fun under the stars

Theatre Under the Stars raises the curtain on exciting new season of can't-miss hits

Waitress heads to Bass Concert Hall on January 22-27.

Photo by Philicia Endelman

Spring in Houston arts means new season announcements, and the latest anticipation-brewing lineup unveiling comes courtesy of Theatre Under the Stars.

“We have a fantastic collection of shows for our 2022-23 Season including a world premiere production that we know our audiences will love, a beloved Disney musical and one of the astounding new classics of the American theatre,” says Dan Knechtges, artistic director for Theatre Under The Stars in a recent statement about the ’22-’23 lineup. “This season is going to be so much fun, an incredible and amazing journey! I cannot wait to share it with all of Houston.”

TUTS has always held a unique place in U.S. regional theater companies, as they stage their own big versions of musical favorites, give us new visions of lesser-known shows, and also present select Broadway touring productions.

The upcoming TUTS season keeps to this tradition with four self-produced shows, including the already announced, world premiere of The Griswold’s Broadway Vacation, co-produced with Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. Plus they’ll balance out the season by bringing in two touring shows.

So, let’s start planning our musical vacation itinerary for a year of musical theater under the stars.

Ain’t Misbehavin’ (September 20-October 2)
The season opens with the unexpected, this Tony-winning best musical from the late ’70s that takes audiences back to the Harlem Renaissance and jazz nightclubs filled with the music of Fats Waller.

With a show featuring songs like “Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness if I Do,” “Honeysuckle Rose” and “I Can't Give You Anything but Love,” we have no doubt TUTS associate artistic director, Monique Midgette, will have the Hobby Center joint jumping directing this five-performers revue. The actors/singers bring the music and performing genius of Fats Waller to 21st-century audiences.

The Griswold’s Broadway Vacation (October 25-November 6)
CultureMap recently brought you the news that TUTS will become the second company to stage this world premiere musical comedy before it heads to Broadway. Yes, the favorite family of the National Lampoon film creations, Clark, Ellen, Audrey, and Rusty Griswold head to out on another, and all-new, misadventure vacation.

From the pre-production hoopla, it looks like the characters will also head to New York, just as the musical does. Here’s hoping they’ll be at least one show-stopping number about trying to find a place to park the family truckster anywhere in a 20-mile radius of Times Square.

Mary Poppins (December 6-24)
The Disney and Cameron Mackintosh family-friendly new classic drops in by flying umbrella just in time for the holidays. TUTS will produce this one with Knechtges both directing and choreographing.

Look for a fun mix of Broadway veterans and local favorites actors and dancers on stage. Mary will make the holidays magical and tidy. Meanwhile, Santa can look forward to some mighty clean Houston chimneys once Bert and the gang have "Chim Chim Cher-eed" them. Poppins trivia note for the season: Downton Abbey/Gilded Age creator Julian Fellowes wrote the book for the musical.

9 to 5 (January 31-February 12, 2023)
Based on the original 9 to 5 film, this Tony-nominated musical from country queen and queen of our hearts — Dolly Parton — originally hit Broadway back in 2008.

Perhaps thanks to music and lyrics by Dolly herself and book by Patricia Resnick, who wrote the original screenplay, the show recently had a smash revival in the UK. Now headed to the U.S., TUTS presents its Houston stop early in 2023, where Violet, Judy, and Doralee will sing and dance their way into taking care of business and their heartless, chauvinistic boss once more.

Waitress (March 28-April 9, 2023)
The second touring show TUTS will present during the coming season, Waitress has become one of those breakout musicals that will likely keep getting invited back to Houston every few years.

The show boasts music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and book by screenwriter Jessie Nelson, and all based on the Adrienne Shelly film. The story about a woman taking life’s lemons and making delicious pie out of them, continues to charm audiences.

Rent (May 16-28, 2023)
With the Lin-Manuel Miranda-directed tick, tick...BOOM! spotlight back on Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s life and artistry, perhaps it’s no wonder TUTS decided there was “No day but today” for their new production of the Broadway phenomenon. The story loosely based on La Bohème resonates more than ever in its tale of friendship, love, mortality, art, and, of course, making rent during a pandemic.

In February 2023, TUTS will present the touring 9 to 5 musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly herself.

Photo by Doug Reuschel

In February 2023, TUTS will present the touring 9 to 5 musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly herself.

theater

Thanks, Tommy

Houston-born Broadway legend donates 50,000 item personal collection to UH

Courtesy of University of Houston

Tommy Tune has received 10 Tony Awards.

Broadway legend Tommy Tune and his sister Gracey have made a major gift to the University of Houston, ensuring that the star's larger-than-life legacy will be available for scholars and students for generations to come. The Tony Award-winning actor, choreographer, and director has given a collection of costumes, scripts, design sketches, choreography notes, photos and personal letters to the university.

More than 50,000 items in all, the collection captures the creative spirit of Broadway in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s and provides a window into how iconic productions were conceived, staged, and experienced. Tune, a native Houstonian who earned his master's degree in directing from UH in 1964, has been one of Broadway's luminaries for decades, helming the original production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Nine, and more. He is the first person to win Tony Awards in four different categories, and the only person in Tony Awards history to win the same categories in consecutive years, taking home best choreography and best directing in 1990 and 1991. He is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award.

He starred opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1969 film Hello, Dolly!

“The University of Houston felt like the natural home for it because it’s where my story truly began,” Tune said. “This collection represents my life in musical theater, and I want it to inspire the next generation of artists in the city that first inspired me.”

The collection is housed in the UH Archives in the MD Anderson Library. Tune's sister Gracey noted that her brother's extraordinary career is part of theater history.

“You don’t win nine Tony Awards in so many facets of the craft — and a 10th for Lifetime Achievement — without shaping the era itself,” she said. “This collection covers every corner of his Broadway life, and many of his creations still live on stages around the world.”

The gift means that current and future generations of students and researchers will have access to remarkable items and letters.

“This collection is a significant contribution to the study of theater history, particularly musical theater,” said University of Houston Archivist Mary Manning. “It will be invaluable to students, performers, filmmakers and researchers who want to explore Tune’s creative process, reconstruct productions or gain cultural context for the works he directed and performed in.”

Tune's connections to Houston run deep. TUTS' annual Tommy Tune Awards are named for the star, and recognize excellence in high school musical theater.

Tune expressed gratitude for the university and acknowledged that donating these pieces of his life and work represent a full-circle moment.

“The University of Houston has an energy and creative spirit that matches everything this collection represents,” Tune said. “If my life’s journey can help even one young artist see a bigger future for themselves, it will be the perfect encore.”

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