We’re now less than a month away from the annual explosion of theatre that’s
called FronteraFest. Come January 22, Hyde Park Theatre will be bursting
at the seams with theatre, dance, solo efforts, group pieces, all manner of
performance — 50 short works over five weeks. Playwrights, directors, actors,
and dancers all over the area will be showcasing their work, as well as
featured guests from here (Amparo Garcia, Daniel Alexander Jones & Jason Phelps) and beyond (Laurie Carlos of New York and
Mauricio Cordero of Boston). Plus, there will be the Late-Night Jams on
Saturday, and, on February 1, a host of site-specific pieces staged in local
homes! Anyway, as we start the countdown to this performance jamboree from the
good folks of Frontera@Hyde Park Theatre, it seems an apt time to take a
look at the rest of their 1997 season. As soon as FronteraFest winds up
February 21, another festival gets underway: Personal Dances 2 by
Margery Segal/NERVE Dance Company and F@HPT, a follow-up to the
experimental solo dance fest from earlier this year (February 25-March 8). The
season continues with Why We Have a Body, by Claire Chafee (March
13-April 5); Deviant Craft, by David Hancock (May 29-June 21);
Clay Angels, by Daniel Alexander and Todd Christopher Jones
(July 10-August 2); a new operatic movement piece by Jason Phelps
(dates to be announced); David’s Redhaired Death, by Sherry
Kramer (August 28-September 20); and a show to be announced (October
30-November 22). For more info, call 419-7408.
Off the Desk
Now is the time to get in on the ground floor with what is likely to becomeone of the city’s most popular and treasured arts institutions. Austin
Musical Theatre is making its big debut in January with a production of the
musical Peter Pan starring a blend of top New York performers — Broadway
veteran Kristi Lynes and Tony nominee Jonathan Freeman — and
homegrown talent — Scott Schroeder (Cabaret), Sharron Bower (The
Beggar’s Opera), Mikki Jordan, and more. You can do the debut of this
crew up right with premium orchestra seats for the show, plus a party after
with the cast; it’s just $100 per person. (And you’re dropping more than that
on New Year’s Eve, aren’t ya?) I know AMT’s driving forces Scott
Thompson and Richard Byron would love to have you on board for the
launch of their theatrical rocket. You can fly, as Peter says. Just call
292-9696.
The Austin Visual Arts Association is having its last general meeting
of the year this coming Monday, December 30, and they want you to stop by. It’s
a great chance to hook up with this resource for artists if you’re not, and if
you are, to welcome the still-new Executive Director Sue Fawver or
compliment Jacqueline Mgebroff and Laura Latimer on the spiffy
new look of the AVAA newsletter, AVANTI. Meeting time is 6-8pm at Aussie’s.
Call 454-3077 for info.
Send literary, performing, and visual arts news to: “Articulations,” PO Box
49066, Austin, TX 78765 or onstage@auschron.com
This article appears in December 27 • 1996 and December 27 • 1996 (Cover).