MST comes to you!

Through the generous support of the NEA and Arts Midwest, Main Street Theater is going on tour with Shakespeare for the third straight year. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is touring the Greater Houston region, and even beyond, for the rest of March and the top of April.

Josh Taylor as Demetrius, Kristen Trahan as Helena
and Steven Laing as Lysander.


Alan Hall as Bottom.

The tour of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM will continue through April 3rd. You can call 713-524-9196 x101 for information on how the show can come to you.

The tour will also be presented to the general public on April 4th and 5th at our Rice Village location. Click HERE for information, or call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

Main Street Theater's production is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national theater initiative sponsored by
the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation
with Arts Midwest.

It's Later Than You Think

One theme in THE PIE DIALOGUES (now playing at our Rice Village location) is the song referenced in the play as "It's Later Than You Think". Sound designer Janel J. Badrina looked long and hard for recent versions of the song. Paul Reddick's recording was discovered right away, but was soon discovered to not be the old standard, but one of his own creation.

Unfortunately, there is no usable recording in recent times, and given the 80s - 90s soundtrack of the show, we could not include it in the show. But here is Doris Day's recording. Enjoy yourself!



THE PIE DIALOGUES plays our Rice Village location through March 22, 2009. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

And Now a Word From Our Audience

Here are just a few things our audience have been telling us...

"Once again you have spotted an amazing little play that deserves to be seen. The writing was so perfect!!! (I'm not ordinarily an exclamation point kind of guy.) Keep up the good work." - H.S.

"The Pie Dialogues was a real pleasure to see. Great acting, set design, and thoughtfully chosen '80s interlude music. Parts of this play really got to me, and I was quite impressed with the performance. Thanks to MST for a great show. Go see it!" - W.G.

"I gave up my Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang tickets to see [Pie Dialouges] instead!" - Friend of Board Member

Why don't you tell us what you thought? Leave a comment here on the blog!

And that's the word on the street! (Quite literally in fact!)

The MST Q&A: Josh Morrison

Josh Morrison as Sean and Gwendolyn McLarty as Dawn.

Josh Morrison plays Sean in MST's world premiere of THE PIE DIALOGUES, now playing at our Rice Village location. Get to know Josh a little more as he answers MST's Q&A ...

Full given name: Joshua Neal Morrison

Hometown: Baytown, Texas

Zodiac sign: Virgo

Audition Monologue/Song: Depends on the show

Special skills: I make the best omelettes like ever!

First Houston show ever saw: Angels in America/Alley Theatre

Current show you have been recommending to friends: The Pie Dialogues...duh

Favorite show tune: Aren't they all the same?

MAC or PC? PC, but I'd love a MAC

Most played song on your iPod: Elton John's All the Young Girls Love Alice

Last book you read: Yao Ming's autobiography

Must-see TV show: Heroes

Last good movie you saw: Burn After Reading

Favorite board game: Operation...I got mad skills

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Dancing monkeys

Pop culture guilty pleasure: I don't think I'm cool or young enough to know anything from pop culture

First stage kiss: Taming of the Shrew/High school

Favorite post-show meal: Firewater

Worst onstage mishap: My sword almost rolled into the audience during R and J at Miller

Worst costume ever: Any with lots of layers

Favorite cereal: Fruity Pebbles

Who would play you in the movie? That orangutan from Any Which Way But Loose

Worst job you ever had: Selling gas lamps door to door

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Voice over for the University of Mexico...I spoke like the guy from Telemundo

THE PIE DIALOGUES plays our Rice Village location through March 22, 2009. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

The Music of Pie

When was the last time you went to a play and grooved to the mix of the scene changes? Audiences not only have loved to new comedy drama THE PIE DIALOGUES, now playing in the Rice Village, but they have come out literally singing the praises of the jamming soundtrack! Check out the play list on iTunes, or visit our Amazon Widget below!

Sound Design by Janel J. Badrina

And that's the word on the street!

Take a Look Back

Can you believe it is March already? Where did February go? It seems like only yesterday we were closing THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. Take a walk down memory lane with us and this spectacular production.

Set Design by Liz Freese.


The Company of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.


Ross Chitwood as Fabrizio Naccarelli and Haley Dyes as Clara Johnson.


Jamie Geiger as Giuseppe Naccarelli, Ross Chitwood as Fabrizio Naccarelli and David Grant as Signor Naccarelli.


Ross Chitwood as Fabrizio Naccarelli, Jamie Geiger as Giuseppe Naccarelli and Christina Stroup as Franca Naccarelli.


Bob Boudreaux as Roy Johnson and Susan Shofner as Margaret Johnson.


Haley Dyes as Clara Johnson and Ross Chitwood as Fabrizio Naccarelli.


Susan Shofner as Margaret Johnson and Haley Dyes as Clara Johnson.


Jamie Geiger as Giuseppe Naccarelli, Luisa Amaral-Smith as Signora Naccarelli, Ross Chitwood as Fabrizio Naccarelli, David Grant as Signor Naccarelli and Christina Stroup as Franca Naccarelli.


David Grant as Signor Naccarelli and Susan Shofner as Margaret Johnson.


Haley Dyes as Clara Johnson and Ross Chitwood as Fabrizio Naccarelli.


The Company of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Directed by Ron Jones
Musical Direction by Glenn Sharp with Steven Jones
Set and Properties Design by Liz Freese
Costume Design by Macy Perrone
Lighting Design by John Smetak
Sound Design by Bryan Nortin
Photography by RicOrnel Productions

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Cast of The Magic City

Jazmine Blas and Georgia Marie Hutto-Friman appear in the Kids On Stage production of THE MAGIC CITY, presented at Chelsea Market this weekend, February 13, 14 and 15. Get to know a little more about Jazmine and Georgia as they answers MST's Q&A...

Full name: Jazmine Blas

Age: 12

Talents and hobbies (besides acting): Guitar playing and singing

Pets: None

First live play you ever saw: Hello Dolly

Most played song on your iPod: Hot and Cold by Katy Perry

Favorite book: The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo

Book that hasn’t been adapted as a play but should be: Twilight

Actor you would most like to be in a movie with: Emma Roberts

Favorite thing to do to celebrate opening night: Getting together with the crew and wishing luck.

Funniest onstage mishap: A main character almost falls on a red carpet during a performance.

Worst costume ever: An elf costume I wore in a Christmas play.

Future career: A professional actress or a lawyer if the future allows me to.

_________________________________________________

Full name: Georgia Marie Hutto-Friman

Age: 10 ½

Talents and hobbies (besides acting): I really enjoy modeling, ice skating (even though I broke my ankle ice skating), and reading. I pretty much like sports and fashion shows and I love to do photo shoots (I am very comfortable in front of a camera). Oh, and I like to pogo stick.

Pets: I have 2 dogs, Molly and Pearl, and 3 cats, Betty, Jack and Lola.

First live play you ever saw: Dragontales (LOL) I was like 4 when I saw that and I thought it was just the coolest thing ever.

Most played song on your iPod: Actually, I don’t have an iPod but my life theme songs would probably be La La Lana (by Demi Lavato), Sin Wagon (Dixie Chicks), Hot ‘n Cold (Katy Perry) and TimMcGraw (Taylor Swift).

Favorite book: The Cique by Lisi Harrison (it’s awesome)

Book that hasn’t been adapted as a play but should be: Harry Potter (that would be awesome)

Actor you would most like to be in a movie with: Queen Latifa or Miley Cyrus

Favorite thing to do to celebrate opening night: Hmmm… have cupcakes (LOL) from some expensive bakery.

Funniest onstage mishap: Ummm… When I was 8 I was an elephant and my elephant nose kept falling off.

Worst costume ever: Well, when I was like 3 I played a chicken and had wear rubber gloves on my feet (it was hilarious even though I didn’t think so at the time).

Future career: I would love to be a famous model/actor.

THE MAGIC CITYplays our Chelsea Market location Feb 13-14, 2009 at 7:30pm and Feb 15, 2009 at 3:30pm. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Haley Dyes

Haley Dyes appears as Clara Johnson in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, playing at our Chelsea Market location. Get to know a little more about Haley as she answers MST's Q&A...



Full given name: Haley Jane Dyes

Hometown: Houston, TX

Zodiac sign: Virgo

Audition Monologue/Song: um. . . .Three Tall Women by Edward Albee, and My White Knight from Music Man

Special skills: howling with my dog, Ernie. shamelessly, I might add.

First Houston show ever saw: whew, that's a tough one . . . can't recall. probably Christmas Carol at the Alley

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Light in the Piazza :)

Favorite show tune: humph, i don't really have one??

MAC or PC? MAC, baby!

Most played song on your iPod: probably Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

Last book you read: Working on "Three Cups of Tea," "The Shack" before that

Must-see TV show: House!

Last good movie you saw: Australia (x2 actually)

Favorite board game: Scattegories, if I am playing with Laura Kaldis!

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Eddie Izzard, Billy Joel, Bette Middler

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Trash Magazines

First stage kiss: 4th grade, I played Eve in one of the shows put on by my Baptist school

Favorite post-show meal: cheese and wine!

Worst onstage mishap: ya know, i have no clue

Worst costume ever: I played a CareBear once. . .that was pretty terrifying

Favorite cereal: oooooooooooo, cocoa pebbles, but I never eat them.

Who would play you in the movie? Anne Hathaway! I like her. . .she would have to go blonde!

Worst job you ever had: flight attending or waiting tables. . .same thing

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: NOT Clash of the Choirs!!

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA plays our Chelsea Market location through January25, 2009. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

If You Fall In Love With Italy

We recognize that after you see THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, you might desire to learn more about Italy, its beautiful countryside and its people. Here are just a few suggestions from the staff at MST.

The Light in the Piazza and Other Italian Tales (Banner Books)
Elizabeth Spencer’s original short story, on which the musical was based. (SPOILER ALERT! This Amazon listing gives away crucial plot details!)

The Silver Spoon
If this production makes you hungry, consider the Italian “Joy of Cooking” classic from 1950.

Italy in Mind: An Anthology
or
Desiring Italy: Women Writers Celebrate the Passions of a Country and Culture
Two anthologies of the writings of famous tourists to Italy throughout the ages—the second one contains only women writers.

The Stones of Florence

The Agony and the Ecstasy:
A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo
Set designer Liz Freeman Freese recommends this “biographical novel” of Michelangelo, set in Florence and Rome.

Rome (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)

Florence and Tuscany (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition)
If you haven't seen enough of Italy, this movie is a postcard for the beautiful country side, and a pretty great film!

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, plays our Chelsea Market location through January25, 2009. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

How Do You Make a Hat Fly?

If you know THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, you know that they young lovers are brought together by a chance wind gust and an errant hat. So it was MST's challenge to create this moment in a theater without 40' ceilings and a rail system.

Technical director Mark Roberts was set to the task making this effect work. First attempt weren't the most successful.

Stage Manager Eva De La Cruz gives the hat trick a try during rehearsals for Main Street Theater's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.



Costumer Macy Perrone gives the hat trick a try herself.



So it was back to the drawing board to improve the effect for consistency. This is what it looks like now as Technical Director Mark Roberts presents the cast with a new and improved hat trick during technical rehearsals.





And that's the word on the street!