Show Preview: Brackett & Co., Real Estate
J. Tillman at the Mohawk - Giveaway
It's been all talk of days gone by in Austin's land-o-live performance. Robert Faires remembers 1985, when the original version of this week's In2 The West put our local theatre community on a national stage. Michael Barnes recalls the life of Alfred King -- a long time arts donor who sadly passed away this week. And most notably, Steve Moore and Wayne Allen Brenner document the storied histories of Austin's two fringe theatre giants -- Salvage Vanguard and the Rude Mechs -- paying homage to the 90's Rebel Theatre movement (from which both these companies emerged).
We didn't live in Austin in the 80s or 90s, and even if we had, we would've been in middle school. Not to take anything away from all that once was, but who's carrying the torch these days? Now that these former start-ups are in their second decade of existence, who's going to lead the next generation of young artists onward toward theatrical glory? Hell, what's next for Austin theatre in general? Where, dear readers, will our future take us?
Do a little research -- go a see a play this weekend and find out for yourself. As usual, there's plenty going on, but in our humble opinion, you're best to check our Austinist pick of the week: Your Negro Tour Guide. This performance by Kathy Wilson is based on her critically acclaimed novel of the same name, and is appearing as part of Refraction Arts FuseBox Festival. Directed by Jeff Griffin (director of Will Eno's Flu Season for Championship Theatre) and starring Torrie Wiggins (a hit on the stages of Cincinnatti), the Saturday performance of this piece will be followed by a talkback with Kathy Wilson herself. Tour Guide runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets and info on Refraction Arts' website.
Everything old, new, come and gone -- all after the jump.
IN 2 THE WEST
This series of monologues was originally a Big State production back in 1986, and, after a series of re-mounts, led to a rave review in Variety and a Kennedy Center performance (amongst other regional and national acclaim). The remount at Austin Community College is being led by former Big State company members, but features a new group of young actors, some doing newly written monologues, and some re-working the original text. Opens Friday with a performance at 8pm. Call 223-3352 for more tickets and info.
9x9x9
The ever-prolific Coda Theatre Project brings us the world premiere of Randy Wyatt’s "apocalyptic family comedy". Opens Thursday at the Play! Theatre with an 8pm performance. Call 809-0050 or visit the Coda Theater website for tickets and info.
UNCLE VANYA
Anton Chekhov's classic about bored Russian country folk trying to feel less depressed. (Yes, that does sound a bit like all of Chekhov's plays.) That may seem like a gloomy outlook, but know this, when its done well, Chekhov can be unbelievable. We'll hope that's the case in this production from relative newbies Kadigan & Mountweazel Theater (who ya'll might've seen once before, staging Samuel Beckett's Endgame) at the Green Music Cafe. Tickets are only $3 on Thursdays, and $6 on Friday and Saturday. (At that price, what the hell, right?) More info at the company's website, or by emailing Graham Schmidt, the show's delightful director.
And as per usual, that's not all. The following are still running from last week:
DECAMERON DAY 7: REVENGE. Read our review. Presented by the Rude Mechs at the Off Center. Running through April 29th. Tickets and info at the Rude mechs website.
STATIC, by Jason Pavelchik. Read our review. Presented by Salvage Vanguard Theatre at the Woodward Hotel through May 6th. Tickets and info.
THE ODD COUPLE, presented by the Austin Playhouse through May 7th. Tickets and info.
THE GLORY OF LIVING, by Rebecca Gillman. Read our review. Presented by Hyde Park Theatre through April 15th. Tickets and info.
THE EXONERATED, presented by Zach Scott Theatre through May 7th. Tickets and info.
BAD DATES, presented by Zach Scott Theatre through May 7th. Tickets and info.
THE BEARD OF AVON
Presented by Different Stages at the Vortex. Running through April 28th. Tickets and info at 453-7943.
THE WOMEN
Presented by Sam Bass Community Theatre and running through April 29th. Tickets and info by calling 512.244.0440 or traveling to Round Rock via the virtual highway.
TRIPLE ESPRESSO
Presented at the State Theatre Wed thru Fri at 8pm, Sat at 4pm and 8pm, or Sun at 2:30 and 7pm. Running through May 14th. Tickets and info here.
*Photo by Albers Portufois at Stock Exchange.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Post a comment (Comment Policy)