Esther's Follies Returns to Lighten Austin's Post-Pandemic Load

Guess what long-running comedy troupe is vaccinated, back onstage, and ready to make the city laugh again

"...More than a year in which a pivot toward Patreon-supported video content has been their sole means of connection..."

July 16, 2021 Arts Feature by Wayne Alan Brenner

Esther's Follies: The Laughs, the Gossip, and the Story Behind Texas' Most Celebrated Comedy Troupe

In his history of Esther's Follies, author Jesse Sublett follows the flow of four decades of frivolity

"...its singular blend of satire, music, and magic to delighted Austinites, one of its first signature characters, the one..."

Dec. 1, 2017 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Word and Thought

Word and Thought, a new comedy by Southwestern University grad Joshua Lellis, tracks a biographical drama about Alexander the Great on its disaster-ridden lurch toward opening night, and its premiere from Cameo Productions and the Austiner Ensemble proves that a theatrical catastrophe is still good for a laugh.

"...Taking center stage with the most inflated sense of self is Mark Riddell as the actor..."

Aug. 15, 2003 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Esther's Alumna Joins 'SNL' Cast

Former Follies performer Noël Wells debuts in season premiere tonight

"...its 36-year history, the Follies has seen scores of gifted comedians who were clearly ready for the Not Ready..."

Sept. 28, 2013 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Staged by the Bell

If you watched Saved by the Bell as a kid, you'll have a darn good time at this staged send-up

"...United States Art Authority, through Nov. 22..."

Oct. 23, 2009 Arts Review by Avimaan Syam

Tim League: Roasted at the Out Of Bounds Comedy Festival

Gonna grill the man like so much über-geeky brisket this Thursday

"...roast, where a bunch of professional wise-asses honor some celebrated mover & shaker in the community by insulting that..."

Aug. 27, 2013 Screens Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

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

"...Martin Burke, Fully Committed..."

May 14, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Tolly Moseley Takes to the Air in How Are You?

Sometimes you ask, sometimes you answer, sometimes you aerially dance

"...in addition to the traditional feelings of warm camaraderie associated with the winter holidays – not to mention the..."

Dec. 14, 2020 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Okay, Everybody– Back Into the Pool!

Esther's Pool, that is: Winning fools, grooving stars.

"...Pool. Of course, the venue that Esther's Follies has operated out of for 35 years now is inspired by..."

Sept. 11, 2012 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

What's Up with Matt "Rubber Repertory" Hislope, Lately?

Esther's Follies, mostly, but let's not forget that other thing

"...of Hislope coitus within the year was to be noted with the delivery of a coffee cake to the..."

Sept. 11, 2012 Chronolog Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

The Tom Booker Roast

Last night, baby, it hurt so good

"...– Mr. Tom Booker, we're referencing here – was treated to what the ancient Norse called a flyting...."

Sept. 2, 2011 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Payne Pleasures 2004

Latest ACoT theatre-award nominations favor two Austin musicals

"...calendar, and with this, their 30th go-round (recognizing work mounted from August 2003 through July 2004), they're giving their..."

Aug. 20, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Film Reviews

Recommended

"...(R, 130 min.) Terry Gilliam may be the most gifted cinematic surrealist since Luis Bu–uel and, while his newest..."

Jan. 5, 1996 News Feature

Further Reflections

"...Imagine being invited over to look at vacation videos by a lanky..."

March 26, 1999 Screens Feature

SXSW Goes Monster Hunting With Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves

Evil Dead Rises and more added to festival lineup

"...Thieves will be this year's opening night film, while eagerly-anticipated horror sequel Evil Dead Rise is also part of..."

Jan. 11, 2023 SXSW Post by Richard Whittaker

The Past, Present, and Future of Waller and Shoal Creeks

Finally doing right by Austin's waterways

"...the Colorado between Waller and Shoal when he was visited by Mirabeau Lamar, who shot a buffalo, declared the..."

Nov. 30, 2018 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

TV Eye

TV Top 10s

"...old standbys falter this year? While many TV critics lamented the decline of The West Wing, I found myself..."

Jan. 3, 2003 Screens Column by Belinda Acosta

SXSW Announces Midnighters and Shorts

Henry Rollins, Jeremy Sisto join horror lineup

"...Hangman "is definitely the most successful thing he's ever directed, and having Jeremy Sisto producing definitely raises it to..."

Feb. 10, 2015 SXSW Post by Richard Whittaker

Fall Film Previews

September

"...Nominated for an Academy Award, this documentary recounts the life..."

Sept. 11, 1998 Screens Feature

The Luv Doc: He Doesn't Fish

There is no legitimate excuse for racism, sexism, or supporting our demonstrably imbecilic president

"...who regularly wears his MAGA hat – with his vented fishing shirt and Crocs. Oh, and he doesn't fish...."

Aug. 30, 2019 Column by The Luv Doc

Playback: Strictly Conjunto

“We don’t want this music to die” – Johnny Degollado

"...music is sadly no surprise, but Saturday's audience discrepancy highlighted a generational divide in Mexican-American music that doesn't bode..."

May 11, 2018 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

Immaculate Film

Musicalia at the SXSW Film Festival

"...leaves a lot more breadth of subject matter for music-related films in this year's SXSW Film Festival program. Seeing..."

March 9, 2001 Music Feature by Michael Bertin

The Long, Hot Summer

Books to Spend Your Summer With

"...It's a drier heat, to be sure, but that blasted smoke from Mexico hasn't helped matters. Last month was..."

June 5, 1998 Books Feature

Summer Sneaks

Apocalypse Whenever: Movies in the Season of Armageddon

"...Beatty co-wrote, directed, and stars in this story of Senator Jay Bulworth..."

May 22, 1998 Screens Feature

The Pen-Ultimate Fest

Austin Heart of Film Screenwriting Conference & Festival

"...Stone supported Hopper's notion that passion -- whatever its source --..."

Oct. 10, 1997 Screens Feature by Russell Smith

Articulations

"...McCandless' Aquamirabilus will share screen time with works of Meredith Monk, Ted Shawn, and Paul Taylor. Bed Tax Action..."

June 28, 1996 Arts Column by Robert Faires