Recent Reviews
Review: Mouthful by Mary Moody Northen Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on November 15, 2016
An evening of ideologically flavored dishes of varied quality and appeal, MOUTHFUL has one deftly captivating piece by Clare Bayley and one appalling rant by Neil LaBute
The collection of six short plays packaged as Mouthful and presented by the Mary Moody Northen Theatre at St. Edward's University in Austin is an odd assortment. Loosely themed to concerns about nutrition and the world food supply, this evening is more a potluck than a smörgåsbord. A potluck meal usually unites the like-minded around a meal that's anything but predetermined, often with dishes of varied quality and appeal, while the classic Scandinavian smörgåsbord presents …
Review: The School for Scandal by Classic Theatre of San Antonio
by Kurt Gardner
Published on November 11, 2016
'Rambunctious' is clearly the best word to describe the Classic Theatre's hilarious production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1777 comedy of manners, complete with cell phones and selfies.
When one thinks of a play written nearly 250 years ago, the last adjective to come to mind would be rambunctious, but that’s clearly the best word to describe the hilarious production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1777 comedy of manners The School for Scandal, now playing at the Classic Theatre. You’ve never met a nastier group of backbiting gossip mongerers than this lot. As a matter of fact, one character is literally named Backbite — …
Review: Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage by Roxie Theatre Company
by Kurt Gardner
Published on November 09, 2016
Miss Abigail quotes from a vast collection of 1940's books to offer hilariously antiquated advice. Evidently weenie roasts were an important part of the dating scene back then.
Originally produced off-Broadway in 2010 with no less a cult figure than The Brady Bunch’s Eve Plumb as its star, Ken Davenport and Sarah Saltzberg’s Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage arrives at San Antonio’s Roxie Theatre with all the comic absurdity intact. It’s actually the perfect show for the space, relying as it does on a playful mood and lots of audience participation. Miss Abigail (Kelli Grant) quotes from a vast collection …
Review: The Illusionists - Live from Broadway by touring company
by Brian Paul Scipione
Published on November 02, 2016
I want to gush about it and tell the reader everything I saw but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. And let’s face it, when you are talking about illusions with stunning conclusions everything is a spoiler. The show is amazing from start to finish
This exhilarating, dynamic and nearly flawless magical variety show from Broadway is both very easy and difficult to review. The difficult part is simple to explain: I want to gush about it and tell the reader everything I saw but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. And let’s face it, when you are talking about illusions with stunning conclusions everything is a spoiler. The easy part, as you would expect from a professional …
Review #2 of 2: Nevermore, The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Life of Edgar Alan Poe, Doctuh Mistuh Productions, Oct. 21 - Nov. 6, 2016
by Brian Paul Scipione
Published on October 31, 2016
Style, professionalism and top-notch talents -- don’t dare to miss this thrilling evening or your fate may be the same as that of Poe which, in a word, is woe
The mood is somber, almost bleak, the lyrics are enchanting -- “All he loved he loved alone.” The words refer to our titular character who stares thoughtfully or is it mournfully into the abyss of the fourth wall.The words are lifted from Poe’s own poem “Alone” and they capture the dark, black heart of the story of a man wanton of love, friendship and happiness who seems double-crossed by fate every step of the way. …
Review: Houdini Speaks to the Living by Hidden Room Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on October 25, 2016
Director Beth Burns, magician Patrick Terry and ardently appreciated Ausin actor Robert Matney provide a masterful and eye-opening brief evening of entertainment and reflection.
Matriarch of the Hidden Room Theatre Beth Burns already had access to a venue appropriate for this conversation on the shadowy mysteries of the afterlife. The third-floor meeting hall of the York Rite Masonic Temple downtown on 7th Street has been an ample but problematic space for other innovative costumed works. Its long rectangular space, generally deficient lighting, platforms with throne-like wooden chairs at either extreme of the room and awkward entrances and exits have …