There's an emotional depth to the performances and a vibrancy to the production here that one can't help but admire. Steakley makes very clever choices with the material, elevating the show in certain areas to make it more palatable even to its detractors, bringing the beating heart of the piece to fore to create a very successful production.
Raw, unflinching, and bone deep, Take Care of my Friend is a powerful, brave work...The balance between somberness and humor is a remarkable achievement, as Fletcher adds brightness to long stretches of darkness to remind us all that no matter how shadowy the path we walk may be, there is always light to be found.
Elevated by a winning cast, Doctuh Mistuh's Toxic Avenger is surprisingly charming, constantly hilarious, and shockingly well-designed. The comedy may not always hit, and some of the props show their budget, but on the whole the journey through the dirty streets of Tromaville is a worthwhile one, even for those who aren't acolytes of Kaufman and his works.
Betrayal is an intense piece of emotional intrigue where the clever minimalist set merges with the smart, subtle, but potent performances from its cast to create a stunning dance of romance, deception, and, indeed, betrayal.
Those willing to plunge themselves in the dark, brooding, dangerous world of the blood-soaked wonderland of Lizzie the Musical will be absolutely entranced by the artistry and worldbuilding on display, drowning in the whirlpool of absolute talent.
Director Ben Wolfe and his talented cast and crew have created the perfect work for this moment, a celebration of the outsiders, the weirdos, those thought too sensitive, too loud, who take up too much space, who try to walk a path all their own. It's the perfect piece to celebrate this Pride Month, raising up queer voices and showing how our softness can also be our strength.
Unbury Your Gays is both a joy and a heartbreak to watch. It captures the sense of awkward, freewheeling whimsy of teen-hood, while also exploring the specific loneliness of queer desire. The honesty and nuance of these performances are really something to behold, all held up by a script and production team that make numerous smart choices to create a breathtaking world. It's the perfect way to greet this year's Pride Month, and a fine feather in the cap of one of Austin's most promising up-and-coming companies.
I Wanna Be a F*cking Princess is a profound examination of what it means to be a woman in today's society, full of earnest and heartfelt performances from an exquisitely chosen cast of some of Austin's best actresses.
AUSTIN ARTS WATCH 