Jerry Seinfeld will perform in Sugar Land in January.
Photo courtesy of Jerry Seinfeld
Sugar Land’s Smart Financial Centre will celebrate its 10th anniversary that same way it celebrated its grand opening — with a performance by comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld.
Known for his eponymous sitcom, Seinfeld, the comedian, writer, and actor will perform Saturday, January 16, 2027. Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Friday, October 2 at the venue’s website.
Seinfeld hardly needs an introduction, but here it is anyway. After a 1981 appearance on The Tonight Show established his standup career, Seinfeld teamed up with fellow comedian Larry David to create Seinfeld, the groundbreaking TV show that ran for nine seasons on NBC, racking up Emmys, Golden Globes, and People’s Choice Awards.
It remains popular, reaching 60 million Americans in the first half of 2026 alone, according to an article in Variety that cites Nielsen ratings. Netflix reportedly renewed its agreement to be the show’s streaming home for five more years.
Since then, he’s released Emmy-nominated specials such as Jerry Before Seinfeld and 23 Hours to Kill, along with his acclaimed web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. He also wrote three best-selling books — Is this Anything?, The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book, and Seinlanguage — among other projects.
Smart Financial Centre opened in January 2017. As CultureMap reported at the time, the $84 million performance venue can seat anywhere from 3,000 to 6,400 people. It has an array of upcoming performances, including a roast on Houston hip-hip icon Willie D on October 28.
Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich in Wild Horse Nine.
It’s difficult to nail English writer/director Martin McDonagh down when it comes to his interests. Prior to his new film, he has set films in Bruges, Belgium; Los Angeles; the fictional small town of Ebbing, Missouri, and a remote island in Ireland, with stories that deal with crime, grief, lifelong friendships, and a kidnapped Shih Tzu. What all his films have in common though, is comedy that is mined through absurdity, something that is on full display in Wild Horse Nine.
Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) are CIA agents in 1973, currently stationed in Chile, with a mission that Lee tries to hide but Chris broadcasts willingly. Their assignment is to undermine support for the newly-elected socialist president, Salvador Allende, but the film is not really about that. Instead, it follows the duo on a break from work as they decide to take a side trip to Rapa Nui (aka Easter Island) so that Chris can fulfill his dream of seeing “the big heads.”
Once they’re there, Chris and Lee bicker over various things, including Chris being too open with two younger women, Monica (Mariana di Girolamo) and Alicia (Ailín Salas); who gets control over their rental car; the long-distance interference of CIA station chief MJ (Steve Buscemi); and more. All the while, a mostly unspoken agreement between Chris and Lee colors every decision they make, including why they came to Rapa Nui in the first place.
McDonagh has full control over the narrative of the film from minute one, establishing the tone through the super-quick banter between Chris and Lee that points to the strong bond the two share. A later revelation deepens the meaning of the story without taking away from the humor that comes from Chris and Lee sniping at each other. Despite the two characters not getting much of an introduction, they become a very memorable movie twosome as the film goes along.
A good working knowledge of 20th century world history is helpful, as McDonagh drops in subtle and not-so-subtle hints about the CIA’s involvement in certain notable events (including the JFK assassination, which takes on larger importance as the story goes on). Using real history like the impending coup d'état in Chile as a backdrop for the fictional story grounds the film, allowing the characters to engage in sometimes farcical elements without ever seeming like unserious people. It’s also a sly commentary on current events, with the U.S. continuing to insert itself into other countries’ affairs.
The impact of the film is immeasurably improved by the fact that they filmed on location in Chile and Rapa Nui. Having Chris and Lee visit the “big heads” (aka moai) while referencing them in their dialogue is both awe-inspiring and hilarious. There’s just something about the characters being able to get up close and personal with the ancient sculptures that makes the film feel more important than if they had employed CGI to put them there.
Malkovich is a two-time Oscar nominee with a storied career, but this performance ranks as one his best. With a face that unashamedly shows his 73 years and pitch perfect line deliveries, he nails every scene that he’s in. Rockwell complements him extremely well, giving a performance that fits in with his previous work but rarely on such a high level. Buscemi is also a pleasure to watch, popping up to steal small moments just like he did in the recent The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.
Save for a few action scenes, Wild Horse Nine is mostly filled with characters talking, but the level of the conversations and the comical moments that McDonagh has created contain cannot be understated. With a tour-de-force performance by Malkovich, a real world setting, and a funny twist on history, it’s one of the best movies of the year.
