Here’s two reviews from this past week, and a study in contrasts. One is for a small-scale children’s show that turns out to be interesting and engaging for adults, while the other is for an ostensibly family-friendly blockbuster musical that was lackluster, at best.
New ‘Rap Unzel’ is a show with music, dance and depth for kids and adults
Here’s a potentially divisive review of the new production of Hedwing and The Angry Inch at ZACH Theatre, which nonetheless features some pretty staggering performances.
My latest review is up–the national tour of Waitress at Bass Concert Hall.
This was an interesting show for me because I’d seen the original Broadway cast, in which Jessie Mueller’s rendition of “She Used To Be Mine” was maybe the single most powerful performance of a song I’d ever seen. The tour was good, but the original cast was, not surprisingly, better.
A new review of a fantastic new play, Gabriel Jason Dean’s Heartland at the VORTEX.
Here’s a new review, of the new musical Paradise at Austin Playhouse!
Southern satire of Austin Playhouse’s ‘Paradise’ is sharp with an unnecessary twist
This came out at the end of the year, but I was too busy being as lazy as possible towards the end of December to actually get it posted here. So, better late than never, here’s my top ten list of local theater in Austin from 2018 (an annual list I write for the Austin American Statesman that’s my favorite thing to write each year)!
Statesman theater critic shares his favorite shows from 2018
It’s been quite awhile since the last update, but I swear I have a reasonable excuse this time!
During the four months since I last posted, I started a new job (as a contracted copywriter) and wrote a book (another academic tome which I’ll post more about as publication nears, many moons from now), so I’ve been busy!
In fact, I’ve got to finish up the first draft of the book, so I’m still in the realm of way-too-busy, but I didn’t want to let this lack of updates get so out of hand I’d never get to them all. Since I have been so snowed under with the one-two punch of the new day job and working on the book, I’ve only had time to write reviews (and a preview piece or two) for the Austin American-Statesman in the past few months, so without further ado here’s a list of them:
‘There and Back’ looks at history of immigration through one woman’s life
Play about professor with cancer is a moving look at death and how we live
TexArts tries to take some of the nastiness out of ‘Trailer Park Musical’
‘The Goat’ makes audiences take hard look at what we consider taboo
City Theatre brings rock opera ‘The Who’s Tommy’ to life
Austin playwright examines those left in wake of racial violence
‘Significant Other’ prompts a significant emotional reaction
‘Confessions of a Mexpatriate’ is a travelogue both external and internal
Zach Theatre’s ‘Once’ is an ode to the beauty of music
The Filigree Theatre’s ‘Miss Julie’ is a timely reminder of a history of sacrificing women
Shark tale ‘Matawan’ shows beauty and fury of nature
‘Side Show’ might feel familiar, but it’s still a lot of fun
‘Macbeth,’ staged completely in the dark, opens Halloween
‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is pure escapist hilarity
Agatha Christie comes to Austin in elegant, classic murder mystery
One-woman show looks at race, violence in wake of Ferguson
Play about consent hopes to spark conversations on UT campus
‘An Evening of Short Plays’ also an evening with two master actors
Texas State’s ‘Cabaret’ is a dark production for a dark time
‘Doubt’ is a compelling drama with astonishing performances
UT’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ is Shakespeare for today’s world
Austin Shakespeare’s ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ is sexy, sultry take on a classic
No ‘Mystery’: Austin Playhouse’s ‘Edwin Drood’ is goofy, campy fun
Permanent Record’s ‘White’ is a satire of art and identity
Whew!
Back soon with more updates (it probably won’t be another four months, but, y’know, let’s be honest…).
This is just a quick update to note that I was excited to recently be a guest on the wonderful Tech Blog Writer Podcast, hosted by the smart, charming, and insightful Neil C. Hughes (who’s also a bit of a magical engineer, because I can listen to my voice here without hating it)!
Take a listen to my episode here:
597: SOFTWARE ADVICE ON HOW SMB CAN FUTURE-PROOF THEMSELVES WITH AI
It’s refreshing to post an update after only a few weeks, because there’s only some select, exciting new pieces to post.
First, here’s my latest work of cultural critique for the fabulous Sightlines journal. This one focuses on the ability of stories to sustain us and keep us strong, in the context of this year’s blockbuster summer movies:
Popcorn Strength: Turning To 2018’s Summer Blockbusters For The Strength To Get Through 2018
Next, I’ve started writing content as a part of my day job for Software Advice‘s sister site in the Gartner Digital Markets, Capterra. Here’s the first piece I wrote for their blog:
A Customer Data Platform Guide for Small Business Marketers
And last but certainly not least, a pair of reviews of some fun musicals playing in Austin this summer:
‘Grease’ is the word if you want a nostalgia-filled romp
Zach Theatre brings an animated favorite to life in a big way
That’s all for now; more updates soon!
Another busy month has gone by without posting links to my latest work, so here’s a general catch-up on what’s new!
“The Afterparty” at the VORTEX.
First, from several months ago, I completely forgot to note that I wrote a guest post (Lighten the loading time: how to speed up your business’ slow website) for Software Advice’s sister company, GetApp, which is especially important given that I’ll soon be producing content and copy for our other sister company, Capterra.
And now the round-up of reviews for the Austin American-Statesman and Austin360!
“Heisenberg” at Zach Theatre.
What is love? ‘The Afterparty’ looks at how art and science influence our deepest questions‘
Have some cheesy good fun with ‘The Book of Liz’
In a play about uncertainty, one thing is certain: These actors are fantastic
Hyde Park Theater does compelling job with a frustrating text
That’s all for now, but more reviews as well as my first Capterra pieces coming soon!
