I will head to my first show of the year on Wednesday night (tonight) as Shakespeare Dallas opens Measure for Measure indoors at Theatre Three for a Shakespeare in the round experience. The company brought back its winter show which seems appropriate with the temperatures outside. The show runs through Jan. 26.
Before starting this new year of productions, I couldn’t let go of a few shows that have remained in my thoughts since walking out from those venues. By now, we’ve all gotten the Best Of lists by area critics and outlets. If you want to call this that, fine, but really, I’m compelled to give these shows some space one last time before moving on. A number of shows last year left big impressions, but through some wicked talent and innovative craft, this handful of productions have been happily seared into my memory. And big thanks to all the DFW theaters for the creativity, bravery and inspriation they brought to the local arts landscape in 2024.
OK, now, in no particular order…
Review: Second Thought’s Heroes is a well-crafted but frightening play about conservatives
Second Thought Theatre delivered big in Will Arbery’s Heroes of the Fourth Turning. The play centered on four younger Catholic conservatives debating and arguing over their beliefs. So fun! The cast brought the show to life with gripping depth amid Arbery’s dramatic and sometimes terrifying story. Had this played closer to the election, it might have resonated with an even more weight, but only because the cast nailed all the right tones under Jay Duffer’s superb direction.
Review: Amphibian’s Juan Garcia brings comical joy through a hot mess of characters
This explosion of a show was my introduction to Amphibian after all this time. The show was also the last of founding Artistic Director Kathleen Culebro who stepped down at the end of 2024. She also wrote this production which was a gorgeous exit for Culebro. Directed by Evan Michael Woods, this adaptation used every color in the box for its
Music
innovations
performer
Actor
show
Love
fun