Austin Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 2

Review: INTO THE WOODS at City Theatre Austin
by Sabrina Wallace - September 17, 2024

City Theatre Austin’s production of Into the Woods is a captivating exploration of fairy tales and human desires. Weaving well-known fairy tale characters, the musical delves into the complexities of choice and consequence but also explores Sondheim’s idea that we can find strength in our community,...

Review: SUNNY DAYS at The VORTEX Theatre
by Victoria Schwarz - September 13, 2024

The VORTEX Theatre, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Save Our Springs Alliance, Six Square-Austin’s Black Cultural District, the City of Austin Economic Development Department, and the Texas Commission on the Arts, presents the world premier of Reina Hardy’s SUNNY DAYS on their...

Review: BAR(D) at Walking Shadow Shakespeare Project
by Sabrina Wallace - September 09, 2024

For Shakespeare enthusiasts seeking a fresh and original take on his works, the Walking Shadow Shakespeare Project delivers unique experiences that make classic literature accessible without feeling overwhelming. I eagerly anticipate the company’s next unconventional interpretation of Shakespeare’s ...

Review: THE NORMAL HEART at Austin Rainbow Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - September 09, 2024

ART’s production of 'The Normal Heart' delivers the play’s message and invites audiences to consider our role in the ongoing fight for justice and compassion. Kramer’s timeless work remains a vital and moving testament to the enduring power of activism, community, and the importance of solidarity in...

Review: CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Cold Frame Collective
by Sabrina Wallace - September 09, 2024

Cyrano de Bergerac is a monumental play, often challenging for theatrical companies to execute effectively. Cold Frame Collective honors the work of Edmund Rostand with Kathleen Fletcher's riveting performance and a production approach focused on the rich text of the play! A captivating classic wort...

Review: CALENDAR GIRLS at City Theatre Austin
by Sabrina Wallace - September 02, 2024

City Theatre’s production of Calendar Girls was outrageously funny. The outstanding cast bared it all with wit, sarcasm, and a lot of heart. While the show has closed, do not to miss the upcoming staging of Into the Woods starting September 13th, 2024. #austintheatre #broadwayworld...

Review: NATIVE GARDENS at Sterling Stage Austin
by Victoria Schwarz - August 25, 2024

What did our critic think of NATIVE GARDENS at Sterling Stage Austin?...

Review: LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT at The City Theatre Austin
by Sabrina Wallace - July 31, 2024

City Theatre’s rendition of 'Long Day's Journey Into Night' is a compelling and masterfully executed production. It is a must-see for anyone interested in American theatre and the timeless themes of family, memory, and forgiveness. Through its stellar performances and thoughtful direction, it honors...

Review: CELEBRATING 20 SEASONS OF IMPACT ARTS at McCullough Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - July 24, 2024

A remarkable celebration of 20 seasons at Impact Arts, honoring Ginger Morris and her dedicated team. With illustrious alumni and a vibrant young company of over 100 members, it showcased Austin's talent and the close-knit bonds of our theatre community. #impactarts #summerstockaustin...

Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Gaslight-Baker Theatre
by Victoria Schwarz - July 24, 2024

It’s a party like it’s 1595 at Gaslight-Baker Theatre in Lockhart this month with their production of Wayne Kirkpatrick, Karey Kirkpatrick, and John O’Farrell’s musical farce, SOMETHING ROTTEN! from July 12 - August 4....

Review: FUNNY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE at Georgetown Palace Theatre's Playhouse Stage
by Victoria Schwarz - July 01, 2024

Set against a full moon and reminiscent of variety shows, Jones, Hope and Wooten’s FUNNY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE mixes comedy, folly, nearly absurd situations, a hint of slapstick, and a lot of heart in four wildly hilarious situations where “that four=letter word L-O-V-E” is at stake. ...

Review: ANYTHING GOES at TexArts
by Sabrina Wallace - June 10, 2024

TexArts production of Anything Goes sails onto the stage with all the exuberance and charm of a luxury cruise liner, delivering a whirlwind of romance, comedy, and toe-tapping tunes #MusicalTheatre #BroadwayWorld...

Review: FROZEN at Bass Concert Hall
by Sabrina Wallace - June 09, 2024

Delve into themes of sisterhood, empowerment, and self-acceptance with the heartwarming production of Disney’s Frozen. It's not like any other adaptation; it's an experience that magnifies the magic of the original film. Escape the summer heat and step into a winter wonderland right here in Austin, ...

Review: THE KING OF HEARTS at The Alchemy Theatre
by Sabrina Wallace - June 03, 2024

Explore The Alchemy Theatre's production of King of Hearts at the Whisenhunt and enjoy its unique story, compelling visuals, and talented cast. Allow yourself to be drawn into the insanity that walks the streets of DuTemps—it promises to be a memorable experience. #Austin #MusicalTheatre #BroadwayWo...

Review: QUEER TO TELL: LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE at Soundspace At Captain Quack's
by Sabrina Wallace - June 02, 2024

On a warm and joyful evening at Captain Quack’s, queer artists from Austin, TX shared personal stories about love, friendship, family, happiness, and heartbreak. Hosted by the humorously sharp Chitah Daniels Kennedy, Lavender Public’s 'Queer to Tell: Love is Love is Love' captivated audiences of all...

Review: DOUBT: A PARABLE at Georgetown Palace - Playhouse Stage
by Sabrina Wallace - May 22, 2024

“Doubt: A Parable” is a masterfully crafted play that offers no easy answers. Under the direction of Megan Urbanovsky, Georgetown Palace's production faithfully delivers the writer’s intent, challenging audiences to confront the uncomfortable reality that truth is often elusive and multifaceted....

Review: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Bastrop Opera House
by Victoria Schwarz - May 07, 2024

The musicals of the 1920s-1940s are rich territory for parody since many imported the stylistic elements (vaudeville, dance hall style, revue, et al.) of popular entertainment of the era to carry the shows, often disadvantaging well-developed plot lines and complex characters....

Review: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Gaslight-Baker Theatre
by Victoria Schwarz - May 06, 2024

Choosing to perform a Tennessee (Thomas Lanier) Williams (1911-1983) play means genuinely committing to some of theater’s most salient aspects: in this case, a plot that must capture and then hold the audience in unfolding layers of tragedy, characters that are complex and often display less-than-de...

Review: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at Bass Concert Hall
by Victoria Schwarz - April 25, 2024

As many students of history know, 1929 was the beginning of a chaotic, and often tragic, decade for the United States. Seven months after a small stock market crash and recovery on March 25, the bottom fell out....

Review: ABOVE THE FOLD at Factory On 5th
by Victoria Schwarz - April 19, 2024

Julie Zaffarano’s ABOVE THE FOLD, set in 1935, is a play about three investigative reporters and a photographer who are staying in the same hotel as they cover a grand jury. The work of this particular grand jury is to determine if there is sufficient evidence to conduct a trial for the murder of si...

Review: DISASTER! THE MUSICAL At Georgetown Palace Theatre
by Lynn Beaver - April 12, 2024

The Georgetown Palace production is jammed full of talent and fun with a brilliant cast and crew. DISASTER! THE MUSICAL quite simply highlights what the Palace does best, technically difficult shows that make us roar with laughter....

Review: PRELUDE TO A KISS at the The Bastrop Opera House
by Victoria Schwarz - April 08, 2024

What did our critic think of PRELUDE TO A KISS at The Bastrop Opera House? PRELUDE TO A KISS is the story of Peter and Rita, a couple who meet at a party at one of Rita’s neighbors and later, fall in love. Although there are some personal differences, they decide to get married after a few weeks....

Review: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at Genesis Creative Collective
by Victoria Schwarz - March 18, 2024

What did our critic think of DANCING AT LUGHNASA at Genesis Creative Collective?...

Review: WICKED - Musical Magic At Bass Concert Hall
by Lynn Beaver - March 17, 2024

There’s a reason why WICKED has become one of the most beloved musicals in the history of theatre, it is quite simply fantastic in every aspect....