Theater Critic Picks

These are the 13 must-see shows in Dallas-Fort Worth theater for May

Hamilton is back, this time at the Winspear Opera House.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Much like how May is kind of an in-between month, weather-wise, this month's theater lineup is just as split. Many productions look to the past — like the founding of America, the Civil Rights movement, and even the fall of the Persian Empire — while others are all about the dystopian future that might be ahead of us.

In order of start date, here are 13 local shows to watch this month:

Patti & Theo
Ochre House Theatre, through May 18
In this new dark comedy with music that's written and directed by artistic director Matthew Posey, Patti and Theo are struggling artists in Brooklyn, New York. They are big boozers, and time will tell if the Drinking Religion outlives them. Audiences can come wade into the wild and boozy waters of Patti and Theo’s nightmarish world, and bear witness to the unraveling of their lives as they try one last time to love each other.

The Persians
Undermain Theatre, May 2-26
The Persians concentrates on the demise of the Persian empire, lamented by the Persian queen Atossa, by the folly of her son Xerxes which caused the empire’s downfall. The play also includes the appearance of the ghost of Xerxes’ father, Darius, who declaims the ruin of his once-great empire.

Misery
Theatre Three, May 2-June 2
Romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While being forced to re-write his latest book at the favor of his captor, Paul realizes that he’s writing as if his life depends on it… and it does.

Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer
Bishop Arts Theatre Center, May 2-18
Dallas Theater Center's Brierley Resident Acting Company member Liz Mikel returns to Dallas after a year performing on Broadway to play the legendary 1960s civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer in this regional premiere, a co-production with DTC. From her humble origins as the daughter of a Mississippi sharecropper to co-founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and demanding recognition at the National Democratic Convention, hers is a story of justice that will not be denied.

Broadway Our Way
Uptown Players, May 2-5
This annual fundraiser showcases the versatility and artistry of Uptown Players' ensemble. With a fresh and contemporary twist, the cast breathes new life into show tunes, infusing them with their own unique interpretations, vocal styles, and personal flair. Familiar and not-so-familiar songs are reimagined, transcending boundaries and inviting audiences to see them in a fresh and exciting way.

Hamilton
Broadway Dallas, May 8-June 9
Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater: a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. This is your chance to see the musical at the Winspear Opera House.

Beyond the Yellow Wallpaper
Echo Theatre, May 9-25
This new historical drama delves into the extraordinary life of feminist author and social reformer Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Known to many for her short story The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte’s work explores the realities of womanhood at the turn of the 20th century.

The Kinsey Sicks: Deep Inside Tonight
Uptown Players, May 10
This hilarious musical newscast-run-amok showcases America’s Favorite Dragapella® Beautyshop Quartet taking over the airwaves. The quartet, with their unapologetically biased coverage from the campaign trail, probes today’s hottest issues and scintillating scandals, all in glorious four-part harmony. Celebrating their 30 years of delighting audiences globally, The Kinsey Sicks promise an evening filled with shocking shtick, witty parodies, and outrageous hijinx.

Chicago
Broadway at the Bass, May 10-12
Chicago has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.

Hamlet
Auriga Productions, May 10-17
One of Shakespeare's most revered tragedies, Hamlet unfolds against the backdrop of royal intrigue, familial betrayal, and existential introspection. Prince Hamlet, grappling with the sudden death of his father and the hasty remarriage of his mother, begins a journey of retribution that plunges the Danish court into chaos.

Simply the Best: A Tribute to the Greatest Artists of Our Time
Uptown Players, May 11-12
The two-act cabaret show features local talents Peter DiCesare, Denise Lee, Bethany Lorentzen, Trey Tolleson, and Lee Walter celebrating the world’s most legendary musical icons together in concert. Backed by a six-piece on-stage band under the musical direction of Gary Adler, the performance will include hits from music icons who have had a major impact on the LGBTQ+ community, such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Tina Turner, Cher, and Elton John.

Cloud Tectonics
Teatro Dallas, May 17-June 1
José Rivera's apocalyptic tale comes to life onstage: In the midst of a storm, a lone motorist encounters a pregnant hitchhiker, setting the stage for a mesmerizing tale of love and mystery. As the motorist offers shelter, he unwittingly invites the hitchhiker into his home, where her presence captivates him and his brother, who is home unexpectedly from military duty.

A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle
Hip Pocket Theatre, May 17-June 2
Something spacey is coming this way from the great mind of internationally acclaimed puppetry artist Basil Twist, who returns to Hip Pocket for a one-of-a-kind, intergalactic, Twist-ian experience.

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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