Broadway Line-Up

AT&T raises curtain on Broadway shows coming to Dallas in 2017-18

It may not have snagged Hamilton, but the AT&T Performing Arts Center has still put together a high-profile — if extremely eclectic — lineup for its 2017-18 Broadway touring season.

There are 27 Tony Awards among the five regular season titles and two subscription add-ons, including a Best Musical, Best Musical Revival, and Best Play from within the last two years.

That Best Musical winner would be Fun Home, an intimate show based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir. Originally staged in-the-round in one of Broadway's smaller theaters, the show has since been reconfigured for traditional proscenium stages (such as the Winspear Opera House). Former Miss America Kate Shindle is currently starring in the tour as the grown-up Alison — the character is also portrayed in two younger ages as she explores her family's dynamics. It will be in Dallas September 13 – September 24, 2017.

Then there's a break until the holidays, when Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical returns December 5-17, 2017 (it last journeyed through Dallas in 2010). Though the stage show does include songs from the animated special such as "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas," the main draws are the whimsical sets and costumes that bring Whoville to life.

Right on the Grinch's heels comes the recent Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, playing December 19-31, 2017. This Lincoln Center production won four 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design of a Musical — which is reassuring, because perhaps the most iconic part of the classic musical is that dress.

Up next is the first of two subscription add-on shows: Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour. The literal toe-tapper is only here from March 20-25, 2018, as it sweeps through North America after selling out tours in Europe and Asia. A combination of Irish dance, music, and song, Riverdance is one of those shows that you think can't surprise you anymore — until you see it live.

Last year's Tony winner for Best Play, The Humans, achieved notoriety for several reasons. Not only did it recoup its initial Broadway investment (rare) with no mainstream celebrity names attached (rarer still), it was for a short time the only play running on Broadway (rare and kind of sad). But Stephen Karam's family drama is an exciting mix of dark humor and tense confrontations during one memorable Thanksgiving dinner, with an eerie supernatural layer added on to subvert expectations. It runs May 8-20, 2018.

Back for a third time is Jersey Boys, the bio-musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. This non-subscription special is, like, Riverdance, only in town for a few days: May 22-27, 2018. With a catalog of hit songs and the compelling story of how a couple of hometown boys skyrocketed to the top of the recording charts, the musical is a must for any Behind the Music addict.

The final show in ATTPAC's season is Bright Star, which had a short run on Broadway in 2016 but gained a devoted following thanks to its Southern-folk score, written by celebrity actor-musician Steve Martin and Grammy Award-winner/Dallas native Edie Brickell. The musicians are onstage for this sweeping story of love and redemption set during the 1920s and '40s in the American South. It plays June 12-24, 2018.

Season subscriptions — but not individual tickets — are on sale now, with five-show subscription packages ranging from $145-$625. Those come with the option to order Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour for $25-$113 and Jersey Boys for $30-$133.

Information is available at www.attpac.org/broadway. Subscriptions may also be purchased by phone at 214-880- 0202, or in person at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Winspear Opera House Box Office at 2403 Flora St.

Bright Star has a score written by Dallas native Edie Brickell and actor-musician Steve Martin.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Bright Star has a score written by Dallas native Edie Brickell and actor-musician Steve Martin.

theater

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