Getting Kinky Again

Dallas Summer Musicals stocks 2016-17 season with underwhelming titles

When Dallas Summer Musicals president Michael Jenkins was suddenly ousted in May, the board of directors and interim managing director David Hyslop promised a new direction for the 76-year-old institution. Not that new, apparently, as the 2016-17 season has been announced, and it's less than exciting.

It all begins with a quick stop November 25-27 from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The annual tour has played the Majestic Theatre for its Dallas stops in the past, but this year it's making its way to Fair Park instead. This will be an add-on to the main season, and also one of the four productions co-presented with Bass Hall.

Next up is "one of the most delightful and enchanting Christmas shows ever," Broadway Christmas Wonderland. The holiday revue promises leggy chorus girls, a dancing Santa Claus, and a song catalog bursting with traditional Christmas tunes. It plays December 6-18.

Proving that nothing is safe from a stage adaptation, 2017 begins with Cheers Live On Stage, January 6-8. Yes, someone made a live version of the classic sitcom, and no, it does not feature any new storylines or characters. Just reenactments of popular moments from the TV show. This is another add-on to the main season.

Perhaps the most anticipated of all next season is An American in Paris, the Tony-winning musical that Jenkins and DSM co-produced for Broadway. We knew long ago that this tour was coming, but it's still a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster lineup. Catch it January 31-February 12.

The stalwart musical Stomp is next, February 14-19, clanging its way to a percussive stop at Fair Park as another add-on. Running in some form or another since 1991, the theatrical experience makes rhythms out of everyday items.

The final add-on show is the return of The Illusionists, a magic extravaganza that stopped at Fair Park in spring 2015 before heading on to Broadway. Now it boomerangs back here, and the conjurers are actually pretty worthy of the gasps they elicit. If you missed it the first time around, see it February 28-March 5 in 2017.

Reliving the past seems to be a theme this year, as the next show is a "time capsule" of the Beatles at the height of their popularity. Let It Be is "a reunion that never happened" because of, well, the group's breakup and John Lennon's murder and other unavoidable events. But in this fantasy, the Fab Four is back for one night only and performing all their greatest hits. Wonder what local tribute band A Hard Night's Day thinks of this show, which is playing March 7-19.

Kinky Boots is back March 28-April 9, so soon after its visit in 2015. The last tour lacked the energy of the long-running Broadway production, but perhaps second time's the charm?

The oddly named Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus doesn't put nearly enough emphasis on its two most important components: Cirque du Soleil and the puppeteers from War Horse. Those two ingredients might mix up a thrilling theatrical experience from May 23-June 4, provided the final product is as pretty and mysterious as the promo shots.

Even Broadway diva Heather Headley couldn't save the stage adaptation of The Bodyguard when it premiered in London. But in the queasy tradition of Ghost, Flashdance, and Dirty Dancing, DSM is bringing the movie-turned-musical to Dallas July 18-30. This tour is starring Deborah Cox, whom you may remember from the abysmal tour of Jekyll & Hyde that played the Winspear a few years ago and starred Constantine Maroulis. Cox proved then that she's adept at "park and bark" — planting yourself in one spot and singing for all you're worth — so perhaps that'll translate well to some of Whitney Houston's greatest hits.

Performing Arts Fort Worth's Broadway at the Bass season will include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (November 22-23), Cirque Dreams Holidaze (December 3-4), Annie (January 17-22), An American in Paris (February 14-19), Let It Be (March 21-26), Greater Tuna (March 29-30), Matilda (June 13-18), The Bodyguard (August 1-6), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (September 12-17), Rent (October 17-22), and Irving Berlin's White Christmas (November 14-19).

Dallas Summer Musicals tickets are available by calling 214-346-3300; visiting the website; or in person at the box office, located at 5959 Royal Ln., Ste. 542 in Dallas.

Tickets for Broadway at the Bass in Fort Worth are available over the phone at 817-212-4280, online, or in person at the Bass Hall box office.

Let It Be reunites The Beatles.

Photo by Paul Coltas

Let It Be reunites The Beatles.

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