Five Shows to Light Up the Stage
As the new year’s dark period lifts from theatres, it’s time to get back in the stalls
By Richard Whittaker, Fri., Jan. 27, 2023
Zach Theatre: Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Fresh off their co-production of The Last Five Years with Ground Floor Theatre, Deaf Austin Theatre proves again that American Sign Language in musicals means more than simply having a translator in front of the stage. This time, they skip with Zach into this fairy-tale classic, directed by longtime Zach signer Brian Cheslik and Michael Baron, who recently co-directed an ASL-English production of The Music Man for Maryland's Olney Theatre.
Through March 5
Topfer Stage, 202 S. Lamar
$25-95
zachtheatre.org
Trinity Street Players: Season Launch Party
Come meet the arts nonprofit's new artistic director, Jenny Larson-Quiñones, at a night of performances, new art by Kaci Beeler, karaoke, and a costume sale, all hosted by 2020 Fringe New Play Prize winner khattieQ.
Sat., Jan. 28, 3-7pm
Trinity Street Playhouse, 901 Trinity
Free
trinitystreetplayers.com
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
The Canadian troupe has expanded the definition of circus into realms that fly as high as its aerialists. After so many sad years, their latest show hides a celebration of life in a funeral. Taking its name from the Italian word for "cortège," there is no time for tears as the late, great clown Mauro is revived for one last glorious night under the big top.
Thu.-Sun., Feb. 2-5
Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman
$49 and up ($39, kids under 12)
cirquedusoleil.com/corteo
Carver Museum: Gentrif*cked
Talking of touring acts, the Emmy-nominated Latino Comedy Project comes back home with their savagely hilarious look at the upheaval wrought when neighborhoods start sprouting those ugly, modern-farmhouse-style McMansions.
Through Jan. 28, 8pm
1165 Angelina
$22
latinocomedyproject.com
FronteraFest
Austin's celebration of avant-garde and experimental theatre continues past Valentine's Day, and it swells beyond the confines of its Hyde Park Theatre home this week with two BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) shows: Flood of Spirits at Hillside Farmacy and How to Be an Ethical Slut at the Vortex.
Through Feb. 18
hydeparktheatre.org
