Armando Urdiales

Explore the insightful play Laughs in Spanish at STAGES, a captivating blend of humor and cultural exploration. The play offers a fresh perspective on the human experience, highlighting the joys and challenges of navigating the world through the lens of language.

Sports. The word with various meanings, but always seems to perpetuate a game, a sparring of two teams or two people. This battle is well done on-stage with Rec Room Arts, King James. Rajiv Joseph’s expert play book ends the friendship of two male Cavaliers fans at the start of Lebron James career with the Cleveland team, and ends with the Cavalier winning the NBA finals in 2016. The ups and downs of the pair of friends, Matt (Blake Weir) and Shawn (Antonio Lasanta), guides the stage as a reflection of how basketball brings people together, and also how it can separate them. 

Casting and Theater superstar, Megan Larche Dominick is doing the incredible by bringing a Holiday musical to Houston audiences this winter season. Set in an office, Dominick and writing partner Dan Knechteges, explore a story of the holiday ups and down in this tantalazing musical. BroadwayWorld sat down with Dominick, to discuss writing The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical and what any challenges they may overcome. 

One of the most exciting things that happens in every December is Theatre Under The Stars annual holiday production. This year, Houstonians are in for a treat with The Enchanted Edition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. In this fantastic prodution, Houston can witness Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies star, Jason Schmidt. BroadwayWorld sat down with Schmidt to discuss his beginnings, and his life as an actor. 

From her early days in the theater to her acclaimed roles in some of the most iconic productions, Sally Wilfert has left an indelible mark on the world of musical theater. She's graced the stages of New York City and beyond, consistently earning acclaim for her stunning performances in a wide range of roles. With a career that has spanned across the bright lights of Broadway, Sally has dazzled audiences with her incredible vocal prowess, heartfelt performances, and dynamic stage presence. As of this interview, she is currently delighting Houston audiences in TUTS production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. BroadwayWorld Houston sat down with Wilfert to discuss her career, Sweeney Todd, and her future goals. 

When I first moved to Houston in early 2021, theatre's across Houston began the slow process of reopening. One of the first productions featured an actress that I sorely wish I knew her incredible body of work before the pandemic. That actress, Michelle Elaine. Not only is she an exceptional actress but also one of the most amazing individuals in the Houston arts scene. When I found out she was cast in one of my favorite farces, short titled, POTUS, I was ecstatic and decided to interview this outstanding actress. 

Chris Hoch, a luminary of the Broadway stage, stands as a captivating embodiment of artistic versatility and unparalleled talent. Whether commanding the stage with commanding charisma or evoking poignant emotions with subtlety, Hoch's contributions to theatre have led to a career spanning both the brightest marquees of New York City and beyond. BroadwayWorld sat down with Hoch as Jagged Little Pill will make its way in to Space City this week, allowing Houston audiences to explore all the Hoch and magnificence has to offer.

Wicked: The Musical has been enchanting audiences worldwide for years, and the current touring production is no exception. With its mesmerizing performances, breathtaking set design, and unforgettable music, this production offers a spellbinding experience that will leave you spellbound.

Do you ever watch a film and think about what you do in the conflict? Does your concept of that conflict change? How would you react if you were in Thano's snap or your father said you couldn't interact with the human world because you live underwater? Now add those ideas and mix them with thoughts of race. These contemplations are at the heart of Jackie Sibblies Drury's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fairview, which is currently open at 4th Wall Theatre Co. 

Last year, during the Alley All New Festival, upon the announcement of Law & Order's Monet Hurst-Mendoza having a workshop was news that caused for myself much excitement. The workshop was not a disappointment but made me anxious to witness a full scale production. When it was announced in the 22-23 Alley Theatre season, my excitement grew not only due to the capability of a full scale production, but also the fact that Director and Choreographer, Tatiana Pandiani, would be at the helm.

We all have heard or maybe used the inappropriate phrase 'dumb blonde.' However, the musicalization of challenging this notion in Legally Blonde the Musical, currently in performances at TUTS, challenges our use of the expression with a heartwarming and uplifting tale of breaking the glass ceiling.

Immigration. The word that has been much on the lips of everyone in the last years. On both sides of the political aisle, this topic has created laws that have impacted many. An expert production at 4th Wall reveals the real-world ramifications of this legislation in Martyna Majok's Sanctuary City. 

Do you ever feel anxious at work? Tired? Maybe you are stressed because your home life is chaotic. Now add the pressure that you are formerly incarcerated, and your boss (who was also in prison) consistently uses this fact against you. On top of which, your work is making sandwiches at a busy truck stop with never-ending pressure and a toxic work environment. This scenario from acclaimed playwright Lynn Nottage is Clydes, currently in production at Houston's The Ensemble Theatre.

Whoa! The literal words audience members exclaim after witnessing the powerful performances that are currently happening in Roe at STAGES. Houston’s prolific theater, brings Lisa Loomer’s play not only an important time but also does so with some of our city’s brilliant actors. 

Every Brilliant Thing at AD Players, a one-man show that finished at the George Theater, can only be summed up in one phrase, freaking brilliant. Orlando Arriaga, one of Houston's very own master actors, proves his extraordinary acting prowess in this play and does so with equal parts joy and humility.

The story goes that Toby Marlow and Lucy moss after meeting in their years at university, made a decision to write a musical about the six wives of Henry VIII. Their inspiration, a tiny poem that goes “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived” has become the basis of a megahit musical that rewrites the narrative of the lives of Henry wives. In doing so, the current tour stop at the Hobby Center is one that you absolutely do not want to miss.

Two chairs, a side table, and a lone actress on stage begins 4th Wall Theatre’s production of Lucas Hnath’s The Thin Place. These four elements are the creation of a spooky and eerie story of what lies between the mortal and ghostly worlds. Ultimately, 4th Wall’s The Thin Place features top-tier performances from some of Houston’s favorites.What did our critic think of 4TH WALL STRIKES A SPOOKY TONE IN LUCAS HNATH’S THE THIN PLACE at 4th Wall Theatre Company?

You would think a story with its title character would be the main focus of a play. For example, Beetljuice the Musical’s title character almost never leaves the stage and has a character arc, or in The Music Man, the literal Music Man, Harold Hill, remains the center of attention for most of its play. Unfortunately, Miss Maude at AD Players, a play that draws inspiration from a selfless black nurse from the 1950s, fails to provide its title character anything more than a plot point for its white male protagonist. This ultimately leads to a Pre-Broadway World Premiere that with some tweaking could see a fully successful commercial run in both New York and other theaters. While I did not personally enjoy some aspects of the story, Martin Casella has the beginnings of what could be a great play.

Tension. Defined in the dictionary as mental or emotional strain. This simple seven letter word sums up the production of Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress currently playing at Main Street Theater. Don't be confused though, this tension that discusses race, politics, and other contemporary issues is expertly done.

Fats Waller is one of the many black artists over the centuries whose music still permeates popular culture. His stylistic rhythms are part the foundation of the quintessential American sound and it is due to this that his musical revue AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ is a tremendous work of art. TUTS season opening production not only does his music incredibly justice but also provides a night of theater that one simply will never forget.