What It Is to Be Human

Actor Martin Burke, now in the midst of his fifth sell-out run as David Sedaris' Little Elf in The Santaland Diaries, talks about that show's success and his career as an actor.

"...down and talk for an hour or two with Martin Burke. This accomplished actor is as funny one-on-one as..."

Dec. 27, 2002 Arts Feature by Barry Pineo

The Santaland Diaries

In the Zachary Scott Theatre Center production of The Santaland Diaries, actor Martin Burke takes the writings of David Sedaris and uses them to run the gamut from high hilarity to absolute panic to striking observation to calm elucidation. And the audience follows him everywhere he goes, laughing all the way.

"...than slightly suggestive (at one point she drinks a martini -- with two olives), but if the audience didn't..."

Dec. 15, 2000 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

Zach Theatre's One Man, Two Guvnors

In every respect, this production of Richard Bean's updated farce artfully crafts an environment of laughter

"...In this striking environment, Zach regular Martin Burke leads the cast through an irreverent and self-referential..."

June 17, 2016 Arts Review by Shanon Weaver

New Elf in Town

Flaming Idiot Rob Williams trades his torches for the pointy little slippers of David Sedaris' department-store elf in 'The Santaland Diaries'

"...and smartest satirists. Closer to home, it helped make Martin Burke one of Austin's most-recognized and best-loved stage actors...."

Nov. 26, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Santaland Diaries: Mean, Mean, Mean -- But in a Good Way

Ada Calhoun finds wicked delights in Zach's production of David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries.

"...the kids, but this show ain't.) On her heels, Martin Burke -- he of the boundless energy -- does..."

Dec. 24, 1999 Arts Review by Ada Calhoun

Fully Committed

The title may describe Martin Burke's performance, but is the play worthy of his talents?

"...It's not Martin Burke's fault. The play Fully Committed, I mean. There..."

July 13, 2012 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

The Santaland Diaries

The Santaland Diaries, as staged by the Zachary Scott Theatre Center, lets you laugh at the ridiculousness of American Christmas customs and yet leaves you feeling a bit more merry

"...After a two-year hiatus, Martin Burke returns to play Crumpet the elf. Burke manages..."

Dec. 8, 2006 Arts Review by Hannah Kenah

The Santaland Diaries

The Santaland Diaries, which recounts writer David Sedaris' experience as a Macy's elf, is funny, irreverent, and sneakily heartwarming, and with Martin Burke in the driver's seat as Krumpet the elf, the Zachary Scott Theatre Center production is a nonstop, exhilarating ride.

"...Director Dave Steakley and actor Martin Burke are at it again in this year's production..."

Dec. 27, 2002 Arts Review by Molly Beth Brenner

This Wonderful Life

Martin Burke's solo performance of 'It's a Wonderful Life' is a tour de force, but also an act of faith

"...the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, and when Martin Burke states his desire to recount that story for..."

Dec. 20, 2013 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Down the Drain

The leads put so much of themselves in this new play that it transcends fiction

"...not just any other show. The leading performers are Martin Burke and Meredith McCall, who have performed together in..."

Aug. 19, 2011 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

Design for Living

Keen direction and outstanding performances bring us into Noël Coward's Thirties dandyism

"...measure to Ciccolella's keen direction and outstanding performances from Martin Burke, Helen Merino, and Michael Miller as the ménage..."

Feb. 15, 2013 Arts Review by Jillian Owens

After a Fashion

It was a "Mighty Real" period in at least one young man's life: Oh, those heady disco nights! Oh, the power! The Passion! The psychedelics! Oh, it's all within reach through the grace of MP3s! Oh, I should have saved them!

"...closing show of Fully Committed at Zach Scott. Starring Martin Burke and directed by Dave Steakley, this one-man show..."

Sept. 12, 2003 Column by Stephen MacMillan Moser

Exhibitionism

The Mystery of Irma Vep: Summer Camp

"...hours of senseless, giddy fun, in which its stars, Martin Burke and Joe York, switch characters, mug mercilessly, and..."

Aug. 6, 1999 Arts Review

Anton Nel, Piano, With Martin Burke, Actor

A tremendously memorable day of music that showed the breadth of Nel's skills

"...Anton Nel, Piano, With Martin Burke, Actor..."

Feb. 4, 2011 Arts Review by Michael Kellerman

Growth Spurt

Nine Shows That Transported Me

"...7. The Santaland Diaries (Zachary Scott Theatre Center) Martin Burke proved an ideal interpreter of David Sedaris' tart..."

Jan. 8, 1999 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Love Happens

You can probably guess what happens when Aaron Eckhart's widower meets Jennifer Aniston's lovelorn florist.

"...Brandon Camp. Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Dan Fogler, Martin Sheen, John Carroll Lynch, Judy Greer and Frances Conroy...."

Sept. 25, 2009 Movie Review by Kimberley Jones

This Wonderful Life

In Zach Theatre's production, Martin Burke singlehandedly restores George Bailey's faith in humanity

"...here to tell you that Zach Theatre's production, starring Martin Burke, serves as confirmation that the one-person show is..."

Dec. 26, 2014 Arts Review by Elissa Russell

The Santaland Diaries

Making his debut in 'The Santaland Diaries,' Rob Williams creates an elf who's not so naughty yet who keeps the show nice

"...did the Zachary Scott Theatre Center's stage production. In Martin Burke's deliciously memorable performance, you sensed that here was..."

Dec. 10, 2004 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Shopping and Fucking

From the first stomach-turning minute, audiences for the Vortex Repertory Company production of Shopping and Fucking are in for a rough ride; they're witness to the horrible depths to which its characters have sunk and the desperation with which they try to claw their way out.

"...audience knows, after the first minute -- in which Martin Burke vomits a brothy soup onto the coffee table..."

Oct. 26, 2001 Arts Review by Wayne Alan Brenner

The Circumference of a Squirrel

In the Zachary Scott Theatre Center production of playwright John Walch's The Circumference of a Squirrel, the story of a son struggling with the burden of his father -- a tale of rebellion and acceptance that belongs to every family and every generation -- is rendered so personally, in details both uncommon and illuminating, that it is nevertheless fresh and absorbing.

"...in this Zachary Scott Theatre Center world premiere production. Martin Burke is a performer whose charms and expressiveness of..."

April 27, 2001 Arts Review by Robert Faires

That Obscure Object of Delight

Zach's dreamy Chaperone speaks to the enthusiast in us all

"...The Drowsy Chaperone. It's purely the invention of Bob Martin and Don McKellar, who wrote the book, and Lisa..."

July 16, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

1998-99 B. Iden Payne Award Winners

The year's best work on Austin stages.

"...AMT's Fiddler on the Roof and UT's Misalliance; actor Martin Burke, recognized for his work in Zach's Angels in..."

Sept. 17, 1999 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

1999 Critics' Table Nominations

"...Martin Burke, The Santaland Diaries..."

May 21, 1999 Arts Feature

Exhibitionism

"...walking that fine line between cute and cloying. Seeing Martin Burke schlep around in the Santaland "work clothes" --..."

Dec. 11, 1998 Arts Review

Zach Theatre's The Santaland Diaries

A new creative team energizes a Zach Theatre holiday tradition

"...When Martin Burke, longtime star of Zach Theatre's annual production of..."

Dec. 21, 2018 Arts Review by Trey Gutierrez

Harvey

Zach Theatre's revival provides plenty of laughs, but is missing the poignant quality that makes the play so enduring

"...Zach Theatre's production, directed by Dave Steakley, stars Martin Burke as Elwood P. Dowd, the only person who..."

June 7, 2013 Arts Review by Dan Solomon

All Over Creation: The Same but Different

Reruns on TV may be the same old thing, but onstage they show us something new

"...when months or years may have passed between performances. Martin Burke is a very gifted actor and a very..."

Aug. 31, 2012 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Top 10 Classical Music Treasures of 2011

Ancient voices, singing strings, and lots of Bach made 2011 a fine year for ears

"...10) ANTON NEL, PIANO, WITH MARTIN BURKE, ACTOR (Butler School of Music) The keyboard master..."

Jan. 6, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Dramatic Turn

Actress Meredith McCall is about much more than musicals

"...voted her Best Actor/Actress (along with co-star and friend Martin Burke) while she was triumphantly leading that hymn to..."

Feb. 11, 2011 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Anton Nel

The star pianist and actor Martin Burke welcome the elephant king

"...Zach Theatre's production of The Drowsy Chaperone," Nel says. "Martin [Burke] is a friend, and I'm an enormous fan..."

Jan. 28, 2011 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

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