R E S T A U R A N T P O L L B A L L O T P . 4 6 - The Austin Chronicle

artslistingssobbing after only 10 minutes. The timing ofthe emotional bomb is different, but similarsorts of tears await you with the University ofTexas Department of Theatre & Dance’s productionof Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.That may come as a surprise, becauseat the outset it’s easy to dismiss Our Townas limited. The characters live in small-townGrover’s Corners in New Hampshire at theturn of the last century. They’re all middleclass;they’re all part of families with married,heterosexual parents; they assumeconventional gender roles; and everybodygoes to the same Protestant church together.The characters even admit their town ispretty sleepy.As most of American arts and letters ofthe last century tells us, that’s not a universalperspective. But here’s the remarkablething that happens when you wholly embraceone type of experience, be it the one in OurTown or the perspective of Jews in 1930sGermany or the daily lives of black migrantworkers in Chicago: It suddenly becomesuniversal. Our Town doesn’t assume thateveryone’s lives are like this. Yet everyonecan relate to the experiences of these characters:their courtships, marriages, births,and final days. Our Town is about nothingless than the human passage through life.70 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E APRIL 9, 2010 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o mOur TownOscar G. Brockett Theatre,www.finearts.utexas.edu/tadThrough April 11Running time: 2 hr., 15 min.You know how when the movie Up was released, lots of people,myself included, thought: “Okay, another CGI movie. Old guy anda house?” Then everybody who saw it, myself included, wound upOur Town is an ensemble piece, and underMarie Brown’s direction, the cast carries theshow well. As Emily, Sofia Ruiz especiallycreates a full-bodied character, one whopasses through the awkward confusion ofher teenage years to become a confidentyoung woman who still possesses much ofthe same excitement and goodness. It’s rareto find a young actor with enough perspectiveon his or her own experiences to portraythose transitional years believably, but bothshe and Will Brittain as George trace thoselines beautifully.Wilder calls for a production without fancyscenery or props. The classic scene betweenEmily and George from their bedroom windowstakes place on ladders across thestage, for instance. Show up early, and youcan view up close items from the show andother period pieces in display cases onstage.The effect is that of a half-empty antiquesbooth, but history fans especially will appreciatethe detail and atmosphere.One final warning: Consider carefully theperson with whom you choose to see OurTown. Try to make it someone you knowand love. This is a show that will bringto mind the people in your life dearest toyou, and having one of them close by willbe a comfort.– Elizabeth CobbetheatreOPENINGTHE WONDER BREAD YEARS Pat Hazell returnswith his popular comedy: a nostalgic look at childhoodfor the entertainment of all – especially for thosewho were kids way before Hong Kong Phooey chopsockiedhis way into Saturday morning cartoon-time.Remember when? April 8-11. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm.Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside,457-5100. $39. www.thelongcenter.org.UT’S OUR TOWN The UT Department of Theatre &Dance presents Thornton Wilder’s classic about thesublime in the ordinary, the universal in the hometown.Directed by Marie Brown. See review, left. April 8-11.Thu., 7pm; Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 & 8pm; Sun., 2pm. OscarBrockett Theatre, Winship Drama Building, 23rd & SanJacinto, 477-6060. $15-20. www.texasperformingarts.org.CITY OF ANGELS You’ve been waiting, sure, for a musicalcomedy about a frazzled novelist struggling to adapthis hard-boiled detective novel to the silver screen? Ashow written by Larry Gelbart and directed by MichaelMcKelvey for St. Ed’s University? Starring Sarah Gay,Jamie Goodwin, and David Long? Here it is, bub – gota light? April 8-18. Thu.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. Extrashow: Wed., April 14, 7:30pm. Mary Moody NorthenTheatre at St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress,448-8484. $20 ($18, in advance; $15, students, seniors,SEU community). www.stedwards.edu/hum/thtr/mmnt.html.KEEPING TRACK Teatro Vivo presents the Austinopening of this new Latino comedy written by EricaSaenz about a family who tries to solve their problemascon la familia by using new high tech surveillancedevices. April 8-25. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm. SalvageVanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd., 474-6379. $16($13, students, seniors). www.teatrovivo.org.DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE Texas State Universitypresents Sarah Ruhl’s wild comedy, directed byChristine Tankersley. April 8-11. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun.,2pm. 601 University Dr., San Marcos, 512/245-8884.$8 ($5, students). www.finearts.txstate.edu.BODY AWARENESS “Body Awareness Week” at a liberalarts college in Vermont is the setting for this AnnieBaker comedy of sexual and family politics. Directed forHyde Park Theatre by Ken Webster and starring KennethWayne Bradley, Katherine Catmull, Emily Erington,Stephen Mercantel, and that Webster himself. Thu.-Sat.,April 8-May 8, 8pm. Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd,479-PLAY. $19 ($17, students, seniors, ACoT; pay whatyou wish, Thursdays). www.hydeparktheatre.org.GHOSTS AMONG US This show, presenting a storyof love and loss, features deaf and hard-of-hearingactors signing in American Sign Language. Directedby Russell Harvard and Bellamie Harvard. Fri.-Sat.,April 9-17, 7pm. Davis Auditorium, Texas School for theDeaf, 1102 S. Congress. $10 ($5, students, seniors).ALWAYS ... PATSY CLINE Ted Swindley’s musicalabout the famous singer features Terry Lyne Mooreas Cline and is directed by Chester Eitze. Fri.-Sat.,April 9-May 1, 7:30pm. Extra show: Sun., April 25,2:30pm. Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St., Bastrop,512/321-6283. $15. www.bastropoperahouse.com.FLOODLINES 2010 This is it: the final performanceof the intricate, mysterious, and (we daresay) brilliantseven-year series of site-specific, community-involvedtheatrical events created by Jaclyn Pryor. “The audiencetravels by car through the streets of Hyde Parkwhile witnessing staged vignettes en route,” is puttingit mildly. We can only hope the tickets for thisamazing event aren’t already sold out. (See “floodlines,”p.33, for more.) Sun., April 11, 2pm.3001 Harris Park Ave., 474-8497. $30.ZACH’S OUR TOWN Yes, here’s another version ofThornton Wilder’s timeless, life-affirming classic. Thisone’s a bit more Austin-flavored, is directed by Dave“Hard-workin’” Steakley, and features Greater Tunastar Jaston Williams as the Stage Manager. (TheStage Manager is, of course, one of the charactersin the play. The actual stage manager for this productionis, well, check your program after you take yourseat.) Recommended? Oh, yes: highly. April 15-May23. Wed.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2:30pm. Zach Theatre,1510 Toomey, 476-0541. $20-50. www.zachtheatre.org.CLOSINGPOST-OEDIPUS The Blue Theatre and the GetalongGang Performance Group present Spencer Driggers andZenobia Taylor’s Austin premiere of this “radical reworking”of Euripides’ Phoenician Women. Written by StevenGridley, brought to jarring and music-infused life by theteam that brought you Arthuriosis: A Metal Opera. Seereview, p.72. Through April 11. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm.Blue Theatre, 916 Springdale, 927-1118. $15.www.bluetheatre.org.THE FANTASTICKS It’s the 50th anniversary of thelongest running play in American history, and you cansee it out in Leander under the direction of BarbaraSchuler for the Way Off Broadway Community Players.Through April 11. Fri.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm. 10960 E.Crystal Falls Pkwy., 512/259-5878. www.wobcp.org.WAITING FOR GODOT Beckett’s classic – timelessclassic, to be sure – is presented by the Sam BassCommunity Theatre company out in Round Rock.Directed by Veronica Prior. Through April 10. Thu.-Sat.,8pm; Sun., 2pm. Sam Bass Community Theatre,600 N. Lee St., Round Rock, 512/244-0440.$15 ($13 seniors, students, teachers, military).www.sambasstheatre.org.THE CARPETBAGGER’S CHILDREN Different Stagespresents this acclaimed Horton Foote drama in whichthree sisters reveal family secrets, tribal memories,and sibling rivalry on a post-Civil War plantation. WithJennifer Underwood, Anne Hulsman, and Kathy RoseCenter, directed by Norman Blumensaadt. ThroughApril 10. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2pm. Austin Playhouse,3601 S. Congress, Bldg. C, 474-8497. $15-30.www.main.org/diffstages.INSOMNIA The Crank Collective, which previouslybrought us Epidemic of Fear, returns with this musicalcomedy about “a young woman who abandonsher sedate lifestyle to experiment with a sleep-eliminatingmiracle drug.” Holy Modafinil, John Cecil, whatkind of dream-deprived zaniness are you directinghere? Through April 10. Fri.-Sat., 8pm.The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress, 443-3688.$15 ($12, students, seniors). www.insomniashow.com.ONGOINGPICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE Steve Martin’sclever exploration of creativity and genius, as embodiedby the young Picasso and the equally youngAlbert Einstein meeting in a lively bistro soon beforecreating their masterworks, features a fine cast (BenWolfe! Robert Matney! Others!) directed by Lara Tonerfor Austin Playhouse. Through May 2. Thu.-Sat., 8pm;Sun., 5pm. Austin Playhouse, 3601 S. Congress, Bldg.C, 476-0084. $26-35. www.austinplayhouse.com.HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES City Theatre presentsthis popular British farce by Alan Ayckbourn,master of the form. The hilarity that erupts amongthe misgivings and misunderstandings of marriage,brilliantly scripted in a time-bending arrangement ofscenes, is directed by Stacey Glazer. Through April18. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 5:30pm. City Theatre,3823-D Airport, 524-2870. $15-25.www.citytheatreaustin.org.CONNECT: FOUR SHORT PLAYS These plays byAustin playwright Allan Baker focus on the need toconnect – across generations in a family, during themost important five minutes of your life at the mostcritical point in a relationship, or online on Saturdaynight. Directed by Theresa Leckbee. Through April 17.Thu.-Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 & 8pm. The Off Center, 2211-AHidalgo, 476-7833. $15. www.abbyproductions.com.HARVEY Out in Georgetown, the Palace gang is stagingMary Chase’s famous play – later made into thebeloved movie starring Jimmy Stewart, remember?Through April 18. Fri.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm.Palace Theater, 810 S. Austin Rd., Georgetown,512/869-7469. $20 ($18, seniors; $12, students).www.georgetownpalace.com.SUBMISSION INFORMATION:The Austin Chronicle is published every Thursday. Infois due the Monday of the week prior to the issue date. Thedeadline for the April 23 issue is Monday, April 12. Includename of event, date, time, location, price, phone number(s),a description, and any available photos orartwork. Include SASE for return of materials.Send submissions to the attention of the appropriate writer(see roster below). Mail to the Chronicle, PO Box 49066,Austin, TX 78765; fax, 458-6910; or e-mail:Wayne Alan Brenner, theatre, comedy, visual arts.brenner@austinchronicle.com.Robi Polgar, performance art, dance, classical.dance-classical@austinchronicle.com.Ric Williams, litera. litera@austinchronicle.com.Questions? Contact Wayne Alan Brenner, Listings editor.brenner@austinchronicle.com.