The Light and Dark Sides of God
Photo: Jacob Boehme I take the title of this review from a book title of 1650. It appears near the end of this fascinating book by Kevin Killeen, Professor in…
The Taste of Bubblegum: Ballet Austin
Strike A Pose! Even though Madonna was not on stage at the Long Center this weekend, her spirit was there in the new ballet Bubblegum, created by Stephen Mills. Mills…
The Spitfire Grill
This musical play, adapted from a 1996 film, begins rather somberly but lifts the spirits in the end. Currently presented by Austin Playhouse, the music and book by James Valco…
Electropop Opera at the Zach
This electropop opera, which was first performed in 2012 (written by Dave Malloy) evoked distinctly divided opinions along the audience members. One told me he really wanted to leave at…
SXSW 2024 opener features Space Poetry
With SXSW 2024 just a month away, Austinites are preparing to once again host the foremost annual gathering of creative minds in the country. The Opening Session is entitled Explore…
Wonderettes is Marvelous!
The faux musical group who lend their name to this musical-comedy-drama is The Marvelous Wonderettes; it premiered in Milwaukee in 1999. Currently gracing the stage at the Hill Country Community…
The GIANTS of Sardinia
Standing beside the giant statues of Sardinia, some 7 feet tall, is an awe-inspiring experience. The photo shows the author in Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. I was in the…
A Marathon Evening with Wagner
“Consider a performance of Wagner’s Parsifal. As you settle into your seat, you look over the program notes, likely to address the Grail legend that inspired the composer. Now imagine…
Challenges of the Baroque
Baroque was not a term used at the time we now think of as the Baroque era, but it is the classic term for that which is not classic, referring…
A Threesome for Beethoven
Three sisters brought an unusual Beethoven Concerto alive at the most recent outing of our great Austin Symphony Orchestra. The Ahn trio play the violin, cello and piano, which is…