at The Surround Project

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Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

Local theatre company The Surround Project is taking on their second outing this summer with ‘Four Places’ by Joel Drake Johnson. Once again partnering with The Classic Theatre of San Antonio to bring another San Antonio premiere to the stage, the company will explore themes similar to those tackled in their maiden voyage production of ‘9 Circles.’ Co-founder Eva Laporte directs ‘Four Places’ by Joel Drake Johnson which will run from Thursday June 13 through Sunday June 23 and will consist of eight performances only with showtimes Thursday through Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. (The Surround Project, 2019)

General seating in groups begins 45 minutes to curtain. No late seating or re-entry will be allowed. This play includes mature content. Tickets are $25 and are available online and consists of General Admission seating only. Guests will check-in and be assigned seating groups.

Laporte shares the connection between the two plays: “There’s a through line from our first production of ‘9 Circles,’ a play about war trauma, sexual violence and the politics of war, to our current production of ‘Four Places.’ In this play, we’re exploring the politics of a family and the trauma adult children must face in order to be happy, resilient, fulfilled people.”

In ‘Four Places,’ a seemingly innocent and routine family lunch between Peggy and her two adult children Ellen and Warren slowly reveals itself to have dire implications. The cast includes Kathy Couser as Peggy, Catherine Babbitt as Ellen and Andrew Thornton as Warren. Sarah Fisch rounds out the cast as Barb, the waiter for the family lunch. Directed by Eva Laporte, it includes Lighting Design by Kaitlin Muse, Music Composition & Sound Design by John Coker.

The Surround Project is inviting local non-profits to participate and build a bridge between audiences and experts, creating a dialogue about the themes seen on stage.

“Our first official community partner for ‘Four Places’ is Jewish Family Service. Providing mental health services for the entire San Antonio community, JFS is a local resource for many of the issues found in our play. JFS CEO Talli Dolge, MS, is excited to work with us and will serve as one of our talk back panel experts,” Eva LaPorte

Special Events:
Audiences are invited to join an informal chat with the artistic team after every performance. More information about The Surround Project is available online where new events will also be added.
Friday, June 14  – Donor Pre-show Reception
Sunday, June 15 –  Expert-led panel post-show discussion
Friday, June 21 – Dual ASL-interpreted performance

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

Theater review: ‘The Little Foxes’ at The Classic Theatre

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‘The Little Foxes’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre through May 26. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission. 

After a sold-out opening weekend, ‘The Little Foxes’ continues this weekend at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio and will run through Sunday May 26. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for student and are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. This classic drama is written by Lillian Hellman and directed by Melissa Utley and focuses on one family’s struggle for control of a family business.

‘The Little Foxes’ is a 1939 play set in a small Alabama town in 1900 and centers around Southerner Regina Hubbard Gidden (Kelly Hilliard), who, because fathers only consider sons when it comes to heirs, struggles for wealth and freedom. Her two brothers Ben (Byrd Bonner) and Oscar (Anthony Ciaravino) have taken advantage of the system and are considerably wealthy while she has had to rely on her husband Horace (John O’Neill). The brothers want to join forces to build a cotton mill but are short $75,000 and want Regina to invest in their project. When Horace refuses to give Regina the money, they pressure Leo (Hunter Wulff), who works as a bank teller, to steal Horace’s railroad bonds from the bank’s safe deposit box. When Horace finds out, he argues with Regina and threatens to change his will to favor their daughter Alexandra (Alyx Irene Gonzales) but he has a heart attack and dies without amending his will. Regina blackmails her brothers into giving her a majority ownership in the cotton mill but ends up losing her daughter’s respect. In the end, she has the wealth she dreams of but ends up completely alone.

The Classic Theatre is known for putting on thought-provoking productions and this one is no exception. This morality play deals with the themes of racism, classism and greed gone amuck, problems that modern society has yet to conquer. The pursuit of the American Dream has different meanings to everyone and this family in their own unique way is determined to do what it takes to get rich. Stuck in the middle are Cal and Addie, the African American staff who disbelievingly watch the family unravel. The standout scene is when Horace has a heart attack and Regina refuses to help him; it is uncomfortable and difficult to watch but it is raw and real. The entire cast is excellent but Kelly Hilliard’s portrayal of the cold and calculating Regina is tops. As is Byrd Bonner as the racist and money-grubbing Ben. Overall, the story is timeless and keeps up with the times. The setting is reminiscent of an old Southern home and the costumes are gorgeous. ‘The Little Foxes’ is a must-see family drama that proves the more things change, the more they stay the same.

This Sunday, May 19, there will be a Classic Community Conversation after the show. The conversation is free and open to the public. Those with tickets to the May 19 matinee are welcome to stay after the show. No ticket? No problem. Come in after the show at 5:40p.m. for the 20-30-minute talk-back with the cast and creative team.

Theater summer camp at The Classic Theatre

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Camp Classic is a theatre arts camp and begins in July at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Classic Theatre, used with permission.

It is not too late to get kids registered for summer camp. Camp Classic is a theatre arts camp linked to classical mythology for children ages 5-13 of all ability levels, located in the heart of the Deco District. (The Classic Theatre, 2019)

Campers will travel back in time to the days of adventure and magic, heroes and heroines, gods and rulers and giants and ogres. They will learn how to make a story come to life by using elements of the theatre to create their own characters, props, masks, costumes, and set pieces, culminating in a final performance. Camp Classic curriculum is based on TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards and National Core Arts Standards in Theatre Arts.

Registration is available online. Campers may register for more than one individual sessions. Each week will be split into three age groups, ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13, and focus on one of the following: Greek Mythology, Mexican Folklore, and European Fairytales.

Dates
Week 1 (July 15-19, 2019) Greek Mythology- Alpha
Campers will unlock the stories of Hercules, Dionysus, Athena, The Trojan War and The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Week 2 (July 22-26, 2019) Greek Mythology – Omega
Added week of Greek Mythology camp.

Week 3 (July 29-Aug 2, 2019) Mexican Folklore
Campers will learn Mexican heritage stories of La Lorona, Quetzalcoatl, El Cucuy, Tlaloc and the Cempasuchil Flower.

Week 4 (August 5-9, 2019) European Fairytales
Campers will explores stories such as Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Beowulf, Hansl and Gretl and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

Camp Times – 9a.m. to 3p.m.
Every Friday of each session will end with a class performance.

Camp Rates (per week)
Early Bird Rate – $235
After May 1 – $250

Included in camp rates are one camp shirt and take-home masks, costumes and props on final day of session. Sibling Discounts Available. $25 non-refundable tuition deposit due upon registration. $25 Extended Care available from 7:30a.m. to 5:30p.m.

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