The Answer My Friend, is Blowing in the Wind...

Many audience members have commented on the soundtrack for Lans Traverse’s DRIFTWOOD, now having its world premiere at Main Street Theater.

Sound designer Janel Badrina sent us some of her sources for the bluegrass, country, swing and gospel music of the 1930s-1950s.

Oklahoma Hills by Jack Guthrie

Can the Circle Be Unbroken?: Country Music’s First Family by the Carter Family

Swing From Paris by Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli

The Essential Bob Wills 1935 – 1947 by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

The Best of the Andrews Sisters by The Andrews Sisters

Blues Stay Away from Me by the Delmore Brothers

Selected Sides 1947 – 1953 by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers

Born to Lose by Ted Daffan and His Texans

Molly O'Day and the Cumberland Mountain Folks

DRIFTWOOD plays at our Rice Village Location through April 24. Some performances are sold out, so don't delay when getting your tickets!

And that's the word on the street!

The Origins of Driftwood

Playwright Lans Traverse and director Cheryl L. Kaplan give us some great insight and background on MST's world premiere of DRIFTWOOD. Based in both family fact and fiction of the imagination, an Oklahoma family deals with the worst economic downturn of the last century!

DRIFTWOOD plays at our Rice Village Location April 1 - April 24.

And that's the word on the street!

The Show Must Go On!

Below is the set model of the Up Right Corner of our Rice Village Theater (as designed by Jodi Bobrovsky) for Sophie Treadwell's Machinal.

Set Model

Seems simple enough, yes? Couple of walls, shaded windows and a door. Well, this weekend, during previews, it wasn't so simple!

Somehow, the door went past its closing point during Sunday afternoon's preview and could not be opened normally. A couple of actors had to force it open the wrong way just to get off stage. Shortly after, with some quick thinking from Technical Director (and Machinal Actor) Mark Roberts, the door was quickly pried off at the hinges and stowed back stage! After all, the show must got on, right?

Today, all is well. Door is restored and problem fixed in anticipation of Thursday's opening night.

MACHINAL (along with Caryl Churchill's Houston Premiere of A NUMBER) plays the Rice Village location now through March 19th. Tickets are only $10 for the final preview this Wednesday the 17th!

And that's the word on the street!

Junie B. Jones is Back!

Junie B. Jones returns to MST this week with an all new production of Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. To give you a sneak peek of what to expect, take a look at the set and costume renderings by the wonderfully talented Meghan C. Hakes (Sets) and Macy Perrone (Costumes).

Set Model


Costume Renderings

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business plays on the Theater for Youth stage at our Chelsea Market location on Saturdays at 1pm and 4pm, February 13th - March 27th. Special Spring Break performances March 15th - 18th at 11:30am.

Target Family Day on Friday, March 19th. All tickets are 2 for 1! Special pre-show activities begin at 10:30am with snacks provided by Target.

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Celeste Roberts

She may play one of the greatest Diva's of all time on stage, but off stage Celeste is far from it. A busy mother of two she balances acting, recruiting and schooling and still manages to simply wow us with her performance as Maria Callas in MASTER CLASS. Get to know a little more about Celeste as she answers MST's Q&A...

Full given name: Celeste Cheramie Roberts

Hometown: New Orleans, La.

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Audition Monologue/Song: What? Argh…The claw from Search and Destroy and “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady. And don’t even ask when is the last time I did those!

Special skills: What? Acting? Maybe? Ok, I can sing and dance but nobody every really asks me to. Oh and I’m a decent recruiter. You know, the “day job”.

First Houston show ever saw: The Heidi Chronicles at MST. Made me want to act again and especially on the MST stage.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Master Class :>

Favorite show tune: Oklahoma, “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”

MAC or PC? PC, MAC is way too expensive

Most played song on your iPod: Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata

Last book you read: Kate Chopin, The Awakening (for like the fourth time! Depressing but oh so worth it)

Must-see TV show: Anything on The History Channel

Last good movie you saw: The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock and I loved it!!

Favorite board game: Pictionary

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Meryl Streep

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Taylor Swift

First stage kiss: Ugh! Not even worth mentioning.

Favorite post-show meal: Wine with everything!

Worst onstage mishap: Opening my mouth to say my line and no sound comes out, during An Ideal Husband on stage with Erica Garrison. I left the stage to get water and she thought I’d simply left!

Worst costume ever: Must we do this? Ok, probably the 80’s red satin prom dress/supposed to be early 1900 period costume with a scarf draped round the top just in case anyone was paying close attention in Experiment with an Air Pump. Hope the costumer isn’t reading this? And it wasn’t Becky so I know I’m kinda safe here.

Favorite cereal: Granola

Who would play you in the movie? Maria Callas

Worst job you ever had: Washing police cars at the Mississippi River Bridge Authority. Ugh!

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Murphy’s Deli commercial where I got to copy the famous When Harry Met Sally line: “I’ll have what she’s having”. Though not nearly as good as the movie’s bit.

MASTER CLASS is playing a limited engagement at our Chelsea Market location, now through January 24th. You will not want to miss one of Houston's favorite actresses in a performance of a lifetime!

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Kathryn Noser

If you have been to the Theater for Youth this year, you have seen Kathryn Noser. Whether playing a chicken, a snooty pre-teen or redefining what it means to be an angel in a Christmas pageant, she has lit up our Chelsea Market stage. This Spring you will enjoy Kathryn as the preening princess Lucille in JUNIE B. JONES AND A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS! Get to know a little more about Kathryn as she answers MST's Q&A...

Full given name: Kathryn Sue Noser

Hometown: Houston, TX

Zodiac sign: Scorpio

Audition Monologue/Song: an excerpt from My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life, Song - Notice Me Horton (from Seussical).

Special skills: ummm... I can touch my tongue with my nose... Is that special? I also make really funny faces.

First Houston show ever saw: Way too long ago to remember what show - but it was at Company OnStage theatre.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Spring Awakening, Wicked

Favorite show tune: Defying Gravity

MAC or PC? I like both, but currently have an iMac.

Most played song on your iPod: don't have an iPod!

Last book you read: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Must-see TV show: NCIS and So You Think You Can Dance

Last good movie you saw: The Blindside

Favorite board game: Pictionary

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Jason Mraz

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Reality TV

First stage kiss: Still waiting for my first kiss.

Favorite post-show meal: Burgers or Mexican food

Worst onstage mishap: I was a featured dancer in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in high school. My dance partner and I went up into a lift and he lost his balance and fell. Fortunately, he did his best to catch me and kept me from hitting the ground too hard.

Worst costume ever: I can't think of one I hated. I've had a lot of fun costumes... I seem to be bird-like. I've played a bird 3 times!

Favorite cereal: Cheerios

Who would play you in the movie? Sarah Jessica Parker

Worst job you ever had: In college I worked for the Great American Cookie Company, it was fun, but - I couldn't eat cookies for years after that!

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Web commercial for Gordon & Elias Attorneys At Law - I got to work with my 6 year old niece on that commercial. It was so much fun to work together!

Tickets are on sale now for JUNIE B. JONES AND A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS. Don't forget you can get Two for One tickets on Target Family Day, Friday, March 19th at 11:30am!

And that's the word on the street!

Read More About It: Jewish Life in the South

Director of Education Troy Scheid recommends the following books about the Jewish experience in the South.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry
The play’s biggest fans should pick up a copy of the published script!

Driving Miss Daisy (Special Edition)
Based on what is perhaps Alfred Uhry’s best-known play, the 1990 film version of Driving Miss Daisy starred Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy and is considered a modern classic. The story of the evolution of a friendship between an independent white Southern woman and her African-American chauffeur won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress for Tandy. (Freeman was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar and Dan Aykroyd for Best Supporting Actor.)

Jewish Roots in Southern Soil: A New History (Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture and Life) edited by Marcie Ferris
Produced as part of the Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Jewish Roots provides a closer look at many facets of the history of Jews in the American South, starting with the first Jewish settlers in 1730. Comprised of thirteen essays, the book explores such diverse topics as American Jewish women writers, relations between the African-American and Jewish communities, and Jewish Confederates.

Shalom Y'All: Images of Jewish Life in the American South by Vicki Reikes Fox (author) and Bill Aron (photographer)
With a focus on Mississippi and Louisiana, though touching on many Southern states, this book explores the religion and daily life of Southern Jews in black-and-white photographs. Featuring a foreword by Alfred Uhry.

Matzoh Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South by Marcie Cohen Ferris
According to the author, “The most tangible way to understand Jewish history and culture in the South is at the dinner table.” Ferris (a native Arkansan and cultural historian), interleafs family stories with kosher recipes at the intersection of Souther and Jewish foodways, from “Pesach Fried Green Tomatoes” to “Br’er Rabbit Molasses Cookies” and “Dirty Matzoh Dressing.”

Caroline, Or Change (2004 Original Broadway Cast) Book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori
This recent musical (produced by Main Street Theater in 2008) by another Southern Jewish author of renown, Tony Kushner, dramatizes the author’s memories of his relationship with the family’s housekeeper in 1960s Louisiana. The original Broadway cast recording features Tonya Pinkins as Caroline.

The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket
Lemony Snicket, the author of the acclaimed “Series of Unfortunate Events” books, has written this insightful holiday story for audiences of all ages and faiths—as long as they have a wicked sense of humor. Why won’t the latke stop screaming? It comes into the world surrounded by twinkling lights, candy canes, and a pine tree. None of these Christmas accessories understand the latke’s attempts to explain the history and meaning of Hanukkah. If you know the story of the Gingerbread Man, you can guess the latke’s fate—but before he meets it, he is able to impress on his audience his life’s purpose: that Hanukkah is not the “Jewish Christmas” but a separate and unique holiday.

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, still playing at our Rice Village location, has been extended (AGAIN!) through December 27th! Don't miss out on the family holiday hit. The show about a Jewish family in the South at Christmastime must close on the 27th!

And that's the word on the street!

Taking a Look Back

Can you believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away? The season is already just about half gone! I thought it might be nice to take a quick look back at the 09-10 Season thus far.

The House of the Spirits


Alexander Garza and Eva De La Cruz


Chelsea McCrudy and Alexander Garza


Rosarito Rodriguez and Seán Patrick Judge

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type


Alan Hall, Katie Harrison, Micah Stinson, Rebecca Cansler and Kathryn Noser


Kathryn Noser, Micah Stinson and Katie Harrison


Kathryn Noser, Katie Harrision and Rebecca Cansler

The Afternoon of the Elves


Alison Coriell, Sarah Beth Roberts, Katie Harrision and Kathryn Noser


Alison Coriell and Jared Carlin


Alison Coriell and Katie Harrison

The Last Night of Ballyhoo


Jamie Gieger and Bethany McCade


Rebecca Greene Udden, Liz Cascio and Matt Tramel


The Cast of The Last Night of Ballyhoo

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, still playing at our Rice Village location, has been extended through December 20th! We hope to see you for the rest of the season!

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Liz Cascio

You might remember Liz Cascio as a member of the quick changing ensemble last season in The Light in the Piazza, or maybe she was your child's teacher recently for our KOS classes. Tonight Liz takes a bow as the Gone with the Wind obsessed Lala Levy in MST's revival of THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO! Get to know a little more about Liz as she answers MST's Q&A...

Full given name: Elizabeth Anne Cascio

Hometown: Orange, TX

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Audition Monologue/Song: "Rosa" from The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams and "I Wish I Were In Love Again" from Babes in Arms

Special skills: Classically trained soprano who can turn any hip-hop song into an operatic aria

First Houston show ever saw: Les Miserables at Jones Hall when I was in the Second Grade

Current show you have been recommending to friends: The Last Night of Ballyhoo at Main Street Theater, of course.

Favorite show tune: "Being Alive" from Company

MAC or PC? PC

Most played song on your iPod: "Life is Wonderful" by Jason Mraz

Last book you read: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Must-see TV show: The Tudors

Last good movie you saw: District Nine

Favorite board game: Celebrity

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Audra McDonald

Pop culture guilty pleasure: I love to watch old '90s reruns, like Full House and Saved by the Bell. My boyfriend hates it.

First stage kiss: 6th Grade, Brent Kyle in Sagebrush, essentially a knock-off of Oklahoma. He played Willie White and I played Sarah Allgood. It was quality.

Favorite post-show meal: Anything deep fried and a beer. I'm a Southern girl, after all.

Worst onstage mishap: Falling down a flight of stairs center stage at the very beginning of a morning matinee of Seussical. The kids kept laughing about it for like five minutes.

Worst costume ever: A turquoise blue unitard and a swim cap with giant sequins hanging from it. Seussical, again.

Favorite cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Who would play you in the movie? Parker Posey

Worst job you ever had: Retail during Christmas season. I was actually thankful that I got mono, so that I could quit.

Liz and the rest of the hysterical ensemble cast have delighted one sold out performance after another, and that was only previews! This weekend is already sold out, so don't delay in getting your tickets for this holiday charmer. THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, originally set to close December 12th, has been extended through December 20th to meet demand. Playing at our Rice Village location. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

Stuart Little Hits the Road

MST's touring production of STUART LITTLE presented its first performance today in Huntsville! Here is a little peek as to how Set Designer Jeff Lane, Scenic Artist Meghan Hakes, and Costume Designer Macy Perrone will transform the school stage into Stuart's world.

STUART LITTLE will be touring throughout Texas this fall and spring. For more information about how to bring this charming production to your school or community center, contact Lauren Smith at 713-524-9196 x105, or visit the web site and complete a request form online.

And if you can't bring us to you, the touring production will have a special presentation in the summer of 2010 at our Chelsea Market location. Look out for information on that this spring!

And that's the word on the street!