The TUTS shuffle

Theatre Under the Stars shuffles new season due to COVID-19 pandemic

Come from Awat TUTS Theatre Under the Stars tour

Fans can look for the upbeat Come from Away.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

With the COVID-19 pandemic showing no signs of slowing, arts organizations have been forced to pivot and adjust programming. The latest local group to do so is Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), which had planned to launch its 2020/2021 season at the Hobby Center with the highly anticipated, Broadway-bound revival of 1776 in September, followed by Rock of Ages in October.

But due to the pandemic, TUTS has just announced that both productions have been moved to later in the 2020/2021 Season. The season will now begin with the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid,on December 6 and end with the two postponed productions.

The ’80s-themed musical comedy, Rock of Ages, will run August 10 through 22, 2021. The Broadway revival of 1776 will cap off the season September 28 through October 10, 2021, immediately following its run in New York City. The Houston engagement of 1776 will feature the complete Broadway cast and is directed by Tony Award-winning director, Diane Paulus.

“Rock of Ages is going to be the perfect party show for some summer fun, and we’re thrilled to snag the full Broadway production of 1776 for Houston audiences,” said TUTS Artistic Director Dan Knechtges. “We’re so thankful that we can retain both musicals for the upcoming season.”

The TUTS season also includes Disney’s The Little Mermaid, December 6 through 24; South Pacific, February 9 through 21; Sister Act, April 6 through 18; and the North American tour of Come From Away, May 18 through 30.

All productions will be in the Hobby Center’s Sarofim Hall.

Tickets for Theatre Under The Stars 2020/21 Season are currently only available by subscription; individual tickets will go on sale to the public later this year.

TUTS is also converting all in-person summer camps for children and young adults to online classes. Those interested in camps from the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre and The River, can get more information online.

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.