Arts Alive San Antonio

Fans of the talented Stephen Sondheim, who has made a huge impact on the American theater scene with such musicals as “Into the Woods,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “A Little Night Music,” will be pleased to hear about the new show at  The Public Theater of San Antonio – Sondheim’s musical titled “Merrily We Roll Along.” Sondheim wrote the music and the lyrics for it. The story is based on a 1934 play by George Kaufman and Moses Hart.

The unusual thing about the show is that the story is told backwards, from the present to the past, tracing the lives of three friends – wealthy jaded composer, Franklin Shepard, theater critic, Mary Flynn, and lyricist/ playwright Charley Kringas. When the play opens, we see them in middle age as successful but disillusioned pros. And at the end we see them as they were 20 years before.

The Public’s production is directed by Jenny Lavery, and the three friends are portrayed by Tyler Galindo, Isidoro Medina, and Kayla Hernandez. (Opens Aug. 4 and runs through Aug. 20, San Pedro Playhouse; 800 W. Ashby; 210-733-7258; ticket prices vary, and there’s even pay-what-you-wish night; https://thepublicsa.org; boxoffice@thepublicsa.org)

Two shorter plays are still playing at the Overtime Theater: “Thea’s Window to the World,” an original play by Marcie Semilof (through Aug. 12), and “The Wise Women” by Nelson Clark, also a new play which will run through Aug. 5. (Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Rd, Ste 205, 78238; 210-557-7562,
http://theovertimetheater.org)

Only a couple of performances remain of “The Lightning Thief,” The Percy Jackson Musical at the Magik Theatre. The show is an adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestseller, many youngsters have loved. (Fri. at 7p.m.; Sat. at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.; Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo, 78205; 210-227-2751, www.magiktheatre.org)

The Magik has also announced its upcoming season which will include “The Velveteen Rabbit,” and several book adaptations, such as, “Carmela Full of Wishes,” “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” and “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant).” You can buy season subscriptions by phone and in person at the Box Office. (Address above)

The Harlequin Theater is bringing back its summer show, Vinyl Vault, celebrating music of the 1970s, including Dolly Parton and Fleetwood Mac. (Fridays-Saturdays through Aug. 19; Fort Sam Theater, 2472 Stanley Rd.; $10-$22; via Facebook: The Harlequin.

Speaking of season announcements, YOSA, The Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, has announced its season, as well. It will start with “Music from the Movies” (Oct. 29); followed by “American Rhapsodies”
(Jan. 28, 2024), and “Wild Symphony” (May 12, 2024); All will be performed by the YOSA Philharmonic, the most advanced players. (For more info and to buy a subscription, visit www.yosa.org)

On the pop/rock scene, there is “One Night of Queen,” at the Tobin Center. The music will be performed by Gary Mullen & The Works as they pay tribute to the stage showmanship of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees – Queen. In 2000, Mullen won the Granada TV program “Stars in their Eyes” with his performance as Queene lead singer, Freddie Mercury. He has performed at more than 2,500 live shows to audiences in more than 20 countries. (Aug. 4 at 8 p.m., Tobin Center; tickets start at $35.; 210-223-8624, tickets@tobincenter.org)

More rock at the Majestic Theater will follow, featuring Enrique Guzman’s Tour Immortales del Rock & Rock. (Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.; 224 East Houston; tickets are $49 -$144, 210-226-3333; www.majesticempire.com)

On the same day, the country music band, Shane Smith & the Saints, will take over the Whitewater Amphitheater. A high energy act, Smith follows in the footsteps of songwriters like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hayes Carel and Chris Stapleton. (11860 FM 306, New Braunfels; 830-964-3800, www.whitewaterrocks.com)

Many San Antonians are not aware of the existence of Jazz Texas, a jazz bar owned by jazz virtuoso, Doc Watkins. You can also dine there while enjoying first-class jazz and blues. (312 Pearl Parkway, building 6, Suite 6001, 78215, in the Pearl Complex on Broadway. (Fri-Sat 6-11 p.m. p.m.; other days until 10 p.m.; closed Sunday.; www.jazztx.com)

Like jazz, the Americana genre is American-born. The Jordan Minor Band will perform at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. (Aug. 6, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.; Matt Kirk & the Gueyfarers take over at 5 p.m. Gruene Hall, 1281, Gruene Rd.; free)

At the Aztec Theatre, you have a chance to see the Yacht Rock Revue, a band that also refers to itself as “Hot Dads in Tight Jeans.” (Aug. 4 at 8 p.m.; Aztec Theater, 104 N. St. Mary’s St.; 210-812-4355; tickets through Ticketmaster, starting at $35; https://www.theaztectheatre.com)

Fiesta Noche del Rio, the colorful showcase of Mexican music and dancing – with some flamenco mixed in – at the Arneson River Theater, will have its final show on Aug. 5. It’s a feel-good entertainment on San Antonio’s Riverwalk. (You can buy tickets at HEB stores or online. Sponsored by the Alamo Kiwanis Club; http://fiestanochesa.com/)

San Antonio Zoo’s “Jungle Boogie – Latin Nights” will also have its final night on Aug. 5. (Some unseen authority must have decided that summer ends on Aug. 5!) “The music gets hot as the zoo transforms into the destination for unforgettable Latin-infused Saturday nights.” The bands are Mike and The Iconiczz and La Calma. (Free for members, included in admission price for all others).

Another free summer music program, Summer Night City, concluded its series Aug. 3

 The Mariachi Extravaganza organization that supports education and performance of mariachi music and sponsors the annual Mariachi Extravaganza festival in San Antonio, has announced a new artistic director for 2023: Jonathan Palomar – who was one the lead vocalists and guitarists with Mexico’s premier mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Vargas Tecalitlan. His duties start this month. He is taking a sabbatical from performing with Mariachi Vargas.

The only new art exhibit at this time is SA to SA, presented by the city’s Department of Arts and Culture. It will officially open in a few days. It’s described as “An exhibition of Pan-American Documentary Photography,” and it’s installed at the Centro de Artes in Market Square. The first SA refers to South America, and the second to San Antonio. Curated by Guillermina Zabala, the show “encapsulates the astonishing power of documentary photography as a direct representation of our realities and as a force of social change.” The exhibit features 180 works from 20 award-winning Latin American photographers.
(Opens Aug. 11.)

The Texas Watercolor Society 74^th National Exhibit is currently on view until Aug. 11. The society was founded in 1949. This show was curated by Iain Stewart, a multiple award winner and art teacher. (Kelso Art Center, Semmes and Condos Galleries, on the campus of the UIW. Open 10a.m. to 5 p.m. on most days, Saturdays until 2 p.m.)

                                                                 Museum News

The San Antonio Art League and Museum – SAALM – is inviting its members ‘To delve into the rich tapestry of Texas landscapes and interpret them in (their) unique artistic style.” All media are welcome, from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media. Artists who are not members may decide to become members to be able to enter. Nov. 17 is the deadline for submissions. Harold Joiner, architect and gallery director of the Archway Gallery in Houston will serve as juror. Winners win cash prizes in addition to glory. (www.saalm.org, 210-223-1140)  

You can visit with artist Carlos Rosales-Silva as he works on his latest installation at the San Antonio Museum of Art’s Great Hall. (Aug. 13, select hours; www.samuseum.org/programs-events) Also at SAMA, Japanese “most highly esteemed” bamboo artist, Tanaka Kyokusho will lead demonstrations in connection with Creative Splendor: Japanese Bamboo Baskets from the Thoma Collection. (Aug 4 & 5, 1-3 p.m. in the Great Hall. Artist Q&A during selected times; 200 W. Jones Ave.; www.samuseum.org.

The Witte Museum has put on display the recently uncovered Battle of Medina artifacts, including recently excavated musket balls and lead sprue. This battle took place in 1813 and little has been known about it. The battlefield was kind of hidden for more than a century.  That seems improbable but it actually happened. You can now see these new discoveries, learn about the significance of the battle and understand the process used to uncover and analyze these artifacts. (On display now at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway; 210-357-1900, www.wittemuseum.org)

The McNay Art Museum has been quiet for months but it has recently hired a new Communications and Marketing manager, Claudia Gomez, who let us know about some new developments. More about it soon! It has to do with “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

No nightmares at the Briscoe.  They are gearing up for a party – Sips and Sounds of the West, a night of live music, outdoor, in the museum’s Sculpture Garden. The classic country cover band, The Texases will entertain. You can also stay inside in the air-conditioned museum and look at the museum’s collection of Western art. The ticketed event begins at 6:30 p.m., with music starting at 7 p.m.; Food and drinks will be served until 9 p.m.; $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. The event is for ages 18 and older. Tickets will be sold at the door “as available.” (Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.; Briscoe Museum, 210 W. Market St.; 210-299-4499; for details and tickets go to: https://www.briscoemuseum.org)

“The Quilt: A Living history of African-American Music” will have a second screening at the San Antonio Film Festival. (Aug. 5 at 7 a.m., Alvarez Studio Theater, Tobin Center; tickets are $14.99 at Tobin’s box office. (100 Auditorium Circle; 210-223-8624; tickets@tobincenter.org)