Final Dress

Texas theater actors release killer horror movie set on Lone Star State stages

Madison Calhoun in The Finale.

Courtesy photo

Some of Dallas-Fort Worth's most notable theater practitioners recently turned their talents toward a different medium: film.

The Finale, a theater-themed horror film, is being released on Friday, July 28, to stream on Amazon Prime, Apple, VUDU, and YouTube VOD.

It's penned by Michael Federico and directed by Christie Vela (associate artistic director at Theatre Three), who also co-host a horror movie podcast called Terror and Tacos.

The film is from Octane Multimedia and produced by Max Hartman and Brandon Potter, with Desiree Fultz acting as production manager and first assistant director.

It stars Gabrielle Reyes as Sagan Riley, a triple-threat who has her sights set on Broadway. When she’s accepted to the legendary Stage Left Theater Camp, she thinks her dreams are within reach.

Sagan spends her days singing, dancing, acting, and dreaming of love. But soon the Stage Left instructors and Sagan’s fellow campers start dying off one by one. Now, Sagan will have to survive rehearsal and discover the killer, if she’s ever gonna make it.

Eagle-eyed viewers will spot local actors Kenneisha Thompson, Madison Calhoun, Parker Gray, Paul Taylor (Pinhead from the Hellraiser franchise), Liza Marie Gonzalez, Katy Tye, Drew Wall, Lydia Mackay, Danielle Georgiou, Jason Villareal, Theatre Three artistic director Jeffrey Schmidt, and noted DFW director and choreographer Joel Ferrell.

Patrons will also recognize Dallas' Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalita Humphreys Theater and Uptown's Theatre Three, where most of the film takes place.

Boasting an all-DFW film crew and post-production team, The Finale is a true Texas film through and through.

"I acted as executive producer and funded the project because when I heard my hilarious and uber-talented old friends Christie and Michael talk about making their own horror film and who they had already cast in it, I immediately asked to meet with them," says Hartman. "I read the first 30 pages of the script on the way to meet them at a coffee shop and loved it. I proposed right then that I help fund the project and help find and hire a film crew that was down to work with a bunch of theater folks on their first feature."

"Apart from this being a life-long goal for me, the best part about this was that two amazing groups of artists, from two seemingly related but separate disciplines, theater and film, all local (we're super proud of this), came together to make this film happen," Vela tells CultureMap. "We all learned from each other every day. The toughest days are still some of the best days of my life, and there were days. I will forever be grateful to all of my Dallas theater colleagues who took this leap of faith with Mike and I."

"There was a night we were shooting in the woods. It was our second overnight shoot in a row, so everybody was tired. And it was July, and so hot, and the cicadas were actively trying to destroy us. It could have been miserable," shares Federico. "But I remember watching Christie, the cast, and crew shooting a scene. And they were all so good at their jobs, and so much fun to be around all the time, that I remember thinking, there’s really no place I’d rather be than in the Texas heat, in the middle of the woods, working with these people."

"My driving mission besides helping my friends make a movie was to dispel the oft-heard notion that 'theater actors' can’t act in film," says Hartman. "It was also always bizarre to me that the film and theater communities in town were so segregated. Very rare to see them mix. Every actor in the film is a 'theater actor' and they’re all amazing. It was hilarious to hear the crew go, 'Where did you get these actors? They all know all of their lines.'"

Watch the trailer below, and follow The Finale on Facebook and Instagram for updates:

, The Finale,movies theater

weekend event planner

These are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

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This weekend is definitely going to be a Wicked one.

The long-awaited movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical will be playing in theaters all over the place, and there will be some Wicked-themed events popping off this weekend. But we shouldn’t forget about live music from Lisa Morales and Christopher Seymore & The Western Cosplay, film screenings of a Pedro Almodovar classic and an animated manga adaptation from Japan, a couple of shucking-related events, and, last but not least, TURTLE-RACING!

Read on for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, November 21

Houston Young Professionals for the American Cancer Society presents Shuck Cancer Houston
The Houston Young Professionals for the American Cancer Society will present the annual Shuck Cancer Houston. The evening will feature wine and oyster pairings and non-oyster cuisine from top local seafood eateries, live music, a silent auction, and more. The American Cancer Society will also recognize top achievements from the Shuck Cancer Pearl Honorees and community partners. 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Shucked
Speaking of shucking, if you’re a musical lover who’ll definitely see Wicked this weekend, you may also want to catch this show before it becomes a feature film. Shucked is a Tony-winning musical comedy featuring a book by Tony winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy-winning songwriting team of country stars Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien. The corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy an appetite for great musical theater. 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 & 7 pm Sunday).

Little Woodrow’s Midtown presents Thursday Night Turtle Racing
This weekend, Little Woodrow’s Midtown closes out its turtle racing season. The Turtle Master orchestrates this unique spectacle, where ten, red-eared slider turtles with outsized personalities compete for glory in four sets of exciting races. Every guest at Little Woodrow’s Midtown has the opportunity to select a card with who they believe is the winning turtle. Anyone holding the winning turtle’s card receives a complimentary drink from the night’s sponsor. 8 pm.

Friday, November 22

Artechouse presents Holiday Spectacular
Artechouse presents the first-ever, immersive Houston Holiday Spectacular, an experience that brings the wonder of the season to life through art, technology, and interactive design. The event invites Houstonians to unwind and reconnect with the joy of the holidays through a captivating blend of digital art, sound, and interactivity. The limited-run exhibit reimagines popular holiday and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) themes through digital landscapes. Through Sunday, January 5. 10 am.

Ebubay presents "Future Forward Africa"
Over at Hooks-Epstein Galleries, Ebubay will present "Future Forward Africa," an evening where modern and contemporary African art will be for sale. The exclusive one-day event offers collectors and art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire investment-worthy pieces by some of Africa’s most renowned artists. The sale will feature works from celebrated African talents such as Sam Ebohon, George Edozie, and Duke Asidere. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre)
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Pedro Almodovar’s All About My Mother tells the story of Manuela (Cecilia Roth), who copes with a tragic loss that leads her back to a home she left. She meets Rosa (Penélope Cruz), a pregnant nun, and ends up working for Huma, the actress Manuela’s son admired while touring A Streetcar Named Desire — the show that led to the tragedy with which Manuela is reconciling. MFAH audio-visual technician Rob Arcos will introduce the film. 7 pm.

Lewis Black: Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour
Comedian Lewis Black presents his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour. After over 35 years as a touring stand-up comedian, Black is parking his tour bus for good, marking the end of his world touring career. Black will write the next chapter of his career by going back to his roots and focusing on writing a new play, penning a new book, and expanding his podcast, RantCast, to include live recordings. But let’s hope he tells his famous bit about finding “the end of the universe” in Houston one last time. 8 pm.

Saturday, November 23

Comic Indie Con
Comic Indie Con is a celebration of independent media culture, exploring the world of indie comics, board games, arts and crafts, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of comics and discover unique stories that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Throughout the day, there will be panel discussions featuring industry professionals, artists, and writers, who will share their insights and experiences. Visitors are encouraged to showcase their creativity by dressing up as their favorite indie comic book character. 10 am.

The Union Kitchen presents Wicked Brunch and Cocktails
All five of The Union Kitchen’s Houston-area locations will celebrate the release of Wicked with a two-day, Wicked-themed brunch. This spellbinding-themed brunch will thrill fans of the iconic musical finally coming to the big screen. Step into a world inspired by the Land of Oz, where guests will enjoy a delicious brunch amidst enchanting decor that echoes Glinda and Elphaba's magical friendship and rivalry. This brunch is perfect for fans ready to embrace their inner Good Witch — or Wicked side. 10 am.

Cactus Music presents Lisa Morales
Yes, Cactus Music will be getting into the Wicked spirit with a soundtrack listening party on Sunday. But the store will also welcome Lisa Morales to its live stage. Marrying different genres — Mexican and American, traditional and contemporary — has of course long been part of her wheelhouse, especially in Sisters Morales. But, as a solo artist, her vibrant melange of musical flavors and different languages is artful enough to distinguish Morales’ embrace of “Spanglish” not just as part of the mix, but as practically a genre unto itself. 1 pm.

Christopher Seymore and The Western Cosplay in concert
Christopher Seymore and his band, The Western Cosplay, will host a concert and record a live album at the Continental Club in Midtown. The show will be captured in a full documentary-style concert video as the band launches their album fundraiser. The evening will feature album pre-orders, exclusive merchandise, live shirt printing, and a custom bandana station. Johnny Falstaff & The Starlight Lounge will be the opening act. After the concert, there will be an afterparty at Two Headed Dog. 8 pm.

Sunday, November 24

Mutiny Wine Room presents Paella Sunday
Just in time for the holidays, head over to Mutiny Wine Room for a cozy culinary experience. Watch chef Eduardo Alcayaga cook his famous seasonal paella over a live fire on the patio while sharing his expert tips. Diners can enjoy wine and appetizers by the outdoor heaters before sitting down to savor the freshly prepared paella. A serving of paella will be $38, while a Spanish wine pairing will be $15 by the glass and $56 by the bottle. This event will also happen on Sunday, December 29. Seatings at 1, 4, and 6:30 pm.

Asia Society Texas Center presents Children of the Sea
Dive into mysterious waters with Children of the Sea, an anime film based on a critically acclaimed manga by Daisuke Igarashi. The latest feature from Japan's Studio 4°C and is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a score by award-winning composer and longtime Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi. This film screening is presented as part of the Japan Foundation New York's nationwide tour. 2 pm.

MagicSpace Entertainment presents A Magical Cirque Christmas
Currently on a 35-city tour, the world-acclaimed entertainers of A Magical Cirque Christmas will showcase a winter wonderland journey, immersing the audience in the spirit of the season and dazzling with their talents. The cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists will pull off some jaw-dropping stunts, pushing the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied and human potential knows no limits. 7:30 pm.

$ARTECHOUSE\u2019S Holiday Spectacular$

Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

Artechouse presents Holiday Spectacular.

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