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    Five Questions

    An All-American Revue (Made In China): Catastrophic funny lady Tamarie Cooper isback

    Joel Luks
    Jul 15, 2011 | 5:39 am
    • After taking a two-year hiatus, Tamarie Cooper is back with one of herfast-paced shows.
      Photo by George Hixson
    • "The United States of Tamarie: An All Musical Revue (Made in China)" is notabout politics, but has plenty of social commentary.
      Photo by George Hixson
    • The show opens Friday and plays through Aug. 20 at DiverseWorks ArtSpace. Allshows are pay what you can with a suggested ticket price of $20.
      Photo by George Hixson
    • "My baby Rose is now 21 months and she is my greatest production of all time."
      Photo by Julie Soefer

    She's back and everyone is talking about it. It's been two years since Tamarie Cooper, Catastrophic Theatre co-founder and artistic director, put on one of her iconic, deliciously witty and zany fast-paced shows. Houston is primed for it.

    The United States of Tamarie: An All-American Revue (Made in China) written by Cooper and Patrick Reynolds also showcases original music and lyrics by John Duboise, Joe Folladori and DeWitt Gravink. With a huge cast of Catastrophic company members and friends, the show promises to be an "unflinching look at the inherent absurdity of our modern national identity."

    "At the same time, it's not about politics. Nothing is sacred and everyone is made fun of. Though I don't think Sarah Palin would find the show very funny."

    On a rainy afternoon, I paid a visit to the theater maven, funny lady, writer, dancer, director, choreographer and mom in hopes of getting some insights on her upcoming show. Though I arrived late due to the predictable bad-weather traffic through downtown, Cooper welcomed me chilled and collected, sporting one of the many wigs that personify her onstage appearances.

    After making our way through a maze of costumes, we settled in DiverseWorks' conference area accompanied by DW's resident three-legged dog.

    And we talked...

    CultureMap: There's a buzz about this show. After being on hiatus for a couple of years, people are really excited to see what Tamarie Cooper is up to with this All-American revue made in China. What's different about this show?

    Tamarie Cooper: No matter what the title to my show, even though the topics are very different, there is a unifying style to all my pieces. I wrote a cabaret-style show, a speakeasy, most are very personal. But they all follow a vaudevillian formula you don't see much these days. I take the topic, filter it through my own brain, add personal insights and real-life experiences. That's the basic formula. I am using a large cast of ridiculously funny crazy actors, original music, lots of dance and 1,001 costume changes.

    The thing that sets this show apart is the very broad topic. Just because of the nature of America, it allowed for more social commentary. It's edgier and sassier.

    At the same time, it's not about politics. Nothing is sacred and everyone is made fun of. Though I don't think Sarah Palin would find the show very funny. There are plenty of jokes at her expense.

    CM: Your shows always weave in an aspect of your personal story. Is it difficult to put yourself out there? For The Tamarie Cooper Show: Journey to the Center of My Brain in 3D you really were out there front and center, hormones and pregnancy included.

    TC: Self-deprecation is very therapeutic for myself. When I display my most embarrassing moments from my high school years and look back, I laugh at them now. I guarantee you that some have had the same experiences. That's what has made my show successful over the years. Other people can relate.

    CM: With 14 shows under your belt, what has changed over the years?

    TC: The production value alone and the skill set of the actors and designers has certainly advanced over the years. I have wonderful memories of my past shows, but when I watch them, they were very rough.

    It is very interesting to realize how much more layering there is and how much more complex they are now. We didn't have scripts before. We used to just go out there and say stuff.

    I have been so lucky to have a great talent pool to work with. Some of them have been performing with me for many years. I went to high school with Richard Lyders (actor). He has been in all but two of my shows.When he and I are dancing together in the "Born Again Texan" number in this show, we have moments when we realize we've been doing this since we were both 15 years old.

    Kyle Sturdivant is also a great talent. He has played my husband in past shows and is one of my closest friends, my sidekick, and he is very funny.

    CM: Is there something you've always wanted to incorporate into a show that you have not had the opportunity to yet?

    TC: I've had some wild ideas like doing something where we take the audience camping. But then the reality of spending a month-long of weekends with strangers in the woods made me think of serial killers. I have always wanted to do a water ballet, do a show on a cruise ship, but that requires a different type of underwriting that I really don't have available.

    I don't know what I'll do next. People are already asking me about that. When it comes, it comes.

    CM: Are you happy to be back? How does it feel to return to put together this show?

    TC: It's great to be back. After being off for two years people were starting to ask if I had regretted being away. I haven't. My baby Rose is now 21 months and she is my greatest production of all time. Having the time to spend with her has been incredible.

    She is doing very good and adjusting to a working mom. I do take her to the theater. She's very fond of wigs and costumes, very into that, and she's quite the dancer. If I sense that she wants to be involved, she'll be welcome.

    I am not going to force her. She may be more like my husband, and have no desire to be on stage. Maybe she'll be a designer or builder, working on that side of theater.

    The United States of Tamarie: An All-American Revue (Made in China) opens Friday night and plays through Aug. 20 at DiverseWorks ArtSpace. All shows are pay what you can with a suggested ticket price of $20.

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    Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    May 14, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Josephine's Crawfish boil
    Photo by Quit Nguyen
    Josephine's will be serving crawfish at EZ's Liquor Lounge.

    This weekend promises to have good times, good music and a helluva lot of crawfish.

    Two different crawfish boils will be going down, certain to make any seafood lover go on a head-sucking frenzy. We also have an immersive rock experience courtesy of a legendary music magazine, the grand opening of a new sports bar, the return of a Southern hip-hop trailblazer, the 35mm debut of a recent Oscar winner, and a salute to three guys who often told people they should be dancing.

    Thursday, May 15

    ARTECHOUSE presents Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED, The Immersive Rock Experience
    Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED brings the history of rock ‘n roll to life with a dynamic mix of music and visuals. Narrated by actor/musician Kevin Bacon, the show is a guided tour through the story of revolutionary music and the changes it brought. AMPLIFIED draws from rare live performance and behind-the-scenes footage, never-before-seen moments, exclusive portrait sessions, album art, and posters, delivering one of the most comprehensive collections of rock ‘n roll imagery ever assembled. 5 pm.

    Alley Theatre presents Primary Trust
    Kenneth has lived the same routine every day for the past 15 years. During the day, he goes to work at a bookstore; at night, he goes to a tiki bar with his friend Bert. When the bookstore goes out of business, Kenneth is forced to push past his boundaries and reconcile with his past. Primary Trust is a tender-hearted tale of old friends, new beginnings, and the smallest of chances. Through Sunday, May 25. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 and 7 pm Sunday).

    Improv Houston presents Melissa Villaseñor
    Melissa Villaseñor spent six seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, where she impersonated everyone from Bjork to Natalie Portman to Owen Wilson to fellow ex-SNLer Kristen Wiig. She’s also done extensive voiceover acting on Fox’s Family Guy, Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, and Comedy Central’s Triptank. Catch her doing her standup thing at Improv Houston this weekend. 7:30 pm (7:30 and 9:45 pm Friday; 7 and 9:30 pm Saturday).

    Friday, May 16

    La Cabra Grand Opening Weekend
    La Cabra, Houston’s newest destination for sports fans, will officially open with a two-night, grand opening celebration. Founded by former MasterChef contestant Joseph Manglicmot, La Cabra is a soccer-focused sports bar. The opening will feature a lineup of local food vendors, including Lafitte’s Seafood serving up fresh crawfish, Ceviche El Guero offering ceviche specials, and Pascual’s Tacos. Attendees can also enjoy hourly giveaways and music by DJ Maniville. 5 pm.

    The Heritage Society presents Juneteenth Legacy Project with Sam Collins
    The Heritage Society's Juneteenth Celebration kicks off with subject matter expert Sam Collins. Teaming with Sue Johnson of the Nia Cultural Center in Galveston, he and others have established the Juneteenth Legacy Project. Collins has also been involved in Juneteeth celebrations in both Galveston and Hitchcock, and other historic preservation efforts in Galveston County. Tickets include a wine and cheese reception with a pop-up exhibit by Houston Suffragists Project. 6 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Anora
    Anora (Oscar winner Mikey Madison), a young woman from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as her new husband’s parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Showing at MFAH this weekend (in glorious 35mm!), see why Anora earned the Palme d’Or at Cannes and continued to triumph through the awards season, culminating in five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Houston Symphony presents "Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees & Beyond"
    Yes, brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb were the high-pitched kings of disco back in the day. But you can’t deny these guys made some timeless bops. (It’s certainly fun watching young YouTubers discover their music.) The Houston Symphony will celebrate the best of the Bee Gees, and beyond. A cappella sensation Rajaton brings their smooth harmonies to the songs that lit up the disco era in the high-energy concert, led by principal Pops conductor Steven Reineke. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)

    Saturday, May 17

    Johnnie Means Academy Fourth Annual International Water Safety Day Festival
    While the Houston Swim Club will host a Water Safety Day fest in Sugar Land, Johnnie Means Aquatics will have its 4th Annual International Water Safety Day Festival at Texas Southern University’s Recreation Center. Guests can expect hands-on experiences around drowning prevention, beginner swim techniques, and lifeguard safety training. Participants will hear from water safety advocates, survivors, and professionals sharing their insights and experiences. 10 am.

    Saint Julian’s Social Club presents Spring Renaissance Festival
    The circus-themed pop-up bar is teaming up with Midtown bar Winnie’s for a one-of-a-kind Renaissance Faire. The all-day, family-friendly event features axe throwing, a dunk tank, jousting, magic, face painting, juggling, tarot, and short form Dungeons and Dragons. Since it wouldn’t be a festival without food, look for Hot Cheeto fried pickles, lamb meatball sliders, smoked andouille corndog bites, and the “I Smoked At Turkey Leg Hut” — a house smoked turkey leg glazed in spicy barbecue sauce. 12 pm.

    Project Row Houses present Crawfish and Brews
    Crawfish and Brews is back, ladies and gents. Now in its 11th year, Crawfish and Brews brings the community together for music, crawfish, and fun. The event is once again partnering with Project Row Houses, an organization that has been a champion for Houston art and culture. While you get your mudbug on, you can also tour the row houses. Currently on view is Round 58: Free Someone, which celebrates Houston artists who have overcome adversity to become renowned for their artwork in public places, using the city’s landscape as their canvas. 2 pm.

    Silver Street Studios presents "Visual Symphony: The Salon Revisited" opening reception
    Silver Street Studios will present "Visual Symphony: The Salon Revisited," a showcase of contemporary art that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of creativity, talent, and innovation. The exhibition, inspired by the grand salon traditions of 17th and 18th-century France, reimagines the classic format to celebrate the diversity of artistic voices within our vibrant community. Through Saturday, June 21. 5 pm.

    Camo Fest: Master P and Friends
    Who wants to go back to the late ‘90s? If you miss those days, you should check out the Camo Fest, which features throwback rap from New Orleans rap king Master P and several of his former No Limit soldiers (MIa X, Choppa, Fiend, Mac, and Mercedes). Other parts of the Dirty South will also be represented: 8Ball & MJG from Memphis, Young Dro from Atlanta, Webbie from Baton Rouge, and Lil Keke from right here in H-Town. 7 pm.

    Sunday, May 18

    EZ’s Liquor Lounge x Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition Crawfish Boil
    EZ’s Liquor Lounge and Josephine’s will be hosting a crawfish boil this weekend at the Heights neighborhood bar. Crawfish will be $9 per pound, while sausage links will be $5 and potatoes, corn and mushrooms will be $4 each. And there will also be plenty of wet sauce to go around. 1 pm.

    Emissary Quartet and Nicky Sohn in concert
    Emissary Quartet presents a special concert featuring the world premiere of a new work by composer Nicky Sohn. This piece is part of [moment]um, the quartet’s upcoming album, set to release later in 2025. The event showcases the quartet’s innovative approach to flute ensemble music, blending contemporary artistry with dynamic programming. Alongside Sohn’s premiere, EQ will perform selections from [moment]um. 6 pm.

    The Manns in concert
    Some of you may know Fort Worth’s own David & Tamela Mann, aka The Manns, as the stars of Meet the Browns, Tyler Perry’s hit play that eventually became a movie that also was spun off into a sitcom. But the pair are also very acclaimed gospel singers. This weekend, they’ll be coming to Sugar Land in support of their 2024 album, Live, Breathe, Fight. They'll be joined by Karen Clark Sheard, Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, and Kierra Sheard. 8 pm.



    Josephine's Crawfish boil
      

    Photo by Quit Nguyen

    Josephine's will be serving crawfish at EZ's Liquor Lounge.

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