Theater News

Addison's WaterTower Theatre loads up on premieres for 2015-16 season

WaterTower Theatre in Addison has announced its 2015-16 season, and it's full of premieres — beginning October 2-25 with Dallas playwright Donald Fowler's long-workshopped Creep, about Jack the Ripper. That world-premiere musical, which has been in development for five years, leads the six Main Stage productions (up from five last year, but with no increase in ticket or subscription prices).

The only play not to have "regional premiere" preceding its title is Sexy Laundry, a remount of last season's Studio Series hit about love and marriage starring Wendy Welch and Bob Hess. It runs November 20-December 13.

For the first time in a long while, there will be no holiday show.

But what better way to kick off 2016 than with the savagery and brutality of William Golding's Lord of the Flies? Nigel Williams' new stage adaptation of the classic book — about a group of schoolboys who go primal after being stranded on an island — has never played in the North Texas region. Catch it January 22 through February 14.

The 15th iteration of the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival arrives February 15 through March 6. A lineup hasn't been announced yet, but count on OOTL having a well-rounded selection of indie performers.

Up next is The Big Meal, Dan LeFranc's 90-minute ride through three generations of family. It's also a — you guessed it — regional premiere, and plays April 15 through May 8.

John Patrick Shanley, of Pulitzer Prize-winning Doubt fame, gets a regional premiere of his latest play from June 3-26. Outside Mullingar is kind of a smart rom-com about two middle-aged farmers in Ireland. But because it's Shanley, expect more insightful conversations and less meet-cute.

The season closes out August 5 through 28 with the hilariously quick One Man, Two Guvnors. That's the play that introduced America to James Corden (and gave him a Tony Award), and is guaranteed to challenge whomever carries this whirlwind of a one-man show.

For single tickets and subscription information, call WaterTower Theatre's box office at 972-450-6232.

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Fear the Dragon

Dallas theater will host a 6-hour live Dungeons & Dragons session

Photo courtesy of Shawn Gann

Theatre Three will present a Dungeons & Dragons fundraiser led by Shawn Gann on January 3.

The role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons seems to be all the rage in Dallas these days, and joining the fun will be local theater company Theatre Three, who will present a six-hour live Dungeons & Dragons session on Saturday, January 3.

The one-day-only event will feature a variety of well-known voice actors, guided by master storyteller Shawn Gann (Dragon Ball Super, One Piece, Star Wars, Ultraman, and Borderlands) as Dungeon Master.

Audience members will be able to watch the campaign unfold from beginning to end, or come and go as they please, as the players navigate the perils and pitfalls along the way as they complete their quest using their strength, smarts, and if need be, casting a spell or two.

Other participants will include Hayden Daviau, Caitlin Glass, Parker Davis Gray, Lydia Mackay, and Alejandro Saab, each of whom have extensive voice acting credits on their resumes.

The live campaign joins other ongoing or upcoming D&D-themed events in the area like Dungeons & Dragons: The Immersive Quest (taking place through at least February 1 in Plano) and Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern (taking place at Wyly Theatre, January 20-February 1).

The six-hour event — taking place from 3-10 pm, with a one-hour break for dinner — will feature snacks, drinks, and more in Theatre Three's lobby. There are also several restaurants and bars within walking distance for audience members to enjoy.

Tickets for the fundraising event for Theatre Three are on sale now at givebutter.com/60DRCN, ranging from $75-$100.

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