Season Announcement

Addison's WaterTower Theatre raises monsters and musicals in 2020-21 season

Young Frankenstein the musical on Broadway

The Broadway cast of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein.

Photo by Paul Kolnik

WaterTower Theatre is celebrating its 25th season in a big way, with two musicals, two Tony Award-winning plays, a one-woman studio show, the return of a circus-themed holiday show, and big anniversary bash.

The five-show 2020-21 season is the second programmed by producing artistic director Shane Peterman and associate producer Elizabeth Kensek.

"This second season continues my fresh approach to programming propelling the theater into a new era of success and growth," says Perterman. "This season has something for everyone and is a tribute to the many artists, patrons, and this wonderful city that, together, helps to shape one of North Texas' most prominent professional theaters."

It all starts with the musical adaptation of the hit 1974 film Young Frankenstein, by comedic genius Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Directed by Cheryl Denson and music directed by Adam C. Wright, this newly published adaptation from London's West End is filled with catchy songs, fabulous dancing, and outrageous laughs that only a Mel Brooks show can deliver. It runs October 22-November 8, 2020.

During that same opening week, Jody Christopherson is taking over the studio space with the U.S. premiere of AMP: The Electrifying Story of Mary Shelley. Written and performed by Christopherson and directed by Isaac Byrne, AMP is an electrifying, 60-minute solo work based on the life of Mary Shelley, the creation of Frankenstein, and the birth of modern feminism. It runs October 22-25, 2020.

North Texas' newest holiday tradition is next. An all new Cirque Holidays is a co-production with Lone Star Circus, featuring new acts by circus performers from all around the world through a unique blend of theater and circus. It runs December 10-20, 2020.

WaterTower rings in the new year with the regional premiere of Simon Stephens' play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, directed by Emily Scott Banks. Based on Mark Haddon's best-selling book of the same title, the play offers a richly theatrical experience that tells the touching and humorous story of 15-year-old Christopher, an extraordinary boy who is determined to solve a mystery in his West London neighborhood. It runs February 4-21, 2021.

A red carpet event celebrating WTT's silver anniversary is next, featuring your favorite North Texas performers and musicians who have brought the glamour of Broadway to Addison over the years. The 25th Anniversary Concert plays March 4-21, 2021.

Next on the main stage is the Tony Award-winning drama that changed American theater forever. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry tells the story of the Younger family in 1950s Chicago, a story that remains as powerful and relevant today as it was 50 years ago. Directed by Phyllis Cicero, it runs April 22- May 9, 2021.

The season concludes with the world premiere of a brand-new musical that's filled with Hollywood glamour, romance, and intrigue. Goin' Hollywood by Stephen Cole and David Krane follows Alice Chandler and her writing partner, Garson Stein, as they find themselves hurtling back in time to Hollywood in 1949. L.B. Mayer hires them as writers, and Alice and Garson soon discover that everything in the golden age of movie musicals is not as they imagined. It runs June 10-27, 2021.

Five-show season subscriptions are on sale starting January 17. The renewal deadline for current subscribers to keep their same seats or received priority reseating is June 30th. Subscriptions range from $119-$156, and increase after August 1 to $145-$175. New subscriptions are available by calling the box office at 972-450-6232, and renewals can be made by phone or in person. Individual tickets go on sale in summer 2020.

theater music

A Familiar Face

Dallas Theater Center names Jaime Castañeda as new artistic director

Photo courtesy of Dallas Theater Center

Jaime Castañeda is the Tony-winning theater's new artistic director.

The Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center has found its next artistic director: Jaime Castañeda, who has a long history with both DTC and North Texas, will become the regional theater's sixth artistic director beginning July 2026. The 2026-27 season will be the first chosen by him.

Jonathan Norton, DTC’s resident playwright, is currently serving as interim artistic director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season, which culminates in the world premiere of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem in May.

“DTC is committed to artistic excellence and community engagement, and we believe Jaime’s experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership, coupled with his dedication to innovation, will guide DTC into an exciting new chapter in the life of the theater," says board chair Lynn Pride Richardson in a release.

In 2012, Castañeda directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz. But he began his career more than 20 years ago in Dallas-Fort Worth by founding Firestarter Productions while still attending Texas Christian University. In addition to directing at DTC, other local theater credits include Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. Castañeda is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and holds a BFA from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Directing from University of Texas at Austin.

Most recently, Castañeda directed at such leading theaters across the country as American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he previously served as associate artistic director from 2014-2018. He was also artistic associate at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-2014.

"Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,” says DTC executive director Kevin Moriarty. “With his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC’s new Enloe/Rose artistic director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.”

As artistic director, Castañeda will lead the theater’s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, and partner with Moriarty, the staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission, vision, and values.

Castañeda joins a distinguished line of artistic leadership at Dallas Theater Center, including founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger, and Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007-2022.

“We are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,” says DTC board member Chris Luna. “His energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.”

Castañeda was selected for the role following a national search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by Luna and Richardson, and included Moriarty, Norton, Jennifer Altabef, Diane Brierley, Lauren Embrey, Sam Holland (Dean, SMU Meadows School of the Arts), Sharron Hunt, Randy Kender, Julie Kosnik, Deborah McMurray, Sam Megally, Liz Mikel (DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member), Andy Smith, Lily Weiss (executive director, Dallas Arts District) and Donna Wilhelm.

“Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,” Castañeda says. “I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I’m eager to join Kevin, the board, and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.”

Dallas Theater Center's current production of A Christmas Carol runs through December 27 at the Wyly Theatre.

dallas theater center jaime castañeda kevin moriarty theater