Theater Critic Picks

These are the 9 can't-miss shows in Dallas-Fort Worth theater for April

Most theaters are continuing to be cautious this month, offering a bevy of streaming options and even the return of a drive-in experience. But there is an outdoor festival if you feel the need to experience the glorious spring weather.

Here are nine local shows to watch this month:

Discover Runway Dreams
Junior Players, April 7-9
Produced in partnership with the Crow Museum of Asian Art and featuring eco-friendly and sustainable fashion from three local designers, this live experience encourages attendees to explore conversations of change as 19 young models walk the runway. The show takes place at 1108 Quaker St. in Dallas.

Love & Kindness in a Time of Quarantine
Theatre Three, streaming April 7-18
This compilation of songs and monologues about life during the coronavirus pandemic has been curated and directed by Regina Taylor, with new work from local artists. Each performance will be available for 24 hours, starting at 6 pm. Each ticket buyer is limited to one viewing of the performance.

Whither Goest Thou America: A Festival of New Plays
Undermain Theatre, streaming April 7-May 2
Watch virtual streams of David Rabe's new solo piece, adapted from his short story, Suffocation Theory (April 7-25), and virtual readings of three new plays: Second Hand Conversations with Irene by Teresa Marrero (April 14-18), Bright Boys by Blake Hackler (April 21-25), and Feeding on Light by Lenora Champagne (April 28-May 2).

Ghosts in the Kitchen: Supernova Leftovers
Ochre House Theatre, streaming April 8-18
The avant garde Deep Ellum troupe has created a new series of storytelling through virtual theater, as written and told by core company members Carla Parker, Justin Locklear, Kevin Grammer, and Matthew Posey, filmed and directed by Josh Jordan, and with music by Locklear and Sarah Rubio-Rogerson. Next up is Supernova Leftovers, written and performed by Parker, which takes viewers down the rabbit hole of wonder, denial, and self discovery.

Mlima's Tale
Bishop Arts Theatre Center, streaming April 12-May 8
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage tells the provocative story of Mlima, a majestic elephant trapped in the clandestine international ivory market. Beginning in a game park in Kenya and traveling around the world to a billionaire's penthouse in the West, the play tracks the trajectory of Mlima's tusks through real-life consequences of animal poaching.

Always ... Patsy Cline
Casa Mañana, April 15-25
Based on the true story of the country legend's friendship with her most devoted fan, Louise Seger, this show chronicles the two women's lives until Patsy’s untimely death. The production boasts many favorite Patsy Cline songs, including "Anytime,""Walkin' After Midnight," "She's Got You," and "Crazy," and stars country singer Jolie Holliday as Cline.

¡Soltar!
Cara Mía Theatre Co. and Teatro Dallas, April 17 and 24
The first co-production in the two companies' history, ¡Soltar! is an interactive pageant and procession marking the spring equinox and a period of hope after 12 months of the pandemic. Observing safety precautions, this outdoor arts experience features an eclectic array of Mexican masks, mojigangas (large puppets), dance, and theater with costumes provided for audience members to actively participate in the festivities.

Overbooked
Prism Movement Theater, April 23-24
This drive-in workshop of Yvonne Johnson's show is at the Latino Cultural Center, utilizing the same format developed by Prism in June 2020 (audiences listening to the music of the show in their cars). A routine trip to her overbooked hair salon becomes more than she bargains for when a young Black woman with a painful past falls asleep under a new state-of-the-art hair steamer, sending her 500 years into the future. Experiencing this new world where only people of color exist, she will have to decide if this is where she truly belongs or return home to people who still need her.

The Other Felix
Echo Theatre, streaming through April 30
The regional premiere of Reina Hardy's darkly comic scene noir has you hit the road with private detective Marlow Sharpe and her reluctant client Felix Bettelman. On the trail of the other Felix, they lose track of their selves in this play on film for two actors.

New works from local artists comprise Love & Kindness in a Time of Quarantine at Theatre Three.

Love and Kindness in the Time of Quarantine

Photo courtesy of Theatre Three

New works from local artists comprise Love & Kindness in a Time of Quarantine at Theatre Three.

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