Arts and Culture Texas magazine

Austin’s Zach Theatre continues the LBJ Saga with The Great Society

JOHN DeMERS·January 27, 2017

When Dave Steakley, producing artistic director of The Zach in Austin, decided to stage the first of two Robert Schenkkan plays about the presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson, he thought it might have special meaning to Texans. After all, Johnson was a Texan from the day he was born till the day he died, and he made sure the entire world knew it.

Austin Features Theater

Taking the Lead: ZACH Theatre provides Access to All

JOHN DeMERS·October 25, 2016

Lee Nguyen from the City of Austin gave the latest work at ZACH Theatre a thumbs-up review. But it wasn’t exactly for the company’s latest drama, comedy or musical.

Austin Theater

Collaboration Defines Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s SOLUNA Festival

JOHN DeMERS·April 20, 2016

Collaboration happens in the arts, especially in the performing arts, whether the artists involved enjoy it or not.

Dallas/Ft Worth Music

Window into a Texas Icon: Holland Taylor brings Ann to Life at the ZACH

JOHN DeMERS·March 15, 2016

Holland Taylor grew up to be a successful actress, not a successful politician, and she has the movie, TV and stage credits to prove it.

Austin Theater

LBJ Takes the Stage: Alley Theatre and Dallas Theater Center Team Up for All the Way

JOHN DeMERS·January 19, 2016

Lyndon Baines Johnson has surely been called almost every name in every book, especially here in his home state of Texas. But “idealist” hasn’t typically been one of them.

Theater

Opera in the Desert: Fire Island Opera Festival in Marfa

JOHN DeMERS·December 16, 2015

If you took the Santa Fe Opera’s summer performance schedule and, while you were busy flipping through the season, also replaced the white-tablecloth tailgating, the candelabras and the Veuve Cliquot with boots and cowboy hats, you’d have a general feeling for the Fire Island Opera Festival presented by Marfa Live Arts.

Music West Texas

Seeing With the Heart: The Little Prince Charms at HGO

JOHN DeMERS·December 14, 2015

For a long time after its world premiere in 2003, I hoped Houston Grand Opera would have The Little Prince. You know – the holiday opera!

Houston Music

Global Theater: The Texas/Prague Partnership

JOHN DeMERS·November 16, 2015

There is no commercial nonstop flight from any city in Texas to any city in the Czech Republic, including the country’s lovely and historic capital, Prague.

Theater