ZACH Theatre – An Austin Theatre Blog

ZACH Theatre is nominated for nine 2010 Austin Critics’ Table Awards, including 5 nods for Dave Steakley’s current production of OUR TOWN. The Austin Critics’ Table is an informal group of Austin arts community members composed of critics from The Austin American Statesman, The Austin Chronicle and might be good. This is the 18th year for these awards; ZACH nominations include:

• Musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Acting in a Supporting Role: Michael Amendola, Our Town
• Acting in a Supporting Role: Jordan McRae, Our Town
• Acting in a Supporting Role: Jose Villarreal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Ensemble Performance: Our Town
• Ensemble Performance: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• Scenic Design: Michael Raiford, Rockin’ Christmas Party
• Lighting Design: Jason Amato, Our Town
• Sound Design: Craig Brock, Our Town

ZACH stars Martin Burke from the upcoming production of The Drowsy Chaperone, Meredith McCall, and Lauren Lane from Becky’s New Car were also nominated in the “Acting in a Leading Role” category for the original play House of Several Stories – which was also nominated for “David Mark Cohen New Play Award” for playwright A. John Boulanger.

Austin Critics Table members include the Austin American-Statesman’s Michael Barnes (arts), Claire Canavan (theatre), Clare Croft (dance), and Jeanne Claire van Ryzin (arts); … might be good’s Claire Ruud (visual arts); and the Chronicle’s Elizabeth Cobbe (theatre), Michael Kellerman (music), Jonelle Seitz (dance), Avimaan Syam (theatre), and Robert Faires (arts).

Awards will be announced in a ceremony on Monday, June 7th, at 7 p.m., at Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research. The event is free and open to the public.

All photos by Kirk R. Tuck.

Click here for ROCKIN’ CHRISTMAS PARTY info.

Christmas games at the ultimate ROCKIN’ CHRISTMAS PARTY? Naturally, ZACH has ‘em and they’re the most fun in town … Santa’s got 2 free tickets to see THE FLAMING IDIOTS for contest winners!

Almost there, just by a nose ...

Clearly, she's done this before.

ROCKIN’ CHRISTMAS PARTY actresses Felicia Dinwiddie and Tiffany Mann stopped by ZACH today to talk with staff about their experience with the totally revamped ROCKIN’ production.

Felicia, part the original cast returning to ZACH after corporate haitus, is glad to be back with the “same energy and same talent” as before — but is having a completely different experience: “We’re doing it on the Kleberg!” She’s excited about that. And excited, too, to be dancing on a whole new stage designed by set and costume designer Michael Raiford.

Tiffany, returning to ZACH from her performance in Caroline, or Change, lent staff members a whole new perspective on our Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley. All those moves you see on stage? Uh huh, a lot of them are his. Tiffany and Felicia are also taking notes from Judy Arnold, who commands the house with every performance. What a wonderful time of the year!

Evidence: Dave Steakley dancing in ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS PARTY rehearsal Photo: Kirk R. Tuck

Michael Raiford's ROCKIN' new set design: The background is a multimedia screen that rolls vintage video clips and fantastic holiday visuals. There's even a full-on snowstorm during the show! Photo: Kirk R. Tuck

Judy Arnold showing her moves. At first, it's hard to believe a 4'11" woman can command such a mammoth crowd -- and then you see her do it. Photo: Kirk R. Tuck

Bernard Davis returns to ZACH's stage for this year's ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS PARTY

OK, SPELLING BEE fans, ZACH’s brought Bernard Davis back to stage for ROCKIN’ CHRISTMAS PARTY.

But Bernard’s holiday fantasy Christmas to have a Johnny Matthis-type TV holiday special keeps get interrupted by all the girls! Including, Tiffany Mann singing “Bust Your Windows Out Your Car” while busting up Bernard’s car with a crowbar. Ah, only at ZACH!

The crowd falls to floor, but Bernard stays standing and sings hits like “Let the Good Times Roll” and “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” He brings down the house with his rendition of Joe Cocker’s version of “I Get By With A Little Help from My Friends” — truly a version that reminds Austin that the best live music in country is still here in town.

ZACH audiences got a brief glimpse into the soulful voice of Bernard in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, but you haven’t seen anything yet! This is the zaniest, most audience pleasing Christmas Party we’ve ever thrown — and Bernard is the perfect host to bring all the ladies together.

Seasoned set designer Michael Raiford brings unique holiday cheer to Austin this year with the ultimate holiday pop-up book, a brand-spanking new Robert Sabuda inspired set design for Rockin’ Christmas Party.  Happy Christmas:

The Ultimate Holiday Pop-Up Book: A New Set for the Rockinest Party of the Year

Turns out, Robert Sabuda also has a gift on his site: Create your own pop-up art.

Springtime weather in November makes it hard to believe the holidays are upon us. Well, here’s a reality check: Thanksgiving is next week.

Take a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out … Don’t fret. ZACH’s giving you a gift your family and friends can share right away.

You’re invited to the rockinest Rockin’ Christmas Party we’ve ever thrown. Of course, a holiday party in Austin would hardly rock without featuring our town’s best live music, so, this year, director Dave Steakley used an inspired new song list to bring Austin’s most talented artists back to Austin.

Felicia Dinwiddie appears in ZACH's 2009 ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS PARTY

Felicia Dinwiddie is on the guest list, and this might be one of Austin’s last chances to watch her over-the-top, joyful live performance in an intimate setting like ZACH. Appearing in an upcoming episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live as Oprah Winfrey, Felicia’s a star. She just makes the holidays — and anytime — fun.

She made ZACH’s 75th Anniversary Concert a blast. In Little Shop of Horrors, Jelly’s Last Jam, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Schoolhouse Rock, Blues in the Night, The Gospel at Colonus, Das Barbecü, Beehive, Dreamgirls , Falsettos, Nunsense and Once on This Island, Felicia coupled her magnetic talents with ZACH’s unique, imaginative productions to entertain, inspire and educate Austin audiences. We’ll never forget.

Now she’s entertaining the world — appearing on television in Boston Public, Scrubs, Stories of the E.R. and Strong/Medicine — but, luckily for us, she is bringing her talents home to ZACH Theatre for the holidays.

Get ready. Felicia is back. And so, too, is Austin’s best holiday party — at its very rockinest.

Robert Sabuda at the 25-year celebration for the Mazza Museum, the world’s first and largest teaching museum devoted to literacy and the art of children’s picture books.

From Dave Steakley, Producing Artistic Director:

As a kid, Santa always filled my stocking with a Lifesavers candy book, gold foil covered chocolate coins, and a “surprise ball,” that would unravel into yards and yards of brightly colored crepe paper before arriving at the tiny toy inside!

My favorite gift was a new pop-up book; I can get lost for hours in the magical, imaginative paper displays which come to life as you turn each page.

Michael Raiford’s new Rockin’ Christmas Party set, on stage in this year’s Rockin’ Christmas Party, is inspired by those delicious winter wonderland pop ups, particularly the frosty white cutouts created by Robert Sabuda.

My most treasured pop-up book is Galileo’s Universe. It was given to me by beloved ZACH actress and Austin legend Karen Kuykendall, during her final Christmas. On the first page is a shuttered window, and when you open the shutters, the universe is revealed.

Galileo's Universe - By J. Patrick Lewis and Illustrated by Tim Curry.

Thinking of Karen always conjures Auntie Mame, who knew we needed a little Christmas, right this very moment: “Wake up every morning and pull aside the shutter, And promise me that these’ll be the first words that you utter: Open a new window, travel a new highway that’s never been tried before; Before you find you’re a dull fellow punching the same clock, walking the same tight rope as everyone on the block. The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional, soaking up life down to your toes. Whenever they say you’re slightly unconventional, just put your thumb up to your nose, and show ‘em how to dance to a new rhythm, whistle a new song, toast with a new vintage. The fizz doesn’t fizz too long. There’s only one way to make the bubbles stay. Simply travel a new highway, dance to a new rhythm, open a new window every day!”

I am reminded of the opportunity for discovery that window symbolizes — a new year, when we shake off the old habits, and invite the new.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a reNEWal Year!