Stage Notes is a weekly aggregate post about theater, classical music and stage news, events, reviews and other pertinent information.
Stage Notes Calendar
Opening this week:
Broadway at the Bass: Les Miserables, opened Tuesday-Sunday at Bass Hall.
Broadway Dallas: Back to the Future the Musical, opened Tuesday-March 30, pictured.
Sammons Cabaret: Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, 7:30 p.m. today at the Sammons Arts Center.
Repertory Company Theatre: Broadway’s Best: Once Upon a Mattress, Friday-March 30.
Sundown Collaborative Theatre: As Small as Stars, Friday-March 30.
Art Centre Theatre: The Whale, Friday-April 6.
Rockwall Community Playhouse: All the World’s a Stage: A Celebration of Shakespeare, Friday-April 6.
Basically Beethoven: Hallam Concerts, 3 p.m. Saturday at Central Commons.
Irving Symphony Orchestra: Dallas Treasures/Music of the World, Saturday at the Irving Arts Center.
Fort Worth Opera: The McCammon Voice Competition, 2 p.m. Sunday at the Kimbell Piano Pavilion.
Broadway at the Bass: Clue Live on Stage, Tuesday-March 30 at Bass Hall.
WaterTower Theatre: A Streetcar Named Desire, Wednesday-April 6.
Onstage now:
MainStage ILC: Into the Breeches!, through Saturday.
Rover Dramawerks: The Hat Box, opened through Saturday.
Theatre Three: The Miss B Show and Dry Clean Only, through Saturday.
Grand Prairie Arts Council: Disaster!, through Sunday at Uptown Theater, pictured.
NTPA Repertory: Into the Woods, through Sunday.
Undermain Theatre: Box, through Sunday.
Upright Theatre Company: Shrek The Musical, through Sunday.
Pegasus Theatre: Mystery at the Old Cafe, through March 29 at the Bath House Cultural Center.
Pocket Sandwich Theatre: Laughter on the 23rd Floor, through March 29.
Allen Contemporary Theatre: Moriarty, through March 30.
The Core Theatre: The Glass Menagerie, through March 30.
Stage West: Penelope, opened through March 30.
Theatre Off the Square: Proof, through March 30.
For its 15th anniversary gala, Bruce Wood Dance Dallas goes a little bit country
Bruce Wood Dance Dallas will celebrate a milestone with its 15th Anniversary Performance & Gala next Saturday, March 29. The company will present a whole western experience beginnning with its venue. The event will take place at Gilley’s Dallas.
Chaired by James Lynn Williams, BWDD’s event will literally be a Texas–sized extravaganza highlighted by the return of Cowboy Songs, Bruce Wood’s tribute to the spirit of the Lone Star State. Backed by a live ensemble led by Broadway composer Joseph Thalken (Chasing Home), Cowboy Songs features music by Michael Martin Murphey, Lyle Lovett, Wylie Gustafson and others, performed by Grammy Award–winning artist Ginny Mac (Brave Combo) and Broadway star Jeremy Landon Hays (Les Misérables) all set to Bruce Wood’s signature style of choreography.
“The thing about Texas I love is the fact that it’s big, it’s flat, and the sky is high up. I love being on a field where you can see 20 miles in all directions on a hot, hot day. It affects how you think,” the late choreographer once said.
Before the performance, Bruce Wood Dance Dallas will present its 2025 BRUCE Award that honors excellence in the arts. This year’s recipients are Read and Steve Gendler in recognition of their support for the arts in Dallas.
From BWDD:
Their decades of advocacy and philanthropy have been instrumental to the growth of the company, as well as numerous other organizations, including TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND, The Hockaday School and Texas Ballet Theater. In 2024, the Gendlers were honored with the Tom Adams Award of Appreciation for Dedication to TITAS and the Arts.
The gala experience kicks off with a pre–dinner cocktail hour featuring Texas–themed midway games and photo ops, followed by a Texas–inspired dinner and premium seating for the performance.
Tickets are also available just for the performance and After Party.
The general admission package includes tickets to Cowboy Songs and the After Party that will feature a live DJ, line dancing, games, cash bar and more.
For tickets, visit BruceWoodDance.org.
Shakespeare LIVE led by father/daughter directing team
It’s a family affair for the new theater company Shakespeare LIVE. Back in February, the company announced its first production of As You Like It. The show and the company will debut in April at Arlington’s Levitt Pavilion. The company revealed on Thursday that leading the production will be father and daughter Raphael Parry and Claire Parry. He will serve as Director and and she as Associate Director for the company’s inaugural show.
And both are extremely well versed in all things Shakespeare.
Raphael Parry is an active North Texas arts community member for more than 40 years and his tenure as Executive and Artistic Director for Shakespeare Dallas produced more than 50 plays.
Claire Parry has served as Assistant Director for Shakespeare Everywhere’s production of Romeo and Juliet and was the Associate Director with Shakespeare Dallas.
The show will run April 3-5.
Review: Les Misérables at Bass Hall reminds why the show is legendary
Reviewing Les Miz is a funny thing. The task is almost like doing a film review of Citizen Kane or a book review of To Kill a Mockingbird. Les Miz is a classic and almost a pillar of Broadway musicals. At this point, we just know it has to be good by its reputation and longevity and so we may just take it for granted.
This tour that’s now playing at Bass Hall through Sunday is a stark reminder why the show is a legend.
RELATED: Jeremiah Alsop talks ‘Les Misérables’ tour and queer joy
With some modern flourish — mostly its use of digital screens — and the incredible cast, this production felt like Les Misérables for a new generation while still bringing a historic majesty to the stage. Still a bit top heavy in the first act, the show was filled with a number of signature showtunes that hold up in storytelling and drama.
Nick Cartell’s portrayal of Jean Valjean was astounding. He played the role with a lovely vulnerability that made the character’s heroism more genuine. But really, it was Cartell’s voice that was astounding. His control over extended notes was equal parts delicate and powerful. Those higher notes added to Valjean’s tenderness while his strong lower register depicted the hardened criminal with a heart.
Every actor was solid and impressive, but Mya Rena Hunter’s Eponine was a standout. As the character with an unrequited love for the heroic young Marius played endearingly by Jake David Smith, Hunter’s portrayal was heartbreaking. Eponine’s pain felt palpable as she had to hide her feelings and still support him in his cause. Hunter’s “On My Own” was both agonizing and beautiful.
At its conclusion, Les Misérables evoked so many emotions thanks to its memorable music, incredible stage sets by Matt Kinley and a beautiful cast of talents and voices. This show didn’t have a moment — it had several. Les Miz didn’t disappoint on giving heavy drama, but also, it was reminding us of its significant place among Broadway musicals.
The show runs through Sunday.
—Rich Lopez
