Theater Critic Picks

These are the 4 can't-miss shows in Dallas theater for August

Mousey was recorded at Ochre House Theatre in September 2018.

Photo by Justin O’Keith Higgs

We almost didn't get a theater preview this month, and that would have been a very hard blow to the performing arts world. But a handful of Dallas theaters came through, offering up live-streams of topical and new works and revisiting a classic from years past.

Here are four local shows to watch this month:

It's My Party
Echo Theatre, live-streaming August 16-22
The female-powered theater is presenting four live-streamed readings of this play by Ann Timmons, which tells the incredible true story of how women fought for the right to vote. Great timing, right? It also happens to be the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. Tickets are $12 per viewer, with a discount for three or more viewers. Once you purchase your tickets, you will be sent a link to view the live performance, which runs approximately 90 minutes. After the reading, viewers are encouraged to stick around for a talkback with the cast, creative team, and other audience members.

Curiouser: A Zoom Play
The Firehouse Theatre, live-streaming August 21-22
This modern adaption of Lewis Carroll's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is written as an actual Zoom call by Taylor Mercado Owen. Directed by Olivia Grace Murphy, this play will be performed and designed to work within the necessary current social distance restrictions. Tickets to stream are $10 for a single stream and $20 for a family stream. 4-PLUS, Flex-10, Flex-5, and Firehouse JR Flex-10 tickets may be redeemed to see Curiouser.

Raise You Up!
Imprint Theatreworks, live-streaming August 29
Directed by Ashley H. White and with musical direction by Vonda K. Bowling, this virtual variety show will feature appearances from more than 25 local and national performers as well as more information on what Imprint has in store for its 2020 digital season. The curtain will rise at 7 pm and tickets start at $12.

Mousey
Ochre House Theatre, streaming now
Next in this Expo Park treasure's catalog is Carla Parker's original work Mousey, which was performed in 2018. Filmed by videographer Scott Shaddock and presented on the Ochre House YouTube channel for free, it tells the story of how things have gone rotten in the world of toys. Mrs. Mousey begins to suspect that there is more to life than just being a toy and launches into the dangerous journey that questions the very existence of their innocent lives. Original music, dance, and spectacle create a riveting story of loss of innocence and awakening, asking, "If we aren't toys, then what are we?"

theater

Musical Theater

Broadway Dallas launches intimate Club 909 cabaret shows at Fair Park

Photo courtesy of Reeve Carney

Broadway star Reeve Carney will be the inaugural performer at Broadway Dallas' Club 909.

Broadway Dallas, which hosts the national tours of Broadway shows, is expanding its offerings with Club 909, an all-new cabaret concept at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

According to a release, the new venue, located in the Music Hall's transformed Crystal Terrace, will open with a performance by Grammy Award winner and Broadway star Reeve Carney, September 3-5.

It marks Broadway Dallas' first dedicated cabaret programming in the organization's 85-year history.

Carney is best known for originating the role of “Orpheus” in the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown. He is currently starring as “Jay Gatsby” in The Great Gatsby on Broadway.

At Club 909, he will present “Reeve Carney: Broadway Divas," featuring his takes on Broadway's most iconic songs, selections from the Great American Songbook, and original music from his debut album, Youth Is Wasted.

Club 909 will be an intimate venue, seating only 200 guests per evening in a cabaret-style setting complete with full tableside service, including specialty drinks and chef-created light bites. The menu comes from Broadway Dallas' restaurant partner Culinaire.

In addition to the ticket price for the Club 909 show, a $30 food and beverage minimum will be charged per person.

Seating is general admission and includes table and bar seating. A limited number of reserved VIP seats are also available.

Seating is decided on the night of the show at the discretion of house management, the release says. Guests may be seated at shared tables with other attendees, and large parties may not be able to be seated together.

"Broadway Dallas has always believed that musical theater has the power to move, uplift, and connect us, and cabaret is one of the purest expressions of that power," said Ken Novice, President & CEO of Broadway Dallas, in a statement. "Club 909 gives us the opportunity to offer our audiences something deeply personal and intimate"

Tickets for the debut event, which go on sale on Friday, July 17, start at $75 and will be available at BroadwayDallas.org or by calling 800-982-2728.

A very limited number of VIP seats are also available and include a meet and greet with Carney.

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