Houston Theater Reviews

Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER Is A Blast At The Alley Theatre
by Brett Cullum - June 10, 2024

The audience I saw DIAL M FOR MURDER with roared to their feet after all was said and done. This is a charming production with plenty of technical eye candy and sublime campy takes on characters. These kinds of shows fit what THE ALLEY THEATRE does best: entertain and thrill us with a summer mystery...

Review: Stages' OTHELLO: THE REMIX Brings New Energy and Life to Shakespeare in Houston
by Miranda Keating - June 02, 2024

Despite my critiques of the show’s content itself, OTHELLO: THE REMIX is certainly a fun night out due to the catchy songs, exciting dance moves, and wonderful performances. I believe that everyone should watch the show, take in the exhilarating music and theatrical pictures, and see for themselves ...

Review: A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD at Stages Houston
by Brett Cullum - June 01, 2024

Intimacy is one of STAGES THEATRE’s core values. And they should point to this anytime they want to proclaim proof of it. You can’t do this in a larger space. Nobody else in town could pull this off. It is a prime example of what this company does best....

Review: APPROPRIATE Stuns at Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.
by Brett Cullum - May 25, 2024

It is a tense Southern psychodrama about family and the results of abuse on members of it. Cicadas, verbal sparring, racism, and outright brawls all make appearances as one would expect. Yet the show is still surprising in many turns and should have audiences laughing and gasping often simultaneousl...

Review: ON MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY THE 13TH at Ensemble Theatre
by Brett Cullum - May 12, 2024

Sometimes, it’s fun to watch a theatre company let their hair down and have fun. And with ON MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH, the Ensemble Theatre does just that. This is a giggle-filled, fast-paced murder thriller in the vein of Agatha Christie being spoofed at every turn. It is high-energy, camp, ...

Review: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at Broadway at The Hobby Center
by Brett Cullum - May 01, 2024

It is not a flashy musical with special effects and huge dance numbers, but rather a somber meditation on Depression Era America and deep cuts of Bob Dylan’s songbook. It’s brilliant, and it will make you think. It’s akin to watching ghosts sing Americana arias, something you will never quite shake....

Review: THE CHER SHOW at THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
by Brett Cullum - April 18, 2024

I am unsure if I know of any other music diva who needs three different actresses to play her, but Cher seems to have required that. We have not one, not two, but three Chers in this show. And do they trot on, do their part of life, and leave? Heck no! They all talk to each other, advise each other,...

Review: CLEANSED at CATASTROPHIC THEATRE
by Brett Cullum - April 16, 2024

Should you avoid seeing the show? For God’s sake, no. You will miss what is surely going to be one of the most talked about pieces of work in Houston’s theatrical history. Go see it, and make your own call whether you love or hate it. But don’t let them brainwash you into thinking this is only about...

Review: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW at CLASSICAL THEATRE COMPANY
by Brett Cullum - April 15, 2024

I don’t think you are going to find a funnier TAMING OF THE SHREW easily. Director Dana Bowman has lucked out to get the cast and crew that could pull this off, and she had extreme insight into how to handle the problems the show represents to women today. You will laugh, and you will find it a deli...

Review: STAGOLEE AND THE FUNERAL OF A DANGEROUS WORD at MAIN STREET THEATER
by Brett Cullum - April 08, 2024

STAGOLEE AND THE FUNERAL OF A DANGEROUS WORD is a wonderful meditation on the power of words, folklore, and the human condition. It soars and becomes electric any time actors TiMOThY ERiC and Seth Carter Ramsey confront each other. It has a power and heft you do not see in most theater. It goes to a...

Review: THE OUTSIDER Charms at the MATCH from MIGHTY ACORN And WCO PRODUCTIONS
by Brett Cullum - April 04, 2024

Part of the genius of THE OUTSIDER is it is pure farce. Characters and plots are played larger than life, and doors constantly swing open with new surprises behind them. We’re not in the sturm and drang of THE WEST WING, but rather the territory of a silly sitcom like VEEP. Physical comedy, verbal b...

Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at BEYOND BROADWAY at the Hobby Center
by Brett Cullum - March 23, 2024

Patti Lupone has always known how to merge pop culture with her theatrical training, and she can craft a story around any song she chooses. And that is why we come, to hear the storyteller tell her tale....

Review: THE DIVAS BALL at Vincent Victoria Presents
by Brett Cullum - March 18, 2024

It’s fun, a bit quirky, and has a Fellini-sized cast that should make your head spin in all the right ways. Apparently, it takes an army to make a diva, but then again, is that a surprise?...

Review: THE PILLOWMAN at DIRT DOGS THEATRE COMPANY
by Brett Cullum - March 10, 2024

Malinda L. Beckham has always been a master of directing testosterone-fueled plays where men fight and abuse each other. She and her cast bravely take on Martin McDonagh’s script and make wise decisions. The pace is breakneck, never allowing the viewer to wallow much in the muck. She brings out the ...

Review: THE NERD Waxes Nostalgic at ALLEY THEATRE
by Brett Cullum - March 06, 2024

THE NERD is frankly still THE NERD, and the director, Brandon Weinbrenner, doesn’t reinvent much of anything. There’s nothing new or fresh, and the script is presented almost as if it would have run back in 1981. There is no discernable reason to remount this show save for the idea that it was fun b...

Review: Alexis Scheer's LAUGHS IN SPANISH Delivers in Hilarity and Heart at Stages
by Armando Urdiales - March 06, 2024

Explore the insightful play Laughs in Spanish at STAGES, a captivating blend of humor and cultural exploration. The play offers a fresh perspective on the human experience, highlighting the joys and challenges of navigating the world through the lens of language....

Review: Rec Rooms Slams Dunk with KING JAMES
by Armando Urdiales - March 06, 2024

Sports. The word with various meanings, but always seems to perpetuate a game, a sparring of two teams or two people. This battle is well done on-stage with Rec Room Arts, King James. Rajiv Joseph’s expert play book ends the friendship of two male Cavaliers fans at the start of Lebron James career w...

Review: Denise Fennell-Pasqualone Once Again Strikes Comedy Gold with World Premiere of SISTER'S IRISH CATECHISM: SAINTS, SNAKES, AND GREEN MILKSHAKES
by Miranda Keating - March 01, 2024

For the “Late Nite Catechism” series of shows, actors dress up as a character named “Sister” and lead their audiences through a “class” full of audience interaction. Denise Fennell-Pasqualone has been performing as 'Sister' for many years now, but–for this specific show–she preaches about St. Patric...

Review: IT IS MAGIC at Catastrophic Theatre
by Brett Cullum - February 16, 2024

IT IS MAGIC is far from false advertising because this play, this cast, and this team make some pretty strong magic from Mickle Maher’s latest play. Just sit back, relax, and let it all wash over you is my advice. It’s funny, it’s quirky, and it is unlike anything else you are likely to see anytime ...

Review: NORA HAHN CRAFTFULLY BRINGS ANN RICHARDS TO LIFE IN GARDEN THEATRE'S PRODUCTION OF ANN
by Miranda Keating - February 09, 2024

The Garden Theatre is currently presenting ANN, a one-woman show highlighting the life of the prolific Texas governor, Ann Richards. Nora Hahn stars as Ann, and with her ability to play to the audience in such an intimate way yet still have the gravitas of a bold politician, Hahn was clearly the rig...

Review: ON YOUR FEET! at Theatre Under the Stars
by Brett Cullum - January 31, 2024

This is a beautifully cast show full of authentic Latin performers. They have all had input into the choreography for this production, which Luis Salgado headed up. The director has amped up the dancing from the original Broadway version and made the final journey after Gloria’s accident far more sp...

Review: O: A RHAPSODY IN DIVORCE at MILDRED'S UMBRELLA
by Brett Cullum - January 22, 2024

O: A RHAPSODY IN DIVORCE does what any good play sets out to do; it makes you feel. Your heart breaks for the lead character; her struggle and journey are effective and moving. There is a lot here to savor, and it maintains the prestige of what this company routinely produces....

Review: TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL Rolls into Broadway at The Hobbby Center
by Brett Cullum - January 04, 2024

The show is a jukebox musical that tells the story of Tina’s career and incorporates some of her biggest hits to do so. It was created under the executive production of Tina Turner herself and her second husband, Erwin Bach. Tina Turner passed away last year, so this show is a fitting celebration o...

Review: 8 STEPS TO HEAVEN Gets Funky At Vincent Victoria Presents
by Brett Cullum - December 11, 2023

Yet in the end, EIGHT NOTES TO HEAVEN is just a joyous ride. I love the idea of Prince and Rick James battling it out over who had more funk and who had more soul. In truth, they were both icons who did revolutionary things...

Review: CINDERELLA at THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
by Brett Cullum - December 09, 2023

What I admire most about TUTS is their willingness to cast local Houston talent of all levels, and allowing them to work on a show with musical theater professionals from around the country. They are the soul of Houston theater in many ways, and it is lovely to see them honor that legacy with their ...