The Future of Memory and Identity: Micky Fisher’s Replica at Stages
Science fiction has photon-torpedoed and robot-revolted its way into conquering almost every contemporary storytelling medium, with the possible exception of theater.
Tarra Gaines
Superflat Superstar: Takashi Murakami at the Modern
When we think of the images created by acclaimed Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, we perhaps can’t help but see visions in our heads of smiling daisies, sleepy-eyed mushrooms, menacing mouse-like creatures with very sharp teeth and cartoon bears vaguely reminiscent of Kanye West.
Conversations in Art, Science & Technology: Moody Center for the Arts
The artist, Josiah McElheny, working with cosmologist David Weinberg, creates a gallery-sized installation, consisting of five hanging chromed-metal, transparent hand-blown glass and light sculptures.
Architecture of Creation: Michelangelo and the Vatican at MFAH
The artistic process rarely garners as much attention and appreciation as the finished masterpiece, but shaded charcoal figures, sculpted wax half-forms and rough wooden models–the staggered steps along the way to final creation–have their own magnificent beauty.
Stages delivers emotional blow with ‘We are Proud to Present a Presentation….’
On rare occasion as a theater critic do I see a production that calls less for a review and more for a doctorate dissertation, but Jackie Sibblies Drury’s We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915 at Stages Repertory Theatre (now through April 1) feels like such a play.
Meta Story: ‘Bright Star’ at TUTS
Though it made its Broadway debut in 2016, the bluegrass music-filled Bright Star feels like an old fashioned musical born many decades ago.
New Book, New Play: Lawrence Wright Explains Texas and Burton/Taylor Affair
Everything in the world connects to Texas, and everything in Texas is connected.
The Geology of Art: Fusebox Festival 2018
Art is like a rock; or, more precisely, a cross-disciplinary performing and visual arts festival is like a geological epoch.
Outstanding Performances: A Vibrant Memphis at TUTS
The Tony Award-winning musical Memphis tells a rollicking story of the dawn of rock ’n’ roll in the segregated south that rejects black and white simplicity.
The Big Surround: Nancy and Tarra talk Immersivity on Texas Stages
Since we (Nancy Wozny & Tarra Gaines) have an ongoing conversation on what defines an immersive performance, we decided to share some of our adventures and to make some of our endless road trip banter public.
Remembering Harris Wittels: Stephanie Wittels Wachs’s New Sad/Funny Memoir
“Tragedy is the cure for anxiety,” says Stephanie Wittels Wachs of the unwanted and much too costly life and death lesson grief taught her after her comedy prodigy brother Harris Wittels died of a heroin overdose in 2015.
The Front Edge of Theater Making: AT&T’s Off Broadway on Flora
Can any image fill a performing arts venue programmer or curator with more dread than the sight of an empty, darkened theater?