Stage Notes: Review of Undermain's 'Box;' new seasons by WTT, TBT, TDO

Last week, WaterTower Theatre announced its new season of shows for its 30th anniversary season themed Crazy, Sexy, Cool. The season consists of four shows launching in October. To kick off the season. WTT will serve up a new theater experience. All shows will be held at The Addison unless otherwise noted.

Here is WTT’s new season:

Oct. 9-19: BWY X NTX. Broadway meets North Texas in this theatrical homecoming by featuring Broadway talent and local North Texas artists together for a performance event. The limited engagement will be held in two venues. Oct. 9-12 at the Plano Courtyard Theatre and Oct. 15-19 at The Addison.

Jan. 21-Feb. 8. The Graduate. This provocative coming-of-age classic that defined a generation is based on the film and adapted by Terry Johnson. When recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock is drawn into an affair with the Mrs. Robinson, his life takes an unexpected and scandalous turn.

March 25 – April 12: Goodnight, Oscar. This regional premiere tells the true story of Oscar Levant—pianist, comedian, and Hollywood’s most unpredictable guest. Set during a live 1958 television broadcast, the play captures Levant’s wit, humor and internal struggles in a performance that blurs the line between comedy and heartbreak and will feature a live piano music.

Summer 2026: Wonderland: The Musical. Alice, a writer struggling to balance work, family, and her own identity, is suddenly pulled into a dreamlike world where nothing is as it seems. As she encounters Wonderland’s eccentric inhabitants—from a jazz-loving Caterpillar to a dangerously charming new Mad Hatter—she’s caught in a battle for the kingdom that’s far more personal than she realizes.

Apparently not part of the regular season is WTT’s newly announced summer musical series which launches this summer with School of Rock.

Season mainstage subscriptions are available now for the Crazy, Sexy Cool 30th season at WaterTower Theatre’s website.

Texas Ballet Theater announces the lineup for 2025/26

‘Peter Pan’ is among Texas Ballet Theater’s new season of shows. (Courtesy art)

Earlier this week, Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) invited audiences to “experience a season where timeless classics meet bold new expressions.” Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe is bringing a season that celebrates ballet’s impact. The season includes four productions with three classic shows and a mixed repertoire that all launches this fall with performances at both Winspear Opera House and Bass Performance Hall.

TBT’s 2025/26 season includes:

Sept. 19-21: Peter Pan. McIntyre’s new, two-act production will be produced in partnership with Nevada Ballet and Ballet Met. This show will feature all new sets and costumes by Emma Bailey, best known for her work on SIX The Musical. Performances held at the Winspear.

Oct. 3-5: Peter Pan. Performances held at the Bass.

Nov. 28-Dec. 7: The Nutcracker. This tradition allows Tchaikovsky’s signature score and Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.’s choreography awaken the holiday spirit. Performances held at the Winspear.

Dec. 12-28: The Nutcracker. Performances held at the Bass.

Feb. 27-March 1: Diversions. This mixed repertoire performance features four diverse works that showcase versatility and choreography styles. The performance includes Tim O’Keefe’s “Violin Concerto in D,” Martha Graham’s “Diversion of Angels,” O’Keefe’s world premiere of “Bolero” and Paul Taylor’s “Company B.” Performances held at the Winspear.

March 13-15: Diversions. Performances held at the Bass.

May 1-3: Swan Lake. This two-act production offers Stevenson’s retelling filled with drama and grandeur. Set to one of Tchaikovsky’s score, this production will also be presented with newly refurbished costumes. Performances held at the Winspear.

May 15-17: Swan Lake. Performances held at the Bass.

Season packages are available now on TexasBalletTheater.org. Individual sales will be announced at a later date.

The Dallas Opera is “the place to be” for its 2025/26 season

Earlier this week, The Dallas Opera (TDO) announed its new season just before it wraps up its current season on Sunday with La boheme. This new season will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Bizet’s Carmen to kick things off. The mainstage season will include four productions with Carmen opening this October.

The season includes:

Oct. 17-25: Bizet’s Carmen. This new production recreates the original Paris staging—and seen for the first time in North America at TDO.

Nov. 7-15: Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites. This drama centers on the true-life story about the martyrdom of Carmelite nuns.

Feb. 6-14: Portman and Wright’s The Little Prince. This TDO premiere is based on the children’s book about a stranded pilot and his meeting with royalty.

Feb. 27-March 7: Verdi’s Don Carlo. Set during the Spanish Inquisition, the heir to the throne has a forbidden passion for the queen amid the political drama.

Online orders for passes and tickets will begin May 20.

Review: A strong cast keeps Undermain’s Box afloat

Undermain Theatre continued its season with the Dallas premiere of Jarrett King’s new play Box. The intriguing premise tells the story of Henry Box Brown, a magician and abolitionist lecturer who escaped his slavery by mailing himself north to gain his freedom and then became a popular stage attraction in London performing magic. The show employed some magic tricks, but the slight of hand was felt more in the narrative.

Director Jiles R. King II brought forth a magnificently acted show that delivered on the show’s weighty drama. Navigating the playwright’s story though was often confounding. Without giving much away, the show seemed to ask its audience to determine key elements which were diminished by a perplexing final scene. The chronology of the show felt vague which made for a frustrating watch.

The show also seemed to trick me into seeing Henry Box Brown as the protagonist, but was he? This was served by the character of Nancy who is his first wife who was surrounded by uncertainty. Not to lessen Henry’s slave experience, but once he’s free, he almost coasts through life as an acclaimed speaker and performer, while Nancy is dragged along after having to find him rather than Henry ever try looking for her. He then meets and marries Jane in England and now we have the dynamic of his second-class citizen Black wife serving as his maid and a more prominent high class Anglo wife.

Ironically, Nancy’s story became prevalent and far more engaging than Henry’s which added to a disjointed experience. As the second half moved towards its conclusion, Henry revealed his true colors which far undermined any heroism that he was supposed to have.

Bryan Pitts held a massive presence as the title character both in stature and in voice. Pitts’ performance felt regal and stoic, but felt a bit reserved portraying Henry as a performer. Catherine D. DuBord portrayed Jane with a staunch disposition that countered Henry’s waffling. JuNene K was dynamic as the slighted wife Nancy. She mixed the heavy drama with some serious nighttime soap opera vibes that added a punch of energy. She and Rhonda Boutte as a British house servant shared a lovely and beautifully written scene that held the audience’s full attention.

Boutte played multiple roles as did Steven Young, Tommy Stuart and LuLu Ward. Where Boutte shined in tender moments, Young served proper braggadocio as Lord Bloomfied. Ward nailed the haughty Lady Bloomfield with a performance of giggles and gestures that immediately helped to know who the character was. Stuart was a charming presence particularly as Rodgers.

Box runs through March 23.

–Rich Lopez

Stage Notes: Review of Undermain’s ‘Box;’ new seasons by WTT, TBT, TDO

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