A tough act to follow

The Public Theater of San Antonio reveals showstopping slate for 2019-20 season

The Public Theater has revealed its marvelous 2019-20 lineup.

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater of San Antonio

An oversized elf and a magical nanny are among the characters that will soon come to San Antonio as part of The Public Theater’s 2019-20 season. At a party held at the Russell Hill Rogers Theater on February 10, the organization announced its latest crop of productions, including slew of Alamo City premieres.

According to a release, the season kicks off with family favorite Mary Poppins September 13-October 13. The musical, a co-production with Ballet San Antonio, pulls from both author P.L. Travers original stories and the 1964 Walt Disney film starring Julie Andrews.

Finishing out the holiday season, Santa makes a cameo appearance on the stage as Elf: The Musical running November 22-December 22.

A decidedly more adult performance of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder takes the spotlight January 31-February 23, 2020 in its first locally staged production. The 2014 Tony winner follows a young man’s lethal quest to become first in line for an inheritance.

Next, two San Antonio premieres heat up the 2020 season. Bluegrass stomper Bright Star, written by Steve Martin and New Bohemian Edie Brickell, runs March 27-April 19, 2020 and the famously shy titular character of Amélie breaks out in song May 15-June 7, 2020.

Rounding out the main season is Into the Woods from perpetual theater nerd favorite Stephen Sondheim. The clever take on classic fairy tales runs July 10-August 9, 2020.

The Public Theater also revealed its slate of smaller productions in the Cellar Theatre including:

First Date — October 13-November 17
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time — December 27-January 19
Admissions — February 28-March 22, 2020
Lonely Planet — April 24-May 10, 2020
More Better Beautiful —June 12-28, 2020
Fade —August 14-30, 2020

A trio of special shows and limited-edition runs was also announced. LGBTQ nightclub the Bonham Exchange hosts two interactive screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show October 25 and 26. World War I musical All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 heads to UTSA’s Buena Vista Theater December 12-22. And an all-youth cast brings Shrek Jr.: The Musical to the main Russell Hill Rogers stage June 25-28 and July 9-12, 2020.

A wide variety of subscriptions, including a family block that features tickets to Mary Poppins, Elf, and the current season’s Matilda, are on sale now. Until April 1, buyers purchasing one package will get the next half off and enjoy a $15 bar gift card.

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Stars from the Lone Star

Provocative San Antonio artist honored with 2025 Texas Medal of Arts

Photo courtesy of Donald Moffett via Texas Cultural Trust

Donald Moffett, a visual artist and activist who was born in San Antonio, is among the 2025 honorees.

The vastness of Texas lends itself to many things, including inspiring some of the county's best artists. Reflecting this, the Texas Cultural Trust has picked its 2025 honorees for the Texas Medal of Arts Awards (TMAA).

The 12th biennial awards ceremony will be held in Austin on February 25-26, 2025. According to a press release, it celebrates "individuals who have profoundly influenced Texas and beyond," and includes artists across literature, visual arts, film, music, and more.

San Antonio has one representative this year: multimedia visual artist Donald Moffett, who was born here and now lives in New York. Although all of the honorees have strong points of view, Moffett offers some of the most provocative works — for viewers who know how to look at them.

Moffett's style is largely abstract and sometimes explicit, tackling issues like the AIDS crisis, climate change, and political repression.

His courtroom drawings series Mr. Gay in the USA depicts the trial and sentencing of Ronald Gay, who committed a mass shooting in a gay bar in Roanoke, Virginia. In his multimedia series What Barbara Jordan Wore, he highlighted former U.S Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, a progressive Texas representative who was particularly famous for her opening statements in the impeachment of then-President Richard Nixon.

2025 Texas Medal of Arts Honorees include:

Terry Allen, Lubbock: Multimedia
Mercedes Bass, Fort Worth: Arts Patron/Individual
Gary Clark Jr., Austin: Music/Songwriter
Elizabeth Crook, Austin: Literary Arts
Sandy Duncan, New London: Musical Theatre
Richard Linklater, Houston: Film/Director
Donald Moffett, San Antonio: Visual Arts
Moody Foundation, Galveston: Arts Patron/Foundation
Texas Music Educators Association: Arts Education
Dennis Quaid, Houston: Film/Actor

They join 129 more honorees since 2001.

"Texans have left an indelible mark on the arts and culture landscape, creating a legacy that inspires future generations," said Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith in the release. “We are thrilled to celebrate these outstanding creative leaders at the 12th biennial Texas Medal of Arts Awards, reinforcing the importance of supporting the arts and creative sectors.”

The Texas Cultural Trust is a nonprofit that works toward increasing access and awareness of the arts across Texas. Two days of celebrations, brunch, dinner, an awards show, and more will be held at a private home, the Governor's Mansion, and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets ($150) are available via txct.org.

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