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Musicals and comedies headline Houston's 12 best shows for April

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Mamma Mia!

Photo by Joan Marcus

Drama, comedy and mystery bloom across stages throughout Houston, but we’ve also got a song in our heart for the many musicals and operas opening this month. Mamma Mia, is there a lot of theater this month from a new twist on our favorite detective to a world premiere, true biography of an unsung WWII hero. So as you ease on down the road to your favorite live theater venue, don’t miss these stellar shows.

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at Alley Theatre (April 4-May 4)
Longtime Alley favorite and a staple of Houston theater, Todd Waite, takes his final bow as a member of the Alley resident acting company with his sixth time in the role of Sherlock Holmes. Waite always bring wit, intelligence, and a bit of mischief to his take on literature’s most famous detective. His interpretation should pair terrifically with playwright Ken Ludwig, who tends to bring surprising twists to any classic he adapts for the stage. For audiences who already know whodunit in this most beastly of Holmes cases, don’t worry that your fun will be spoiled. The biggest mystery of all will be discovering how five actors can play over 40 characters in this thrilling comic puzzle of a play.

Dixie’s Tupperware Party hosted at Stages (April 8-20)
The queen of Tupperware sales is back in Houston and goes back to her (tastefully dyed) roots, with this original show that made her an off-Broadway and fringe festival star. Hosted by the fast-talking, gum-chewing, southern spitfire Dixie Longate, the interactive show showcases the history and wonders of Tupperware as Dixie tells stories of her wild adventures as a pitch-woman. Over the years, Dixie has visited Houston with other themed theatrical rides, but her Stages stop might be Dixie’s last roundup for plastic kitchenware sales. The show’s creator and Dixie’s alter ego, Kris Andersson, has announced this will be the final Tupperware Party tour.

Mamma Mia! presented by Broadway at the Hobby Center (April 8-13)
Here we go again, as a new touring production of the feel-good musical sets sail to that Greek island paradise where the sun always shines and everyone is a dancing queen. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. For the ultimate fun theatrical experience “Take a Chance” on this jukebox musical set to the music of ABBA hits, like “S.O.S” and “Money.” This “Super Trouper” of a show is always an audience fav.

How to Die: The Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer at A.D. Players (April 9-May 4)
The faith-based company presents this world premiere historical biography chronicling the life of the pastor and theologian who tried and failed to assassinate Adolf Hitler. While the play depicts the dramatic events of Bonhoeffer’s life and his place in history, it also will portray his inner struggles as he must work through the changing theology of a fractured German church, his obligations to his loved ones, and his core question of the sinful nature of killing a human being in order to stop evil. Part of A.D. Players’ Metzler New Works Series, this complex production is definitely a labor of love for the company as it was written by local playwright Andy Pederson, the company’s director of education and theater for young audiences, with company artistic producer, Kevin Dean, directing and a cast of some of Houston’s favorite actors.

Three Sisters from Classical Theatre Company (April 10-26)
The Houston theater company that specializes in fresh interpretations of works at least a century old will perform one of the world's greatest dramas. Anton Chekhov's play depicts the lives, loves, and suffering of the Prozorov siblings as they long for an idealized past far from their present circumstance in the midst of social and political upheaval that will change Russia forever. Directed by CTC artistic director John Johnston, this will be the first full-length Chekhov play they’ve produced in a decade. Three Sisters was originally set in the part of the Russian Empire that is modern day Ukraine, with the unhappy Prozorov family being native born Russian Muscovites. Look for Johnston to draw some thought-provoking themes and contemporary connections between the literary past and our own interesting times.

Spill at Rice Moody Center for the Arts (April 11-12)
On the 15th anniversary of the Deep Water Horizon explosion, Moody presents the Houston premiere of this documentary play that's written by award-winning The Laramie Project playwright Leigh Fondakowski and features a cast of phenomenal local actors. One of the largest environmental disasters in contemporary times, the Deep Water accident left 11 workers dead, many injured, and triggered the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Using real life stories taken from hundreds of hours of interviews, Spill memorializes how Deepwater Horizon changed lives, the region, and the oil industry, and invites audiences to consider the precarious balance of danger and beauty found on the Gulf Coast.

Waitress from Theatre Under the Stars (April 15-April 27)
This feel-good musical about the love and heartache of a plucky waitress is only a decade old, so you might expect this to be another touring production. Well, grab your pie forks because this is a semi-homemade show baked to perfection from a delicious collaboration between Theatre Under the Stars and The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. Based on the hit film by Adrienne Shelly, the show follows Jenna, a master baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband. After Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor. Looking for ways out of her troubles, she sees a pie baking contest and its grand prize as her chance.

Breaking the Waves from Houston Grand Opera (April 19-May 1)
One of the most provocative and acclaimed operas of the 21st century finally crashes onto the Wortham stage, with this dramatic co-production from HGO, Opera Ventures, Scottish Opera, Théâtre National de l'Opéra Comique, and Adelaide Festival. Based on the acclaimed Lars von Trier film, composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek’s opera transport audiences to a strict religious community in 1970s Scotland. HGO Butler Studio alumna soprano Lauren Snouffer takes the starring role of Bess, a devout young woman who dares to marry an outsider, the offshore oil rigger Jan, played by fellow Butler Studio alumnus Ryan McKinny. With their marriage, Bess embarks on a journey of sexual exploration that is tragically interrupted when Jan is paralyzed in an accident, setting off a series of shocking events. Prepare for the passion and explicit themes, as this is one of the rare productions that HGO labels as intended for adult audiences only.

Tannhäuser from Houston Grand Opera (April 25-May 11)
Richard Wagner’s romantic masterpieces gets a new production as HGO once again collaborates with longtime friend and internationally-acclaimed director, Francesca Zambello. Houston audiences will be the first in the world to experience Zambello’s beautiful new vision of the opera before it moves to the Washington National Opera, where she is artistic director. Tannhäuser explores the tension between lust and love within the title character’s psyche after he abandons his spiritual love, Elisabeth, for the carnal delights of the goddess Venus. Renowned tenor Russell Thomas takes the title role, with Grammy winning stars Tamara Wilson as Elizabeth and Sasha Cooke as Venus.

Das Barbecü at Stages (April 25-June 1)
If you still can’t get enough opera this month, try this performance with a decidedly Texas twisty twang, as Stages makes a hootenanny of Wagner's Ring Cycle. In this musical comedy, the convoluted saga of Norse gods, goddess, heroes, and heroines all fighting over jewelry chronicled across Wagner’s four monumental operas gets whittled down to a hilarious evening where five actors play three generations of feuding Texas families. Expect a musical mashup of Broadway standards and twangy country, with show-stopping numbers like "Hog-Tie Your Man,” “Barbecue for Two” and “Makin’ Guacamole.”

Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song presented by the Hobby Center (April 24-27)
As the Hobby Center makes a larger push to bring touring shows and performers to Houston beyond their Broadway series, look for unique treats like this one. This off-Broadway sensation has lovingly parodied its Broadway elders for 35 years, becoming a New York theater staple in its own right. From Frozen to Phantom to Wicked, the show has always been a satirical roast of big Broadway hits and features outrageous costumes, silly spoofs of the songs you know by heart, and hilarious impressions by a cast of musical know-it-alls. They’re always refreshing the lineup, so looks for spoofs of the classics in the mix with the latest Broadway smashes.

The Wiz presented by Broadway at the Hobby Center (April 29-May 4)
The Wiz eases down the road to its week-long home at the Hobby Center in another all-new Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. This groundbreaking take on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway–from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a modern world. This revival is directed by Schele Williams (The Notebook, revival of Disney’s Aida), choreography by JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies”) with new additional material by Tony and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin. The Wiz’s dynamic infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a “Believe in Yourself” philosophy we’ll all take home.

$Stages presents Das Barbec\u00fc$

Photo courtesy of Stages

Stages presents Das Barbecü.

performing-arts

Best April Theater

The 9 best plays, musicals, and operas to see in Houston this month

Photo by Joan Marcus

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Houston theater companies seem to be feeling a bit nostalgic as they offer up some timeless and contemporary classics shows for audiences this month. Drama gets political, comedy gets historical, and an array of queens, knights, lunching ladies, and barbers sing. Celebrate the classics, and one world premiere, as theater blossoms across the city this month.

Brother Andrew at A.D. Players (now through April 26)
The family friendly and spiritual theater company's latest new work is this musical inspired by the New York Times Bestseller, God's Smuggler. The true story follows a young Dutch man who, after a dramatic conversion, takes on a new calling as Brother Andrew and risks his life to smuggle Bibles behind the iron curtain during the cold war. With music and lyrics by Christian rock star Neal Morse, Brother Andrew becomes an inspirational, thrilling musical, and Houston theater goers can be the first to see it.

Six presented by Broadway at the Hobby Center (April 7-12)
Let’s sing out “Yas, Queens!” as six divas take the Hobby stage once more to have (and belt) it out over who had a worst marriage to the king of bad husbands, Henry VIII. With those marriage outcomes being: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived, they’ve got a lot to sing about. Coincidentally resembling some of the hottest pop stars of our age, the 16th century royals: Catherine, Anne, Jane, Anna, Katherine with aK, and the second Catherine with a C (Henry had a type for names), finally get to tell their own side of the story in this theatrical concert extravaganza. Six is one of those rare musicals that after many years is still going strong on Broadway, but you don’t have book a flight to seek an audiences with the queens, as Broadway at Hobby brings them back to Houston.

Company from Garden Theatre (April 10-19)
Garden continues to celebrate its fifth season by remounting some of its audience's favorite shows, and the final musical of the season is no exception. Stephen Sondheim’s exploration of New York marriages through the eyes of a single and singular man, Bobby, also gave us Sondheim fans some of our most adored songs, like “Ladies Who Lunch” and “Being Alive.” Through a series of dinner parties, first dates, and candid conversations, Bobby explores the highs, lows, and absurdities of modern relationships, gaining insight into marriage, commitment, and his own persistent bachelorhood. Garden Theatre’s founding artistic director Logan Vaden, plays Bobby, alongside a cast of Garden regulars.

The Designated Mourner from Catastrophic Theatre (April 10-25)
Because of scheduling and production issues, Catastrophic made some changes to its announced season and brought back this contemporary political classic by American playwright and actor Wallace Shawn. Unfolding in a series of monologues and short scenes, three characters, a husband, wife, and her father, talk us through a labyrinthine tale spanning the years before, during, and after a populist uprising in an unnamed country. Now teetering on the edge of authoritarianism, the government has targeted artists and intellectuals for imprisonment and execution. Catastrophic co-founder Jason Nodler, who will direct, says the power of Designated Mourner is that it pushes audiences to reflect on their own beliefs and ideals if confronted by such circumstances. Previous productions have left audiences thinking and questioning long after the final lines.

Spamalot presented by Theatre Under the Stars (April 15-26)
Clap your coconut shells together as the revival of the smash Broadway hit clops into Houston. As the original description so honestly stated, Spamalot is lovingly ripped from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but fans know the musical definitely expands on the film.

Follow King Arthur and his nights of the Round Table on a set of meandering adventures through ancient England, a land full of flying cows, killer rabbits, French taunters, dancing girls, shrubbery, and watery lake tarts dispensing swords. While this revival garnered critical acclaim on Broadway for its new design and staging, the original book, lyrics, and music by Python member Eric Idle still remain, so expect to sing along with knightly songs like “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” and “Find Your Grail.”

Othello from Classical Theatre Company (April 16-May 2)
The Houston theater company that specializes in bringing new perspectives to theatrical masterpieces describes its 18th season as “sad plays for sad days.” In keeping with that theme, it brings the always complex and provocative Othello to the DeLuxe stage.

The play follows the heroic Moorish general in the Venetian army, Othello, whose life is destroyed by his insidious and conniving ensign, Iago. Calling Othello his favorite Shakespeare play, company founder John Johnston finds many parallels between the play and our current political landscape, especially Othello’s blight and Iago’s ability to manipulate others using fear and racism as a wedge.

Messiah from Houston Grand Opera (April 17-May 3)
As the music rises to the heavens, the Wortham stage will be filled with images reminiscent of fantastic dreams in this rare staging of Handel’s Messiah, arranged by Mozart, as a full operatic production. Though classical music lovers likely are more accustomed to hearing Handel’s Messiah as a holiday tradition in concert halls, Wilson’s acclaimed production becomes a surreal, transformative experience.

Performed by the HGO Orchestra and Chorus alongside soprano Ying Fang, countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, tenor Benjamin Bliss, and bass-baritone Nicholas Newtona, as well as internationally celebrated dancer Alexis Fousekis, this Messiah production will be one audiences will not soon forget.

Fences at Alley Theatre (April 17-May 10)
It’s been some time since the Alley produced a work by August Wilson, one of the great American playwrights of the late 20th century, but this Pulitzer and Tony winner is certainly a momentous one to welcome Wilson’s work back to the Hubbard stage. Fences tells the story of a former baseball player, Troy Maxson, who struggles with the realities of life and the pursuit of happiness. The play explores themes of racial prejudice and unfulfilled dreams, while depicting the challenges of parenthood and the strength and bonds of family when they are tested.

The Barber of Seville from Houston Grand Opera (April 24-May 10)
One of the most beloved comic operas, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville gets a colorful and exhilarating new staging created and directed by Joan Font, founding director of the Barcelona-based company Comediants. The opera follows the story of the dashing Count Almaviva, who is captivated by the mysterious Rosina but thwarted in his pursuit by her pompous old guardian, Dr. Bartolo. In order to get close to the cloistered beauty, Almaviva enlists the help of the scheming barber Figaro and his clever tricks, leading to a series of elaborate disguises, intercepted letters, and outrageous mix-ups before true love triumphs at last.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Six.

performing-arts