Dallas Theater Center to Present "Waitress" from March 29 to April 20

 

Serving satisfaction one slice at a time! Dallas Theater Center presents the beloved musical Waitress, featuring music written by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles, from Thursday, March 29, through Sunday, April 20, at the Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre in the Dallas Arts District (2400 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201).

Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop … until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. Featuring music and lyrics by Bareilles, Waitress is an uplifting and inspiring musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

“Waitress is a perfect musical for spring,” said Kevin Moriarty, executive director of Dallas Theater Center.  “Sara Bareilles’ wonderful score is beautifully paired with a hopeful story about love, finding strength and embracing motherhood. It’s a great joy for us to share with North Texas audiences the wonderful performances of DTC’s Brierley Resident Acting Company and the talented professional artists joining us for this heartfelt production."

Waitress, based on the book by Jessie Nelson and the motion picture by Adrienne Shelly, is brought to life on the Dallas Theater Center stage under the direction of Ashley Wells, featuring choreography by Amy Reynolds-Reed and music direction by Vonda K. Bowling. The production features a talented cast from North Texas, including Tiffany Solano (Jenna), Brian Gonzales (Cal), Ayanna Edwards (Becky), Christina Austin Lopez (Dawn), Ian Ferguson (Earl), Bob Hess (Joe), Jonathan Bragg (Dr. Pomatter), Liz Mikel (Nurse/Ensemble), Blake Hackler (Ogie), Nova Kay Aguilar/Piper Harris (Lulu), Julio Agustín (Ensemble), Kally Duncan (Ensemble), Esteban Vitchez (Ensemble), Zachary J. Willis (Ensemble), Bri Woods (Ensemble) and Alexandra Zeto (Ensemble).

The musical – which runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission – is recommended for ages 13 and up. This production uses mature themes and adult language and is licensed by Music Theatre International.

Tickets for Waitress start at $35 and are on sale now from Dallas Theater Center. For details, showtimes, and to purchase tickets, please go to dallastheatercenter.org.

Parking is available for purchase for $18 from the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Lexus Silver parking garage (located on Jack Evans Street) or throughout the Dallas Arts District. Refreshments, including alcohol, will be available for purchase.

Classic Western "Shane" Makes its Texas Debut

 

During a time when cowboy culture is more than just a trend but a movement, one of the greatest classic Westerns of the last century – Shane – finds new life as it makes its Texas debut Jan. 31 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater (3636 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, 75204).

 Presented by Dallas Theater Center, the western drama – which runs through Feb. 16 – tells the story of Shane, a mysterious ex-gunfighter with a dangerous past who finds kinship with a family and helps protect their farm in 1889 Wyoming.

Written by acclaimed Mexican American playwright Karen Zacarias – whose heritage played into her inspiration for the play – Shane is based on the 1949 novel by Jack Schaefer that was adapted for the screen in 1953. The play gets reimagined with a new perspective that stems from Zacarias’ personal interpretation of the novel she first read as a young girl. Their story sheds light on the allure, mythos, and values of the Wild West – a chapter in history that still has many tales to tell.

"I read the book Shane when I was in elementary school; I 'd just moved here from Mexico,” said Zacarias. “The story captured my imagination immediately. I identified with the characters and their search for a future home in this vast country. This adaptation of Shane is a testament to the historically real, complicated, and diverse nature of the American West – and the roots that we all share."

Recognizing that one of three cowboys who settled the American West were men and women of color – African American, Native American, or of Mexican descent – Zacarias brings an exciting new dimension to the story. She envisioned Shane as a descendant of enslaved people with the central characters, the Starrett family, as Latino.

Shane is directed by Blake Robison (Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), who has deep ties to the play. A long-time friend who has collaborated extensively with Zacarias, Robison not only urged her to write the play but he went on to direct the world debut.

The play’s themes include explorations of masculinity, the struggle for power and wealth, the role of violence the service of justice and the cost to the person called upon to use violence for the greater good.

Recommended for ages 11 and up, Shane contains cowboys, gun violence, and saloon showdowns. The show is 90 minutes with no intermission. After each performance, the audience will be invited to participate in “Stay Late,” a brief post-show conversation between the audience and actors from the production.

During its run, as part of its education and community outreach efforts, Dallas Theater Center will host more than 500 Dallas ISD students through its Project Discovery program, providing them with tickets, transportation, pre-show workshops and post-show talkbacks.

Tickets for Shane start at $40 and are on sale now. Free parking is available surrounding the Kalita Humphreys Theater. For details, showtimes and to purchase tickets, please go to dallastheatercenter.org.

TACA Gives Out Record $1.3M in Grants to North Texas PAOs in 2013

Ken Travis, past TACA board chairman and TravisWolff chairman of the board; Andy Teller, 2012 TACA board chairman and RBC Wealth Management; Becky Young, executive director and president of TACA; Nancy Carlson, 2013 TACA board chairwoman; Christopher Vo, special guest speaker, dancer, graduate of Booker T. Washington School for the Performing Arts and Juilliard School; Norm Bagwell, Bank of Texas chairman and CEO and presenting sponsor of the TACA Grant Awards.

Dallas' premier umbrella arts organization TACA, The Arts Community Alliance, had a banner year fundraising in 2012, allowing the organization to distribute $1.3 million to diverse and deserving North Texas performing arts organizations. Of that amount, $1.2 million was distributed on January 28 at the TACA Grant Awards Presentation, presented by Bank of Texas, at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. Hosting the event was the AT&T Performing Arts Center. The additional $100,000 will be distributed later this year in June as part of the TACA Donna Wilhelm Family New Works Fund.

"Bravo to all those who supported TACA, who attended one of our events, who support the performing arts by attending a play, a performance, a musical and more," said Nancy Carlson, Chair of TACA's Board of Directors.

In 2013, TACA's grants awarded will help support more than 5,073 performances that approximately 1.4 million people will attend. Ranging from $5,000 to $110,000, TACA grants are being awarded to a varied group of North Texas' performing arts organizations, from the very large and established to the newly emerging.

New organizations being funded this year are AT&T Performing Arts Center, Bruce Wood Dance Project, Lone Star Circus Arts Center, Nasher Sculpture Center, New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving, and Plano Symphony Orchestra.

2013 TACA Grant Award Recipients:

$5,000

New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving

One Thirty Productions Matinee Series

$7,500

Plano Symphony Orchestra

Sammons Center for the Arts

$8,000

Irving Chorale

Lone Star Wind Orchestra

Teatro Dallas

$10,000

AT&T Performing Arts Center

Dallas Bach Society

Dallas Museum of Art

Lone Star Circus Arts Center

Meadows School of the Arts, SMU
Nasher Sculpture Center

Uptown Players

Voices of Change

$12,000

Cara Mia Theatre Company

Chamber Music International

Echo Theatre

Orchestra of New Spain

Turtle Creek Chorale

$15,000

African American Repertory Theater

$17,500

Bruce Wood Dance Project

Second Thought Theatre

$20,500

Orpheus Chamber Singers

$25,000

Fine Arts Chamber Players

$27,500

Undermain Theatre

$32,000

Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas

$34,000

Junior Players

$35,000

Dallas Wind Symphony

Shakespeare Dallas

Theatre Three, Inc.

$40,000

Kitchen Dog Theater

Lyric Stage

TITAS

WaterTower Theatre

$42,000

Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra

$60,000

Texas Ballet Theater

$70,000

Dallas Black Dance Theatre

$75,000

Dallas Children's Theater

$100,000

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Theater Center

$110,000

Dallas Opera

A special thanks to the sponsors and supporters, especially ALON USA, Communities Foundation of Texas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Diane and Harold Brierley, Nancy and Clint Carlson, Ann and Lee Hobson, Lexus, RBC Wealth Management, RBMM, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Sewell Automotive Companies.

Dallas Theater Center's Centerstage 2011

On June 4, 2011, Dallas Theater Center will bring the bright lights of Broadway to you!

Dallas Theater Center is thrilled to announce its headliner for Centerstage 2011, Kelli O’Hara! Nominated for three Tony awards for performances in The Light in the Piazza, The Pajama Game, and South Pacific, Kelli has established herself as one of Broadway’s leading ladies.

Centerstage 2011 will be an unforgettable evening featuring specialty cocktails, three courses of culinary art by Wolfgang Puck, the one-night-only Dallas debut of a Broadway sensation, and an after party with the wild and crazy D.J. Lady Bunny that will keep you dancing into the wee hours of the morning—all set in the elegance and style of a 1930s supper club. And what’s more, it will be an evening to celebrate and support Dallas Theater Center’s high-quality programming and extensive community outreach.

Individual tickets for Centerstage 2011 are $1,000 and underwriting levels start at $2,500. The evening will begin at 6:30 PM.

Press inquiries can be made to Kelsey Guy, PR Manager, at 214.252.3923. All other inquiries about Centerstage 2011 can be directed to Robin Pomelnikov, Manager of Events, at 214.252.3915.

Support North Texas Food Bank this Holiday

YOU can get involved and support North Texas Food Bank during the holidays!

Check-in to Mockingbird Station on Foursquare! $1 will be donated to the NTFB for every check-in!
Holiday Wish Fountain - through January 2
While you’re at NorthPark, throw a wish into the fountain outside of Dillard’s. NTFB will receive 100% of these coins! Also, drop off any canned good donations at 2 collection bins - one outside the north entrance near Kona Grill and the other outside the south entrance next to P.F. Chang’s.

Santa Days at The Plaza at Preston Center - December 18

Take your photo with Santa and his live reindeer, Comet and Cupid, from 11am-4pm! All donations will benefit NTFB.

Walleska Ecochicc Grand Opening - December 15

Located in West Village across from The Magnolia Theatre. For all the eco-friendly fashionistas and fashionistos out there, we’ve got a great new hot spot for you! Head to Walleska Ecochicc’s grand opening party to welcome the company’s flagship store in West Village. The community-centric store will host various local and eco-conscious designers that support underprivileged women through their work. The festivities will include food, drink, live acoustic music, a local DJ, and a raffle benefitting the North Texas Food Bank!

Whole Foods Giving Tree
While you're grocery shopping this month, be sure to pick up an ornament at check-out of any Dallas-area Whole Foods Market. All proceeds go to NTFB's child programs!

Blue Mesa Grill's Tacos for a Cause - December
Head to Blue Mesa (in Addison, Plano, or Dallas) for the tacos of the month: Brisket Tacos. $1 of every Brisket Taco sold will go to a local charity including the North Texas Food Bank.

Treats of Christmas - December 18
Join NTFB for a huge bake-sale at NorthPark Center (ground floor near Macy's and 2nd floor near the NorthPark Cafés) organized by the Texas Chef's Association from 10am-7pm! Purchase hand-made cakes, pies, cookies, and other delights created by local chefs. Part of the proceeds benefit NTFB's Cooking Matters program!

OMG S’mores - through December 25
Are you looking for a foodie stocking stuffer of gift this holiday season? Check out OMG S’mores produced by Fawcett Foods, Inc. Each kit makes 16 scrumptious s’mores. $4 of the $15 price goes directly to NTFB. Call 214-317-0154 to order today.Dallas Theater Center Presents "A Christmas Carol" - through December 24
DTC presents its annual classic holiday play, and cast members will collect donations for the NTFB after each performance. They've collected a total of over $80,000 the past 2 years! Buy your tickets here!

Rock'n Out Hunger - December 16
Head out to Rock'n Taco at 9pm for a night full of live music, fashion, and fun brought to you by Barholo.com! Festivities will include food and drink specials all night long as well as a silent auction with many prizes including fashion items from local boutiques! Canned food, unwanted coats, and monetary donations will be collected for the North Texas Food Bank and our Member Agencies.

Prestonwood Polo Winter Kickoff - December 18
For the winter polo kickoff, bring a grocery sack full of canned goods for NTFB to waive the $10 parking fee! Games start at 1pm, and festivities include a bounce house, BYOB/Picnic/Grill, and a pet-friendly atmosphere (leashed).

Please email Kristen Sweat, Event Partnerships Coordinator, if you have any questions.

Superman - Dallas Theater Center

It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Superman! The musical!

Through the ingenious collaboration of young playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa with Charles Strouse (Annie) and Lee Adams (Bye Bye Birdie), Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and the iconic Superman are back and on stage at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater. This high-impact musical has it all: dancing, singing, costumes, and high-flying adventure that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Tickets start at $15 so grab the kids or a group of friends and head downtown this week, through July 25, and check out this amazing musical!

For performances and tickets click here.

Centerstage 2010 Benefiting the Dallas Theater Center

The Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center will be a jeweled setting for Centerstage 2010 on Saturday, March 27. This bold and lively evening of entertainment will start with hot Spanish cocktails, tapas and music. And then the attendees will enjoy a delicious seated dinner by Wolfgang Puck amid the Dallas skyline and colorful theater lights above.

Over dessert, Chairmen Pilar and Jay Henry and Honorary Chairmen Bess and Ted Enloe and their 375 guests will laugh the night away to the headline entertainment Whose Live Anyway with their improvised witty scenes and songs created from audience suggestions. Whose Live Anyway also performs some of the hilarious games played on the Emmy Nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? in addition to new ones.

After the entertainment, Centerstage Late Night kicks off with Motion to keep the party going! Guests will dance the night away to this high-energy, exciting dance band. For those of you who have early evening plans, come join the festivities at 10pm for cocktails, dessert and dancing!

Centerstage is the signature fundraiser of Dallas Theater Center, with all proceeds benefiting the theater’s acclaimed artistic and expansive education programs. For more than 50 years, Dallas Theater Center has produced innovative, exciting plays for Dallas audiences of thousands each season. From beloved classics to new plays, Dallas Theater Center’s productions are among the best in North Texas.

Individual tickets are $1,000. Centerstage Late Night tickets are $150. Underwriting and sponsorship packages begin at $2,500. For more information or to attend the event, please contact Lauren Zugaro at 214-252-3915 or lauren.zugaro@dallastheatercenter.org.