As 2010 begins its second half (already! Can you believe it?), there've been a number of spectacular performances, productions, and scripts to grace the Austin stage this year. And, as we start to look ahead to what the next six months have in store, we first want to take one last look back. Austinist polled its theater and comedy writers and asked each of them to offer two moments that stood out in the first half of 2010. more ›

The costumes! The cleavage! The shoes! All at House of Several Stories and that was just the audience. Okay, so maybe a review-of-crowd is not pertinent to review-of-show except, hello, this is Austin where dressing up usually means wearing your newest Crocs and maybe a t-shirt with sleeves. So it must be noted that the crowd that showed up to take in John Boulanger’s House of Several Stories at the Austin Playhouse last week was dressed to the nines (times ten). As was—at least for most of the evening, Lauren Lane, who, in the roll of Fuller Family Matriarch, Sue, sports some pretty fucking stunning duds courtesy of costumer Jillan Hanel. And let’s get a bit more about Lane on the table at the front end here. In a recent A.O. Scott review of Julie & Julia in NYT, Mr. Scott notes that Meryl Streep is so beyond outstanding in any role she takes that it’s almost a shame for those who must be in the same film—no matter how memorable they are in their own right, in Streep’s shadow, well, it’s impossible not to pale. Similarly, Lane is so enchanting, such an astonishing comic actress, such a gift to this city (nay—the stage that is the world!) that not only is she a hard act to follow, she’s a hard act to stand beside. more ›

At the Vortex, Rob Nash continues the saga of the Smiths in the holiday edition of his Holy Cross series, 12 Steps to a More Disfunctional Family. Nash is a wonder to behold as he switches characters, and you don't have to be familiar with the storyline to enjoy the current installation. more ›

The Bard is back! This weekend only—Shakespeare shenanigans you won't want to miss. But first we're dropping a hint about a little show we've heard is fantastic. Shrewd Productions' Io: a myth about you runs through November 10, Th/Fr/Sa at the Vortex. This play with music features an all-star cast, including our current biggest crush Jude Hickey. Described as a "foray into heroic tales, vengeance, decadence, salvation, forgiveness, and rock & roll," it contains strong... more ›

Last night, Austin Circle of Theaters ushered in a whole new batch of B. Iden Payne Award winners. The event took place on the lovely St. Ed's campus; MMNT artistic director Ev Lunning Jr. hosted, along with members of the Actor's Equity association. Local heroine Karen Kuykendall was this year's Outstanding Honoree; Austin Chronicle Arts Editor Robert Faires presented her award. It was an elegant and exciting evening, to be sure! We weren't shocked by... more ›

And from the belly of the heaving bastard they ripped the dangling, puke-covered, festering, imp of a baby. Then they all blew themselves up and barbequed some genitalia. They called it…theatre. In honor of our Austinist pick of the week, we thought we’d get all Sarah Kane on your ass. If you’re not already familiar with the playwright that shocked the crap of every English theatre-goer right up until she killed herself in 1999,... more ›

Outside of it being the second-to-last week of Frontera Fest(!), things have taken a turn for the traditional here in the A-burg. Now’s your chance to get out and see theatre that actually looks and sounds like real life – instead of some weird, alternate reality where people scream a lot and pee on stage. (Note to reader: if you’re like us, and enjoy weird peeing plays -- never fear -- next weekend brings... more ›