Articles about Theater
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Jan. 14
“My penguin days, when I was green in judgment, cold in blood.” – Happy Feet Three, William Shakespeare (photo: Flickr user pquan)
Don’t let that incessant Bangles’ song get stuck in your head today (even though I secretly kind of like it). Instead, you can focus your positive energy on these manic Monday night offerings.
Tonight is the last chance for Shakespeare Dallas’ The Winter’s Tale in the cozy atmosphere of the Winspear’s Hamon Hall. This staged reading is latest in an ambitious plan to present all of the Bard’s works over a five-year span, and it includes oddly fantastical elements like clowns, bears, and babies (oh, my). Another perk of this show is the pay-what-you-can offer at the door tonight, which is always a nice touch.
But if you’re thinking your brain will be too fried by the end of the day to take in Shakespearean dialogue, there’s a new exhibit at Craighead Green that might peak your interest. It features photographer Kendra North, painter Krista Harris, and sculptor Kevin Box in a showcase of fluid, abstract, and versatile works. I’m especially intrigued by Box’s sculptures, which paradoxically show the delicacy of paper through the toughness of metal.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Jan. 9
Telegraph Canyon urges you to just say no to free crack.
I’m not nearly as adept at writing a comprehensive guide to having fun in Dallas as is my fearless editor, Liz, but since she’s jetting off to enjoy a well-deserved vacation, I’ll do my best to keep things rolling.
It’s another mucky day outside with a dreary misting of rain, which means pondering strolls through Klyde Warren Park or leap frogging outside the Perot Museum is just not going to cut it today. A few convenient indoors options are available, though, so no worries.
The Latino Cultural Center is screening a documentary tonight about Fidel Castro and Che Guevara’s vision for an ambitious architectural and education project, called the National Art Schools, during the earliest years of the Cuban Revolution. Basically, they were envisioning five separate schools with free tuition for students, but the intended masterpiece fell into ruins. As part of the Dallas Center for Architecture’s Architecture Film Series, Unfinished Spaces features interviews with the three original architects of the schools and shows an insider’s look at the fascinating concept and its untimely downfall. Attendance is free, but an RSVP is required.
Mellon Foundation Wants to Stem Theater ‘Brain Drain,’ So Dallas Gets Playwright Resident
The Boston Globe reports this morning on a new $3.7 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation that is intended to shore-up the flight of talented writers from the stage to screen. Turns out it is hard to make a living as a theater writer, and most talented writers head to Hollywood when they finally realize that, you know, food is nice.  So the Mellon idea: fund playwrights-in-residence for fourteen American theaters.
And yes, Dallas has one: Will Power, who was the recipient of last year’s Meadows Prize and was already awarded a National Endowment of the Arts grant (the largest in Texas) to complete Stagger Lee, a new musical, for the Dallas Theater Center. Now the playwright will spend the next three years in Dallas, and in addition to working on his own work, leading workshops, and doing the things writers who live at theaters tend to do, Power will work with DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty on a neighborhood initiative:
Power will work with Moriarty on a new strategic initiative to reach out to two under-represented neighborhoods in Dallas, one affluent and one made up of low income households, and help DTC to forge relationships that will welcome audiences from both neighborhoods into the theater.
Val Kilmer Eyeing Wyly, Perot for “Twain” Play
Actor Val Kilmer in Dallas. Photo by Jeanne Prejean
Actor Val Kilmer, in town this week for a Dallas Film Society appearance, is intrigued by Mark Twain as the quintessential American, as a “maverick” writer who reminded us that “we’re all silly, and who found a way to call us … on our folly.” So Kilmer’s put together a one-man play, “Citizen Twain,” which he debuted in L.A. earlier this year and wants to bring to North Texas in March or April.
According to local publicist Jo Ann Holt, the actor spent time Friday scouting Dallas venues for the production. He looked at Theatre Too, at the Majestic Theater, at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, whose Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building he admired, Holt said. But he was more excited about the Wyly Theatre, which he liked for its contemporary building and downtown location, and the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science, which has a flexible-space auditorium.
“I love the Wyly. I can’t stop thinking about the architecture; it’s just too interesting,” Kilmer said, pausing on the Red Carpet before appearing at the DFS’s “Art of Film” fundraiser Friday night at Fair Park. “But today I was even looking at the Perot Museum, because they’ve got a 290-seat theater, and they can simulcast. So I love the idea of [simulcasting the play] to the … hospitals and prisons and schools.”
“Citizen Twain,” the actor said, is a precursor to a film he’s planning about the relationship between Twain and Mary Baker Eddy, who founded Christian Science (Kilmer’s a Christian Scientist himself). So if he plays Twain, who would he want for his leading lady? “There’s a lot of very talented actresses,” Kilmer said. “I just talked to Cate Blanchett about it again. I’ve talked to her several times. It’s hard to talk seriously, because I don’t have a budget yet; I’m not financed. But I think Mrs. Eddy was a genius, so you have to think of genius actresses. Which is an interesting list, but a short list. There aren’t that many geniuses, right? I think Cate’s got genius in her.”
Saturday, the film society will screen two of Kilmer’s best-known films at the Angelika Dallas. The Doors shows at 11:30 a.m.; Batman Forever starts at 2:30 p.m.
Is It Too Soon For Jokes About Selling JFK Bobbleheads For Next Year’s 50th Anniversary?
That’s the question that surrounds the opening of The Second City Does Dallas, the first show of the Dallas Theater Center’s new season. A number of DTC audience members have objected to a sketch that discusses tongue-in-cheek ways Dallas could commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assasintation. Some of the characters seem sensible enough, but one continues to come up with tasteless suggestions, like selling JFK bobbleheads (and worse, but I won’t spoil the punchlines). I thought it was funny, but then 1) I am not a Dallas native, and 2) I have a black, black heart. You can read my take in this review on FrontRow, and if you’re curious, here’s some background on the how Chicago’s The Second City went about gathering the material for their Dallas-skewering comedy show.
Oh, and there’s another potentially upsetting sketch that makes fun of little nine-year-old Klyde Warren, the billionaire’s son who is the namesake of the Woodall Rodgers Deck Park. And, sorry, that’s stuffs just funny.
Puppeteer Takes on Africa
Darren Collins. Photo by Billy Surface
In our June issue, I introduced readers to Darren Collins. Collins is a puppeteer who gave up his house more than a year ago and decided to live in his car, on friends’ couches, or in backyards. I also mentioned that he planned to take his puppets to Africa to teach people about AIDS. Puppets have the freedom to say things humans can’t.
Well, Collins is in Africa. He’s been there for more than a month. He does updates about his time there nearly every day through Facebook. I’ve enjoyed reading his updates–sometimes they’re funny, sometimes they’re very sad, and other times they’re just great to see what it’s like to be a vagabond/puppeteer in a foreign country.
After the jump, I’m including a few of Collins’ more recent posts. Collins is hoping to stay in Africa for as long as possible. He’s meeting with various organizations and has found a team of puppeteers who want to work with him. He’s running out of money, though. If you want to help, go here.
This Thursday: FrontRow Live Presents STRFKR, Onra, Ben Aqua, Free Drinks, Art, Theater, And More
STRFKR
FrontRow Live, presented by Chevy, kicks off this Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at the Dallas Contemporary, and it will bring together performances by pop-dance group STRFKR, French electronic musician Onra, and Austin DJ Ben Aqua. The beer will be free thanks to Bud Light Platinum. There will also be food trucks and live theater by Upstart Productions. Plus, sound installations by Oliver Francis Gallery, and all of the wonderful exhibitions currently at the Dallas Contemporary.
It all takes place this Thursday, May 31, and if you still haven’t secured tickets, you should go purchase them now. Because when will you get a chance to see this level of musical talent coupled with free drinks and art and theater for just fifteen bucks? Exactly. See you there.
Best of Big D Readers’ Choice: Culture Voting Starts Monday, April 23
We’ve got a new addition to our annual Readers’ Choice poll. This year, we’re going to ask you to vote for your favorite notable locals from the realms of sports, the arts, and the media. As with our previous rounds, you’ll be able to participate once a day on your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
The poll starts Monday and will run through May 6. We’ve nominated a list of finalists in each category, but write-ins will be welcome. The winners will be noted in the August 2012 issue of D Magazine.
To get started in planning your votes, take the jump to see the list of questions to be answered on the ballot.
CodePink Dallas Stages Bust of Bank of America
I can already hear Glenn Hunter cursing under his breath when he sees I’ve posted this. The above video is from an event the Dallas branch of the liberal activist group Code Pink – which bills itself as a “women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement,” though I’m sure that Glenn would have some other words to describe it – staged last Saturday at the Bank of America branch at the intersection of Lemmon Avenue and Inwood Road in Dallas.
I share it with you not to endorse the group’s indictment of Bank of America and the evils which our country’s largest financial institutions have gotten away with, especially during the last several years leading up to the 2008 collapse. No, I share it because of the pure absurdity of their actions. It’s like a truly awful piece of guerilla theater.
Skip past the overly long introduction to the 2 min, 25 second mark. I think it’s the fellow dressed like Rich Uncle Pennybags and riding a motorized scooter who really makes this an unforgettable tableau.
Things to Do in Dallas This Weekend: January 6-8
Let’s get right to it:
Friday
I’ll start by noting that if you still want to go to the game out in Arlington that’s not really the Cotton Bowl, there are tickets available online. And if you’re a fan of Anderson Cooper’s favorite “comedian,” she’s in town too.
Those who prefer a higher brow evening should hit the First Friday at the Modern in Fort Worth. I know, I know, it’s such a long drive to get to Cowtown, but where else are you going to be able to enjoy cocktails, dinner, jazz by the group Outer Circles, a docent-led tour of the museum galleries, plus a movie about the Shakespeare of Germany, Young Goethe in Love? Â Yep, nowhere else.
Newy Scruggs and Terrell Owens Are In a Fight
And a Twitter fight, no less, which is like when people had fights with graffiti in bathroom stalls in days of yore, in case you are not on the Twitters and have never seen a Twitter fight in action.
The Dallas Morning News (because Twitter fights are awesome and so why wouldn’t Dallas’ paper of record cover them) has the rundown here. But basically, here’s how it went:
Former Bengal/something else/Cowboy Terrell Owens (from his couch, since he’s kind of unemployed at the moment) makes fun of Terence Newman, sort of, for tackling Brandon Marshall and failing to bring him down during last week’s game, likening Newman to a “superman cape” hanging around Marshall’s neck as he ran in the TD. But he totally added “LOL” at the end of that, which should’ve made it cool in the Twitterverse.
Local NBC sports anchor Newy Scruggs then points out that Owens is unemployed, and says that his mocking of Newman was “petty.” Â Then it gets interesting, because OMG – Owens straight up called Scruggs fat. To be accurate, he called him “fat-so.” He then insisted that he wasn’t slamming Scruggs, but instead gave him some weight loss tips, like “u’re FAT & need 2 hit the treadmill ASAP!!”
Scruggs then reiterated that while he might be rubber, TO is glue, and whatever he says, bounces off of him, and sticks to Owens. Or maybe he just said something to the effect of, “I have a job and you do not, kind sir!” And then maybe it went back and forth for a little bit longer, with Scruggs telling Owens to pay his child support and quit claiming poverty.
But Owens got the last word, which was “fatmeat.”
Why isn’t there a market for Twitter war play-by-play?
DJs, Dancing, Live Theater, Art, Movies, Food, and More: FrontRow Live Kicks Off on November 3
Do you like great music? Great art? Short films? Live theater? Break dancing? Live screen printing? Tattoos? Great food? Wait. Free beer? Everyone likes free beer, right?
Well then, you won’t want to miss what is sure to be one of the most exciting, entertaining, and unique events to hit Dallas this year: FrontRow Live at the Dallas Contempoary on November 3 from 8 p.m. to midnight, brought to you by Chevy.
Headlined by Grammy Award-winning producers and DJ duo Play-N-Skillz, the event we’re calling the “one night high-brow, low-brow blowout” will feature three DJs, a live theater performance to kick off the evening, screen-printing by The Public Trust’s Brian Gibb, a pop-up screening room featuring short films, a pop-up coffee shop provided by The Pearl Cup, food trucks, free beer provided by Michelob Ultra, and more. And here’s the best part: it is all FREE!
You want details? You want free tickets right now? Then get over to our FrontRow Live page.
Stay On Top Of Most Eligible Dallas With Our Recaps
By now I hope you have found Laura Kostelny’s hilarious recap of the first episode of Most Eligible Dallas. If you haven’t, go now. Here’s a taste:
Her “best friend” Matt is a very tan former college football player who loves the ladies! He has black lacquer furniture in his bedroom! He loves hanging out at Teddy’s Room! He never plans on hooking up–he just goes with it! He invites 20 girls at a time to meet him! “Honestly, no one else can really do it,” he says. “Why do one on one when you can do one on three?” Playas gotta play!
Matt obviously has nothing to prove.
And it is a pretty people-heavy week on FrontRow, as Merritt Patterson continues to relieve the curious from the pain of actually having to watch Big Rich Texas with her weekly recaps.
Oh, and while you’re over on FrontRow, be sure to check out the latest in our series on the characters behind local theater. In this installment, the magnetic Raphael Parry admits his secret ambition. And heck, since we’re plugging stuff, check out this Q&A with Denton’s Eli Young Band and couple of new downloadable tracks from the Parquet Courts. And we have reviews of the latest from Jubilee Theatre and Pocket Sandwich. Eat up!
The Good and the Bad of Jim Schutze, ctd.
Tim’s right, Jim Schutze’s reading of the City Performance Hall situation isn’t quite the Dallas Observer columnist at his best. But he is right to be concerned about the development. Here’s what’s really going on down on Flora St.
This Week on FrontRow
Ahead of your weekend planning, catch up on everything that has been going down on FrontRow this week. In the world of theater, we have reviews of Undermain’s brilliant race-study, The Shipment, Broken Gears’ acting switcheroo, The Hand, and the lackluster Broadway musical, Billy Elliot, which landed at the Winspear this week. Also, The Shipment is directed by SMU’s Stan Wojewodski, and our own Liz Johnstone has the story of the former head of Yale’s drama school’s long relationship with the wonderful little theater downstairs on Main Street. And this summer we’ll be looking at the characters behind the local theater beginning with Lee Trull, the starving actor who landed his dream job. Oh, and have we told you about the dancer from Fort Worth who trained Natalie Portman and the boys in Billy Elliot?
In the art world, we have a review of Marcelyn McNeil’s lovely abstracts at Conduit, as well as this week’s gallery openings. Also, we’ve launched a new series this week that looks at a work from our local museums’ permanent collections. For the first installment, Courbet’s The Fox in the Snow.
Big happenings in the local dance scene this weekend with the debut of Bruce Wood’s latest project. But can the acclaimed choreographer fill the void for real employment for Dallas-Fort Worth dancers?
And, of course, we have reviews of the latest films to hit movie theaters, including Super 8, Beginners, Submarine, Blank City, and the seductive French historical drama, The Princess of Montpensier.
Finally, a couple of plugs: join us at D Magazine’s office on June 20 for a conversation about the local theater scene with a panel of local critics, as well as Veletta Lill and Stan Wojewodski. And don’t forget, next week we kick off the first installment of our latest film series, “Dallas, Outlaws, and the American Dream,” and we will screen Bonnie and Clyde at the Kessler Theater on June 16. More info on the series, including the ideas behind its theme, here.
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