Recent Reviews
Review: Spirit by The Vortex Repertory Theatre
by David Glen Robinson
Published on September 13, 2014
Spirit is that which connects the forces of earth, air, fire, and water. And at Vortex Theater in East Austin, Spirit is the culmination of a performance suite of shows with the titles of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water—the Elementals performances, created by Vortex Repertory Company and producing artistic director Bonnie Cullum. And what is Spirit the show? One good answer: it's a collection of excellent performances by the Vortex’s stable of highly talented actors, dancers, singers, and musicians. The show …
Review: Risen by The Institution Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on September 12, 2014
The CTXLT beat is narrative theatre, locally produced, involving the delivery of a set text. That's an arbitrary rule -- got to focus our efforts somewhere, right? -- articulated most recently in the revised About page published last month. My throwaway comment was, "So, no improv, even though that art form can be thrilling, comic and suspenseful." Sarah-Marie Curry responded with an invitation to attend the Institution Theatre's Risen - Improvised Stories in World War Z, running each …
Review: The Orchid Flotilla by Glass Half Full Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on September 11, 2014
Caroline's is a world of eerie serenity. In opening moments a mock-serious lecture about the life-cycle of orchids by an unseen Chris Gibson booms over the speakers, bizarrely accompanied by the play of shadow puppets animated on a screen at the depths of the stage by the similarly invisible Erin Meyer. When the lights come up, ever so slowly and dimly, like the first orange peek of the sun over the edge of the world, …
Review: Maid Marian in a Stolen Car by Zach Theatre
by David Glen Robinson
Published on September 08, 2014
Maid Marian in a Stolen Car as a title has almost nothing to do with a character out of the tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. But as an overarching metaphor for the life in theatre that is Jaston Williams, it's perfect. Here's a man who has worked with the outlaws of theatre for four decades (and counting), a man who stood for right and good but saw injustice along the way. And when …
Review: Maid Marian in a Stolen Car by Zach Theatre
by Michael Meigs
Published on September 08, 2014
The stage is a magic mirror and a magnifying glass. When he appears in the theatre-in-the-round intimacy of the Zach Theatre's Whisenhut stage, Jaston Williams looks much taller than in real life. Wisecracking, telling tales and occasionally appearing in drag, he pleases his audience by providing just enough of that trademark Greater Tuna fun as he gives them an account of his 30+ years on the stage. Behind the cheerful satire and the studied comic …
Review: The One-Minute Play Festival by Salvage Vanguard Theater
by David Glen Robinson
Published on August 31, 2014
Seventy one-minute plays by forty-plus local playwrights presented in one evening-length work sounds very difficult to accomplish. It certainly is, but producers One Minute Play Festival and ScriptWorks pulled it off with skill at the Salvage Vanguard Theatre in Austin. Dominic D'Andrea of the NYC-based organization promotes one-minute play shows around the country. The premise is simple. Local playwrights write several one-minute plays, group them into similarly themed 'clumps,' and find actors to perform all …