BWW Reviews: Stark Naked Theatre's MACBETH is Gloriously Breathtaking
by David Clarke
- Jun 8, 2013
Stark Naked Theatre Company's production of William Shakespeare's MACBETH has been on everybody's lips for weeks, even months, now. As soon as the show was announced a gentle hum of excitement began, and turned into a blistering roar by last night's opening night performance. Co-Executive Directors Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin set the bar high for intimate, independent theatre and consistently surpass audiences' expectations with their astounding productions. Their MACBETH is no different as it splendidly thrilled and delighted last night's eager audience with ease.
BWW Reviews: HGO's THE MEMORY STONE is Haunting, Gorgeous, and Spellbinding
by David Clarke
- Apr 10, 2013
Houston Grand Opera (HGO)'s 50th World Premiere Opera had its first public performance last night at Asia Society Texas Center. This enchanting chamber opera is a gorgeous and stirring piece that examines the power and necessity of memory for the advancement of the human species. It opens with rollicking thunder and a stunning, breathtaking image that is representative of the destruction of Japan in wake of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. As a woman sings about various terrible and destructive moments from Japan's rich history, the scene shifts to the tea room in Houston's Japanese garden. Here the non-linear opera explores how such tragedies affect Japanese-Americans and immigrants from Japan, deftly playing on the emotions, sympathy, and empathy of the assembled audience. The compelling opera elicited several gasps of sorrow, pain, and understanding from the opening night audience as the beauty of the piece spoke to our hearts, minds, and souls.
BWW Reviews: GOD OF CARNAGE - An Unforgettable Wild Ride
by David Clarke
- Feb 23, 2013
Stark Naked Theater Company's production of Yasmina Reza's GOD OF CARNAGE, which was translated from its original French into English by Christopher Hampton, is one wild roller coaster of a ride that will leave audiences simultaneously speechless and breathless. Last night's opening night audience elicited the most real and completely guttural responses to the over-the-top, laugh a second show that I have ever had the pleasure to see and be a part of during a live theatre performance. Wild peals of laughter, squeals of horror, screams of delight, and ecstatic claps filled Studio 101 as the audience was steamrolled by sheer talent and majestic magnetism for the show's entire 85 minute run time.
BWW Reviews: Stages' 2 PIANOS 4 HANDS - Exciting, Fun and Funny
by David Clarke
- Sep 8, 2012
Who has not worked hard to achieve a dream and later had to swallow the bitter pill of a dream lost? This authentic and original play charms its way into the heart of the audience, tickling their ribcages as skillfully as the actors tickle the keys of the two pianos.
|
|
