Area Arts & Leisure
by Ranelle Krejci

Greetings readers! I hope you have found the time to enjoy some evenings out! Here’s what’s happening in our area! How lucky we are to live in an area so rich with opportunities! You should find something here for almost every taste.

Playhouse 90 Opens "Driving Miss Daisy" March 11th

Alfred Uhrey's Pulitzer Prize winning play "Driving Miss Daisy", directed by Amy R. Ross, opens for a four-week run on March 11th at Playhouse 90 in Fort Bend County. The three-person cast includes local theatre vets Jeanette Filardo, John Kaiser, and Ron Bunch.

The show runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, with special Sunday 2 p.m. matinees on March 20th and 27th. Closing night for the show is Saturday, April 2. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets for any performance can be purchased online with a credit card by going to www.playhouse90.com, and general reservations can be made by calling the theatre at 281-238-0690.

Make your reservations early and often for this most enjoyable show.
Would you like to try your hand at acting? Auditions for One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest will be held March 13 and 14 at Playhouse 90.


Bad Seed, directed by Anaka Kohnitz, runs Fridays and Saturdays at Theatre Southwest February 18 through March 12. The show tells the progressively lethal tale of a young and happy Southern housewife’s torment at the incredible discovery that her little girl, a seemingly blithe and normal youngster, is a cold-blooded killer. Quite a shocker! This taut psychological drama says there is pure evil out there and sometimes it comes tied up in a pretty little package. A child with a mind devoid of conscience or empathy and at the same time highly calculating and ruthless in the pursuit of her own desires… is it heredity or environment? You be the judge.


The Alley Theatre, will present “The Crucible,” one of the most celebrated and performed plays by one of America's greatest living dramatists February 27 through March 20., The Crucible set the stage afire when it was first produced on Broadway in 1953. Using the witch hunts of Salem as a metaphor for the power of theocracy, this continually relevant play explodes with the passion, fear, and danger of a time when even the accusation of political crime led to catastrophic consequences. As a vicious teenage seductress takes revenge on her lover and his wife by accusing them of witchcraft, a violent clash ensues between the worlds of intolerance and the power of truth and redemption. Seen now in the context of recent events, and Miller's own After the Fall, The Crucible takes on more resonance than ever. The show runs February 25- March 20, 2005. For ticket info call 713-228-8421.

How about a unique evening of dining and improv? Ziggy’s Healthy Grill, 2202 West Alabama in Houston is hosting “Improvaoke!” It’s Karaoke for comedians! You choose the improv games!
They demonstrate the improv games! You get the bug and try the games yourself!
The improv* show where you pick the improv games that are played. TheyWe have over 60 fun and entertaining games to choose from. They will demonstrate the improv games or you, the audience, can come up on stage and play the games with them! $5 per person and all ages are welcomed. Seating begins at 7PM. Show begins at 8PM Every Friday Night!

Country Playhouse, presents “The Elephant Man,” the story of John Merrick, a sensitive & intelligent young man, trapped in a deformed body. He is exploited by Victorian society and befriended by an ambitious young surgeon who looks after him during his final years, finding him a home in a London hospital where his presence is shrewdly used for fundraising. Merrick is introduced to high society and becomes dependent on the success his deformity brings him. The beauty within the afflicted shell of this unfortunate man is expertly displayed in this intelligent and moving drama. The show runs March 11 to April 2 with an 8:00 p.m. curtain. There will be a matinee on March 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Another acting opportunity!! Country Playhouse will hold auditions for the hilarious “Noises Off” March 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Theatre Under The Stars, will present “The King and I,” one of the best loved musicals of all time March 17 through April 3. This show is suitable for all ages and features such well known tunes as “Getting To Know You,” Hello, Young Lovers,” and “Shall We Dance?”

That’s all for this edition of what’s happening. I hope you have enjoyed seeing what the area has to offer. If you know of a group or organization that is holding an event, please have them contact me at this website. www.playhouse90.com. I would love to showcase your event in this column. Until next time… Ranelle
 

About Ranelle

Ranelle Krejci is the Producing Director for Playhouse 90 in Rosenberg. She is a native Texan and has been actively involved in music and theatre for over 30 years, both on stage and off. She has been named to Who's Who of American Women for 2000, 2001, and 2002. Her technical skills include lighting design for Bye Bye Birdie and Oklahoma. She has served as choreographer for numerous productions. She is an active volunteer for her local high school choir and has served as a judge at numerous UIL competitions. Ranelle lives in Richmond with her husband, Raymond, her youngest daughter Dani, and Sugar, the wonder dog.

Ranelle's monthly column brings you, our readers information and interesting tidbits regarding the Arts in our area. Her goal is to keep you abreast of all the happenings in the world of performing arts, as well as increase awareness of opportunities to attend, participate in, and support the many fine arts events now available.