Austin Playhouse's The Norwegians

C. Denby Swanson's comedy with nice hit men is a blast of cool fun, with a hint of danger just below the ice

"...of his own ex, Betty). The set by Mike Toner is perfectly proportioned: Tor and Gus' modest hideout (hunting..."

Oct. 30, 2015 Arts Review by Shanon Weaver

Austin Playhouse's The Philadelphia Story

Don Toner's direction and a top-drawer cast make for a riotous evening in this version of Philip Barry's crisp comedy

"...changing, the quality onstage remains consistent. Artistic Director Don Toner knows his audience, what they want, and exactly how..."

Dec. 11, 2015 Arts Review by Shanon Weaver

Austin Playhouse's Shakespeare in Love

The Oscar-winning film makes a successful transition to the stage through Don Toner's marvelous production

"...here lifted straight from the film – director Don Toner and assistant director Lara Toner Haddock apparently having subscribed..."

March 30, 2018 Arts Review by Shanon Weaver

Playing 'House' (and 'Garden')

At Austin Playhouse, running Alan Ayckbourn's paired comedies side-by-side is double the pleasure, double the fun

"...But according to Don Toner, who's currently producing Alan Ayckbourn's twin comedies House and..."

Feb. 3, 2006 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Our Bodies, Our Selves

An unusual convergence of dramas dealing with women and disabilities prompts a conversation among four actors about what playwrights are trying to say through characters who are disabled, and how actors approach playing a disability.

"...approach playing a disability. So the Chronicle got together Lara Toner (Laura in The Glass Menagerie), Monika Bustamante (Dot..."

March 22, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Actors' Inequity

The Cost of Art IV: The artists onstage in Austin aren't just not paid what they're worth, many aren't paid at all

"...to town. Several people I spoke to cited Don Toner, founder and producing artistic director of Austin Playhouse, as..."

Jan. 23, 2015 Arts Feature by Katherine Catmull

On the Stage, On the Screen: Austin's Theatres Embrace a Virtual Future

Ahead of Austin Playfest and the All Together Now! Revue, directors and producers discuss the challenges and potential they've found online

"...Somehow, Austin Playhouse Co-Producing Artistic Director Lara Toner Haddock has managed to get herself and her..."

Nov. 12, 2021 Arts Feature by Richard Whittaker

The Foreigner

Austin Playhouse does right by this popular American comedy, mining all the laughs and also making its point

"...treatment of Larry Shue's comedy is no exception. Don Toner's excellent direction smartly treads the tightrope of farce: The..."

June 6, 2014 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

Arcadia

Having sat through a Tom Stoppard play, there comes the feeling that a return visit is required to better appreciate all his linguistic, historical, scientific, sexual, comedic, and theatrical flourishes. The Austin Playhouse production of Arcadia, featuring one of the best ensembles to be seen on an Austin stage, may, indeed, warrant repeat visits to fully enjoy its efforts.

"...Lara Toner and Gray Haddock play Thomasina and Septimus, and..."

Nov. 2, 2001 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

The Explorers Club

Austin Playhouse's sublimely silly satire of Victorian pomposity ventures where other comedies fear to tread

"...With nearly flawless execution, Artistic Director Lara Toner Haddock brings us an evening of silly fun..."

April 22, 2016 Arts Review by Shanon Weaver

And Then There Were None

With Christie's classic, Austin Playhouse delivers a fun evening of good, old-fashioned whodunitry

"...Director Lara Toner's stylized staging for Austin Playhouse's production wittily highlights..."

Dec. 6, 2013 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

Other Desert Cities

A talented, fiercely committed cast makes this drama of a family homecoming arresting

"...on the mind of Austin Playhouse Artistic Director Don Toner at the moment, and not only because the theatre..."

Feb. 8, 2013 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

A Room With a View

A lack of scenery distracts from an otherwise fine adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel

"...its status as a household title, I confess that Lara Toner's recent adaptation of the classic into a new..."

April 13, 2012 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

Boeing-Boeing

Austin Playhouse succeeds in booking a funny flight to Madcap Farce City

"...airline hangar of sorts. Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Don Toner and his team have done a truly remarkable job..."

Feb. 17, 2012 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

The Underpants

To get into The Underpants, as it were, director Don Toner has deployed a reliable ensemble of able actors, who deliver a friendly poke in the ribs about matters a little farther south

"...get into The Underpants, as it were, director Don Toner has deployed another ensemble of able, reliable actors, who..."

May 28, 2004 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Travesties

Tom Stoppard's Travesties mixes early 20th-century history, European politics, and Oscar Wilde into a typically brilliant work, and the cast of Austin Playhouse's production rises to the intellectual challenges of the script and appears to be having a fine time playing with it.

"...that might prove wildly (Wilde-ly?) hilarious otherwise. Director Don Toner might have considered conducting the play, to ensure that..."

Oct. 10, 2003 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

Austin Playhouse's The Book of Will

Playwright Lauren Gunderson shows how the Bard’s works came to be collected in a story of devotion and loss

"...not the least of which is fluid staging. Director Lara Toner Haddock's quick, purposeful blocking spurs sharp moments of..."

June 21, 2019 Arts Review by Trey Gutierrez

Austin Playhouse's Monroe

In Lisa B. Thompson's tender drama, young African-Americans work out where they belong in the world

"...on the porch that looks as if designer Mike Toner pulled it out of a folk art painting, under..."

Sept. 21, 2018 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Austin Playhouse’s Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

In its rush to be fun, the show fails to tap all the potential of this rom-com sequel to Pride and Prejudice

"...in the beautiful Pemberley drawing room (set by Mike Toner) wearing great clothes (costumes by Buffy Manners)...."

Dec. 15, 2017 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

She Stoops to Conquer

Austin Playhouse brought out the impudence of this comedy of manners through a shared vision of sincere simplicity

"...Lara Toner-Haddock and Don Toner teamed up to provide solid..."

March 13, 2015 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

The Liar

Austin Playhouse's colorful production gives heightened dimension to an already heightened farce

"...Clarice and Lucrece (mistaken in identity), Hildreth England and Lara Toner, respectively, are as affably cartoony as Summers, Wolfe,..."

March 7, 2014 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

Misalliance

A production that makes Shaw's century-old ideas feel current – and very human

"...like a fencer thrusting his foil to the heart. Lara Toner takes a similar relish in his daughter's contrarian..."

Feb. 12, 2010 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Heroes

A strong ensemble abets this witty but quiet play about three old French soldiers

"...Director Lara Toner takes the cast through the play gracefully. As..."

March 13, 2009 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

House and Garden

'House' and 'Garden,' Alan Ayckbourn's coupled comedies performed in tandem by a single cast, is really one show divided between two stages

"...has arranged the pair with House, directed by Don Toner, playing on its main stage, while Garden, directed by..."

Jan. 27, 2006 Arts Review by Patti Hadad

A Man for All Seasons

In Austin Playhouse's 'A Man for All Seasons,' David Stahl's immaculate Sir Thomas More stands his moral ground with humility, humor, and insight

"...More's wife, Alice (Janet Hurley Kimlicko), and daughter Margaret (Lara Toner). They are dressed for refinement; Buffy Manners' ornate..."

Oct. 21, 2005 Arts Review by Patti Hadad

Enchanted April

Austin Playhouse's Enchanted April' taps the story's timeless charms and envelops you in a captivating glow, as warming as spring sunshine

"...you feel warmed and contented all over. Director Don Toner and a beguiling cast have tapped the story's timeless..."

Jan. 28, 2005 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Austin Playhouse's production provides a pleasurable escape from our world of straight talk and minimal etiquette

"...The direction by Don and Lara Toner creates a cohesive world. The elaborate costumes by..."

Jan. 25, 2008 Arts Review by Hannah Kenah

Moonlight and Magnolias

With its quick tempo, rapid-fire jokes, and backstage look at Gone With the Wind, Austin Playhouse's Moonlight and Magnolias is accessible, short, and extremely entertaining theatre

"...forth in the best Howard Hawks' screwball tradition. Director Lara Toner keeps the pacing of this Austin Playhouse production..."

May 4, 2007 Arts Review by Iris Brooks

Virtual Devotion

Scott Kanoff launches his tenure as the State Theater Company's new producing artistic director with Eric Coble's Virtual Devotion, and while the performances and design work are laudatory, they're brought to bear on a lackluster script that looks poor in comparison to the least that, say, MAD TV has to offer.

"...Kelly McDaniel is Pete, Lara Toner is Ann, and Janelle Buchanan is Ruth, and..."

Dec. 8, 2000 Arts Review by Wayne Alan Brenner

Austin Playhouse's Summer and Bird

This world premiere production gives audiences of all ages the chance to travel to a mythical land of wonders

"..."Is that bird real?" As staged by Artistic Director Lara Toner Haddock, Summer and Bird gave me – and..."

May 10, 2019 Arts Review by Laura Jones

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