Review: Stephen Mills’ POE / A Tale of Madness Is Pitch Perfect

Ballet Austin brings the master of the macabre to life (before killing him again)

"...against wide ballgowns and wisped funeral shrouds. Set designer Michael B. Raiford’s stagescapes are, to quote Stephen Mills, “clean,..."

March 29, 2024 Arts Feature by Cat McCarrey

This Is Who We Are #1: Rude Mechs' Big Love

A daily affirmation of Austin's creativity from the Chronicle archive

"...episode that is echoed by their counterparts, Robert Newell, Michael T. Mergen, and Atticus Rowe, doing push-ups, squat thrusts,..."

May 4, 2020 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Ballet Austin's Belle Redux: A Tale of Beauty & the Beast

In its striking concept and execution, Stephen Mills' take on the fairy tale was his most fully realized story ballet since Hamlet

"...late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. The world created by Michael Raiford, who designed the sets and costumes, was one..."

Feb. 17, 2017 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Top 10 (+1) Theatre Riches of 2015

Wild theatrical energy and masterful performances were the hallmarks of outstanding theatre in 2015

"...raucous comedy and Porter's sly tunes delighted, as did Michael Raiford's eye-popping designs. 4) Tortoise & Hare (Summer Stock..."

Jan. 1, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Grand Designs of Ia Ensterä and Jason Amato

"...review: "Jason Amato's lighting design adds the color that Raiford's set purposely lacks, splashing varied patterns and bright, rich..."

July 17, 2015 Photo Gallery

The 2014-15 Austin Critics Table Awards

Top honors to Salvage Vanguard's Thr3e Zisters, LOLA Austin's Femme Bohème, and Texas State's Kiss Me, Kate

"...COSTUME DESIGN Michael Raiford, Belle Redux/Kiss Me, Kate..."

June 5, 2015 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Everything Is Exemplary

The 2014-15 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Costume Design Michael Raiford, Belle Redux/Kiss Me, Kate..."

June 3, 2015 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Art Par Excellence

The nominees for the 2014-15 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Michael McKelvey, Silence! The Musical..."

May 20, 2015 Arts Post

A Different Beast

For Belle Redux, Stephen Mills takes an innovative approach to Beauty and the Beast

"...figuratively and literally. The set and costumes by designer Michael Raiford are primarily shades of black and gray, evocative..."

Feb. 13, 2015 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Whale

The craft behind A Chick & a Dude's tightly realized production is what makes it so impressive

"...a cluttered living room. Opaque panels by set designer Michael B. Raiford, subtly backlit by lighting designer Jason Amato,..."

March 14, 2014 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

Top 10 Theatrical Sets of 2013, to a Cat

The year's scenic designs proved especially appealing to the feline theatregoer

"...9) 'MAD BEAT HIP & GONE' (Michael Raiford for Zach Theatre) Dark lighting made the catwalks..."

Jan. 3, 2014 Arts Feature by Elizabeth Cobbe

HIT.

Shanon Weaver's play puts a spin on the hit-man genre with some unusually gentle and refined assassins for hire

"...up at the same graffiti-strewn warehouse (set design by Michael Raiford) to do a job – the same job,..."

May 10, 2013 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

Mad Beat Hip & Gone

Steven Dietz's play about the Beats might best be considered as the kind of literary experiment they engaged in

"...space as open as the Topfer. Equally, the set (Michael Raiford) and lights (Michelle Habeck) create interesting movement in..."

April 19, 2013 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

Tru

The fascinating character of Truman Capote drives this thoughtful evening of theatre

"...with a noticeable downward shift, and the set (from Michael Raiford) seems as though it might have accomplished more..."

Jan. 25, 2013 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

Ragtime

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

"...literally, for the epic gesture or backdrop – designer Michael Raiford's monumental Morgan Library mural or the upside-down, chained..."

Nov. 2, 2012 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Wheels of a Dream

With the long-awaited Topfer Theatre, Zach races full-throttle into the future

"...the level of anticipation they're feeling about the Topfer. Michael Raiford has spent most of his career at Zach..."

Oct. 5, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

2012 Austin Critics Table Awards

For the 20th time, a big hand for the nominees if you please

"...April 30, 2012, was assembled by the Austin American-Statesman's Michael Barnes (arts), Cate Blouke (theatre), Claire Canavan (theatre), Luke..."

May 25, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

God of Carnage

This show offers a gleeful thrill like that long, first drop on a roller coaster

"...truth-teller on the rest, but there's also Thomas Ward's Michael, Veronica's almost exasperatingly laid-back husband whose good humor curdles..."

Dec. 30, 2011 Arts Review by Robert Faires

All Over Creation: Under the Influence

So what does being named one of the nation's most influential critics really mean?

"...while I follow up on a suggestion from designer Michael Raiford: to get myself a T-shirt that reads "Now..."

Nov. 25, 2011 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Spring Awakening

At Zach, foot-stomping teens score a victory for love and courage over fear

"...The casting in Zach's production, directed by Michael Baron with musical direction by Allen Robertson, is good,..."

Oct. 21, 2011 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

Top of the Line

The nominees for the 2011 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...April 30, 2011, were assembled by the Austin American-Statesman's Michael Barnes (arts), Cate Blouke (theatre), Claire Canavan (theatre), Luke..."

May 27, 2011 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Rent

A Broadway-quality staging of the popular rock musical with energy to spare

"...If Michael Raiford has designed a finer set than the Eastside..."

Oct. 8, 2010 Arts Review by Barry Pineo

'Metamorphoses'

Zach's take on Greek myths takes flight with help from Blue Lapis Light aerialists

"...Now, also consider that set designer Michael Raiford, a longtime Steakley collaborator, has constructed a 3-foot-tall,..."

Aug. 6, 2010 Arts Feature by Barry Pineo

That Obscure Object of Delight

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

"...Man in Chair's living room – realized by designer Michael Raiford as a temple to the theatre, with framed..."

July 16, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

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

Humana Festival of New American Plays

A report from Louisville, where Austin theatre artists stood tall

"...three brilliant sets at the festival designed by Austin's Michael Raiford), struggling to square their recollections of places and..."

April 2, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Humana Festival of New American Plays

Local theatre artists play a major role in this year's festival of new drama

"...for the sets of three of the seven plays? Michael Raiford, whose sets and costumes have been enlivening shows..."

March 26, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Top 9 Ways to Decorate a Set

Looking back at 2009 through its most memorable scenic designs

"...4) MICHAEL RAIFORD FOR 'THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE'..."

Jan. 1, 2010 Arts Feature by Elizabeth Cobbe

Rockin' Christmas Party

Changes to the long-running holiday revue give the show a fresh sparkle

"...Christmas Party, Zach Theatre's Santa-season musical tradition. Design wizard Michael Raiford has decked the Kleberg Stage with a new..."

Dec. 25, 2009 Arts Review by Robert Faires

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

For real spelling bee champs, see Spellbound. For their comic counterparts, see this.

"...being dressed as cafeteria workers. The set, designed by Michael Raiford, brings back memories of the cafetorium days of..."

Oct. 2, 2009 Arts Review by Elizabeth Cobbe

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