the show goes on

Venerable Houston theater company rehires entire furloughed staff

Alley Theatre Christmas Carol: David Rainey

Government funding means the Alley can rehire staff and plan for beloved shows such as A Christmas Carol.

Photo by Lynn Lane

The news dropped like a bombshell in the Houston arts scene: On March 20, due to COVID-19, the Alley Theatre announced that it was temporarily laying off 75 percent of its staff and asking the remainder who make more than $50,000 per year to take a pay cut, in addition to cancelling the rest of its 2019-2020 season.

But, as the adage goes, the show must go on. And thanks to the recent CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act), in the Alley’s sake, it will. The venerable theater company announced that with government assistance, it can continue its operations.

The funding also means the Alley can now re-hire temporarily laid off employees, according to a press release. And in some more good news, the temporarily laid off employees will also receive back pay from March 30, the date they were temporarily laid off, to present.

“We are thrilled that Congress enacted this employment law to help nonprofits and small businesses, allowing us to bring back our employees and make them whole,” said Dean Gladden, managing director, in a statement. “This is a very difficult time in our country and our hearts go out to all those that have lost their jobs at this time. We can’t wait for life to return to normal when we’ll welcome everyone back to Houston’s theater, the Alley Theatre.”

Though the company is celebrating the much-needed assistance, it’s not completely a happy ending to this story. The Alley reports that it still has a shortfall, and has thus created a $6.5 million Lights Up Campaign to address its lost revenue, sunk expenses, and ongoing operating costs.

With that in mind, the theater is asking patrons and fans to consider contributing to the Lights Up Campaign or subscribing to the recently announced 2020-21 season. Patrons can donate online or subscribe to the new season.

theater

taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.