• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Tui Snider - author & speaker

  • Home – Tui Snider
  • Show Recaps & Replays
  • FREE Book!
  • Articles
    • Cemeteries & Symbolism
    • Travel Photo Essays
    • Writing & Life
    • Tui’s Books
    • Haunted Travel
    • My Reviews
  • Hire Tui to Speak

My Reviews

My Kickstarter Campaign for a Book, Photo Show & Music CD

by 1 Comment

2016 Writer in Residence

I haven’t mentioned it in a while, but I was chosen to be the 2016 Writer in Residence for Tarleton State University’s Langdon Review Weekend – and it’s coming right up! (Click here to read a blog post about last year’s Langdon Review Weekend.)

The Langdon Review Weekend is an amazing annual literary conference, and I am super thrilled and honored to be their resident writer! My residency starts on August 27th. I’ll be staying in the gorgeous historic town of Granbury, Texas for two whole weeks with the sole purpose of creating and reaching out to the community.

2015 Langdon Review Weekend in Granbury, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
2015 Langdon Review Weekend in Granbury, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Brainstorm

I’ve been brainstorming recently about what to do for the public outreach aspect of the residency as well as how I can really deliver the most creative bang for the buck, and here’s what I came up with:

Meme-Myself-550

Book, Photo & Music CD Extravaganza

Book/Photo/Music Project: As part of my residency, I’m having my first-ever photography exhibit!  It’s called “Meme, Myself & iPhone” because I took all the photos with my iPhone.

I thought it would be fun to create a book to accompany the photography exhibit. So, now I’m creating a small book (less than 100 pages) that will contain black and white pictures of the photos in the show. The book will also include the lyrics to a few songs I’ve written.

Lyrics need music, right? Yeah, that’s what I thought, too! So, I will also release a music CD featuring 10 of my songs! (In case you haven’t heard any of my music, I’m sharing a link later in this post.)

Am I crazy?

Perhaps, but here’s the thing: While I respect those who stretch their limits by skydiving and running marathons, I am attracted to different challenges. I enjoy pushing my limits and testing my endurance and trying scary things, but the biggest thrills come to me through artistic projects.

Kickstarter Campaign:

Now here’s the scary “out of my comfort zone” aspect to all this.  I’m a very independent, DIY-minded person. I actually enjoy designing book covers and creating the interior and all that, and even though I’ve never hung a photography show, my hubby will help and it’s not exactly rocket science.

But I do need some help! There are, however, some aspects to this project that are beyond my DIY ability. The biggest one of these is producing the music CD. I’ve got a fairly decent home studio, but I need professional help with engineering, mastering, distribution and all that.

Here’s why I’m asking for $$$: If I could do this on my own, I would! In fact, I originally planned to spend the money myself. Unfortunately, my husband recently had a trip to the ER that led to an overnight stay in the hospital and left us with a hefty bill to go along with it.

 

 

So… that really put a dent in my DIY plans!

 

 

That’s why I created a Kickstarter Campaign to help me raise the $3000 needed to make my writer’s residency a great big creative extravaganza!

What is Kickstarter?
You’ve probably heard of Kickstarter, but you may not have used it. Kickstarter is a crowd-funding site. They offer a platform for people like me to showcase their creative ideas. Since 2009, Kickstarter has successfully funded tens of thousands of creative projects!

What’s in it for you?

What makes Kickstarter different from simply asking for money is that donors receive something from the person in exchange. For example, in exchange for a $10 donation to my campaign, I will send you a signed copy of my 10-song CD (Come to My Senses.) You will also get a handwritten thank you note, I’ll mention you in a “donor thank you” post on my blog, give you credit in my book, and a shout out on Twitter and Facebook! :)

To see a full list of all the Donor Rewards I’m offering check out my Kickstarter Campaign link here:

************************************************************
You can hear my music,
watch a 2-minute video,
& see all the details at this link:
 Tui Snider’s Kickstarter 
************************************************************

 

Please help me get the word out!

I hope you will check out my Kickstarter campaign. If you can donate something that’s great, but there are other ways you can help me, too:

  • Share my Kickstarter on social media (tag me so I can thank you!)
  • Tell your friends about it.
  • Let me know if you see any typos or dead links in the campaign.
  • If you have a good idea for a Donor Reward, let me know.

 

Any advice?

Have you ever used Kickstarter or some other crowdfunding site? Do you have any tips to share with me? Please tell me in a comment on this blog post. I really want to succeed with this.

Phew! That’s all for now. I’d better quit staring at this screen and get cracking on my project!

Want to read more from Tui Snider?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: author, indie, iPhone, kickstarter, music, musician, photographer, Texas, Tui Snider

Disney’s Beauty & the Beast @ATTPAC in Dallas

by Leave a Comment

Disney’s Beauty & the Beast

If you have any little princesses or princes in your immediate family, you absolutely must head over to the AT&T Performing Arts Center before Disney’s Beauty & the Beast leaves town! This entertaining musical, based on the animated 1991 Disney movie, portrays the classic fairy tale in a lush and lively style that will keep viewers of all ages highly entertained.

The Beast (Sam Hartley) & Belle (Brooke Quintana) in Disney's Beauty & the Beast
The Beast (Sam Hartley) & Belle (Brooke Quintana) in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast. Photo provided by AT&T Performing Arts Center

A Tale as Old as Time…

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a young woman who lives in a small town where her love of reading makes her a nerdy oddball. Every other girl in the village has a crush on a debonair-but-stupid fellow, Gaston. Gaston, however, ignores his adoring fans and pursues Belle – not because she is intelligent and interesting, but because she is the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.

Lefou (Matt DaSilva) & Gaston (Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek)
Lefou (Matt DaSilva) & Gaston (Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek) Photo provided by AT&T Performing Arts Center

Happily Ever After

When Belle’s beloved father is captured by a scary beast, she frees him by offering herself as a prisoner, instead. The plot unfolds from there, and despite many more travails, everyone ends up living happily ever after. This is a fairy tale, after all!

Beauty & the Beast ensemble (photo provided by ATT Performing Arts Center)
Beauty & the Beast ensemble (photo provided by AT&T Performing Arts Center)

Pre-show Storytime: Children’s Book Readings by Local Celebrities

As a way of celebrating Belle’s love of reading, the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center has partnered with Children’s Health to conduct a book drive called “Books for Belle.”
Attendees are invited to visit a pop-up library in the Winspear Opera House lobby and donate a new or gently used children’s book to benefit patients and families at Children’s Health hospitals and clinics. In return, children who donate two or more books can select a book of their own from the lobby shelves to keep and read over the summer.
Disney's Beauty & the Beast ensemble. Photo provided by AT&T Performing Arts Center
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast ensemble. Photo provided by AT&T Performing Arts Center

Celebrity Reader Schedule

Wednesday, June 22 (7:30pm performance, 6:30 pm reading: Gloria Campos
Thursday, June 23 (2pm matinee, 1pm reading): Shelly Slater, WFAA-TV
Thursday, June 23 (7:30pm performance, 6:30 pm reading): Steve Noviello, FOX
Friday, June 24 (2pm matinee, 1pm reading): Amy Vanderoef, ABC
Friday, June 24 (7:30pm performance, 6:30 pm reading): Funnyatrics Clown Troupe
Saturday, June 25 (2pm matinee, 1pm reading): SMU football players
Saturday, June 25 (7:30pm performance, 6:30 pm reading): to be announced

Disney’s Beauty & the Beast tickets & more information:

What: Disney’s Beauty & the Beast Musical
When: Now through June 26, 2016 in Dallas, TX
Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Approximately 140 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Want to read more from Tui Snider?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, beauty and the beast, childrens hospital, Dallas, musical, musical theater, review, Texas, theater review, Tui Snider, Winspear Opera House

Review: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical in Dallas #BeautifulOnTour

by Leave a Comment

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway

 

When a major recording artist is featured in a jukebox musical, you can pretty much guess which songs will be recorded – or so I thought before attending Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. The national tour of this Tony Award winning show opened in Dallas, Texas last night to a packed house at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Abby Mueller (“Carole King”) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus
Abby Mueller (“Carole King”) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus

Not just Carole King songs

Beautiful includes plenty of Carole King songs, but what surprised me was how many other familiar tunes came along for the ride. For instance, I didn’t know Carole King and her early songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin, spent a good 10 years writing for other recording artists before King dared to go solo.

Over the years, King and Goffin cranked out no less than 118 pop hits including: “The Locomotion” (Little Eva), “I’m Into Something Good” (Herman’s Hermits), “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (The Monkees), “A Natural Woman” (Aretha Franklin), “One Fine Day” (Chiffons), and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (Shirelles), among many, many more!

Curt Bouril (“Don Kirshner”), Liam Tobin (“Gerry Goffin”), Abby Mueller (“Carole King”), Ben Fankhauser (“Barry Mann”) and Becky Gulsvig (“Cynthia Weil”). Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus
Curt Bouril (“Don Kirshner”), Liam Tobin (“Gerry Goffin”), Abby Mueller (“Carole King”), Ben Fankhauser (“Barry Mann”) and Becky Gulsvig (“Cynthia Weil”). Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus

Beautiful: The Storyline

The plot for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical follows King’s career from a precocious start at age 16 to her triumphant Carnegie Hall appearance in 1971 at the age of 29.

As the fast-paced production hops from one catchy hit to the next, we follow the lives of Carole King and her songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin, through their productive career and tumultuous marriage. In the 1960’s, the duo shared an office next door to another prolific songwriting team: that of Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Despite intense competition on the musical front, the four soon become fast friends.

Although the story touches on heavy topics including depression, drug use and infidelity, Beautiful uses snappy dialogue and humor to create a lighthearted tone in the opening scenes and maintains this throughout.

This sitcom approach works because the true emotional movement of the story is created by witnessing Carole King go from domestic struggles and stage fright to an independent woman in charge of her own creative spirit. In fact, Carole King’s songs do most of the heavy lifting, emotion-wise.

I know I’m not the only one who was swept along by the breezy narrative. At one point, when the packed crowd in Dallas let out a collective gasp, my husband leaned over and whispered, “Listen to this audience!” At other key moments attendees cheered and/or broke into spontaneous applause to encourage Carole King along her life’s journey.

Abby Mueller (“Carole King”) and Liam Tobin (“Gerry Goffin”) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus
Abby Mueller (“Carole King”) and Liam Tobin (“Gerry Goffin”) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus

Beautiful on Broadway’s talented cast:

In this 2016 Broadway touring cast, Abby Mueller‘s performance as Carole King is a real knock out. Rather than attempt to impersonate Carole King, Mueller somehow embodies the famous songstress. At times, Mueller’s performance made me giggle with appreciation at how perfectly she captured King’s particular way of phrasing and her overall style without ever turning it into a caricature. (Incidentally, Abby’s little sister, Jessie Mueller, snagged a Tony for originating the Carole King role on Broadway.)

Liam Tobin brought as much depth to his portrayal of Carole King’s first husband and songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin as the material allowed. It’s not Goffin’s story, after all, and there was only so much room in the plot to delve into his struggles with addiction and manic depression.

The biggest laughs of the night belonged to Ben Fankhauser as the talented hypochondriac, Barry Mann, while Becky Gulsvig is vibrant and adorable in her role as the commitment-phobic lyricist, Cynthia Weil.

Natural Woman. Foreground: Abby Mueller (“Carole King”). Background: (l to r) Britney Coleman, Sarah Bockel and Ashley Blanchet. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus
Natural Woman. Foreground: Abby Mueller (“Carole King”). Background: (l to r) Britney Coleman, Sarah Bockel and Ashley Blanchet. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Joan Marcus

Beautiful: How does Carole King feel about it?

Since the story is based on living people, Douglas McGrath created the characters in his book after extensive research and personal interviews, especially with the four main characters: Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

In case you’re wondering how Carole King feels about the musical based on her life, the first time she saw Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, King was so overcome by emotion that she left during intermission. She has since come to terms with seeing her life portrayed on stage.

These days, King makes a point of watching each actress who portrays her, although she attends performances secretly, wearing a full disguise to as not to draw attention to herself or intimidate the cast. She even advised Abby Mueller to, “Have fun being me,” when the pair met on the set of NBC’s “Today” show.

As for my advice: Grab your tickets to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical while you can!

Beautiful tickets & more information:

What: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway
When: Now through June 19, 2016 in Dallas, TX
Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Approximately 2.5 hours, with one intermission.

Beautiful on Broadway Twitter: @BeautifulOnBway & hashtag: #BeautifulOnTour 

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Want to read more from Tui Snider?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: abby mueller, ATTPAC, barry mann, beautiful on broadway, beautiful: the musical, becky gulsvig, ben fankhauser, carole king, cynthia weil, Dallas, gerry goffin, lliam tobin, musical, musical theater, q1, review, sliding doors, theater review, Tui Snider, Winspear Opera House

Review: Cabaret Musical in Dallas @ATTPAC #CabaretTour

by Leave a Comment

Cabaret – surprisingly timely

What could possibly be timely about a 50-year-old musical set in Berlin during Hitler’s rise to power?

What, indeed.

Had I seen Cabaret a year ago, I would have enjoyed it, but seeing it during the 2016 election cycle as we argue over transgender bathroom rights, immigration and religious freedom made this musical even more powerful, and rather unsettling! (In retrospect, I shouldn’t be surprised. John Kander and Fred Ebb, the same songwriting duo responsible for Chicago, another musical set in a different time period that also has uncanny modern day parallels, wrote the songs in Cabaret.)

Randy Harrison as theEmcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Randy Harrison as the Emcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Set during the Weimar Republic

Cabaret is set in Berlin at the tail end of the Weimar Republic, a cultural microclimate running from the end of WWI in 1918 to Hitler’s rise to power in 1933. During this unique slice of time Germany experienced a frenzied renaissance in art, culture and science. Nine German scientists (five of whom were Jewish) earned Nobel Prizes, for instance, while German women began seeking careers outside the home, and the word “transvestite” was coined by a German doctor who advocated for LGBT rights.

The city of Berlin, in particular, became a cultural hot spot, with the liberal attitudes of the Weimar culture attracting scientists (including Albert Einstein), philosophers, creatives, intellectuals and homosexuals from all over the world.  (For more reading about this time period and how it ties into the musical Cabaret, there’s an excellent article here: When Life was a Cabaret.)
Andrea Goss as Sally Bowlesinthe 2016 National Touring productionof Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles in the 2016 National Touring production of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Dancing in their sleep…

Cabaret begins in 1931 and revolves around a tawdry Berlin hotspot called the Kit Kat Club. The storyline (which differs significantly from the 1972 movie adaptation starring Liza Minelli) follows the interactions between Clifford Bradshaw (Lee Aaron Rosen), an ambitious American who arrives in Berlin seeking inspiration to write a novel, but winds up too busy partying to notice sinister changes in the political climate and understand the danger they bring.

Along the way, Clifford teams up with a British nightclub singer named Sally Bowles (portrayed by Andrea Goss.) Sally thinks of herself as Clifford’s muse, but she is more like his anesthetic, a cute but shallow pixie distracting him from the real world.

In the first act it is easy to dismiss Clifford and Sally’s romance as an empty fling, but by the end of the show, the realization that there is something deeper sneaks up on the audience just as much as it seems to sneak up on them. Meanwhile, a mid-life romance between the stern German landlady (Shannon Cochran as Fräulein Schneider) and the kindly Jewish fruit vendor (Mark Nelson as Herr Schultz) provides characters I could actually invest in emotionally throughout the entire play.

Randy Harrison as the Emcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus.
Randy Harrison as the Emcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus.

More than boy meets girl

There is much more to Cabaret’s storyline, however, than boy meets girl. Randy Harrison (star of Queer as Folk), who plays the Kit Kat Club’s Emcee, provides narration via song and dance numbers to illustrate the shift from sexual liberation to anti-semitism and the rise of fascism throughout the play.

Feels like a cabaret

Harrison’s improvised patter and interactions with the audience added enough spontaneity to make it feel like we were attending an actual cabaret. In addition, many of the singers and dancers actually play instruments in the Cabaret band. Seeing them perform on stage rather than having musicians hidden away in an orchestra pit added another layer to this cabaret feeling.

Left me near tears

Eventually, as the outside world begins to shatter their gin-soaked world, Clifford wakes up and realizes what is going on with the Nazi party. Sally, on the other hand, continues “dancing in her sleep,” choosing to believe her dead end nightclub job will eventually make her a star.

And while I never expected Cabaret to end with a pretty little happily ever after bow, the final scene was a real blow. No spoilers here, but let me just say that the staging and imagery were thought-provoking, timely, and left me near tears.

I highly recommend catching Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Cabaret in Dallas at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas before it moves on! (Scroll down for ticket information.)

Lee Aaron Rosen as Clifford Bradshaw, Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles, Mark Nelson as Herr Schultz and Shannon Cochran as Fräulein Schneider in the 2016 National Touring production of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus
Lee Aaron Rosen as Clifford Bradshaw, Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles, Mark Nelson as Herr Schultz and Shannon Cochran as Fräulein Schneider in the 2016 National Touring production of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. Photo by Joan Marcus

Cabaret tickets & more information:

What: Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET
When: Now through June 5, 2016 in Dallas, TX
Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Approximately 3 hours, with one intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Want to read more from Tui Snider?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: #CabaretTour, ATTPAC, Cabaret, Dallas, musical, musical theater, review, sliding doors, theater review, Tui Snider, Winspear Opera House

Review: IF/THEN A New Musical in Dallas @ATTPAC #IFTHENtour

by 2 Comments

Opening night ovation in Dallas, Texas

Opening night of IF/THEN at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation. This new musical by the Pulitzer Prize Winning duo, Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, is a 2 and a 1/2 hour riff on the decisions we make in life and the consequences (both expected and unforeseen) these choices create.

 

IF/THEN in Dallas, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
IF/THEN in Dallas, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

IF/THEN vs Sliding Doors

At first blush, the plot of IF/THEN sounds similar to “Sliding Doors,” a 1998 movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow. “Sliding Doors” shows the myriad ways a simple event – in this case, either catching or missing a subway train – impacts the main character’s life.

“Sliding Doors” is a charming bit of rom/com fluff, and even though it explores two different timelines, the end result is less about the choices we make and more about whether or not “boy gets girl.”

While IF/THEN also follows a main character who shifts through different timelines, and romance is certainly a factor, its storyline is much more nuanced and thought-provoking than “Sliding Doors.”

IF/THEN spoiler free plot summary

Fresh out of a disastrous marriage for which she sacrificed her life’s ambitions, IF/THEN follows our main character, Elizabeth, as a seemingly small decision in the first act splits her life into two different story arcs.

Elizabeth is pushing 40, and her life is at a major crossroads. Yet, even though she is eager for a reboot, Elizabeth feels equal parts excitement and terror at the prospect. Looking back at what she now sees as 10 wasted years, Elizabeth suddenly finds it nearly impossible to make even the simplest of decisions.

What if she screws everything up – again?

IF/THEN starring Anthony Rapp & Jackie Burns (Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center)
IF/THEN starring Anthony Rapp & Jackie Burns (Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center)

Relatable Conflicts

The action begins with 38-year-old Elizabeth’s return to New York City, where she meets up with a couple of longtime friends in Central Park. After one invites her to a concert and the other invites her to a protest, the timeline of IF/THEN splits in two.

To help us follow this fast-paced and sometimes dizzying switch between storylines, Elizabeth becomes contacts-wearing “Beth” in one timeline, and an eyeglasses-wearing “Liz” in the other.

Having rebooted my own life a few times, I could relate to Elizabeth’s predicament, and this is a big part of what makes IF/THEN so much fun. While I found the music enjoyable, rather than humming show tunes on the car ride home, my husband and I wound up in a lively discussion of all the “what ifs” and “do overs” in our own lives.

Ultimately, IF/THEN reminds us there is no pause button in life and that even when we take charge of our decisions, we are never completely in control of the outcome. As Elizabeth remarks in one of the final scenes, “It’s never the right time,” by which she means that if you wait for everything in your life to be perfect before moving forward, life will pass you by.

It’s a good reminder for anyone who suffers from the paralysis of analysis!

Tamyra Gray from IF/THEN - a New Musical (Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center)
Tamyra Gray from IF/THEN – a New Musical (Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center)

Witty & Fun – but not for kids

If all this “philosophical what-iffing” makes it sound like IF/THEN is heavy or slow-paced; that is not the case. Aside from a few somber moments, I laughed my way through this witty, upbeat show. I should mention, however, that this is definitely not a musical for young children.

In addition to a few F-bombs (there’s even a song entitled “What the Fuck?”), what makes IF/THEN fast-paced and fun for adults would not keep a youngster’s attention.

Mature themes, and all that!

My favorite song and dance number from IF/THEN is the catchy and humorous, “It’s a Sign,” which manages to be both teasing and reverant about those moments in life that seem “meant to be.” It’s not often that a line like, “Today a pigeon shit right on my head/ It’s still in my hair”  comes off as playfully perfect rather than needlessly crass. (And full disclosure: it reminded me of an al fresco lunch incident in which several diners remarked how lucky I was after a pigeon bombed my bowl of soup. But that’s another story for another day!)

Talented Cast

IF/THEN’s talented cast features strong voices and energetic performances throughout. Jackie Burns made the powerful vocals required to portray Elizabeth seem completely effortless. Tamyra Gray (Kate) knocked the aforementioned “It’s a Sign” out of the park, and was a delight throughout the entire show. (American Idol fans may also recognize Tamyra Gray as one of four finalists in the show’s first season.)

I also look forward to seeing more from the charismatic Anthony Rapp. In IF/THEN, Anthony Rapp (who originated the role of Mark in RENT) plays Lucas, Elizabeth’s closest friend. And while it would have been easy for Matthew Hydsik to let his portrayal of Josh, the hunky Nebraskan farm boy/soldier veer into something cartoonish, the character felt genuine and heartfelt.

So, the question remains: Will you or won’t you buy tickets to catch IF/THEN in Dallas? If yes, you had better hurry because this fun-yet-thought-provoking show only runs until the end of the month!

IF/THEN tickets & more information:

What: IF/THEN – A New Musical 
When: Now through January 31, 2016 in Dallas, TX
Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Approximately 2 1/2 hours, with one intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Want to read more from Tui Snider?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, IF/THEN, musical, musical theater, q1, review, sliding doors, theater review, Tui Snider, Winspear Opera House

Review: Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas

by 5 Comments

Stepping into History

The Excelsior House Hotel in the historic district of Jefferson, Texas has quite a pedigree: Not only has this Texas State Landmark been in continuous operation since the 1850’s, but it’s also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

If you are a history buff, you do not want to miss the Excelsior House Hotel. Sure, just like any accommodation these days, every room has a private bath, a television, and WIFI, but there’s something *special* about this east Texas venue, something I’ve never quite experienced at any other historic hotel:

I truly felt transported while staying there, as if I’d slipped back to the 1880’s for a day!

It wasn’t just me, the chronically daydreaming writer who loves imagining what it was like to live in other times; my husband, Larry, felt the “time shift,” too. In fact, we’ve been puzzling over the experience ever since our recent stay. We visited during the History, Haunts & Legends paranormal conference, where I gave a talk on Historic Cemetery Symbols) And while we’re still not quite sure what created this unusual sensation, we agree that the hotel’s history is certainly a major ingredient, so I’ll start there:

Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

History Entwined

The history of the Excelsior House Hotel and the city of Jefferson are deeply entwined. In the mid to late 1800’s, Jefferson, Texas was a glamorous inland trading center, with all the virtue and vice that accompanies a port town.

During this boom, Jefferson’s population swelled to 30,000 and its port was second only to Galveston. The city sent steamboats laden with cotton, timber, beef, and more to New Orleans, and received a variety of goods in return. Its location in northeast Texas made the Port of Jefferson the northernmost stop in a trade route to and from the Big Easy.

Jefferson, Texas a.k.a. The Little Easy

Even today, the influence of New Orleans provides an enchanting overlay to the city of Jefferson. With its red brick streets, hitching posts, carriage rides, cast iron railings, and Greek Revival architecture, Jefferson’s historic downtown could easily pass for late 1880’s New Orleans in a Hollywood movie. The city has even been celebrating Mardi Gras for over a century! For this reason, some folks call Jefferson, Texas the “Little Easy,” and I can see why.

Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Built by a Steamboat Captain

The Excelsior House Hotel is built on property once owned by a steamboat captain named William Perry. This land was a gift from the City of Jefferson in 1846, a thank you for all the hard work Perry did to keep the Big Cypress Bayou navigable.

When you realize the importance of that bayou, the city’s gratitude is understandable. From the 1840’s until the 1870’s, Jefferson’s economy was heavily dependent on trade with New Orleans.

Without that waterway, Jefferson would have remained an isolated village in east Texas rather than the vibrant port town it blossomed into.

Excelsior House Hotel – ideal location for visitors

Although Captain Perry built a family home on the property the city gave him, its central location made it ideal for visitors. So while he had not set out to build a hotel, Perry began renting rooms to merchants who passed through town. Even today, with the Jefferson Historical Museum next door and the Jay Gould Railroad car and carriage rides directly across the street, the Excelsior House Hotel is ideally located for visitors. Many restaurants, antique stores, and a variety of family-owned boutiques and shops are also within easy walking distance.

Guest register features famous patrons of the Excelsior House Hotel (photo by Tui Snider)
Guest register features famous patrons of the Excelsior House Hotel (photo by Tui Snider)

From boomtown to time capsule

Meanwhile, back at the bayou: In 1873, the US Army Corps of Engineers dismantled a huge log jam downstream from Jefferson, Texas. The Great Red River Raft, as it was called, had been around as long as anyone could remember, including Native Americans. Unfortunately for Jefferson, removing the log jam shifted water levels throughout the region, draining so much water out of the Big Cypress Bayou that it was no longer navigable by steamboats.

This meant no more trade with New Orleans! 

As for Captain Perry, who knows? He might have become the east Texas version of Conrad Hilton had he not been murdered in 1868…

As the boomtown years faded and the city of Jefferson fell into economic decline, Captain Perry’s hotel passed from owner to owner. The good news is that a great number of historic buildings from that era remain standing in Jefferson, Texas. The city’s untimely demise is the modern-day tourist and history buff’s gain!

Saved from the wrecking ball

Even so, by 1961 the Excelsior House Hotel was in dire need of repair. In fact, the historic hotel might have met the wrecking ball were it not for the forward-thinking members of the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club. Not only did they purchase and remodel the building, but they continued to rent out rooms during the renovation, which was completed by the club members themselves.

So despite a few ups and downs, the Excelsior House Hotel has been in continuous operation since 1858, and the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club continues to own and operate the hotel to this day.

Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

The Excelsior House Hotel today

Today, the fully restored Excelsior House Hotel is an eye-catching whitewashed building adorned with cast iron railings in the heart of Jefferson’s historic district. The comfortable lobby features the original front desk, and is filled with hotel memorabilia. Rather like a small museum, the hotel features antiques throughout, many of which are leftovers from when Captain Perry owned the property.

Famous Clientele includes 3 presidents

Over the years, the Excelsior House Hotel has played host to many famous guests, including Oscar Wilde, Ladybird Johnson, and 3 US presidents (Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.) Don’t believe me? See for yourself; many pages from the hotel’s guest register are on display in the front lobby.

Excelsior House Hotel Tours

Whether you stay at the Excelsior House Hotel or not, a tour of the building is worth your time. Hotel volunteers also offer tours of the Atalanta, Jay Gould’s private railroad car, which is located directly across the street. Both tours are given by volunteers, so you will need to check with the front desk clerk to see if they are available during your visit or not.

Gracious staff and old world charm

I thoroughly enjoyed the Excelsior House Hotel! From the moment Larry and I stepped inside, I could tell it was going to be a memorable stay. The atmosphere was welcoming without being intrusive, by which I mean that the hotel staff left us to our own thoughts until we asked questsions. (I mention this because I have certain friends who claim they could never stay at anything other than a big chain hotel because they are afraid the staff at a privately owned venue will follow them the whole time!)

The entire staff, from the desk clerk to the servers at breakfast, was extremely courteous. It nearly felt as if they had taken an old school etiquette course! Each one I spoke to was knowledgeable and exuded a well-deserved pride in their hotel and its history.

Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Transported in time by the Plantation Breakfast

The Plantation Breakfast was an enchanting surprise, and not simply because it was mighty tasty. In retrospect, Larry and I agree that this experience was another key ingredient in making us feel as if we had stepped back into time.  So even if you’re not an early riser, or a habitual breakfast eater, I highly recommend making an exception for the Plantation Breakfast at the Excelsior House Hotel.

The Plantation Breakfast offers a taste of the Old South, literally and figuratively. During our stay, the menu consisted of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, fried ham, grits, biscuits, and orange blossom muffins elegantly presented on fine dining ware.

When I wandered downstairs that morning, I wasn’t quite sure where breakfast was served, so I asked the front desk clerk, who ushered us to a nearby sitting room. “Help yourselves to a cup of coffee,” she instructed, “they’ll call you into the ballroom shortly.”

I don’t know about you, but in the life I lead, I am rarely “called” into any room, let alone a historic ballroom with a French chandelier, marble busts, oil paintings, two grand pianos, velvet couches, and a cypress wood floor. We were the only ones dining at that hour, and with the wait staff bustling around us as if they were our house servants; well, it was delightfully disconcerting.

I felt like Scarlet O’Hara

I truly felt transported, as if I’d suddenly become Scarlet O’Hara overnight. It’s hard to describe, but it was a lot of fun. (Plus, those orange blossom muffins are to die for!) I felt as if i were in a costume drama and that everyone else was in character!

After our meal, Larry and I lingered in the ballroom, snapping photos and pretending the Excelsior House Hotel was our family home. It was easy to imagine galas, meetings and other festivities taking place here over the years. In fact, you can still host your own if you wish! The ballroom is available for those wishing to host receptions, luncheons or other special events, and the hotel courtyard is a popular site for weddings.

So the next time you are in east Texas, I highly recommend a stay at the historic Excelsior House Hotel! Read on for how to book a room, and for tips on visiting Jefferson, Texas, including when to visit and what to see and do while you are there:

Plan your stay at the Excelsior House Hotel

For more information about the Excelsior House Hotel including room rates, available dates, and how to book a room, click here. (And when you book your room, be sure to tell them that Tui sent you!)
Address: Excelsior House Hotel, 211 West Austin Street, Jefferson, Texas 75657

NOTE: While accommodations were provided free of charge, the opinions expressed in this review are wholly my own. Click here to read the full TuiSnider.com Privacy Policy. 

 

Beautiful garden courtyard at the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Beautiful garden courtyard at the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Jefferson, TX – What to see and do?

As I mentioned earlier, the little town of Jefferson is chock full of fun things to see and do, and the Excelsior House Hotel is right in the middle of it all! Not only is this little town full of antique shops, museums, and restaurants, but consider taking a guided trip down the bayou, or enjoying a mug of 5 cent coffee at the Jefferson General Store.

Jefferson, TX Festivals – When to visit?

Jefferson, Texas makes a great getaway any time of the year, but you may want to plan your trip around one of the many festivals that take place here throughout the year, including:

Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes – This annual event offers candlit tours of historic homes led by docents in period clothing (think top hats and hoopskirts!)

History, Haunts & Legends – This twice annual East Texas paranormal conference takes place each April and each November. It was the main reason for our stay, actually. I was invited to give my Historic Cemetery Symbolism talk there, and decided to turn my stay in Jefferson, Texas into a much-needed writing research trip.

Jefferson Pilgrimage – This is a weekend long historical celebration in which Civil War buffs use the entire town as a backdrop for elaborate reenactments, including the Naval Battle of Port Jefferson, and the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial Play.

Burn Run – Motorcycle Rally This annual fall biker rally raises money for burn victims.

Mardi Gras Upriver – Jefferson, Texas has been celebrating Mardi Gras

Marion County Fair – A good old-fashioned East Texas county fair.

Taste of Jefferson, Texas – Lively annual celebration of regional restaurants.

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Hotel and B&B Reviews, My Reviews, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: B&B, east Texas, festivals, haunted hotel, historic, hotel, jefferson, Oct15, places to stay, q1, review, road trip, Texas, things to do, Tui Snider, TX, weekend getaway

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Go to page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Follow Tui

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Looking for something? Search my site:

Copyright © 2021 · Author Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in