Acceleration

Inept action flick marks the end of any possible Lundgrenaissance

"...Directed by: Michael Merino and Daniel Zirilli. Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Dolph..."

Nov. 8, 2019 Movie Review by Richard Whittaker

Design for Living

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

"...keen direction and outstanding performances from Martin Burke, Helen Merino, and Michael Miller as the ménage à trois in..."

Feb. 15, 2013 Arts Review by Jillian Owens

Madame X

In Madame X, playwright Ann Ciccolella dramatizes the events surrounding the creation of Sargent's famous portrait of Virginie Gautrau, using them as a springboard for an absorbing inquiry into the meaning and relationships of art, beauty, and society.

"...Helen Merino may not be a physical ringer for the woman..."

Feb. 8, 2002 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

The Zachary Scott Theatre Center revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a real horror show, making the clash of Edward Albee's middle-aged marrieds George and Martha both titanic and terrifying.

"...golden boy become a rumpled, smug satyr and Helen Merino crosses the line from timid spouse to shuddering hysteric,..."

Oct. 17, 2003 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Articulations

Another Austin theatre company suffers a mid-performance disaster and responds to it with resourcefulness and pluck, and the Austin Community College Drama Department marks Shakespeare's 437th birth with an all-star "Billy Bash."

"...the considerable talents of Osborn, Gillen, Guion, Martin Burke, Michael Costello, Don Howell, Helen Merino, Patricia Pearcy, and David..."

April 20, 2001 Arts Column by Robert Faires

B. Iden Payne Award Nominations, 1999-2000

"...(eight nominations). It was a good year for designer Michael Raiford, who received four nominations, and for Peyton Hayslip,..."

Aug. 18, 2000 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Payne Pleasures 2004

Sam Bass Theatre's Forever Plaid took top honors at the 30th anniversary B. Iden Payne Awards

"...four in acting awards. With one more award for Michael Stuart's musical turn in its production of Kiss Me..."

Oct. 8, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Pride's Crossing: Shimmering Waters

Script-wise, Pride's Crossing is PBS-esque : one of those wistful period pieces about a lively old woman looking back on her privileged youth : but throw a bunch of charming actors into the mix and hip director Sarah Richardson, and you get a show happily at odds with this Masterpiece Theatre-worthy tale.

"...quintet for its Millennium Season, Pride's Crossing serves nicely. Michael Raiford's terrific set has a pool down front into..."

May 5, 2000 Arts Review by Ada Calhoun

Austin Shakespeare's Medea

This production of the Greek tragedy asks the audience to consider the whole story before passing judgment

"...wonderfully arrogant Jason, Reginald Brown's boisterous King Aigeus, or Michael Miller's slimy King Creon. Emily Gilardi's period-appropriate costumes feel..."

March 4, 2016 Arts Review by Shanon Weaver

2007 B. Iden Payne Awards: Prize night

Running down the winners at this year's awards from the Austin Circle of Theaters

"...Comedy and honored for Jamie Goodwin's lead performance, Helen Merino's supporting performance, and Cliff Simon's set; Zach's revival of..."

Nov. 2, 2007 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

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

"...performances of Rick Roemer, Jill Blackwood, Jacqui Cross, and Michael Stuart...."

Aug. 19, 2005 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

La Condesa

Neo-Mexicano has arrived in Austin via La Condesa

"...building, designed by the dynamic local architect-designer duo of Michael Hsu and Joel Mozersky, screams cool from every corner...."

May 1, 2009 Food Review by Claudia Alarcón

A Year's Cheers

The nominees for the 2010 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...May 2, 2010, were assembled by the Austin American-Statesman's Michael Barnes (arts), Claire Canavan (theatre), Clare Croft (dance), and..."

May 14, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Austin Critics Table Nominations, 2003-2004

The full list of nominations for the 2003-2004 Austin Critics Table Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in local theatre, dance, classical music, and visual art

"...affiliation of arts writers, consisting of the Austin American-Statesman's Michael Barnes (arts), Jamie Smith Cantara (theatre), Randy Harriman (music),..."

May 14, 2004 Arts Feature 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

"...30, 2003. Contributing nominations were Austin American-Statesman staff reporters Michael Barnes and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin (arts); freelance writers..."

May 9, 2003 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

More Places at the Table

The Austin Critics Table is about to hand out its annual awards for achievement in the arts for the 10th year, and the list of nominees is longer than ever.

"...ended April 30 -- were Austin American-Statesman staff reporters Michael Barnes and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin (arts), and freelance..."

May 24, 2002 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Austin Theatre Critics' Table 1999-2000 Nominations

"...awards for achievement in theatre. The participating critics -- Michael Barnes, Jamie Smith Cantara, and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin,..."

May 12, 2000 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Austin Theatre Critics Table 2000-2001 Nominations

The Austin Theatre Critics Table have announced the nominations for their ninth annual awards for achievement in the arts.

"...Participating critics this year include Austin American-Statesman staff reporters Michael Barnes and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin (arts), Austin Chronicle..."

May 18, 2001 Arts Feature

1999 Critics' Table Nominations

"...Michael Costello, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine..."

May 21, 1999 Arts Feature

Table Banquet

The nominees for the 2013-2014 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Helen Merino, The Belle of Amherst..."

May 8, 2014 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Applause! Applause!

Austin Critics Table nominations, 2004-2005

"...affiliation of arts writers, consisting of the Austin American-Statesman's Michael Barnes (arts), Jamie Smith Cantara (theatre), Sondra Lomax (dance),..."

May 27, 2005 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Payne Pleasures 2004

Latest ACoT theatre-award nominations favor two Austin musicals

"...Michael Stuart, Kiss Me Kate..."

Aug. 20, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Austin Theatre Critics Table 1999-2000 Winners

The Austin Theatre Critics Table presented its eighth annual awards for achievement in the Austin arts in a lively ceremony at the Continental Club

"...the selection and presentation of this year's awards were Michael Barnes, Jamie Smith Cantara, and Jean Claire van Ryzin,..."

June 2, 2000 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Food-o-File

La Condesa celebrates its VIP opening, and Elizabeth Wins­low and Stephanie Scherzer introduce us to Farmhouse Delivery

"...the La Condesa opening for a minute – the Michael Hsu and Joel Mozer­sky-designed space is midcentury modern cool,..."

Feb. 27, 2009 Food Column by Virginia B. Wood

Play On!

In the backstage comedy Anton in Show Business, playwright Jane Martin wittily paints the contemporary stage as a madhouse overrun by loons and lunatics so preoccupied with money, image, and themselves that they can hardly be bothered to create art. And the State Theater Company's production takes us inside the insanity with an air of playfulness that keeps the audience primed for a good time.

"...-- with Ken Ludwig in Moon Over Buffalo and Michael Frayn in Noises Off and Ronald Harwood in The..."

March 30, 2001 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Exhibitionism

The Last Night of Ballyhoo: Southern Discomfort

"...shift. The sense of nostalgia is appealing, what with Michael Raiford's set, tinged with the stale yellow of an..."

Dec. 25, 1998 Arts Review

The Grand Designs of Ia Ensterä and Jason Amato

"...review: "Hef's palace of pleasure is realized by designer Michael Raiford with his usual savoir-faire in hunky stone walls..."

July 17, 2015 Photo Gallery

Nominations for the 2004-2005 B. Iden Payne Awards

A complete list of all Payne Award nominees.

"...Michael Stuart, The Mystery of Edwin Drood..."

Aug. 19, 2005 Arts Feature

Positively Operatic

The Year in Austin Culture

"..."Fool the Critic/The Critic Is a Fool" Award: Helen Merino in My Children! My Africa! (First Stage Productions/Zachary Scott..."

Jan. 7, 2000 Arts Feature by Robi Polgar

1998-99 B. Iden Payne Award Winners

The year's best work on Austin stages.

"...Outstanding Actor in a Play for ChildrenMichael Stuart (Jeeves, Igor, the Monster, Pigman vs. Frankenstein)..."

Sept. 17, 1999 Arts Feature by Robert Faires