THEATRE
THE BEST OF BRITISH celebrates the cultures of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in words and music. Guest artists David Owen-Bell and Bruce Morrison cobbled this creative, often lighthearted tribute from sources literary and traditional, from Shakespeare and Wordsworth to folk songs and poems. Southwestern University School of Fine Arts hosts the program. ONE PERFORMAN\CE ONLY! Sep 12, Fri, 8pm, at the Jones Theatre on the SU campus, Georgetown. Admission is free. 512/863-1379.
PILL HILL A play's story is the heart that pumps life through the limbs of the production. Sometimes that heart is an efficiently beating machine, keeping the blood circulating to every extremity, no matter how extreme or tangential. At other times, the pump gets clogged with unsupported ideas, causing it to push its themes in odd fits and never-completed starts. Samuel L. Kelley's Pill Hill is a big, vibrant heart that tells the story of six black steel mill workers in Chicago, following them through many phases of life as they search for a path in a world without many options. First-time director Lisa Byrd has assembled a fine cast. Robert Pellette, Jr. gives a seemingly effortless performance as the rock-steady Charlie, while Vincent Woodard expertly plays the henpecked Al. Unfortunately, some of the elements in this production have forgotten how to find this lush vein. The video and music segments that open each act - a great but oddly executed idea - seem an afterthought that isn't part of the flow of the story. The production never quite finds its own rhythm and is constantly bounced around by dropped lines and forgotten blocking. Strength still lurks within the heart of this First Stage production, but it can't gush to the surface until all the elements find their way to feed from the mighty pump of Kelley's story. (Adrienne Martini) FINAL WEEKEND! Through Sep 13, Thu-Sat, 8pm, at The Public Domain, 807 Congress. Tickets: $10 ($5 seniors, students, ACoT, DU, TRIBES). Running Time: 2 hrs, 30 min. 454-TIXS.
THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES is the place where zoo attendant and aspiring songwriter Artie Shaughnessy wants to send his wife Bananas, who is, well, bananas. It's a mental hospital, and if he can commit her, he can wed the beautiful Bunny. How does the Pope's visit to New York figure into this? You'll have to see John Guare's award-winning comedy to find out. It's revived by Sam Bass Community Theatre, with direction by Frank Benge. Through Sep 20, Thu-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm, Sep 17, Wed, 8pm, at Old Depot Theatre, 600 N. Lee, Round Rock. Tickets: $7 Wed/Thu/Sun; $7.50 Fri/Sat. 244-0440.
SCAVENGERS Karen Cronacher's new play, produced by Salvage Vanguard Theater, is an explosion of words and ideas: witty, wacky, bordering on the absurd, yet connected to the modern world and its fixation on fads, gizmos, and the need for self-improvement. Cyber Jeanne is a performance artist and Cyber Jean a conceptual artist (his medium the realm of ideas). They meet, court (rapidly), write grants, have sex, fight, and play control games, while (literally) careening about their lives. The two artists, however, are cybernetic projections of Jeanne, a real-life housewife, and Jean, a real-life debt collector. As real-life Jeanne begins to find herself, the parameters of the world of the two cyber characters shift like tectonic plates, causing massive confusion and the repeated need to start again. Travis York and Amy Dickson infuse the cyber characters with nuclear energy and high-octane comedic timing. As real-life characters Jeanne and Jean, Sarah Ing and Kevin Madden give full, grounded performances, but their world, crazy as it is, cannot hold a candle to the wildfire of the cyber characters' lives. The one-dimensional Jean and the one-and-a-half-dimensional Jeanne ignite few passions compared to the cyber pair, making the play drag as each act concludes. First-time director Dan Dietz has staged a strong production; the unceasing activity never gets in the way of the story, and the evening maintains its verve from start (almost) to finish. (Robi Polgar) Through Sep 20, Thu-Sat, 9pm, Sep 14, Sun, 9pm, at Planet Theatre, 2307 Manor Rd. Tickets: $5 Thu; $7.50 Fri/Sat. Sep 4, Thu: $5 or a can of food Thu. Running Time: 2 hrs, 30 min. 454-TIXS.
MANAGED CARE is another social and spiritual odyssey by Austin's finest monologist, Steve Tomlinson (Free Trade). This time, Tomlinson is after health, and his pursuit offers illuminating, frequently hilarious observations of the states of modern medicine, technology, family, and traffic violations. Tomlinson premiered the piece at this year's FronteraFest; this feature version, directed by playwright David Mark Cohen, includes a discussion with Tomlinson following each show. Sep 15-24, Mon-Wed, 8pm, at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. Tickets: $8 ($6 seniors, students, ACoT); Pay What You Wish Mon, Sep 22. 454-TIXS.
BURNIN' HOPE shows the ramifications of spending too much time in front of the tube. In this dark comedy by writer-director Jim Fritzler (In the West), Shelly and her husband Chip watch and watch and watch TV, and the game shows and talk shows finally start to bleed out of the set and into their world. This world premiere stars Shelby Brammer, Lana Dieterich, Mike McKinley, Ann Perea, and Dana Younger as Wink Martindale. Through Sep 27, Fri & Sat, 8pm, at the John Henry Faulk Theatre, 204 E. Fourth. Tickets: $10 ($7 seniors, students). 419-7208.
LOVE, JANIS is how Janis Joplin signed the letters that she wrote home to Port Arthur, Texas. Now her letters are the basis of a musical. Two actresses play the Texas singer: one the stage Janis; the other her private self. Denver Center Theatre's Randal Myler wrote and directs this Zachary Scott Theatre Center production, starring Aimee McCormick and acclaimed Janis channeler Andra Mitrovich. HELD OVER! Through Sep 28, Thu-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 6pm, at Zachary Scott Theatre Center, Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside. Tickets: $24 Thu/Sun; $27 Fri; $30 Sat. 476-0541.
DAVID'S REDHAIRED DEATH looms over Jean and Marilyn, and it seems like the romance between these two redheads will never move forward until Jean is able to make peace with the death of her brother. Playwright Sherry Kramer digs into our experience of mortality in a script that is funny, wise, and lyrical. Frontera@Hyde Park Theatre stages the full-length version of the play with Roxy Becker and Barbara Chisholm. Megan Monaghan directs. Sep 12-Oct 5, Thu-Sat, 8pm, at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. Tickets: $10.25 ($8.25 seniors, students, ACoT); Pay What You Wish on Thu, Sep 18. 454-TIXS.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is plenty of something, if you know your Shakespeare. It's the tale of Beatrice and Benedick, confirmed bachelors and veterans in the war between the sexes who must be tricked into discovering their love for each other. It's plenty of wit, lovers' folly, and romance, and our own Austin Shakespeare Festival revives it with director Marc Verzatt (Austin Lyric Opera's La Boheme). Jill Swanson and James Ellis Lane, Jr. star. Preview performance: Sep 11, Thu, 8pm (free). Sep 12-Oct 5, Thu-Sun, 8pm, at the Hillside Theatre, Zilker Park. The stage is outdoors; dress for the weather and bring your own seating. Free. 454-2273.
MAN OF LA MANCHA clothes the enduring figure of Don Quixote in the shining armor of the Broadway musical, with weapons - such stirring songs as "The Impossible Dream" - that would topple any windmill. Former Austinite Edmound Fitzpatrick returns to take the title role in this Live Oak Theatre at the State season opener, with Scott Schroeder as his Sancho and Amy Stinson his Aldonza/Dulcinea. Don Toner directs; Allen Robertson is musical director; Acia Gray is choreographer. (Review on this issue's "Exhibitionism" arts review page.) Through Oct 12, Wed-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 6pm, at the State Theatre, 719 Congress. Tickets: $16 Thu/Sun; $18 Fri/Sat. 472-5143.
A DEVELOPING MURDER pits a fed-up developer, Jim Bob Profit, against the environmentalists who are, uh, dead-set on stopping him. Can murder be in the cards? When the producers are the Capital City Mystery Players, it has to be. This comedy whodunit serves a four-course dinner along with a kooky crime that you help solve. Ongoing, Sat, 7pm, at the Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos. Tickets: $45. 474-5911, x5219.
LATER AT LIVE OAK CABARET offers uptown musical entertainment in the lobby of the State, courtesy of Live Oak Theatre. A rotating roster of artists provide jazz, standards, and show tunes. This week: the strikingly sweet sounds of up-and-coming vocalist Trent Durham. Boni Hester hosts. Sat, 10:30pm, at the State Theatre, 719 Congress. Tickets: $5. 472-5143.
KGSR 107.1 Weekly Theatre Update is on every Thursday morning with Kevin Connor. At 8am, Chronicle editor Robert Faires discusses what's happening in the week in Austin theatre.
The 23rd Annual B. Iden Payne Awards Ceremony honors outstanding achievements in Austin theatre from the 1996-97 season. This year's edition of the Austin Circle of Theatres' annual shindig will have much of the usual fun: 34 awards, musical salutes, a little jokery, a little speechifying, and much well-deserved applause, plus presentation of awards to three special honorees - Alice Wilson, Eva Paloheimo, and the late Michel Jaroschy - for their special contributions to Austin theatre. ONE NIGHT ONLY! Sep 15, Mon, 7pm, at the Metropolitan Club, 13th floor, 600 Congress. Tickets: $25. 454-TIXS, 499-8388.
10 Minutes Max is now accepting applications for performance slots. The festival of short works will run Sep 27 & 28 at Synergy Studio, 1501 W. Fifth. Applications available at the Dance Umbrella office, same address. 322-0227.
Live Oak Theatre School of Acting offers The Bizness of Acting Workshop (Sep 16, Tue, 6:30-10pm, $35); Teens - the Professional (ages 14-18, Sep 17-Oct 22, Wed, 4:30-6pm, $115); Film & Stage for Kids (ages 8-10, Sep 22-Nov 10, Mon, 4:30-6pm, $125); and The Commercial (Oct 1-22, Wed, 10am-noon, $105). 472-3160.
kidsActing offers performing arts classes this fall: Combo Class (ages 4-15, begins Sep 12); Body Blast! (ages 8-16, begins Sep 15); Play Production (ages 9-15, begins Sep 15); Screenacting (ages 7-16, begins Sep 15); and Make a Scene (ages 7-17, begins Sep 17). 5811 Burnet. 458-KIDS.
Acting Classes With C.K. McFarland offer performers, writers, and the creatively curious a place to explore new territory, new techniques, new options, and performance pieces. Eight-week class: Sep 16-Oct 28, Tue, 7-9:30pm. $170. 441-3738.
UT Department of Theatre & Dance offers creative drama classes Sep 20-Oct 18. Classes in story drama, creative imagination, and acting/improvisation are available for students in grades 1-8. Saturdays in the Winship Drama Bldg, UT campus. Cost: $35. 471-5793.
Half-Price Tickets to many area performing arts events are available through AusTix, a half-price ticket service. Just drop by the big AusTix booth in BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar (11:30am-6:30pm, Wed-Sat) on the day of performance to see which shows have half-price tix for sale. 454-HALF.
The Box Office provides one-stop shopping for tickets to many area music, dance, and theatre productions. Just drop by the AusTix booth in BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar (11:30am-6:30pm, Wed-Sat) to purchase tickets or call 454-TIXS.
Step on a Crack, a play by Susan Zeder: Sep 14, Sun, 2-6pm; Sep 15, Mon, 6-9pm; at the Auditorium on Waller Creek, 710 E. 41st. Roles available: one male & one female, 18-30; one male & one female, 30s; two young-looking women, 18-25; one girl, 10-12. Actors should prepare two contrasting monologues (1 min ea). Resumé & photo requested. The production will be directed by Daniel J. Halperin and run Nov 8-23 at the Auditorium on Waller Creek. Actors will be compensated. Produced by Austin Theatre for Youth. By appointment. 459-7144.
General Auditions for Capital City Mystery Players: Sep 16, Tue, 7pm, in Room 20 of the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd. Men and women sought for positions in an ongoing series of interactive murder mysteries. Actors will be compensated. 441-4720.
Medea, a new version of the ancient Greek tragedy. Needed: Three women of color. By appointment. 480-0585.
Monks' Night Out, an improv and sketch comedy troupe: Sundays, 10am-noon, at The Velveeta Room, 521 E. Sixth. Needed: male and female performers. No improv or sketch experience necessary, but comedy and acting skills a plus. Resumé & photo requested. 453-MONK.
Austin Stories, an MTV series. Seeks featured characters and extras: young hipsters, drag kids, men and women over 65, granola types, comedians, et al. No experience necessary. All positions paid. Send photo and information to: Austin Stories, MTV Production Office, Attn: Casting, 1712 E. Riverside, Box 228, Austin, TX 78741.
ComedySportz, an improvisational comedy troupe, seeks a musician to accompany its performances. Keyboardist preferred. Will be compensated. 266-3397.