As Eclectic as John Aielli Himself: This Week in Theatre

This week’s theatre offerings have nothing to do with John Aielli or KUT, and we won't be playing a variety of songs referencing how exceptionally cold it’s been these past few days. Really, we just liked the title. (Sorry to all you non-KUT listeners who we’ve just completely excluded.) Plus, it actually is a very eclectic week on the boards (or, er, the concrete floors...in our local warehouse theatres).

There’s an exciting collaboration afoot between Proyecto Teatro (Austin’s only Spanish-speaking theatre company) and Aztlan Dance; a new work by James Garcia presented by ArtesAmerica; a Rebecca Gillman Southwest premiere up at Hyde Park Theatre; and this brand-spankin’ new play by Zell Miller III that is our Austinist pick of the week: Kissing the Goodbye.

After a tough year in which they lost their charismatic Artistic Director (and local theatre legend) Boyd Vance, Pro Arts Collective continues their resurgence with this “beautiful play that weaves three bedtime stories into one.” Also directed by Miller III, Kissing the Goodbye is running for this weekend only, so get yourself out to the State Theatre Fri thru Sun at 7pm (Sun matinee at 2pm). For tickets, call Austix at 474-TIXS or check out their website. For more info on the show, go here.

More of this week's theatre newbies after the jump.

THE GLORY OF LIVING
This play “traces the journey of a teenage girl who runs away with an ex-convict only to be drawn into a world of sex, lost innocence and murder.” Hell yeah. Leave your copy of ~~The Professional~~ ~~Die Hard~~ Prison Heat at home on the shelf and get your action-packed-ass out to Hyde Park Theatre to see this show. We are, so keep your eyes peeled for our review. Featuring Kelsey Kling, Joey Hood, Ken Bradley, Monika Bustamante, Jude Hickey, Ken Webster, Andrea Skola, Jessie Tilton, and Heather Huggins. Webster also directs. (Celebrate Ken’s 25 years making theatre in Austin tonight after the show!) Fri and Sat at 8pm. Tickets and info at 479-PLAY or at the HPT website.

LA LOTERIA: A JOURNEY OF LIFE
“From the beautiful sirenas to the dynamic diablitas, and the rugged Machos to the elegant damas, La Loteria (The Mexican Lottery Card Game) will fuse dance and theatre into a game that recalls and recasts Latino cultural traditions.” That alone makes us wanna check it out, but wait, it gets cooler – the audience picks the show’s outcome! We love the opportunity to participate in the fate of fictional characters. La Loteria is presented by Proyecto Teatro in collaboration with Aztlan Dance at the Santa Cruz Center for Culture, and is performing this weekend on Fri and Sat at 8pm. Get tickets/info by calling Austix at 474-TIXS or enjoying the beautiful bounty of the Austix internet palace.

VOICES OF VALOR
According to the UT PAC website, this play is part of a larger project by UT Professor of Journalism Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez in which she’s videotaped interviews with more than 500 Latino and Latina men and women throughout the US. (Wow, now that is some work ethic.) In Voices of Valor, James Garcia has used these interviews to create a new play recounting the untold stories of the over 500,000 Latino who fought for the US in WWII. Running this weekend only, Fri and Sat at 8pm at the B Iden Payne Theatre. All your ticketing and information needs prayers will be answered by calling 477-6060 or visiting the UT PAC online.

But of course, a wide variety of varying shows on various topics are still running for last week, and we’re very excited about it.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Read our review. Running Th-Sat, Mar 2-25 at The Vortex. 512.478.5282 for tickets or visit the Vortex website.

GREYHOUNDS, AND OTHER VIRTUAL WAYS TO TRAVEL
Read our review.Through March 26th at the Blue Theater. Tickets and info by calling 512.927.1118.

THE BOOK OF LIZ
Through April 1 (no show 3/25), Bastrop Opera House. Tickets and info at 512.321.6283 or at their website.

THE THING ABOUT MEN
Through April 1. Thu.-Sat at 8pm. Arts on Real. Tickets at 512.472.2787 or at their website.

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Through April 19th at the Georgetown Palace Theatre Tickets and information by calling 512.869.SHOW or taking a virtual trip to Georgetown internet-style.

*Note to all you Zach Scott fans: their production of Bad Dates which has been on-hold due to the unfortunate injury suffered by Helen Merino will re-open March 30th starring Jill Blackwood.

Photo by Dimitris Petridis at Stock Exchange.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.