Reviews for Zach Theatre Performances
Review: The Lehman Trilogy by Zach Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on June 26, 2024
An undeniable tour de force, THE LEHMAN TRILOGY is the fastest three hours you're likely ever to spend in a theatre. Dave Steakley's bold choice and these three shape-shifting actors stretch the boundaries of theatrical storytelling.
The Lehman Trilogy is an undeniable tour de force delivered by its three actors Peter Frechette, Susan Lynskey, and Nick Lawson, whose energy, stamina, and precision make the production's three acts and more than three hours fly by with blinding speed. The production itself will fly by, as well, for it's scheduled for a run of only three weeks, from June 19 to July 7, a realistic programming decision for a work this intense, …
Review: The Prom by Zach Theatre
by Vanessa Hoang Hughes
Published on May 19, 2024
THE PROM at Zach Theatre was full of fun surprises, eye-catching visuals, and electrifying entertainment, balanced with quiet moments of love and acceptance.
“This is our moment to change the world, one lesbian at a time!” When their musical about Eleanor Roosevelt fails spectacularly, four proud Broadway thespians explore ways to save their reputations through an attention-grabbing act of kindness and generosity. They brainstorm heart-pulling and tear-dropping causes, seeking one that won't require too much work. They find one in a Twitter headline: Indiana highschool cancels prom because of one lesbian couple! …
Review: The Girl who Became Legend by Zach Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on September 30, 2023
Leaving dusty Dustbin in search of rainclouds, "Raina" (get it?) meets legends on her quest. This colorful, imaginative staging of Sarah Saltwick's play charms, surprises, and educates.
The form is familiar—this is a "quest" story in which the protagonist leaves home to wander through the unknown "beyond" to experience a series of encounters and adventures but eventually returns home wiser and accepted by former adversaries and critics. Sarah Saltwick's first modification is evident in the title, for the questor is female, an earnest, sweet, booted young teen. "Raina" -- that's a tell! -- lives with her mother in Dustbin, a huddle of …
Review: Head Over Heels by Zach Theatre
by Brian Paul Scipione
Published on August 31, 2023
The crowd of chiildren and adults roared in approval as Go Go's hits were unleashed one after another. A beach party indoors, in this weather? (Yes, pleasee!)
The Go-Go's got their start in Los Angeles, California in 1978 . While there have been all female rock groups before and after, they are one of the most successful of all time. Their debut album Beauty and the Beat reached number one on the billboard chart, stayed there for six weeks, and sold more than two million copies. Their achievements continued to skyrocket and their initial break up in 1985 didn’t stop the members …
Review: ROE by Zach Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on April 14, 2023
ROE is cracking good drama although subtly slanted to views shared by most Austinites. Director Jenny Lavery and her team deliver the nourishment so badly needed after the retrograde Dobbs decision and in the face of spreading authoritarianism,
Four syllables, emblematic of the hard-won right of women to bodily autonomy accorded 7-2 by the Supreme Court fifty years ago. Playwright Lisa Loomer pries the cap off that four-syllable can of worms and portrays individuals involved in and invested in that 1973 result—above all, the titular "Jane Roe." Norma McCorvey was pregnant for a third time and simply wanted not to be pregnant. Recent UT Law School graduate (one of only forty women …
Review: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (with Deaf Austin Theatre) by Zach Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on January 31, 2023
The glam fairy godmother delivers the theme—there's music in you—but no one hears it in this evocative production, for it's only in ASL and projected lyrics.
Produced with the Zach Theatre's usual exuberance and technical elegance, the production of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a memorable evening of theatre. The audience's wildly enthusiastic reaction on opening weekend certainly confirmed that. This production also surprises and intrigues as an educational experience, thanks to the remarkable and inventive collaboration with Deaf Austin Theatre and the charismatic performances of Sandra Mae Frank and additional actors who are deaf or hard of hearing. The story …