Arts Alive San Antonio

As you know, the performing arts have been hit hard by the pandemic, but the good news is that things are slowly but surely returning to a normal. The latest proof of this welcome development is a new announcement from the Public Theater of San Antonio about resuming the previously promoted season. Only one show, “A Bronx Tale – The Musical,” had to be sacrificed.

Here’s what’s coming up: “35mm: A Musical Exhibition” will start the new season format, opening March 25. It’s a multi-media musical, that combines music, song and photography. Songs tell “the stories” of the photos, originally taken by Matthew Murphy. Music & lyrics are by Ryan Scott Oliver.
(March 25-April 17). The season continues with “She loves Me” (May 20-June 12) and “Once on the Island: A Musical” (July 15-Aug. 7). {The Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W. Ashby Pl., 78212; 210-733-7258, boxoffice@thepublicsa.org}

The Classic Theater of San Antonio has also restarted its season, opening with the highly promising new drama/comedy, “Doll’s House Part 2” which picks up the story of Ibsen’s famous character, Nora, fifteen years after her dramatic exit from her husband’s house and her old life. One of San Antonio’s best-known actresses, Anna Gangai, is portraying the older, independent Nora. It sounds like a must-see to us! Performances take place outdoors, at the Botanical Garden, so bundle up! Also, bring your own folding chairs, although some will be available for purchase. (Thursdays-Fridays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. through March 27; San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston; tickets $24-$39 at www.classictheatre.org) To learn more about this show, read our story from Match 7, on this site.

At the Woodlawn Theater, the new production of “Hairspray” is in full swing. (Fridays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. through March 27; 1920 Fredericksburg Rd., 210-267-8388, info@woodlawntheatre.org) And at the Overtime Theater, they have extended their popular show “The Scriptless Sleuths” – described as “a fully improvised murder mystery” – through March 12. (5409 Bandera Rd. (close to Loop 410), Suite 205; tickets $12; 210-557-7562, www.theovertimetheater.org)

The Extended Run Players, a company of experienced San Antonio thespians who now present plays in a reader’s theater format, will present “Spoon River Anthology” by Edgar Lee Masters. The play consists of a collection of short free-verse poems that collectively narrate the story of departed community members from a small Illinois town, essentially weaving together a portrait of rural life in that part of the country. (March 11 at 7 p.m. & March 12 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Seddon Hall. Music Building, University of the Incarnate word, 4302 Broadway; $10 at the door; 210-884-0965, 310babs@gmail.com)

There’s excitement at the Majestic Theater, too, but no drama. The legendary Temptations, sometimes referred to as “American Music Royalty” will perform on the Majestic’s stage Friday, March 11, with The Four Tops. And singer/songwriter, Jose Maria Napoleon, will follow on Saturday. Very popular in Mexico and Latin America, he is known for blending mariachi, rancheras and boleros styles with orchestral and rock elements and melodies.

And get this: Bob Dylan will be on that same stage March 13 & 14. There are still some tickets left. To top this great lineup, RBT’s “Swan Lake” will light up that same ornate theater March 17. RBT, short for Russian Ballet Theater, is a fairly new U.S. company, founded in 2015 to present new productions of the fabulous Russian classics throughout the world. The show features a cast of 50 dancers from ten different countries, and the “lovingly retouched” choreography of the 19th century originals. (Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; for ticket prices for the above-mentioned shows, call the box office at 210-226-333 or info@majesticempire.com; www.majesticempire.com)

He may not be as well-known as the performers mentioned above, but he should be. And the Carver Center, is giving San Antonians a great opportunity to do just that – get to know Gabriel Royal, a truly unique performer/songwriter who was “discovered” while playing his cello in the New York subway for the enjoyment of commuters. He has come a long way since then, now performing in fancy clubs and real theaters. Royal’s music is eloquent, moving and unusual, as he combines voice and cello, a very rare coupling. (March 18, at 8 p.m.; Carver Community Cultural Center,226 N. Hackberry; tickets $29; 210-207-7211, www.thecarver.org/event/gabriel-royal-21-22-season/)

Things are pretty quiet at the Tobin Center this weekend, but there is one concert you are likely to enjoy: The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus presenting “America the Beautiful, a musical and visual journey. (March 14 at 7 p.m.; free tickets with a limit of four)

And there will be a free screening of “Life of Pi” Friday on the Will Naylor Smith Plaza. That’s the story of the boy who survives a trip across the ocean with a tiger, originally told in a novel by Yann Martel. (Plaza opens 6 p.m., movie at 7 p.m.; bring folding chairs.)

And if you are in the mood for some good country sound, you’ll always find it at the John T. Floore’s Country Store in Old Helotes. One event that attracted our attention is Saturday’s appearance by William Clark Green. He will be preceded by Shaker Hymns at 7:45 p.m. and Giovannie & the Hired Guns at 8:45 p.m. (14492 Old Bandera Rd., Helotes, 78203; tickets $35 – $75; 210-695-8827, www.liveatfloores.com)

More Country and Americana music will be center stage at The Lonesome Rose, this Saturday, when the talented Tyler Gummersall steps up to the microphone at 9 p.m. His songs enjoy radio play across the U.S. and he has recorded six or seven albums, including “Heartbreak College” that came out in 2020. (The Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St Mary’s St., 78212; 210-455-0233, www.thelonesomerose.com)

March is Contemporary Art Month in San Antonio and there are a number of special exhibits to see. One – referred to as CAM Perennial: “Interior Realities” – has two parts, one at the Southwest School of Art (300 Augusta St.), and the other at Sala Diaz (517 Stieren St.) Curated by guest curator, Lauren Cross, the entire project showcases the work of 17 San Antonio artists. There are five at Sala Diaz: Raul Rene Gonzalez, Sara Corley Martinez, Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray, Martin C. Rodriguez and Hannah Hurricane Sanchez.  At the larger, Southwest School of Art gallery, you’ll see the work of 12 artists, including Juan Escobedo, Patty Ortiz, Anthony Frances, Barbara Minarro, Doerte Weber and others. The Sala Diaz show will be on view through April 20, while the SSA exhibit closes on April 6.

Raul Rene Gonzalez, whose work is in the Sala Diaz display, also happens to be the director of the small Clamp Light Studios and Gallery, which is having its own juried exhibit for CAM. Gonzalez said a call was issued for entries and more than 50 submissions were received. Twenty-three were selected for the exhibit, named “Here and There,” which also involves the neighboring Bright Coffee space. Among this group of artists are Kim Bishop, Cat Cadena, Jorge Palacios and Daniela Oliver. (Official opening is Friday, March 11, 6-9 p.m.; free to the public; 1704 and 1705 Blanco Rd., on view through April 2.)

The Presa House Gallery is another active art venue. It has just opened Houston-based artist, Veronica Gaona’s exhibit “In Search of a Better Death.” It’s a title that makes you pause in surprise. Gaona’s art focuses on migrant workers, asylum seekers and border dwellers, says the announcement on the gallery’s site. In other words, folks who are displaced and unsettled, as we are seeing these days on our TV screens daily. Upsetting images! Gaona’s art exists at the intersection of digital media, sculpture and installation. (725 S. Presa; official opening Saturday, March 12; on view through March 26; free; www.presahouse.com)