Photo by Kirk R. Tuck Doubt: A Parable4/3-5/11, Wed-Sat @8pm, Sun @2:30pmZach Scott Theatre (1510 Toomey Rd)[info] | [tickets]If you've never heard of John Patrick Shanley's multiple award-winning play, Doubt, your head must be deeply buried in sand. Garnering Obies, Tonies, and the Pulitzer, the play was a blockbuster a few years back. Heck, they're even making it into a film. Starring Meryl Streep, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, no less. This is our way of......

Following tonight's performance of Troades, the Vortex is hosting a reception in honor of Sean T.C. O’Malley, composer of the show's original score. // Every Wednesday night in March, all seats for Speeding Motorcycle at Zach are $15! // The Heroes of Comedy's Improvised Shakespeare, Saturdays at 8pm at the Hideout, is so popular that they had to extend the run through the end of March. // Mortified is back!...

With Speeding Motorcycle, Zach Scott Theater has delivered a solid product. The basic story is simple—boy meets girl; boy becomes obsessed with girl; boy really, really can’t let go. The show also deals with Johnston’s stint inside the mental hospital system. we’d recommend it for any Johnston fan, but unlike most of Zach’s offerings, bringing your granny, your momma or your baby sister might be a little problematic....

Accompanying the current exhibition at the Harry Ransom Center, Beat Voices delves further into the doings of Peter Orlovsky, Diane di Prima, William S. Burroughs, and Alfred Leslie. The production's four brief plays run Sat-Sun @1 & 3pm until the exhibition closes on August 3. // The rock opera Speeding Motorcycle at Zach Scott Theater is based on the work of Daniel Johnston and tells the tale of Joe the Boxer's unrequited love for an undertaker's girlfriend. We're betting it won't disappoint. Through March 23, Thu-Sat @8pm / Sun @2:30pm....

While this presentation of the show— put on by Zach Scott Theater Center and directed by Dave Steakley (also the Artistic Director of ZSTC)— features sets, language and costumes true to the original show, there is heartbreaking scene during which, without actually speaking to a change in time and geography, Steakley evokes Katrina-battered New Orleans. He manages this by stranding those characters that survive a brutal storm on rooftops, clinging to each other and praying for help while a dry-ice fog rolls out into the spacious music hall, enveloping the audience and breaking down the fourth wall....

Zach Scott is getting national attention for its run of Porgy and Bess at the newly remodeled Austin Music Hall. The show runs two weekends only, and wraps up this Sunday. // Jaston Williams had great success with his autobiographical, one-man show, I'm Not Lying—and now he's back with more. This weekend only, Cowboy Noises further explores Williams' fascinating life with humor and, we expect, unflinching honesty. // We're mighty fond of local playwright Max Langert, and his current play, You're Happier Than You Think: Recalibrating Your Emotional Scale, at Frontera Short Fringe sounds like a charmer. Saturday @6:15pm, and Sunday @noon....

As reported in a heartfelt eulogy on Michael Barnes' blog, Austin lost one its treasures yesterday. Karen Kuykendall passed away at the age of 69 from complications from cancer of the lungs and spine. Ms. Kuykendall was so many things: funny, kind, amazingly talented, beautiful, friendly, bright...the list goes on and on. We met her a handful of times; she was always warm and truly delightful. And of course legions of Austinites will remember her......

Michael Barnes at the Statesman is reporting that, "Austin stage star Joe York, most recently seen in "The Rocky Horror Show," passed away early this morning in his Brooklyn home." York's acting was showcased in productions including Falsettos, Forever Plaid, A Streetcar Named Desire, Ruthless, and The Rocky Horror Show. He was also an accomplished director and designer. "I had the honor to know and work with the wonderful man, Joe York. He was......

Welcome, welcome, the return of This Week in Theatre, our weekly attempt to point you, dear reader, in the direction of some of Austin's best and brightest theatre offerings. Pickings are a touch slim this week, probably due to the spring holiday, but here are a few things that caught our eye. First, the Bard-lovin' thesps at Austin Shakespeare Fest have ganged up with none other than Richard Garriott to bring you an Easter......

The fun and lively improv show Plays Well With Others is being held over at the Zach Scott Theater and if you need to have your funny bone tickled, you should go. The show is directed by Owen Egerton and written by Les McGehee. Owen and Les also star, along with a cast of some of Austin's best improv actors like Megan Flynn, Jodi Egerton, Scott Chester, and Shannon McCormick. Also involved are videographer Ben......

FRIDAY [16] music •Of Montreal, Elekibass, DJ Jester the Filipino Fist at Emo's (outside) music •Those Peabodys, Ume, Oh, Beast!, El Paso Hot Button at Emo's music •Spank Dance Company, Hello Lovers at Emo's Lounge music •Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Reckless Kelly at La Zona Rosa music •Long John Thomas & The Duff, Bellfuries, Eddie Clendening & The Blue Ribbon Boys, The Aquasonics at Continental Club music •Bruce Robison at Cactus Café (9pm,......

Last night, Austin's theatre denizens gathered at Zach Scott Theater for the annual B. Iden Payne Awards ceremony. A function of Austin Circle of Theaters, every fall the BIPpies recognize outstanding work on Austin's stages. This year's ballot was chock full of amazing talent—undoubtedly the voting public had some difficult choices to make. With a fabulous ceremony helmed by Andrea Skola and the women of Shrewd Productions, and featuring commentary from the always-funny Buzz......

And they're off.... The nominations for this year's B. Iden Payne Awards have been announced. We received 'em this morning, straight from the offices of the Austin Circle of Theatres. If you want to get in on the action, ballots will be available starting this Thursday, September 21, at ACoT (701 Tillery Street) & AusTIX (kiosk at the Austin Visitors Center, 209 E. 6th Street). You must be an ACoT member to vote, but......

Photo by Kirk R. Tuck What happens when you combine the acerbic satirical wit of David Sedaris, one sexy and campy cabaret singer (Meredith McCall) and the best actress in Austin two years running (Lee Eddy)? You get the hilarious one-act holiday-themed play The Santaland Diaries. We had the fortune of spending Friday night at Zach Scott Theater laughing until we cried at what is becoming an annual tradition. Directed by Dave Steakley, TSD......