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“The Ghosts of Christmas Past”: A Staged Reading at Archive Theater
The Ghosts of Christmas Past seems to have had a fraught (though brief) history. It was intended (as a full production) to be Archive’s winter show when they announced their 2023 season, but in the middle of October it was cancelled due to a lack of “spirit/force/resources” and actors. Then three weeks later, the show…
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“Miss Lulu Bett” at Different Stages
Zona Gale’s Miss Lulu Bett was written 100+ years ago, but the script is fresh, rich, and modern. It is maddening and hopeful. It’s been a long time since I have felt such real indignation and frustration for a fictional character. (Maybe since I first read Ella Enchanted 20 years ago?) The brief synopsis from…
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“El Cid” at Austin Shakespeare
At one point in the first act of Austin Shakespeare’s Friday night performance of El Cid, an audience member on stage left started to unwrap a loud snack. The crinkling of the plastic paused, then continued. Paused, then continued. Heads turned from the stage towards the sound. Crinkle, crinkle. A woman a few rows in…
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“Ride the Cyclone” at Texas Theatre and Dance
When I first read the online blurb for Ride the Cyclone at UT Austin, I wasn’t very interested. The plot seemed fine, but the marketing line about every song being in a different genre and having “something for everyone” seemed overdone. I’m a documented pop-concert-musicals hater! Who wants to see a musical with no consistency…
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“Deathtrap” at Jarrott Productions
Deathtrap is a witty, self-aware, tightly packed script. No line is a throw-away. It’s a play that knows what it is and invites each actor to really dig their teeth into their roles. I found, however, that though Jarrott Productions’ current run of Deathtrap is almost technically perfect and enjoyable to sit through, it seemed…
Bat City Stage Reviews
A review blog for live theater in Austin, Texas