A Guide to Austin's Musical Theatre Scene

"...pop, rock, and soul (Beehive, Buddy!, Forever Plaid, Love, Janis). Following the arrival of Managing Director Dave Steakley in..."

Aug. 1, 1997 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Blues in the Night

Austin Playhouse's production of the musical Blues in the Night pinpoints feelings of love and loss among three women all hurt in love, with singers Jacqui Cross, Janis Stinson, and Melanie Wilkinson blending their three strong voices into a mighty harmony and reclaiming blues music for their sex.

"...her own characteristic reaction: The Lady From the Road (Janis Stinson) shrugs off her experience and the entire male..."

March 29, 2002 Arts Review by Rob Curran

Mahalia!

In the Austin Playhouse production of Mahalia!, director Don Toner has staged a neat chamber piece with a trio of talented actor / singers, allowing the singing to be spectacular and the rest of the play to operate simply.

"...The amazing Cross receives just as amazing backing from Janis Stinson and Billy Harden. During brief scenes, Stinson and..."

April 6, 2001 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

Hank Williams: Lost Highway

All in all, the Zachary Scott Theatre Center's production of 'Lost Highway' is a good musical for fans of Hank Williams looking for a nostalgic interlude

"...In Hank Williams: Lost Highway, playwright Randal Myler (Love, Janis; It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues) lays out the..."

May 20, 2005 Arts Review by Heather Barfield Cole

Spectrum Theatre Company's Spunk

This Austin company weaves three classic tales by Zora Neale Hurston into a spirited service full of sass and grit

"...and as that line comes from the lips of Janis Stinson in a roar mixing pain and defiance, we..."

July 29, 2016 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Making History Personal

History is more than a bound collection of facts; it is something personal, something intimate, something that, even in contradiction, demands to be shared. Robi Polgar gleans that immediate sense of history from two plays currently running in Austin theatres: E Pluribus Unum: Barbara Jordan -- One Voice and The America Play.

"...the play Lincoln was watching when he was shot. Janis Stinson plays Lucy, circling the open grave with a..."

Feb. 18, 2000 Arts Feature by Robi Polgar

Articulations

A major change in direction for the Austin Circle of Theatres.

"...Plaid, Rockin' Christmas Party, Blues in the Night, Love, Janis, The Who's Tommy, and even a cut from the..."

July 21, 2000 Arts Column by Robert Faires

`Tis the Season...

When Zachary Scott Theatre Center Flies With Angels

"...this High End lighting system that we're using for Janis; it's helped us re-imagine the space and transform it..."

June 27, 1997 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Spectrum Theatre Company's Juneteenth Chronicles

With this play, Crystal Bird Caviel honors ancestors who were slaves and her colleague, the late Dr. Billy F. Harden

"...with, say, Spectrum co-founders Jacqui Cross, Carla Nickerson, and Janis Stinson – with whom he'd been treading the boards..."

June 15, 2018 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Spectrum Theatre Company

'Illumination Celebration' brings African-American theatre one step closer to the spotlight

"...change that. Jacqui Cross, Billy Harden, Carla Nickerson, and Janis Stinson – all familiar from their work with Zach..."

June 27, 2014 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Gospel at Colonus

After 18 years, Zach has remounted this mix of Greek tragedy and gospel, and miracles abound

"...joined by several colleagues from that earlier staging – Janis Stinson, Judy Arnold, Jacqui Cross, Felicia Dinwiddie, Roderick Sanford,..."

April 25, 2014 Arts Review by Robert Faires

'The Gospel at Colonus'

After 17 years, Zach Theatre revives this spirited mix of soulful music and Greek tragedy

"...including Timothy Curry, reprising his role as Singer Oedipus; Janis Stinson, again playing Evangelist Antigone; Jacqui Cross as Singer..."

March 28, 2014 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

TexARTS Cabaret Series

Courtney Sanchez and Matt Wilson bring the Christmas cheer in series debut

"...Blues), Felicia Dinwiddie (Ain't Misbehavin'), Rod Sanford (Ragtime), and Janis Stinson (Caroline, or Change), as well as Paul Sanchez,..."

Dec. 21, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Ragtime

Zach Theatre renders the musical with a sweep befitting its grand scale

"...fires of revolution as an unshakable Emma Goldman, and Janis Stinson conjures a century's worth of sorrows singing "Till..."

Nov. 2, 2012 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Hairspray

Zach's irrepressibly buoyant staging may leave you dancing on air

"...by the two actors swells the heart. And when Janis Stinson's Motormouth Maybelle sings "I Know Where I've Been,"..."

July 22, 2011 Arts Review by Robert Faires

2008 B. Iden Payne Awards

A strong sense of community at possibly the funniest Payne Awards ceremony ever

"...and the performances by Marva Hicks, Cedric Neal, and Janis Stinson; and Vortex Repertory Company's Troades: The Legend of..."

Oct. 31, 2008 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Caroline, or Change

Zach Theatre's fine staging should be required viewing at this historic moment

"...or as salt slowly buries the basement. Veteran performer Janis Stinson and young Matthew Moore anchor the production with..."

Oct. 17, 2008 Arts Review by Hannah Kenah

Jesus Christ Superstar/Jesucristo Superestrella

Zachary Scott Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar/Jesuchristo Superestrella transcends the usual ascension into the heavens of rock & roll to become an anthem of Mexican tradition

"...unique talent. The black gospel vocals of Zach regular Janis Stinson redefine soul music praising Jesus. Schrödinger's Cat singer..."

June 1, 2007 Arts Review by Patti Hadad

Payne Pleasures 2005

Drama with a Gothic flair scored high in the nominations for the 2005 B. Iden Payne Awards, as announced by Austin Circle of Theatres on August 15

"...and the performances of Jacqui Cross, Tim Curry, and Janis Stinson). Garnering six nods each were Zach's version of..."

Aug. 19, 2005 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Crowns

The Zachary Scott Theatre Center production of Crowns sings a joyous hosanna to the African- American tradition of the church hat

"...authority of monarchs, if not Jehovah himself. Even when Janis Stinson is in the most outlandish of hats –..."

Nov. 12, 2004 Arts Review by Robert Faires

It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues

It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues is a blues primer covering every variation on the form, and in the Zachary Scott Theatre Center's production its lessons are driven home with verve and fervor and musical excitement

"..."My Man Rocks Me," well oiled by the husky-voiced Janis Stinson as she suggestively eases into a rocking chair;..."

April 23, 2004 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Austin Critics Table Nominations, 2002-2003

The full list of nominations for the 2002-2003 Austin Critics Table Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in local theatre, dance, classical music, and visual art

"...Janis Stinson, Smokey Joe's Cafe..."

May 9, 2003 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Jelly's Last Jam: Style Over Soul

Zachary Scott Theatre Center's musical production of Jelly's Last Jam doesn't quite get at the soul of Jelly Roll Morton's complicated legacy.

"...by a company that includes Zach mainstays Jacqui Cross, Janis Stinson, and Felicia Dinwiddie, led by guest artist Ronn..."

July 13, 2001 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

Tapestry: The Music of Carole King

Zachary Scott Theatre Center's original production Tapestry: The Music of Carole King celebrates King's landmark album with both deeply felt renditions of its songs by an ensemble of singers who can rattle your soul and the testimony of women who heard those songs speak to them in profound ways.

"...whose voices can rattle your soul -- Zach stars Janis Stinson, Andra Mitrovich, Rebecca Schoolar, and Meta Rosen, and..."

July 14, 2000 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Most Valuable Players

A Guide to Austin Stage Actors

"...Janis Stinson..."

Sept. 28, 2001 Arts Feature

Age of Aquarius

With a new production of the "American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" Hair, director Dave Steakley caps 10 years of making the Zachary Scott Theatre Center rock -- and so much more.

"...be identified with them. The Who's Tommy and Love, Janis. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and Tapestry: The Music..."

July 12, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Austin Theatre Critics' Table Nominations 1998

"...Kerry Holden-David, Annie Andra Mitrovich, Love, Janis Linda Nenno, Into the Woods Janis Stinson, Blues in..."

May 15, 1998 Arts Feature

Porgy and Bess

Zach's ambitious new staging of the Gershwin opera says a lot about those things that matter more than money

"...wails over the loss of her husband, struts when Janis Stinson's Maria joyously leads the way to the picnic..."

Feb. 1, 2008 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Smokey Joe's Cafe

Dave Steakley's version of Smokey Joe's Cafe at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center sets ablaze dozens of familiar hits from the musical catalog of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller by shifting the setting to a Playboy Club circa 1962 and rekindling the flames of desire that burn in the team's songs.

"...a tune like "Pearl's a Singer" to the moon. Janis Stinson is as solid as a rock, flirting, teasing,..."

Dec. 13, 2002 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Theatre Critics Table Nominations 1997

"...American Song Meta Rosen, Ruthless! The Musical Amy Baker Stinson, The Pirates of Penzance/ Sweeney Todd Janis Stinson, The..."

May 9, 1997 Arts Feature

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