Theatre

Theatre Openings

American Realism (May 14)
And You Come From Where ... ? (May 14)
Relationships in Poetry & Song (May 15)
Waterless Places (May 17)
Red, White, and Tuna (May 18)
On Golden Pond (May 20)

Tyrone James Parnell

Relationships in Poetry and Song

King Seabrook Theater, Huston-Tillotson College

"Have you ever been to one of those churches where they get pretty happy?" Pam Hart asks, laughing. "Well, that's what we do in this play. You have to gather yourself after the songs. It's just like that." The longtime Austin jazz singer is speaking of her first foray as an actress in the premiere of this original gospel musical by New York poet and playwright Tyrone James Parnell. And specifically, she is speaking of "Peace Be Still," a number performed by co-star Jacqui Cross, who has made a career out of showstopping turns in, among others, Zachary Scott's Dreamgirls and Ain't Misbehavin'.

Pam Hart

It's unusual to see Hart associated with theatre projects. Although she made her name in Austin starring in a Cotton Club-type revue of Billie Holiday, Hart's career onstage, until now, has been strictly as a crooner. Turning thespian piqued her interest, though, after Parnell remarked on how several songs on 1998's May I Come In? bore a striking resemblance to the work he was developing himself. From there, she was sucked in full-force, lending not only her voice and acting abilities, but her producing talents as well. Her company Hart Beat Productions (which she runs with husband Kevin) has flown in a group of actors to complete the lineup, including Atlanta's Tanya Smith. The three women play the objects of affection for the male lead, who wanders through a series of relationships searching for his true soulmate. Part poetry, part R&B, part jazz, and part gospel, it's likely to resemble one of those "churches that are happy," and it's unlikely that the whole audience will manage to stay seated with this much rhythm around. With Parnell's lyricism and vocal talents on hand, it's certain to be one show that's all soul. ONE DAY ONLY! Sat, May 15, 3pm & 8pm, King Seabrook Theater, Huston-Tillotson College, 900 Chicon. 3pm, $20; 8pm, $25 ($20 students). 323-6901. -- Sarah Hepola

GOOD GRIEF Former WNBA star Fran Harris penned this heartfelt comedy of family ties about an older woman forced to enter the perilous dating world after decades of marriage. Directed by Tony Castellano. FINAL WEEKEND! Through May 15, Thu-Sat, 8pm, John Henry Faulk Living Theatre. $12 ($10, advance; $10 seniors, students; Thu, pay-what-you-wish). 454-TIXS.

RELATIONSHIPS IN POETRY AND SONG Tyrone James Parnell's original romantic musical explores the difficulty of finding a soulmate. Jazz vocalist Pamela Hart and gospel singer and actress Jacqui Cross lend their tremendous vocal talent to this project, which takes the audience through six cycles of love. (See box for more info.) ONE DAY ONLY! Sat, May 15, 3pm & 8pm, King Seabrook Theater, Huston-Tillotson College, 900 Chicon. 3pm, $20; 8pm, $25 ($20, students). 323-6901 or
477-6060.

MY FAIR LADY The State Theater has reopened her doors -- and the transformation is wonderful, the energy about the venue refreshing. A pity that the resident company chose this play to show off the new-look State, since for every moment to cherish, there are plenty that point out that the company does not yet know how to play in its new playhouse. James Barker's sets, clearly incomplete, perform a labored, leviathan ballet during innumerable set changes. Ken Hudson's lighting is terrible, including awkward shifts and the use of white-hot spotlights during the songs that seems to indicate that the rest of the (usually dark) scenes don't count. As ever for an Austin musical, the sound support is a mixed bag, with Everett Skaggs, as Pickering, being the hardest to understand, in spite of his evident comfort and strong characterization. Cade Siemers makes a boisterous, believably egotistical, and tart-tongued Henry Higgins, despite his youth. But his undulating body and manic hands betray a side of the English educational system most likely unintended by the authors. Boni Hester plays the street wench Eliza Doolittle, but her usual bubbly energy seems small here; except when she's bathing in those tedious, song-highlighting spotlights, her Eliza is a faint character, difficult to detect. Thomas C. Parker, usually an outstanding performer, goes grimly through the motions of the best role in the musical, that of Eliza's father, Alfred P. Doolittle. This lackluster Lady may not be the breathtaking embassy ball debut for which the State Theater Company hoped, but now that Toner and company own their own venue -- and there's nowhere on earth they'd rather be -- the State will be around for a long, long time, which is a good thing. The State Theater -- Austin's Eliza Doolittle -- appears stoked for an exceptional future: Here's hoping that she infects her ward with a similar fire. (Robi Polgar) FINAL WEEKEND! Through May 16, Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 5pm, State Theater, 719 Congress. $20-25 ($2 discount, seniors, students). 472-5143.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Austin Musical Theatre mounts this classic tale of Russian peasant Tevye and his thwarted, poignant attempts to marry off his three daughters and preserve his Jewish heritage. Fiddler rounds out an impressive season for AMT, which also included the sexy, stellar Gypsy. Armen Dirtadian leads a cast of 50 as Tevye, and Tony Award nominee Lorraine Serabian plays Golde. Founders Richard Byron and Scott Thompson direct. (See review in "Exhibitionism.") FINAL WEEKEND! Through May 16, Tue-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7:30pm; Sat-Sun, 2:30pm, Paramount Theatre,
713 Congress. $19.50-45.75. 469-SHOW.

THUMBELINA KidsActing presents this full-scale musical performed by kids seven to 12. Dede Clark directs. FINAL PERFORMANCE! Sat, May 15, KidsActing Studio, 5811 Burnet. $7. 458-KIDS

BOYS' LIFE In Howard Korder's dark comedy, three men struggle crossing the bridge from boys to men. In this production from One Theatre Company, guest director Lewis Wells takes us through a year in their troubled life. Through May 21, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, May 16, 8pm, Movements Gallery, 211 E. Sixth. $7. 707-8464..

THE SOLDIER DREAMS In this dark comedy from Subterranean Theatre Company, a young man's dying words are indecipherable, and it is up to his troubled family to unravel the mystery of his last thoughts on earth. Written by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor, this production follows on the heels of director Ken Webster's successful turn in MacIvor's one-man show, House. Starring David Jones, Cyndi Williams, and Monika Bustamante. (See review in "Exhibitionism.") Through May 22, Thu-Sat, 8pm, Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. $12 ($10 seniors, students, ACoT; Thu, pay-what-you-wish; $14 final weekend). 454-TIXS.

KAIROS' Company's Salome

SALOME KAIROS! Company presents Oscar Wilde's steamy version of the famous Biblical tale, in which the seductive and alluring young Salome performs the dance of the seven veils for King Herod. Through May 22, Fri-Sat, 11pm; Thu, May 13 & 20, Sun, May 9, 9pm, in the yard of VORTEX Theatre, 2307 Manor. $7. 302-4489.

AND YOU COME FROM WHERE ... ? CultureWorks takes us on a musical journey into one man's past, using West African mythology, American fiction, and Eastern European oral history to tell its tale. Written and performed by Brian Shapiro, with the aid of local musicians Steve Marcum and Barbara Manson, And You Come From made its debut at FronteraFest 99, where it was selected as one of the Best of the Fest. A different musical guest opens each night. May 14-22, Fri-Sat, 8pm, The Public Domain, 807 Congress. $6-10. 458-8421.

WATERLESS PLACES Rampant Spinster Productions presents this original work by Michener Fellow C. Denby Swanson about a Texas family's attempts to reconstruct their lives in the wake of a suicide. Scandal and scars come to the surface as they begin the long journey toward healing. Mary Furse, Gay Gaughan-Hearst, Cassie Fitzgerald, Tom Chamberlain, and Patricia Goldwater star. May 17-27, Mon-Thu, 8pm, The Public Domain, 807 Congress. $6-10. 454-TIXS.

RED, WHITE, AND TUNA The denizens of Tuna return for this outrageous and enormously popular third installment in their trilogy of small-town life. In his Top Nine list of 1998, Chronicle Arts editor Robert Faires' wrote: "Seen as simply another of Joe Sears and Jaston Williams' comedies set in Texas' third smallest town, this farce about a Fourth of July reunion gone literally sour was entertaining and superbly crafted enough to make a best-of-'98 list. But seen as the end of a journey begun 17 years before in a modest little theatre on Sixth Street, Red, White, and Tuna was the show of the year. In its characters' musings on time and change, we could glimpse the author-performers reflecting on their own lives, on the unexpectedly long road they have traveled with the citizens of Tuna and what it's given them. Their farewell gesture -- changing costumes onstage for the first time -- was a slyly theatrical and deeply touching acknowledgment of their art and their audience." This third installment in the infamous Tuna trilogy returns to Austin for its second engagement. May 18-30, Tue-Sat, 8pm; Sat-Sun, 2pm; Sun, 7:30pm, Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress. $17-35.
469-SHOW.

AMERICAN REALISM When Ken Johnson revived his decade-old play earlier this year, Chronicle reviewer Sarah Hepola wrote, "The story is a compelling one, and it has the American heart; all it needs is the realism." This time out, the playwright has added new cast members and shored up the script, which tells the story of an Austin family who must decide whether or not to sell their lifelong home. The director has also made a delightful promise for opening night: All tickets are free in honor of the late John Bustin. Johnson encourages everyone to "Come see a play on John." May 14-30, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 6pm, Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs. $12 ($11, students, seniors, ACoT); opening night free. 447-4338.

ON GOLDEN POND Georgetown's Palace Theater brings us Earnest Thompson's bittersweet comedy of Ethel and Norman, the unforgettable couple spending another summer at their New England retreat. Judy McDowell directs. May 20-30, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm, Palace Theater, 814 S. Austin, in Georgetown. $10 ($5, children). 512/869-SHOW.

(l-r): Felicia Dinwiddie, Rebecca Schoolar, and Meredith Robertson in Zachary Scott Theatre Center's Beehive

BEEHIVE This Sixties pop, rock, and soul music revue is a summer tradition at Zachary Scott. Newcomers Lisa Robert and Carla Williams join the golden-throated, twinkle-toed, big-haired original cast members -- Meredith Robertson, Felicia Dinwiddie, Rebecca Schoolar, and Andra Mitrovich, straight from her successful turn in Cleveland's Love, Janis. Directed and choreographed by Dave Steakley. Through Jun 6, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 6pm, Zach's Kleberg Stage, Riverside & S. Lamar. $24-30. 476-0541.

CAPITAL CITY MYSTERY PLAYERS In Murder on the Movie Set, something goes terribly awry during a film shoot. 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, May 15, 7:30pm, 15th Street Cafe at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 15th & Guadalupe. $49 (includes dinner). 478-7000 x650 or http://whodunit.citysearch.com.

---

Theatre Call Board

PROJECT INTERACT is seeking a company stage manager. Some general theatre background and management experience required. Manager responsible for: driving company members to and from performances, running sound and light cues, assisting and supervising load-in and load-out of the touring set, and representing the theatre center in the local elementary schools. Training for the position will take place in May; job begins in August (hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30am-noon). Fax letter of intent, references, and résumé to:Judy Matetzschk. 476-0314.

---

Auditions

SHORT FILM needs actors. Roles available: one male, one year old; six males, 5-70. Send headshot to: IMP, PO Box 2493, Austin 78768.

MONKS' NIGHT OUT holds auditions for a new sketch and improv comedy troupe. No experience necessary, but previous improv or sketch experience helpful. Looking for writers, actors, and musicians. May 16-Jun 6. 258-MONK.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW State Theater Company's production, directed by Guy Roberts, examines Shakespeare's play from an Elizabethan perspective. All roles available. Prepare a Shakespearean speech of no more than three minutes. All types and ethnicity, especially those trained in Le Coq and European traditional circus skills, will be considered. By appointment only. Sat, May 15. 472-7134.

GUILTY PLEASURES This syndicated television pilot is looking for men and women of all ages for an Aaron Spelling-esque show. They're looking for some fired-up actors willing to write to them about why they love The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and all those other campy shows of the Seventies and Eighties. Send to: Big Face Productions, 8125 Ceberry #B, Austin TX 78759 or e-mail TXCRFW@aol.com.

A SOLDIER'S PLAY Pro Arts Collective will hold auditions for this play by Charles Fuller, scheduled for Jul 16-31 at Hyde Park Theatre. Roles available: 10 men (seven black, three Anglo/Hispanic). Actors will be compensated. Sat-Sun, May 15-16, 3-5pm, Ebony Sun Java House. Callbacks: Mon, May 17, 6pm. 236-0644.

SCENES FROM THE NEW WORLD Flame Failure Productions will hold auditions for this July production of Eric Bogosian's play, directed by Ronnie Moore. Roles available: males and females, 14-80. All races, ages, and body types are encouraged to audition. Prepare a 60-second monologue. Cold readings from the script will also be used. Headshot and résumé suggested but not required. By appointment only. Sat-Sun, May 15-16, Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs. 459-3825.

POLAROID STORIES Frontera @ Hyde Park Theatre is holding auditions for this play by Naomi Iizuka, directed by Frontera's artistic director Vicky Boone. The show runs Sep 8-Oct 2. Rehearsals will begin around Aug 1. Actors will be compensated. Roles available: five women, five men, 16-25, all cultural backgrounds wanted. Prepare a two- to three-minute monologue (original material/poetry is encouraged). Musical ability is encouraged but not required (bring your instrument). By appointment only. Sat, May 15, noon-4pm, Frontera@Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. 302-4933 x6.

PROJECT INTERACT, Zachary Scott's adult theatre for young audiences, holds auditions for their fall production Tombigi. Roles available: two females. Company members need to be available to rehearse and/or perform Mon-Fri, 7:30am-noon. Rehearsals begin Aug 9 and the play will tour elementary schools through Dec 20. Wear clothing comfortable for movement. Prepare three-minute monologue, comic or dramatic. Sign up at Zachary Scott Box Office. By appointment only. Sat, May 22, 2pm. 476-0594 x233.

ACTORS THEATRE OF AUSTIN holds auditions for Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood, to run during July at the Public Domain. Roles available: three men, 25-45; two women, 22-35. Directed by Jerry Pilato. Actors will receive a percentage of the box office. Mon-Tue, May 17-18, 7-9pm, Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs. 210/738-ATSA.

VORTEX seeks teen actors, 13-17, for their eighth annual summer youth theatre production, Machinal by Sophie Treadwell, to be directed by Heather Barfield. Prepare a one-minute piece from a play, poem, or song. Rehearsals are June and July, mostly evenings, with performance dates July 23-31. The program is offered free of charge. Preliminary auditions & interviews by appointment. May 24-Jun 1, Vortex, 2307 Manor. 478-LAVA.