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theater review

REVIEW: The Color Purple – Musical Revival

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Opening night for THE COLOR PURPLE in Dallas ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District. 

(Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

THE COLOR PURPLE is a Tony Award-winning musical revival based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker. The story spans the years 1910 through 1940, and the Grammy-winning score expertly infuses the musical flavors of that era, everything from gospel, jazz, ragtime, and blues.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, the opening scene of THE COLOR PURPLE may come as a jolt. The casual manner in which 14-year-old Celie (Mariah Lyttle) mentions that her two children were fathered by her dad (Jeremy Whatley) may shock you. To Celie, it’s a matter of fact event. After her mother died, her father expected her to fulfill her role in every way, from keeping house to having sex. He’s in charge, and it’s the only world Celie has ever known.

Each time she gives birth, Celie’s dad, Alphonso, takes the baby away. While she prays that he gives them up for adoption, the local rumor mill claims that he kills these babies in the woods. The one joy in Celie’s life is the unconditional love she shares with her little sister, Nettie (Nashka Desrosiers.)

Celie is willing to bear her dad’s abuse because it shields Nettie from him and gives the younger girl the opportunity to attend school. It’s hardly ideal, but Celie clings to Nettie and the possibilities for Nettie’s future as her one sustaining hope.

(Sandie Lee, Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Sandie Lee, Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

Even this tiny bit of solace is soon stolen from Celie. After much negotiation, a man Celie knows only as “Mister” (Andrew Malone), takes her as his wife. Being Mister’s wife means more abuse and thankless servitude, only this time with step-children and a bigger house to maintain. Mister keeps Celie locked up in the house and forbids her from writing letters to Nettie. As the years pass, Mister even lets her conclude that Nettie must be dead since she never hears from her.

Eventually, two unusual women enter Celie’s life. Unlike the other women she has known, these ladies take charge of their lives in a way that Celie would have never believed possible. The first is the wife of Mister’s son, Harpo (Brandon A. Wright.) Her name is Sofia (Chédra Arielle), and Celie is both shocked and delighted to watch Sofia stand up for herself in her relationship with Harpo. Sofia says what she thinks and clearly feels equal to anyone else, man or woman.

It’s also shocking for Celie to see how physically affectionate they are, something Celie has had very little of in her life. My favorite song and dance number from the show is when Sofia and Harpo kiss and make up in the hilariously suggestive “Any Little Thing.”

(Chédra Arielle, Brandon A. Wright, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Chédra Arielle, Brandon A. Wright, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

The other woman to rock Celie’s world is Shug Avery (Sandie Lee.) Long before she steps onto the stage, Shug’s presence is felt in this story. Everyone in town is fascinated by her whether they speak good or ill of her. Shug managed to escape her small town fate by making a career for herself as a jazz singer, and leads an exotic life full of fancy clothes and travel.

Although the music is great throughout, it wasn’t until Shug sang “Push da Button” in the first act that I felt the musical side of this show really came to life. Like Sofia, she does not let men dominate her, and she actually enjoys sex.

Mister makes it no secret that he is head-over-heels for Shug, and when she falls ill, he brings her home and tells Celie to take care of her. Although quite rude to Celie at first, the two women eventually become close friends, and later, lovers, although the musical does not delve too deeply into this.

The dire circumstances and the grim realities of Celie’s life remind me of the trials a Charles Dickens character would endure.  Much like Oliver Twist, Celie is born into a world where she is not seen for who she is, but exploited by others.

Trade the grim realities of Victorian Era England for the grim realities of the American South in the 1910s through 1940s, and you have storylines in which the main character grows up in a harsh and nearly loveless world.

I don’t want to give away the entire story, but suffice it to say that in the end all the plot lines are exuberantly resolved: we learn the true fate of Nettie, we find out what happened to Celie’s children, and most importantly, we see a self-assured Celie carve out a place for herself as an independent woman and proudly announce to the world that “I’m here!”

Follow The Color Purple on social media:

Official website:  Color Purple Musical Official Site
Facebook page:  Color Purple Musical
Twitter profile:  @BwayColorPurple
Hashtag for social media: #OnceOnThisIsland
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See The Color Purple in Dallas:

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: Runs for 2 1/2 hours with a 20-minute intermission. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

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

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

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Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, musical, Once On This Island, Texas, theater, theater review, theatre

REVIEW: Once On This Island – A Vibrant Tale in Storm-Ravaged Paradise

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Opening Night for Once On This Island

Opening night for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, brought Caribbean heat to chilly North Dallas at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District. I was excited to attend since Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s catchy lyrics and island rhythms won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical with this captivating production.

Kyle Ramar Freeman as ‘Asaka’ and Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ in the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

Storm-ravaged Tropical Paradise

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is set on an island in the French Antilles, although we never find out precisely which one. Even before the show starts, we quickly realize that the world of this play is an impoverished tropical paradise. As audience members file into the theatre, the curtain is already up, revealing characters who live in a beachside shantytown, with buildings created from a patchwork of corrugated tin. The staging is innovative, with the musicians on platforms overhead and room for 50 audience members to sit directly onstage, for what must have been a uniquely immersive experience.

The plot of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND unfurls as adults retelling a well-worn legend to a little schoolgirl who is hearing the tale for the first time. This story revolves around an orphan named Ti Moune (Courtnee Carter.) After her family is swept away during a storm, Ti Moune is adopted by an elderly couple. Despite living on the poor side of the island, she is a joyous girl who grows into a beautiful young woman.

 

MiMi Crossland as ‘Little Girl,’ Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ and the Company of the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

 

Island Gods

As Ti Moune grows up, she ponders why she survived the storm. Surely the gods must have important plans for her, and as the play progresses we see and hear four island gods plotting her fate. There’s Asaka (Kyle Ramar Freeman), the mother goddess, who is colorful and comforting; Erzulie, the Goddess of Love, (Cassondra James) who is graceful and plays the flute; and Agwe, the God of the Sea, (Jahmaul Bakare) who is robust and temperamental. My favorite, however, is Papa Ge a.k.a. the God of Death. American Idol fans may recognize Tamyra Gray in this role. To me, she perfectly embodies the enticing-yet-threatening presence of death.

Feels like an Ancient Folktale

When a handsome young man from the rich side of the island wrecks his car near Ti Moune’s family, she decides that healing him must be what the Gods have planned for her. She devotedly nurses the young man, falling in love in the process. Of course, since she lives on the poor side of the island and he comes from the rich side, their romance does not end well. No spoilers here, but the tremendously talented cast, imaginative staging, infectious choreography, and catchy music buoy this fast-paced story along to a surprising conclusion.

As I watched the play, it felt like an ancient folktale. In fact, I expected to learn that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND was based on a centuries-old story directly connected to the French Antilles. After all, many such tales involve the heartbreak created by arranged marriages, with lovers divided by their station in life.

The Company of the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

Surprising origins

So I was quite surprised to learn that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is based on a modern story, specifically the 1985 novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy. Guy’s novel is, in turn, a Caribbean retelling of the original “Little Mermaid,” by Hans Christian Anderson.

When I thought this was a retelling of a local folktale, I was willing to overlook the thinness of Ti Moune’s love for a good-looking man who was happy to use her and made no effort to fight for her. Had I existed as a fifth god in that island universe, I would have told her, “Honey, he doesn’t deserve you!” Even so, I left ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with a satisfied smile on my face, and a Caribbean-influenced spring in my step.

Follow #OnceOnThisIsland on social media:

Official website:  Once on this Island
Facebook page:  Once on this Island
Twitter profile:  @OnceIslandBway
Hashtag for social media: #OnceOnThisIsland
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See Once On This Island in Dallas:

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: Runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.

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

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
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PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
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Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, musical, Once On This Island, Texas, theater, theater review, theatre

REVIEW: ONCE – A Folk Music Fairy Tale

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Opening Night Ovation for ONCE

Opening night for ONCE,  a multiple Tony award-winning folk musical, ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Onstage Pub and Jam Session

If you’re someone who frequently runs late, make sure you come early for ONCE. If you arrive after the show starts, you will not be allowed to enter for a full 30 minutes. The show is very quiet at the beginning and latecomers could disrupt the plot for the rest of us.

The other reason to come early is to grab a pint at the onstage bar and enjoy some live music up close. It’s a cozy touch that makes the show feel more like you are in a small neighborhood venue rather than the Big D’s Winspear Opera House.

What sets ONCE apart from other musicals is its low-key production. This is a musical that is meant to be listened to more than watched. In addition to the intimate staging, there’s no pit orchestra. Instead, the actors are actually playing their instruments!

The end result is quite charming. I came away feeling like I’d been to a concert in a small venue rather than a Broadway show.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Songs that stand on their own

Based on a 2007 movie of the same name, the musical version of ONCE tells the story of an Irishman who fixes vacuum cleaners by day and is a street musician by night. When we first meet Guy (Jack Gerhard), he is in a creative crisis, ready to give up his dreams of making it with his music. Lucky for him, along comes Girl (Mariah Lotz), a fellow musician who instantly connects with the messages in Guy’s songs and recognizes his tremendous talent.

Of course, the real “guy” and “girl” behind the show are the composers and lyricists, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Each of their beautiful songs can easily stand alone, outside the world of the musical. This is a musical soundtrack you could purchase and enjoy even if you never see the story. That said, the story by Enda Walsh, is funny, sweet, and moving.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Folk Music Fairy Tale

At first glance, ONCE may seem like a romance, but it is more than that. This folk musical is a modern fairy tale clearly meant to inspire creatives to follow their dreams. After all, every creative person yearns for outside recognition, for some “fairy godmother” or “muse” to come along and give them permission to drop their mundane reality and dive headfirst into their creative passion. And as you step out of the theater humming tunes from the show, you may find yourself doing just this!

Follow #OnceMusical on social media:

Official website:  ONCE Musical (official website)
Facebook page:  ONCE (the musical)
Twitter profile:  @OnceMusical
Hashtag for social media: #oncemusical
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

 

See ONCE in Dallas:

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: Runs for roughly 2 hours & 20 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

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

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

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 & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next book comes out
  • Learn fun historical trivia
  • Be in the loop for other fun stuff

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






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Filed Under: #TuiSnider #Texas #author #musician, Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, My Reviews, Theater Reviews Tagged With: ATTPAC, Dallas, musical, Once, Texas, theater, theater review, theatre

Review: RENT 20th Anniversary Tour @ATTPAC @RentOnTour #Rent20

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Opening Night Ovation for RENT: Feels like a Party!

Opening night for RENT 20th Anniversary Tour in Dallas ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation. This much-lauded and multi-award-winning show with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson plays through October 2nd at the AT&T Performing Arts Center as part of its 2016 – 2017 Broadway Series.

It was obvious by the crowd’s cheers and anticipatory applause throughout the show that a good portion of the opening night crowd had not only seen RENT before, but they were very familiar with it. It felt like a party!

 

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com
RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com

RENT’s Storyline: Making a Living versus Making a Life

Set in the 1990’s, RENT follows the lives of seven aspiring creatives throughout a single tumultuous year as they struggle between making a living and making a life for themselves in New York City. Along the way, the characters are confronted with homophobia, class disparity, drug addiction, and what it means to succeed without selling out.

Inspired by an opera

Although inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème, much of the storyline in RENT is autobiographical. Playwright Jonathan Larson’s best friend growing up was gay, for instance, while Larson dated a fickle dancer who eventually left him for a woman.

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com
RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com

RENT: Charismatic Cast

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour features a talented, energetic, and youthful cast, for whom the 1990’s must feel so very far away! David Merino who plays Angel, is charismatic and amazing from the moment he struts onto the stage. I especially loved his moves and whoops a la Prince during the lively “Today 4 U” number.

While the entire ensemble has strong voices, Aaron Harrington’s lush baritone blew me away.  I could listen to him sing all day. Speaking of vocals, the solo in “Seasons of Love” gave me some serious chills!

RENT’s choreography is varied and imaginative throughout, but I especially loved the “Tango: Maureen.” The show’s dance moves often add a bit of witty subtext to the vocals, such as in the playfully seductive “Light My Candle” song and dance, featuring Kaleb Wells as Roger and Skyler Volpe as Mimi.

Follow the the #Rent20 Tour site and social media:

Official website: Rent On Tour 
Facebook page: Rent On Tour
Twitter profile: Rent On Tour
YouTube page: Rent On Tour
Hashtag for social media: #RentOnTour

RENT cast member’s sites and social media:

Danny Kornfeld as Mark Cohen,
Kaleb Wells as Roger Davis,
Skyler Volpe as Mimi Marquez,
Aaron Harrington as Tom Collins,
David Merino as Angel Dumott Schunard,
Katie LaMark as Maureen Johnson,
Jasmine Easler as Joanne Jefferson
Christian Thompson as Benny Coffin III.

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour in Dallas plays through October 2nd, so grab your tickets while you can. After all, there’s no day but today!

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com
RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com

 

The world has been robbed

It’s such a shame that Jonathan Larson,  who wrote the book, music and lyrics for RENT, unexpectedly died of an undiagnosed heart condition on the day of RENT’s preview performance 20 years ago! Aside from the obvious grief this caused his friends and family, the entire world has been robbed of knowing what else he would have given us through his creativity.
To learn more about Jonathan Larson and the background behind RENT, check out this documentary on YouTube: No Day but Today: Rent

Jonathan Larson was posthumously awarded many awards for RENT including: the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score; the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical in the Off-Broadway category; the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics; and three Obie Awards for Outstanding Book, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music.

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour in Dallas plays through October 2nd, so grab your tickets while you can. After all, there’s no day but today!

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com
RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Company. Photo credit Emilio Madrid-Kuser, Broadway.com

RENT tickets & more information:

What: RENT 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
When: Now through October 2, 2016 in Dallas, TX

Closed Captioning: The TDF will be offering live captioning for the following performanc: Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 7:30pm
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: Runs for 150 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission. No children under 4-years-old allowed. 

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

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No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
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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: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder @ATTPAC in Dallas

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Opening Night Ovation

 

The national tour of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder received a well-deserved standing ovation last night in Dallas, Texas at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. It was easy to see why this Tony Award winning musical received so many accolades – including winning Best Musical and Best Book – when it debuted in 2014!

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" photo provided courtesty of AT&T Performing Arts Center
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” photo provided courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center

Lighthearted Black Humor

While the story revolves around a series of murders conducted by a ruthless serial killer, it’s actually a comical show that keeps you smiling and laughing from start to finish.

Fans of “Arsenic & Old Lace,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Clue” will instantly connect with the lighthearted black humor so capably rendered by A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. (And for those who live in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, Pegasus Theatre’s Living Black and White™ plays fall into this genre, as well!)

 

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" photo provided courtesty of AT&T Performing Arts Center
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” photo provided courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center

The Plot: Shades of Burton & Gorey

The story begins with an orphan named Monty Navarro (Kevin Massey) learning that his mother was an heiress who was disowned by her wealthy family. Monty’s mother, you see, had married for love instead of financial gain. This madcap tale of love and lust is set in Edwardian England, so any fans of Tim Burton and/or Edgar Gorey will be delighted by the costumes (which won a Tony Award) and the clever digitally-enhanced scenery (which was nominated for a Tony Award.) As someone fond of wordplay, the witty lyrics kept my interest and the story pace never lagged.

After Monty learns he is 8th in line to become the head of the wealthy and titled D’Ysquith family, he decides to avenge his disgraced mother by killing the D’Ysquith family members one by one. As dark as this sounds, the book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and the music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak will keep you in stitches throughout!

The humor varies from witty turns of phrase, slapstick, to the silliness of the characters themselves. Some of my favorite numbers include the wry, “I Don’t Understand the Poor” (which has a nearly spoken word quality to it that reminds me of Rex Harrison’s “Why Can’t a Woman Be More Like a Man?”) and “Better With a Man,” which is full of double entendres and hilarious choreography.

I should mention, too, that while we never see the 10-piece band in the orchestra pit, I thoroughly enjoyed how the instrumentation, heavy on clarinet, bassoon and oboe, perfectly matched the old-timey setting and scene.

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" photo provided courtesty of AT&T Performing Arts Center
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” photo provided courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center

Talented & Energetic Cast

The entire D’Ysquith family (9 characters, total) is played by one man, John Rapson, and he is just amazing! Not only does Rapson have a wonderful voice, but his energy and quirkiness kept me giggling from one character’s demise to the next.

As the murderous Monty Navarro, Kevin Massey somehow manages to remain rather likable despite his despicable acts. When not killing, Monty spends his time wooing two beautiful women: Kristen Beth Williams is delightful as the shallow and vain gold digger, Sibella Hallward, while her competition for Monty’s affection is Phoebe D’Ysquith, played to cute and bubbly perfection by Adrienne Eller.

One of my favorite scenes involves Monty juggling these two love interests by skillfully dashing between rooms during in his mansion to keep them from seeing one another. I should add that all three of them have voices worthy of an opera. In fact, there is not a weak voice in the cast.

Based on a movie

Film buffs may be interested to know that the plot for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder is based on a 1949 film entitled “Kind Hearts and Coronets” starring Alec Guinness in the multi-character role of the wealthy family members. But before you go stream that one on Netflix, catch the live performance of this madcap musical romp in Dallas while you can!

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" photo provided courtesty of AT&T Performing Arts Center
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” photo provided courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder tickets & more information:

What: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
When: Now through August 28, 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 intermission.

Official Twitter account: @GentlemansGuide

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
.

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

 


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No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
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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: Dallas, Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, musical, musical theater, review, theater review, Tui Snider, Winspear Opera House

Disney’s Beauty & the Beast @ATTPAC in Dallas

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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
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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

 


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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

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