Theatre
Theatre Openings
The Wind in the Willows (Mar 27),
The Jungle Book (Mar 28),
don b.'s Snow White (Apr 1)
don b.'s Snow White
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Apr 1-24, Thu-Sat, 8pm
Loud. Brash. Fun. Messy. Big. No, these are not the names of the dwarves in Lana Lesley's adaptation of don b.'s Snow White. They're just several words called to mind when the Rude Mechanicals are running amok on an Austin stage. No strangers to adapting the classics (remember the Rude's riff on Shakespeare last year, curst and Shrewd?), this time it is a modern work that gets churned through the Rude meat grinder.
Source material for Lesley's dramatization oozes from the Donald Barthelme-crafted postmodern version. Yawn if you must, since postmodern is no longer that cutting-edge moniker of days past. But, hey, what sounds hip is hip, and this fractious fairy tale gives your friendly Rudes plenty of leeway to go doubly nuts with the formerly revered-to-death children's story. And, unlike the Snow White you may have loved as a child, this version includes some rather risqué scenarios: Dwarves rotating through shower stall encounters with our heroine may be the least devastating revelation to you fairy tale know-it-alls.
Guaranteed to have you ducking for cover (there's a trapeze, but no food fight -- yet) and recalling your encounter for months, if not years, to come, this Snow White is "big-ass" theatre for the brave, the silly, or those looking for a Rude alternative to the status quo. Children, this may not be for you! 2211-A Hidalgo. 476-RUDE -- Robi Polgar
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Get whisked away with Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad, and others on this charming, wild ride of a production, presented by Project InterAct, one of Austin's premier children's theatres. Their past work, including such award-winners as The Roman Nose in Exile and Cowboy Puss & Boots, proves them old hats at feeding the mind and spirit but young at heart. This is a free performance sponsored by Exxon, and perhaps the last chance to catch this show, which was part of Playfest '99. ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY! Sat, Mar 27, 2pm, at Zachary Scott's Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside. Free. 476-0594 x233.
AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Ain't Misbehavin' is probably best remembered as the vehicle that launched Nell Carter's career and won the 1978 Tony for Best Musical, but this local production staged by Zach artistic director Dave Steakley boasts vocal talent just as sassy and strong. They're here to take you back to Harlem, to the Twenties and Thirties, when lovable characters like Fats Waller scorched clubs and music halls alike with his stride piano, rolling together the syncopated rhythms of ragtime and jazz into one rollicking sound. With their bowler hats askew and their double-breasted suits sagging just right, Marcus Maurice and Timothy Curry make the perfect pair of gentlemen, a couple of cats with voices as smooth as their moves -- Maurice the sly, lithe young'un and Curry the studied, sugarmouthed grandpop. A trio of lovely ladies are there for the ride, too, all dolled up in Thirties finery -- dripping with minks and silk scarves courtesy of Leslie Bonnell's costume design. There's the flirtatious breathiness of Janis Stinson, wriggling against the piano while she coos "Squeeze Me," and the starry-eyed, apple-cheeked Felicia Dinwiddie, whose nimble hoofing and melodious voice garner the spotlight probably more than anyone else. There's also Jacqui Cross, of Dreamgirls fame, whose pipes could make an organ jealous. And together, they're having a blast with these songs, which allow for as much showboating as sublime harmony work. And whether they're dancing, goofing, flirting, or wailin' the blues, their fun is infectious. Ain't Misbehavin' chugs along, with Steakley administering just the right doses of humor, pathos, and groove to make the evening feel whole. Again and again, these pieces move you -- whether to slap your knee, tap the arm of your chair, or wipe tears from your eyes. With big band fever probably about to swing its way out of popularity, this is a perfect time to move on over to Riverside and let this quintet spread some rhythm into your life. (Sarah Hepola) FINAL WEEKEND! Through Mar 28, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2:30pm, on Zachary Scott's Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside.
$24-30. 476-0541.
THE JUNGLE BOOK Rudyard Kipling's beloved classic boasts one of -- if not the -- best and most enduring soundtracks of all the Disney classics, including "The Bare Necessities" and "I Wanna Be Just Like You," soulful, infectious songs that continue to be remade by modern groups from swing to punk. In this theatrical musical, the "man-cub" Mowgli must prove his mettle in a modern urban landscape, with the benevolent Baloo the bear at his side. ONE DAY ONLY! Sun,, Mar 28, 2pm, 4:30pm, & 7pm, at the Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress. $9-13 (children, $5-9). 469-SHOW.
TWO FOR THE SHOW Sue Bilich and Susanne Vance's show combines songs from Bilich's cabaret act, Nobody Does It Like Me and Vance's original Southern characters. FINAL WEEKEND!Through Mar 28, Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm, at the Acting Studio, 5811 Burnet. $10 ($8, students, seniors, ACoT). 454-TIXS.
ALASKAN HEAT BLUE DOT I've always felt a curious coldness about performance art theatre, so it was with checked skepticism that I attended the premiere of this collaborative work written and directed by Laurie Carlos, which melds the experiences of a group of writers into one impressionistic experience of music, dance, and memory. And, as I had expected, I didn't fully understand it. I felt it. Much of that owes to the fine work of the five featured actors -- Zell Miller III, Florinda Bryant, Clayton Murrell, Emily Cicchini, and Joni Jones. Reminiscent of her work on Sharon Bridgforth's blood pudding, Carlos' direction is strikingly imaginative and purposeful, as well as quite lovely to watch. Actors move around and against each other, almost like levers and pulleys in a machine, and yet a naturalness remains. This clarity of vision is apparent in each aspect of the production, and especially in Leilah Stewart's ingeniously simple set design. At its heart, Alaskan Heat Blue Dot is about the things people want, and under that large thematic umbrella, a vast array of different things emerge. It may be love, or safety, or acceptance, or direction. It may be the warmth of the spotlight, or a partner to dance with, or a clean sink uncluttered by all those dirty dishes. In the end, it's also about communicating with people, however you can. Carlos proves herself a playwright fiercely in touch with the limitlessness of the imagination, genuinely committed to sharing and enhancing the human experience through words and language. In what could just as easily be the play's mantra, we find the driving force behind the playwright and the players of Alaskan Heat Blue Dot: "What you don't say will kill you. What you don't share will drive you crazy." It didn't make me roll my eyes, and it didn't leave me cold. In fact, it made me feel quite warm. (Sarah Hepola) FINAL WEEKEND!Through Mar 27, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm, at Frontera@Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. $10-12. 454-TIXS.
THE UNINVITED In Dorothy Macardle's classic ghost story, a brother and sister discover they're not alone in their new charming West England cottage. The Way Off Broadway Players present this show, directed by Jan Hutchinson. FINAL WEEKEND!Through Mar 27, Fri-Sat, 8pm, at the Leo Center in Leander. $8 ($6, students). 512/336-8966.
BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS This is Austin Script Works' first annual showcase of 10-minute plays, in what they are calling their "Out of Ink Series." Playwrights were given a set of three rules and were asked to write a script in 48 hours.Out of that flurry of writing activity, the best nine were chosen, written by Clay Nichols, Cyndi Williams, Amparo Garcia, John Walch, Ron Berry, and others. FINAL WEEKEND!Through Mar 27, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Fri, 10:30pm, at the Public Domain, 807 Congress. $8 (Wed, pay-what-you-wish). 454-TIXS.
DEATHTRAP The Palace Guild Theatre presents the deceptively tricky murder mystery by Ira Levin, a topsy turvy thrill ride that laces together comedy and some genuinely clever narrative ruses. Ron Watson is the guest director. Parental guidance suggested. FINAL WEEKEND!Through Mar 28, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm, 814 S. Austin in Georgetown. $10 (children, $5).
512/869-SHOW.
PASSION Some of the city's strongest voices join forces in Stephen Sondheim's poignant tale of two women -- one beautiful and sensual, one sickly but passionate -- and the young officer they desire. Linda Nenno plays the determined, but physically unappealing Fosca, whose obsessive love for Giorgio (Brian Gaston) knows no boundaries. Amy Stinson, Scott Schroeder, Tom Byrne, and others costar. Ann Ciccolella directs this benefit production; all proceeds go to the Austin Circle of Theaters. FINAL PERFORMANCE! Through Mar 28, Sun, 7pm, on Zach's Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside. $12 (ACoT, $10). 454-TIXS.
FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE The Fabulous and Ridiculous Theatre Company presents this kooky, campy horror spectacle by English dramatist and gore aficionado Clive Barker, successful most recently as the executive producer of Gods and Monsters, a creative imagining of the last days of Frankenstein director James Whale. The company's last production was In the Void, an evening of Samuel Beckett one-acts. FINAL WEEKEND!Through Mar 28, Thu-Sat, 8pm, at the John Henry Faulk Living Theatre, 204 E. Fourth. $8. 707-2172.
SON OF ARLECCHINO Masks, music, slapstick comedy, and a nice heaping of bawdy humor make up Tongue and Groove Theatre's latest comic offering. In the commedia dell'arte tradition, they pepper the show with double takes, misunderstandings, and outlandish acts of hypocrisy and quackery. David Yeakle directs this production, which stars Michael Stuart, Allison Leigh DeFrees, and gNatalie Rodic. Through Apr 10, Wed-Sat, 8pm, at the Planet Theatre, 2307 Manor. $11 ($9, students, seniors, ACoT; Wed, two-for-one). 454-TIXS.
PETRA'S PECADO Ruperto Reyes Jr.'s heartwarming bilingual play was an unexpected smash last year for Latino theatre company, Teatro Humandidad. The story follows Petra and her senior citizen friends as they try against all odds to mount a play about the Virgen de Guadalupe at the local church in Las Flores, Texas. Through Apr 11, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm, in the Main Theatre of the the Austin Community College Rio Grande campus, 1212 Rio Grande. $12 ($8, students, seniors, ACoT). 454-TIXS.
FULL GALLOP Karen Kuykendall brings all her wit, style, and charming stage presence to the fore with this one-woman show that celebrates the life and times of eccentric Diana Vreeland, the editor of Vogue -- always quotable, always in the spotlight, always in fashion. Ann Ciccolella directs the Texas premiere of this recent Broadway hit, which won both Obie and Drama Desk awards when it debuted in 1995. (See review in this week's "Exhibitionism.") Through Apr 11, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2:30pm, on Zach's Whisenhunt Arena Stage, 1510 Toomey. $19, Thu & Sun; $22, Fri; $24, Sat. 476-0541x1.
GOLEM Playwright Josh Frank spins this dark tale with "cinematic stylings" from a Jewish folk legend about a monster made of clay, armed with the power to protect villagers from destruction. Frank reimagines the legend to take place during the Nazi occupation of Prague. Through Apr 17, Thu-Sat, 8pm, in the alley of the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs. $8 ($7, advance; $6, students; Thu, pay-what-you-can). 454-TIXS (In case of rain: 659-8882).
DON B.'S SNOW WHITE The Rude Mechanicals crack the mirror on the wall in this outrageous, postmodern version of the classic fairy tale, adapted by Lana Lesley from the book by Donald Barthelme. The not-so-innocent Snow White lives in bliss (and sin) with the dwarves: Bill, Clem, Kevin, Hubert, Dan, Henry, and Edward. Things get messy when the romance begins to fizzle -- but will her Prince Charming -- or at least one humongous puppet -- save the day? (See box for more info.) Thu-Sat, Apr 1-24, 8pm (Sun, Apr 11, 8pm), at the Off Center Warehouse and Performance Space, 2211-A Hidalgo. $10 ($8 student, seniors, ACoT; Thu, pay-what-you-can). 476-RUDE.
DICK PRIVATE; PRIVATE DICK In "Bullets on the Ballot," Murder by Design takes another step toward the bizarre with its 1940s "noir" detective comedy. Sal runs for Alderman and Dick goes undercover as a busboy in a mob speakeasy. Fri-Sat, 7pm, at the Driskill, 604 Brazos. Sun, 6pm, at Top of the Marc. Fri-Sat: $50 (includes dinner). Sun: $15 (order a la carte from Katz's menu, $3 benefits HIV Wellness Center). Driskill: 474-5911/ Top of the Marc: 834-4623.
CAPITAL CITY MYSTERY PLAYERS In Murder on the Movie Set, something goes terribly awry while shooting a film. Was it the frazzled director? The hunky actor? The beautiful young ingenue? You get to figure it out over a tasty dinner at the new location in the Doubletree. Sat, 7:30pm, at the 15th Street Cafe at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 15th & Guadalupe. $49 (includes dinner). 478-7000 x650 or http://whodunit.citysearch.com.
Theatre Call Board
VORTEX 2000 FUNDRAISER WITH SPECIAL GUEST ANNIE SPRINKLE Help christen the newly renamed VORTEX Theatre with this drive to raise money for renovations. Beginning with a yard sale at 10am, the afternoon will also include music, poetry, and performance by VORTEX favorites Kirk Smith, the Diviners, Stormie M. Graham, Mick D'Arcy, Jo Beth Henderson. The always outré performance artist and sexpert Annie Sprinkle is the highlight of the evening's activities, a silent auction whose items include "tit" prints, dinners, Sprinkle's new comic book, a Heather Woodbury manuscript, and many other kinky items only VORTEX could supply. Call to make donations or to to bid on silent auction items. Sat, Mar 27, noon-5pm, at the Planet Theatre, 2307 Manor. $10. 478-LAVA.
REMEMBRANCE THROUGH THE PERFORMING ARTS is accepting unsolicited new plays from playwrights in central Texas fortheir spring/summer intensive new play development workshop. Send unproduced, unpublished script, with bio and SASE. Deadline: May 1. 3300 Bee Caves, #650, Austin 78746. 329-9118.
FRONTERA @ HYDE PARK THEATRE seeks an energetic and well-rounded managing director. The managing director will work closely with the artistic director on day-to-day operations, while supervising the business manager and the marketing director. Salary Range: $18,000-$23,000 with growth based on performance. Start date: Jun 1. Send résumé to: Search Committee, Frontera, 511 West 43rd, Austin, TX 78751.
Auditions
THE GILBERT & SULLIVAN SOCIETY OF AUSTIN is auditioning for Patience, to be directed by Rafe McPhail and Jeffrey Jones. Prepare one song (musical, operetta, opera); accompanist provided. Bring headshot and résumé. Performers will be compensated. Sat-Sun, 27-28, 1-4pm, in the choral room in the Music Bldg., on the UT campus. 339-1205 or 303-8433.
BIG RIVER will be the Zilker Summer Musical running from Jul 10-Aug 15. Rehearsals begin May 1. Prepare song, bring sheet music; accompaniment provided. A capella auditions allowed. Dress comfortably. By appointment only. Sat-Sun, Apr 10-11, noon-1pm, youth auditions; 1-6pm, adult vocal; 1:30-6:30pm, adult dance: Mon, 6-9pm, callbacks, at Johnston High School, 1112 Arthur Stiles. 479-9491.
MUTINY PRODUCTIONS is auditioning for the feature film Cicadas. Roles available: males and females, early teens to mid-40s. Send headshot and résumé to: 1403-B Oxford, Austin TX 78704. No hand deliveries.
