COOL SUMMER SHOWS ARE EVERYWHERE IN HOUSTON

Let’s be real: summer in Houston can be downright oppressive because of the heat and mosquitoes. But you know who has some of the best air conditioning in town and no bugs (well, most of them)? The theaters! Houston has several summer traditions that make this time of year even more fun, like a local musical and one of Agatha Christie’s chilliest thrillers. So let’s take a look at some of the highlights to come as the dog days of summer descend upon all of us here in H-Town. Here’s your guide to BROADWAY WORLD’s summer theater!

First of all, if you walk right past Minute Maid Park, where the Astros play, you’ll find REC ROOM ARTS. It’s one of the hippest theaters in Houston that all the “cool kids” know, and this summer until July 6, they are presenting the Pinter classic BETRAYAL. It’s a play about a complicated affair between two best friends and one of their wives. You can almost feel the chill in the air from the start as the three actors shoot daggers at each other’s eyes. It’s just one act, and there’s a full bar before and after if you’re thirsty.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.recroomarts.org/betrayal.

At the MATCH premises, FADE TO BLACK runs until June 30. It’s the ultimate intersection of Juneteenth and Pride, featuring ten black playwrights, ten directors, and twenty-five of Houston’s finest actors. This year we have an amazing mix of fantasy, comedy, drama and horror. MATCH is famous for its air conditioning and has a great concession stand as well as bars and restaurants within walking distance.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://matchouston.org/events/2024/2024-fade-black-festival.

DISNEY THE LION KING comes to HOBBY CENTER as part of the BROADWAY series, July 11 – August 4. If you want a great family show, this is the one you need to take the kids to. The animal costume designs are the stuff of legend and the Elton John songs are incredibly well done. This one will be a big seller, so grab your tickets and plan to catch the circle of life on stage right in front of you.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.thehobbycenter.org/events/the-lion-king/.

If you want something a little less family-friendly, how about a queen instead of a king? Tamarie Cooper is the queen of CATASTROPHIC THEATER and every summer offers a new musical that she writes with her creative partner Patrick Reynolds. TAMARIE’S TEXAS TOAST runs through August 3 at MATCH (the one with the good air conditioning!). Tamarie is always a good time, and this is her first show specifically about Texas. It took him about 28 years to reach out to his home state, but we’re here for it.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://matchouston.org/events/2024/tamaries-texas-toast-0.

At Rice Village at MAIN STREET THEATER, they’re determined to scare you. THE WOMAN IN BLACK opens July 13 and runs until August 11. This has been considered one of the scariest plays in modern history, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. It’s a great ghost story and should be spooky enough for summer.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://mainstreettheater.com/the-woman-in-black/.

Speaking of relaxing, the Alley Theater presents its “Summer Chiller!” ” annual. This year, Agatha Christie’s remarkable AND THEN THERE WERE NONE will be performed from July 19 to August 15. This series features no less than ten possible murders as a group gathers on a mysterious island for unknown reasons other than blackmail and death. The deaths come fast and furious. I hope for spectacular shows, and The Alley always delivers when it comes to those types of shows.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/and-then-there-were-none/.

If you’re looking for something a little more musical than mysterious, COLOR PURPLE will be presented by a collaboration between The Garden Theater and The Sankofa Collective. This is the first time these two companies have joined forces, and they will be in MATCH’s largest space, presenting this beloved musical loaded with local Houston talent. This special event only takes place for one weekend, August 2-4.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://matchouston.org/events/2024/color-purple.

A new nonprofit theater company will debut its first show at the Hobby Center this summer. Houston Broadway Theater is a non-profit company run by Houston native Tyce Green, and their first production is the thought-provoking NEXT TO NORMAL. The cast includes Mary Faber, Legend of American Idol Constantine Maroulis, Mary Caroline Owens, Tyce Green, Josiah Thomas Randolph and Manuel Stark Santos. This is also a single weekend event starting on July 26 and ending on the 28th. The show is expected to be a good mix of local talent and Broadway performers.

For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.thehobbycenter.org/events/next-to-normal/.

WORKSHOPS HOUSTON also offers MISS RYTHM: THE LEGEND OF Ruth Brown, which runs from August 9 to October 13. It will be an intimate cabaret with a jazz group accompanied by a powerful singer. This is the true story of a ’50s icon who was such a good salesman for Atlantic Records that they became known as “the house that Ruth built!” » This is STAGES’ big musical comedy of the year and it’s not to be missed!

For more information and tickets, visit: https://stageshouston.com/event/miss-rhythm-the-legend-of-ruth-brown/.

Of course, here at BROADWAY WORLD HOUSTON, I’ll have you covered in the shade all summer long. I will see most of these shows and, along with the team, will write numerous interviews and reviews to help you make the best choices this time of year and every month thereafter. Houston always has something special to offer and we have one of the most vibrant theater scenes in the country. Have a great summer and if you see me outside… say hello! I’ll buy you a cold drink!

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