Stage Notes is a weekly aggregate post about theater, classical music and stage news, events, reviews and other pertinent information. We’re back from the holiday break!
Stage Notes Calendar
Opening this week:
Broadway Dallas: Shucked, opened Wednesday through Dec. 15.
Collin Theatre Center: Oedipus, opened Wednesday through Sunday at Collin College Black Box Theater.
Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts: Crafting the Parlor Room, 7:30 p.m. today at the Turner House.
Vocal Majority: 2024 Christmas Spectacular, today-Sunday at the Eisemann Center.
CenterStage TheatreWorks: Elf, today-Dec. 15 at Frisco Discovery Center.
Bishop Arts Theatre: Black Nativity, today-Dec. 22.
Firehouse Theatre: Annie, today-Dec. 22.
Avant Chamber Ballet: The Nutcracker, Friday-Sunday at Moody Performance Hall.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Spano Conducts Beethoven and Jake Heggie, Friday-Sunday..
Dallas Symphony Orchestra: Christmas Pops, Friday-Dec. 15 at the Meyerson.
Grand Prairie Arts Council: Disney’s Newsies, Friday-Dec. 15.
Uptown Players: A Queer Carol, Friday-Dec. 15, pictured.
Art Centre Theatre: Who Killed Rudolph ?!? Murder Mystery, Friday-Dec. 21.
Lakeside Community Theatre: Ashes of Aquitane, Friday-Dec. 21.
Garland Civic Theatre: Little Women the Musical, Friday-Dec. 22.
Lewisville Playhouse: Forever Plaid, Friday-Dec. 22.
Mesquite Arts Theatre: A Christmas Carol, Friday-Dec. 22.
Richardson Theatre Centre: A Rockabilly Christmas Radio Play, Friday-Dec. 22.
Theatre Arlington: Holiday Inn, Friday-Dec. 22.
Theatre Coppell: A Christmas Carol, Friday-Dec. 22.
Theatre off the Square: A Twisted Christmas Carol, Friday-Dec. 22.
Uptown Revue: Murder at the Audition, 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Pocket Sandwich Theater.
Ballet Ensemble of Texas: The Nutcracker, Saturday and Sunday at the Irving Arts Center.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra: Family Christmas Pops, Dec. 7 and 14 at the Meyerson.
Theatre Denton: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Sunday-Dec. 15.
Dallas Chamber Music Society: Dallas Symphony Chamber Players, 7:30 p.m. Monday at Caruth Auditorium.
Turtle Creek Chorale: Wonder, Tuesday at the Meyerson.
Onstage now:
The Fleetwood Project: Head Over Heels, through Sunday.
Rockwall Community Playhouse: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, through Sunday.
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker, through Sunday at the Winspear.
Theatre Three: Sleuth, today-Dec. 15 in Theatre Too.
Allen Contemporary Theatre: My Favorite Year the Musical, through Dec. 15.
Runway Theatre: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, through Dec. 15.
Lyric Stage: Plaid Tidings, through Dec. 22 at Lyric Stage Studios.
Stage West: The Play that Goes Wrong, through Dec. 22, pictured.
Pocket Sandwich Theatre: Ebenezer Scrooge, through Dec. 23.
Dallas Theater Center: A Christmas Carol, through Dec. 28.
Theatre Three: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, through Dec. 29.
Echo Theatre drops announcement of shows for its 27th season
In an email on Sunday, Echo Artistic Director Kateri Cale shared her thoughts on the holiday season which led to her announcement of Echo Theatre’s upcoming season. In it, she talked about “family” which then led to next year’s theme of shows. The season will include three new mainstage shows, the Echo Reads series and two new seasons of its podcast Echo Off Stage.
From Cale (shortened):
Another Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, and, like so many of you, my thoughts turned to “family” in all its forms. Of course, there’s the birth family you were born into or grew up with; the chosen family you made for yourself; enterprising families that count the minutes until you enter the family business – whether you want to or not.
Today, I announce the theme of Echo Theatre’s 27th season of plays by women+ playwrights: Family
I’m so thankful for all of you – the adventurous, truth-seeking, intelligent members of our Echo Theater family. Patrons and volunteers, actors and designers, donors and board members – we’re so lucky that we’ve found each other and can appreciate creating and experiencing theater together.
The season includes:
Feb. 3-March 8: Catch as Catch Can by Mia Chung. In this regional premiere, Chung’s show explores navigating the expectations and judgments of family generations.
June 5-21:The Secret Keepers by Erin Malone Turner. This world premiere centers on solidifying the ties of chosen family through coming-of-age trials.
Sept. 11-27: El Rey Del Pollo by Anna Skidis Vargas.Inspired by King Lear, this new, world premiere comedy is all about the family business.
The Echo Reads staged readings series will run March-May and September-November.
Echo Off Stage podcast seasons 8 and 9 will premiere in April and October.
Season and Flex tickets will go on sale this month but no date has been announced. For more info, click here.
Amphibian Stage announces new season under new leadership
Earlier this week, Amphibian announced its 2025 season that will also find the company under its new leadership. After 25 years as Founding Artistic Director, Kathleen Culebro retired and the company will be led by former Co-Artistic Director Jay Duffer. Elizabeth Kensek, formerly of WaterTower Theatre, has also joined the team as its Managing Director. Both roles go into effect on Jan. 1 where Kensek will work with Duffer and the Board of Directors to guide the organization’s future.
The 2025 season will feature four productions on the mainstage, the National Theatre Live series, SparkFest, and additional special programming such as stand-up comedy, cabaret shows and more will be announced throughout the year.
The full season includes:
Jan. 31-Feb. 16: Rooted by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Who knew a love for plants could grow… a cult following? Emery’s devotion to her plants takes an unexpected turn when a mass of unwanted fans gather outside her treehouse, convinced she’s their new savior. Now she’s dodging her sister Hazel’s big dreams of cashing in, while her followers worship every leaf she drops. Directed by Scott Evans
April 18-May 11: Rift, or White Lies by Gabriel Jason Dean. Two brothers, bound by blood but divided by vastly different lives. One is a progressive writer; the other, a convicted murderer and member of an alt-right prison gang. As these estranged siblings confront their painful past, can they find reconciliation, or will their polarizing beliefs keep them apart? In a unique twist, the actors will switch roles throughout the run of this regional premiere. Directed by Lily Wolff.
Aug. 1-17: The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh. Friendship (and wine) can make any place feel like home. In 1973, Jane and Luna are newcomers to America, feeling isolated and homesick. A chance meeting brings them together on Thanksgiving night, sparking an evening of laughter, wine, and revelations about their hopes and fears. Directed by Shyama Nithiananda.
Oct. 17-Nov. 9: The Birds by Conor McPherson based on the story by Daphne du Maurier. When killer birds start attacking, three strangers seek shelter in an isolated cabin, but as paranoia and fear begin to grow they realize that the biggest threat might come from within. Directed by Jay Duffer. Content Warning: sexual situations, loud noises and moments of darkness.
National Theatre Live programming:
Presented in partnership with London’s National Theatre and screened at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Feb. 26 and March 1: The Importance of Being Earnest
May 21 and 24: Dr. Strangelove
June 13-22: SparkFest. Amphibian Stage’s annual festival this year celebrates Native Americans and peoples indigenous to Turtle Island (or the North American continent) and Hawai’i, showcasing diverse voices and stories that inspire and captivate.
SparkFest 2025 commemorates the fifth anniversary of the festival and the third year the festival will highlight a specific group of artists. The national acting competition, inspired by the Van Cliburn Festival, will offer Native American and Indigenous actors a chance to compete for $18,000 in cash prizes.
Shakespeare Dallas announces return of winter show
Before the holiday, the company announced its winter show making its return. Shakes’ indoor performance has not happened since before the pandemic. Interim Executive and Artistic Director Jenni Stewart will direct Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure in January. The show will be presented in the round on the Norma Young Arena Stage at Theatre Three. The show will run from January 8-26, 2025 with student matinees on January 15 and January 22. Additional details will be forthcoming here.
Review: The cornpone, countrified humor of Shucked by Broadway Dallas makes for a winning exp-ear-ience
Dear god, the infectious puns of last night’s Shucked performance have run amok. Pardon all the corny jokes and cornnuendo that may follow. But with its pure joy and catchy tunes, it’s no surprise that Shucked stayed with me well after the closing curtain.
The story is a fairly simple one, but its clever and witty banter gave it a fun freshness. Amid its country music soundtrack, its endless array of corn puns and dad jokes and its rom-com cuteness, Robert Horn’s book and Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally’s music and lyrics blend into a satisfying musical experience with a big heart. Their pedigree alone may give a hint to Shucked‘s sassy attitude. Horn was a creator of Designing Women an Better Midler’s Divine Intervention. Clark’s written for Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves including her big hit “Follow Your Arrow.” McAnally is a Grammy winning artist having produced and wirtten songs for Kelly Clarkson, Musgraves and Dolly Parton.
Set in Cob County (of course), the small town’s residents live in an innocent bliss as the corn crops have grown big enough to seclude them from the outside world. But when the corn begins to die, Maizy decides to leave the corn-fines of the county to find help. Her cousin and best friend LuLu, her betrothed Beau and everyone else beg her not to go, but she’s determined.
She makes it all the way to the big bad city of Tampa and meets the podiatrist..er…the self-proclaimed corn doctor Gordy for help. He’s actually a con-man who joins Maizy back to Cob with his own intentions.
As they return, Beau gets jealous of Gordy who proposes to Maizy but has eyes on LuLu who has eyes right back. It’s really not that corn-fusing, but the love triangle, or square maybe, added the rom-com drama needed for the story that relies on a paper thin plot gassed up by its laughs and music.
The simplicity of Shucked didn’t take away from its enjoyable entertainment. The exciting numbers and touching ballads were all satisfying spectacles along with its smart choreography by Saray O’Gleby and skewed set by Scott Pask.
The story’s heroine Maizy was played ably with sweet charm by Carly Caviglia and carried her part well. As Lulu, Miki Abraham was a dynamo that kept all eyes on them with a grand and powerful performance. Jake Odmark was an ideal rom-com lead with his muscled up good looks and aw shucks portrayal of Beau. As the con man Gordy, Quinn Vanantwerp was a bit underwhelming as any sort of bad guy and additionally as a love interest. He was almost too clean cut for the character’s intentions, but he nonetheless delivered a solid and entertaining performance particularly when his character gets liquored up.
The loveliest performances were by the show’s narrators simply referred to as Storyteller 1 and 2 played by Maya Lagerstam and Tyler Joseph Ellis respectively. The two delivered a charming hybrid of narration, stand-up and Greek chorus vibes. They never fit fully into the storyline but a final reveal delivered an unexpected sentimental moment.
In short, Shucked succeeded in its intention. The humor casted a wide net that ranged from hilarity to laughable groans. The music and songs were catchy that elicited perpetual applause and hollers. With its satisfying element, it was easy to get shucked up at this — sorry, y’all — a-maize-ing show.
The musical runs through Dec. 15.
ICYMI
Review: My Favorite Year brings joy and sentiment to the ACT stage
Review: Sleuth is a riveting tête-à-tête of toxic male dynamics at Theatre Three
Check out these queer-tastic DFW events to make your holiday spirits bright
–Rich Lopez