A Show "More Amusing Than Mangoes"

Feb 21, 2020 | ktru, Showstoppers

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

By: Harrison Lorenzen

The North American tour of Once On This Island drifted into Houston this week, as part of the Theater Under the Stars’ 2019-2020 season. The 2018 Tony-Award Winner for Best Revival, this show brings rushes of emotions throughout, such as both joy and sorrow, love and loss. Providing something for everyone, wrapped up as beautifully performed Caribbean-style storytelling, Once On This Island is a must-see while it is in Houston through March 1^st.

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Water by the Spoonful at Stages Theatre

Feb 17, 2020 | ktru, Showstoppers

By: Harrison Lorenzen

Water by the Spoonful, by Quiara Alegría Hudes, tells a story about making connections and forming relationships, whether its family or friends, both near and far. The show follows Elliot, a marine who struggles with his own drug addiction, attempting to reconnect with his mother, a former heroin addict who runs an addiction support chat room. In addition, the other users on the site are forming connections, both digitally and physically, and breaking down emotional walls in order to connect through their shared experiences. Water by the Spoonful is being produced by Stages at The Gordy, open through February 23^rd.

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A Fantasticks Opening to The Gordy

Feb 16, 2020 | ktru, Showstoppers

By: Harrison Lorenzen

 Stages’ brings a storybook quality to The Fantasticks, its first production inside their new theater complex, The Gordy. As has become a coincidental tradition for Stages, this is their third time producing The Fantasticks during their first season in a new venue. Presenting a story about love, family, and friendship, this show leaves many lessons for the audience to take with them. On-stage through March 15^th at The Gordy, everyone should make time to attend The Fantasticks.

The Fantasticks follows the story of two young “forbidden” lovers, whose clever fathers have erected a wall to keep them apart. While the kids fall in love, thinking their fathers forbid it, the fathers, secretly friends, must devise a ploy to revise their faux conflicts so the lovers can marry. The mysterious El Gallo arrives with his services to assist the fathers, and, in effect, corrupt the innocence of the children. Complete with a has-been Shakespearean acting duo, the show keeps audiences engaged on the edge of their seats, while also laughing hysterically throughout.

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