Arts and Times

"The Art of Leaving", currently playing off-Broadway at NYC's Signature Center is, I'm sorry to say, an absolute disaster. Author Anne Marilyn Lucas is desperately trying to write Neil Simon writing "A Doll's House" for modern times and it falls flat in just about every way it can. Lucas has few writing credits and seems stuck in the "Neil Simon Generation". I'm frankly shocked that this piece made it to the prestigious (and EXPENSIVE! Few shows ever recoup there) Signature Center. The story is painfully, cartoonishly simple. Toxic male narcissist Aaron (Jordan Lage) is just past middle age and having an over the top crisis. He's become obsessed with a "red pill" esque guru promising men over forty their virility, freedom and happiness back if they will stick rigidly to his protein shake regimen, daily mantras and, oh yeah, leaving their wives. Aaron's wife Diana (Audrey Heffernan Meyer) is obsessively, vapidly devoted whi...

Malcolm Stephenson (Edward) and Ashley Griffin (Claire), Photo by Steve Rogers The Illusionary Games of Edward Rye , a new play by Ashley Griffin, directed by Elizabeth V. Newman and produced by Filigree Theatre is the best work of art that I've seen in a very long time. Writer Griffin (who also plays Claire,) has a Broadway pedigree as a writer and performer, and I'm far from surprised. This is the kind of work that theaters should be investing in, and it is a rare treat for regional audiences to have the honor of experiencing a world premiere of this caliber. Austin residents are in for a phenomenal evening and will get lifelong bragging rights of saying they were the first to see this fantastic work. The piece is difficult to describe because, like the world of magic and magicians in which it is set, there are seemingly infinite layers upon layers of misdirection that, in this case, ultimately lead to a poignant truth. It is a meta show full of twists and turns that leaves a...

  Mae Martin has quickly established herself as a comedy legend. Like Fluffy (who I recently reviewed when he performed in Austin,) Martin is the kind of comedian that can convert even the staunchest "I hate stand up comedy" folks.  Martin pairs straight up epic humor with beautiful, poignant storytelling. Her comedy is in service of something larger - a commentary on the human condition. I also love the fact that Martin is the kind of artist (and person) who has been able to bridge the "Left" and "Right" gap. Martin is self described as queer and recently came out as non-binary (Martin uses they/them pronouns.) But if anyone just had a strong negative reaction to that information, I would say that Martin's work is exactly the kind of art you need to see. Martin is a human being first and foremost and if you are the kind of person who believes in the "sin of empathy" and that "all woke libs are crazy" you actually might be surprised...

  Gabriel Iglesias, known to his fans as "Fluffy" is always a delight. You know you will have a fantastic evening going to any of his shows which are brilliantly funny in a way that can convert those who hate stand up comedy to being fans for life.  Fluffy isn't trying to shock, he's trying to get you to connect to universal aspects of humanity - something I greatly appreciate in his work. He always has delightful new material, and is great about revisiting fan favorites in a way that "calls back" (while still being accessible to first time audiences) but doesn't overdo well worn bits, however classic they have become.  Fluffy has a flashy pedigree as a comedian - starting in the smaller clubs (as does everyone) he quickly began headlining huge tours, has multiple filmed specials, and even starred in his own T.V. show "Mr. Iglesias" where he plays a befuddled school teacher to great success.  His comedy ranges on every subject from fatherhood t...

  I went into MotherTree  already feeling lots of things. I wanted to like it, I really did... But I had concerns... To start with, I have never read a more confusing or, frankly, off putting description of a show than that for MotherTree : "Weaving Dance, Music, and Magic, MotherTree creates a unique vision of our relationships with trees. Faery Magic and Earth Science engage our imaginations as we travel through the mycorrhizal network to learn from the Trees. The urgency of Climate Crisis compels us to take environmental action and to commit deep work grounded in reciprocality and respect. In an age marked by overconsumption, grief, and isolation, MotherTree creates dynamic beauty and inspiration. The act of getting lost allows us to see." It left me with questions: A whole play about our relationships with trees? Not only that, but a unique vision of that relationship? Faery Magic + Earth Science? (This sounds like the show is a traveling elementary school play meant to ...