The current production of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow, closing this weekend at Austin Playhouse is great theatre. It's brisk, fun, and sharp, with plenty of kick. In the hands of a stellar cast, you get to hear the words and see the scenes of this well-known work in their most intense, funniest, very best light....

Playwright and filmmaker David Mamet will appear at UT's Hogg Auditorium on Monday, February 4th for a discussion of his work with the Austin Chronicle's Robert Faires. The event is the first of several appearances by Mamet at UT in conjunction with the acquisition of his archives by the Harry Ransom Center....

Well, not really, but with the release of a commemorative book, two major acquisitions and the climax of the amazing American 20's exhibit, April was a huge month for the Ransom Center. On April 1st, to commemorate the first 50 years of its existence, the Ransom Center released Collecting the Imagination: The First 50 Years of the Ransom Center. Just a few weeks later, they secured roughly 100 boxes of written materials from playwright and......

The Harry Ransom Center at UT is announcing today that they have acquired the archives of American playwright David Mamet. These archives include journals, manuscripts and drafts of each of the acclaimed writer's plays and screenplays. David Mamet, writer of such works as "Glengarry Glen Ross", The Untouchables, and Wag the Dog, will also come to UT for a series of short residencies over the next four years. In a letter to the Ransom Center......

There are two new (and very different) shows premiering tonight at 8pm. The one we will probably try to catch is The Unit (KEYE/CBS). Dennis Haysbert ("24") and Scott Foley (or as we think of him, Jennifer Garner's ex) star in this secret agent/military drama. We are intrigued enough to check it out because a) David Mamet is one of the producers, and b) Regina Taylor plays Mr. Haysbert's wife. We have fond memories......

F R I D A Y [16] [theatre] Rude Mechs present Pale Idiot by Kirk Lynn at The Off Centre (Through Sat, $12, 8pm) [Austinist Review] [theatre] Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" at Austin Playhouse on Penn Field (Through Sat, $20, 7:30pm) [theatre] "When Pigs Fly" at Arts on Real (8pm) [theatre] Shrewd Productions presents "Xmas Unwrapped! A Holiday Burlesque" at Hyde Park Theatre (Through Sat, 10pm) [theatre] "A Christmas Carol" at The State Theatre......

There's a whole slew of theatre productions closing this weekend. This being the busy time of year, we were unable to get to most of them. Sadly. If we could clone ourselves, here's a list of shows we'd be sure to hit this weekend. Pro Arts Collective presents Black Nativity by Langston Hughes Adapted, Directed and Choreographed by Jason Ansara Brooks This passionate, high-energy combination of gospel music and the story of the nativity......

M O N D A Y [12] [music] UT Ethnomusicology Dept Ensembles at Momo's (8pm) [music] David Newbould at Flipnotics (8pm) [music] Singer-Songwriter Night at Longbranch Inn [music] Elizabeth McQueen at Theadgill's (8pm) [music] Listening party for Ludacris' new album, Disturbing Tha Peace at Nasty's (8pm) [music/shopping] Armadillo Christmas Bazaar with the Eggmen at Austin Music Hall (Check website for dates/hours) [party] Friends of the Spade Christmas Party at Velvet Spade (11pm) [film/food] "Narnia"......

M O N D A Y [5] music · MF Doom, Count Bass D, John Robinson at La Zona Rosa music · Saves the Day, Senses Fall, Emmanuel, Early November at Emo's film · "Shaun Of The Dead" spinoffs at The Drafthouse Downtown (7pm) [link] T U E S D A Y [6] music · Red Leaves at CRL Art Gallery film · AFS screens "The Singing Blacksmith" at The Drafthouse Downtown (7pm) [link]......