Closing Notice

Jesus-themed musical His Story abruptly closes in The Colony after one month

His Story: The Musical opened on May 18.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel

The Jesus-themed theatrical event His Story: The Musical announced it is closing today, Sunday, June 18, after the newly added 7 pm show.

The announcement was posted on the musical's social media channels shortly before 6 pm, stating that all tickets would be free for that evening's final performance with the code "Father's Day."

No other information was given to the public regarding why it was closing. The show had originally announced an open-ended run.

The cast and crew were first told last weekend that the show "may be closing soon," and this past Monday, June 12, they were given a closing notice, according to a member of the production.

"We were told 'we may still be open, but maybe not. Sunday may be your closing date,'" the person told CultureMap exclusively.

Below is the official closing notice that was provided to the cast, crew, and creative team on June 12 from general manager Michael Chase Gosselin.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your immense patience over the past few days as the producers and investors have discussed potential paths to keeping this beautiful show alive.

I am pleased to announce that the decision has been made that we will run His Story: The Musical at least one more week - through this Sunday, June 18*. This upcoming week's performance schedule will proceed as planned

-and we will also be adding one additional performance on Sunday, June 18 at 7PM.

There are still ongoing discussions surrounding solutions which would keep the show open beyond Sunday, June 18: however. in order to satisfy our contractual obligation to provide a week's notice in the event that we do close this coming Sunday, please accept this letter as official notice that His Story: The Musical will play its final performance at The Broadway tent at Grandscape with the 7PM Performance on Sunday, June 18th, 2023.

Again, discussions are ongoing, and the producers truly hope that a solution will be found to keep the show running beyond June 18. In this event, we will send a new notification letter that we are revoking the closing notice in advance of the final performance.

As of this moment, there has not been a decision to make a public announcement that the production will close, so we ask that you please keep this news confidential until (and only if a public announcement is made by the production.

Please know that we appreciate all of your immense dedication and contributions to His Story: The Musical, and we are working tireless to find a path forward.

His Story opened May 18, with previews beginning May 5.

The massive undertaking was first announced in late 2022, following a New York workshop.

Grandscape at The Colony housed the production with a 1,300-seat, fully air-conditioned theater tent, located next to the mixed-use development's Ferris wheel.

Written by Anna Miriam Brown, who was 17 when she first began working on it, His Story was directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Disney’s Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde).

Producers included Tony Award nominee Bruce Lazarus and Willie and Korie Robertson, the stars of Duck Dynasty.

The show was described in marketing materials as such:

"In this contemporary pop take on the the life of Jesus, a common man from an unknown family arrives in the big city and defies expectations. He performs miracles and speaks great wisdom, but chooses friends from the dregs of society and hangs out in the wrong part of town. Mocked by the establishment, he is adored by the people. Melding a youthful voice with a timeless perspective, the greatest story ever told is brought into the third millennium, reminding us of the universal power of love and redemption."

I covered His Story on opening night (in a joint review with Magic Mike Live, another production in a shopping center parking lot tent in nearby Frisco).

Those with tickets for future performances should return to their point of purchase to request a refund. Patrons who purchased through Ticketmaster will be refunded automatically.

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