Way Cooler Than Free Beer : This Week in Theatre!
So, yeah. SXSW is coming up, and we know that’s all the rage. That’s what’s “cool”. That’s what you kids are “into” these days. We understand. (We like it too.) But just in case you’ve got some extra time after planning your afterparty schedule and writing that long-winded (but sincere-sounding) email to your boss explaining that your Grandma somehow got cancer again this year, and, though it certainly is a strange coincidence that these annual relapses just happen to align themselves exactly with the beginning and end of that huge film, music and interactive festival that happens in town every year -- “at least I’ll be out of town for all the mayhem and the traffic”, you say, pretending like you have to look for the bright side in this time of hardship -- if there’s still time after all that, there are about a million theatre productions going on in town, many of which will kick some serious ass.
Austinist's pick this week is Not Clown from the good people over at Physical Plant Theater. We saw the 2004 production, and a review of this year’s re-tooled re-mount is forthcoming. Check out our interview with Steve Moore and Carlos Treviño (masterminds of this clown-filled frenzy) to learn more. Running two weekends only, March 2-11 at the Off Center. Tickets at 275.6069.
Dudes, that’s not all. There’s literally one million other shows listed for this weekend, right after the jump. One million.
Ok, so that million thing was a lie. But there’s a lot. Here’s what’s new this week:
Where Are They Now?
“Two girls fall in love and commit a terrible murder.” Nice. We thought this play had a lot of potential when we saw the workshop production last year, and according to the playwright, Cyndi Williams, it’s completely overhauled, totally fresh, and ready for a new audience. Check back this weekend for our review. Presented by Shrewd Productions at The Vortex, Mar 2-25 Tickets at 478.5282.
Richard III
A Shakespeare classic, this production refuses to be known as Dick 3. It’s playing in rotating repertory with The Rivals – which made us laugh till we peed when we saw it last weekend. (What the hell is rotating repertory? Click here.) This will undoubtedly be solid classical fare from the pros over at Austin Shakespeare Festival. It’s playing at the Austin Playhouse until March 20, but because of the aforementioned repertory issue, the schedule is a little complicated. We recommend checking the website for details, or calling 454.BARD for more info (and tickets!).
The Thing About Men
This is billed as “serious musical comedy” and an alternative to “the more overtly obvious low comedy offerings that have become all too common on stages recently.” We’re not sure exactly which stages they’re referring to (or what that means, really), but if Arts on Real’s track record is any indication, then this will be a very funny show. Directed by Blake Yelavich, it runs through April 8th. Info and tickets via la web, or at 472.2787.
The Great Mundane
Over the next seven Saturdays, these daring improv masochists crusaders will be creating one, ongoing, ever-evolving epic improv at The Hideout. If nothing else, they've got some serious kahones. Presented by the Austin Improv Collective. Check out their MySpace page for more info, or just drop 'em an email. I bet they'll think of a funny reply right there on the spot -- without a script or nothin'!
Not ready to commit to any new productions until the reviews come out? (Cough, pussy, cough cough.) That’s all right -- these puppies are just hittin’ their stride:
The Rivals – Through March 19th. Read our review. Presented by Austin Shakespeare Festival at the Austin Playhouse. Tickets and info at 454.BARD or at the ASF website.
The Shape of Things – Through March 11th. Read our review. Presented by Chick and Dude Productions at Hyde Park Theatre. Tickets and info via Austix, 474-TIXS.
Urinetown – Through March 12th. Check out this awesome video promo. Directed by Dave Steakley for Zach Scott Theatre. Tickets and info at the Zach Scott website or by calling 476-0541.
And finally, take your last chance to see these shows before they ride off into the sunset.…
Bus Stop – Through March 7th. Presented by the Paradox Players at Howson Hall, First Unitarian Universalist Church. Tickets and info at 744.1495 or at the Paradox Players website.
Aisle 7 – Through March 5th. Read our review. At UT’s B. Iden Payne Theatre. Tickets and info here, or by calling 477-6060.
A Human Interest Story – Through March 4th. Read our review. Presented by the dirigo group at the Blue Theater. Tickets and info at the dirigo website, or by calling 371-0554.
Molly McCoy…In the Sky Pirates and The Adventures of Sailor Steve! – Through March 4th. Presented by the Violet Crown Radio Players at The Hideout. Tickets and info here, or by calling 535-1929.
Twelfth Night – Through March 5th. Presented by the State Theatre in conjunction with UT Graduate Acting Program. Tickets and info at 4GET.TIXS
Photo by Hervé de Brabandère at Stock Exchange
