Joanna Hubbard News

Even after interviewing Classical Theatre Company's Artistic Director and Director of William Shakespeare's HAMLET JJ Johnston, I was highly skeptical about this production. HAMLET set in the post September 11th world with inspiration from Edward Snowden sounded like a gaggle of confused metaphors looking for destruction. For whatever reason, I couldn't wrap my head around this vision for the piece. Walking into the theatre didn't allay those concerns. The set looks more like a modern prison than a castle, with stark grays, dull blues, and a splash of orange in its color palette. Surveillance cameras are positioned along the top of the structure. There are corrugated Plexiglass windows, rivets, rust, and fencing to be seen as well. "Denmark's a prison," says Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act II, Scene 2 of the play, and Jodi Bobrovsky's set design nailed that on a literal level.

The Back Porch Players are dedicated to presenting theatrical works that deal with the ideas of identity and social responsibility. They also uphold that the art form of theatre is a powerful teaching tool. They are currently producing Robert Anderson's TEA AND SYMPATHY, which had its Broadway premiere at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on September 30, 1953. In its original Broadway production, it ran for over 700 performances and was adapted for film in 1956. However, the play wasn't given a major New York City revival until 2007, when The Keen Company produced the show at the Clurman Theatre. Even though the play is nearly 60 years old, it remains incredibly relevant and extremely powerful.

Main Street Theater is closing their excellent 38th season with the wildly entertaining, often hilarious, and deeply moving CLOSE UP SPACE by Molly Smith Metzler. The zany dramadey is a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Finalist and had its world premiere in 2011 in a Manhattan Theatre Club staging at New York City Center Stage I. This premiere production received mixed reviews that all seemed to get too caught up on the idea that the premise isn't entirely original.

Main Street Theater closes its 38th MainStage season with Molly Smith Metzler's Close Up Space, a comical and poignant new play about how hard it can be to communicate... in any language. With previews tonight, May 18, 19, and 22, Close Up Space opens May 23 and runs through June 16 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

Main Street Theater closes its 38th MainStage season with Molly Smith Metzler's Close Up Space, a comical and poignant new play about how hard it can be to communicate… in any language. With previews May 18, 19, and 22, Close Up Space opens May 23 and runs through June 16 at Main Street Theater – Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

Spring is fast upon us and high school seniors will soon be getting their acceptance letters for universities in the mail. They have put in hours of hard work in their classes, extracurricular activities, doing community service, and writing those dreaded and trite essays for college admissions boards to review. Hopefully.

In 1975, Main Street Theater began with a dream of bringing quality theatre to Houston audiences. Whether we are actually existing or living in our imaginings, one thing is certain: Main Street Theatre has fulfilled its reverie for 37 years, and is continuing to do so with the opening of the first production of their 38th season-the Regional Premiere of Nilo Cruz's adaptation and translation of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's LIFE IS A DREAM.

What is life? What is this world? What is real, and what is only illusion? Pedro Calderon de la Barca's sweeping play LIFE IS A DREAM explores these questions that resonate in our souls. With previews tonight, September 15, 16, and 19, Life Is a Dream opens September 20 and runs through October 21 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

What is life? What is this world? What is real, and what is only illusion? Pedro Calderon de la Barca's sweeping play LIFE IS A DREAM explores these questions that resonate in our souls. With previews September 15, 16, and 19, Life Is a Dream opens September 20 and runs through October 21 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

A new generation of American actors and playwrights combine their talents, as the Guthrie showcases the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program Class of 2009 in the Dowling Studio, April 17 - 26. General admission tickets, $10 for adults and $7 for students/seniors, are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

A new generation of American actors and playwrights combine their talents, as the Guthrie showcases the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program Class of 2009 in the Dowling Studio, April 17 - 26. General admission tickets, $10 for adults and $7 for students/seniors, are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.