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Casa Mañana finishes its 2025-26 Children’s Theatre Season with The SpongeBob Musical: Theatre for Young Audiences Edition, presented by TexasBank and sponsored by Frank Kent Cadillac: powered by Autobahn. The show runs March 21 – April 12 and is suitable for all audiences. Tickets are on sale now.

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West Side Story follows Tony and Maria, two young lovers torn apart by a bitter feud between the Jets and the Sharks. With Leonard Bernstein’s soaring score and Stephen Sondheim’s unforgettable lyrics, West Side Story delivers breathtaking dance, drama, and an emotional journey that still resonates nearly 70 years since its premiere.

West Side Story stars Alex Benoit (The Notebook on Broadway) as Tony, Addie Morales (Les Misérables National Tour) as Maria, Gaby Albo (Six National Tour) as Anita, Yurel Echezarreta (Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story) as Bernardo, and RJ Higton (The Outsiders Original Broadway Cast) as Riff.

Additional cast includes Syndey Alie as Velma, Jack Bianchi as Action, Henry Cawood as Big Deal, Bennett Cooper as Snow Boy, Alyssa Evans as Graziella, Julia Fleckenstein as Anybodys, Nick Nazarro as Diesel, David Postlewate as Baby John, Caleb Sporrer as A Rab, Payton Zemaitis as Minnie, Amber Marie Flores as Francesca, Alex Haquia as Indio, Paulo Hernandez-Farella as Anxious, Abriela Rodriguez as Consuela, Oscar Antonio Rodriguez as Pepe, Rodolfo Santamarina as Luis, Daniel Vanegas as Chino, Sofi Warren as Rosalia, David Coffee as Doc, Bob Reed as Lt. Schrank, and Zach Sutton as Officer Krupke/Gladhand.

Parker Esse is Director and Choreographer. Esse was Director and Choreographer for Casa Mañana’s recent production of CATS. After performing on Broadway in the Tony-winning Fosse, Esse was associate for Broadway’s Finian’s Rainbow, A Tale of Two Cities, Follies (Pre-Broadway) and 5 Encores! (City Center). His credits as a Choreographer include: Oklahoma! 50th Anniversary (Arena Stage), Sondheim and Marsalis’ A Bed and a Chair (City Center Encores!); Ed Mirvish (Toronto), Arena Stage (18 productions), Goodspeed Musicals (9 Productions), Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera, Omaha Symphony/NBC Holiday Televised Specials, Lyrics and Lyricists 92nd St Y, York Theatre, Signature, Ogunquit, Buck’s County, and The Rev. His recent credits include: Light in the Piazza (City Center Encores!), West Side Story (Muny), Fiddler on the Roof (Muny & Paper Mill Playhouse), Beautiful (Fulton Theatre), A Chorus Line (Goodspeed Musicals).

Phil Reno is Music Director and Conductor. His Broadway credits include: Something Rotten!; Elf!; Promises, Promises; The Drowsy Chaperone; Thou Shalt Not; The Producers; Dame Edna; The Royal Tour and Back with a Vengeance; Cats. Six seasons conducting the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. National: Joseph… (With Donny Osmond), original company Music of the Night, Starlight Express, Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity. Two-time Grammy nominee as producer of the Something Rotten! And The Drowsy Chaperone cast recordings.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Alex Benoit (Tony) has been recently seen on Broadway in The Notebook. TV credits: Chicago Fire, Chicago PD. Regional credits: West Side Story (Broadway Sacramento); The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare); Into the Woods (Writers Theatre); Beautiful…, A Chorus Line, Matilda, Mamma Mia! (Drury Lane Theatre); School of Rock (Paramount Theatre). 2019 Chicago Tribune: 10 Actors to Watch.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Addie Morales (Maria) has been seen recently in the National Tours of Les Misérables and Austen’s Pride. She was last seen at Casa Mañana in Steel Magnolias and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Select credits: West Side Story (Barrington Stage Company – Berkshire Theatre Award), In The Heights (Cleveland Playhouse), The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre), and American Mariachi (Two River Theater).

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Gaby Albo (Anita) has toured as Gloria Estefan (On Your Feet) and Anne Boleyn (Six), earning Helen Hayes Awards for both. Other credits include Evita, Aladdin, A Chorus Line, and Cats, as well as being The Voice México semifinalist.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

Yurel Echezarreta (Bernardo) has been seen on Broadway in West Side Story, La Cage Aux Folles, Matilda, Aladdin, Head Over Heels, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. His film and television work includes Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, The Last Five Years starring Anna Kendrick, HBO’s Barry, Comedy Central’s Alternatino, and Bravo’s Odd Mom Out. His regional credits include Pasadena Playhouse’s Head Over Heels and the Hollywood Bowl’s Kinky Boots, among others. Echezarreta reprised his role as Bernardo in West Side Story at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Muny, The Houston Grand Opera, and most recently at The Los Angeles Opera.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

RJ Higton (Riff/Understudy Tony) made his Broadway debut as Chet in the Tony Award-Winning Best Musical, The Outsiders (OBC). Select credits include: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5 (Amazon Prime).

Additional creative staff include Kristen Martino as scenic designer, Samuel Rushen as lighting designer, Allan Branson as sound designer, Tammy Spencer as costume designer, and Catherine Petty-Rogers as hair/wig/makeup designer.

West Side Story ticket prices start at $49 and can be purchased by visiting www.casamanana.org. Tickets are also available at the Casa Mañana Theatre Box Office, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth.

Performance dates and times are as follows: Friday, October 31 at 7pm (Preview Performance), Saturday, November 1 at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday, November 2 at 2pm, Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30pm*, Wednesday, November 5 at 7:30pm, Thursday, November 6 at 7:30pm, Friday, November 7 at 8pm, Saturday, November 8 at 2 pm and 8pm, and Sunday, November 9 at 2pm.

*This performance includes ASL interpretation.

West Side Story is presented by Frank Kent Cadillac and sponsored by GM Financial.

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This hilarious and heartfelt adaptation of Barbara Park’s best-selling books brings Junie B.’s adventures to life on stage. In this story, it’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot has changed since last year. Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

Junie B. Jones, The Musical stars Lily Gast* as Junie B. Jones, Dylan Ciminna* as Mr. Scary/Daddy/Mrs. Gutzman, Kynzi Gumm-Harris as Lucille/Jose/Bobbi Jean Piper, Kathryn Jacobson* as May/Grace/Mother, Seth Paden* as Herb/Chenille and Tyler Ray Lewis* as Sheldon/Camille/Lennie.

Junie B. Jones, The Musical is directed by BJ Cleveland, choreographed by Laura West Strawser, and music directed by Jesse Fry. Additional creative staff include Samuel Rushen as lighting designer, Katie Dill as scenic designer, Allan Branson as sound designer, Tammy Spencer as costume designer and Catherine Petty-Rogers as hair, wig and makeup designer.

BJ Cleveland (Director) is celebrating 52 years under the Dome! He has directed Casa Mañana’s recent productions of Mary Poppins Jr., The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Beauty and the Beast, A Tuna Christmas and recently starred in Cinderella (Stepmother), Grease (Miss Lynch), and Matilda (Trunchbull). He has directed at WaterTower Theatre, Dallas Contemporary Theatre, Theatre Three, Dallas Children’s Theater, Mainstage Irving, and served as Theatre Arlington’s Artistic Director for 16 years and adjunct professor at UTA. He recently starred in Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit) for Lyric Stage and regional premieres of The Prom (Barry), The Producers (Max Bialystock), and originated the role of Chuck in Silver Foxes directed by Michael Urie. Cleveland’s TV credits include: The Facts of Life, BJ & Lester, host of The Disney Afternoon and the Discovery Channel’s Route 66. Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County and DFW Critics Circle.

Laura West Strawser’s (Choreographer) credits as a choreographer include Will Rogers Follies, The Producers, The Wedding Singer, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Footloose, Once on This Island, Rent at Casa Mañana, West Virginia Public Theatre, and Arts Council of Coastal Carolina. Her performance credits include the National Tours of Hello, Dolly!, Crazy For You, Funny Girl, Copacabana. Her regional performance credits include West Side Story, Gypsy, Anything Goes, South Pacific, Oklahoma!, Singin’ in the Rain at Trump Plaza, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! Strawser teaches at TCU in both Dance and Theatre and owns Fort Worth Classical Pilates.

Jesse Fry (Music Director) has been involved with shows at Casa Mañana for over ten years as a Music Director, keyboardist, and rehearsal pianist. Highlights have been Les Misérables, Newsies, Miss Saigon, The Producers, and JC Superstar to name a few. He is also the president and co-founder of “Trekorda: The Collaborative Musician’s Network” which connects professional musicians with those who need them.

Ticket prices start at $19 and may be purchased by visiting www.casamanana.org. Tickets are also available at the Casa Mañana Theatre Box Office, 3101 West Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth.

Junie B. Jones, The Musical performance dates and times are as follows: Saturday, October 4 at 1pm and 5pm, Sunday, October 5 at 11am and 3pm, Friday, October 10 at 7pm*, Saturday, October 11 at 1pm and 5pm, Sunday, October 12 at 11am** and 3pm, Saturday, October 18 at 1pm and 5pm, Sunday, October 19 at 11am and 3pm.

*This performance includes ASL interpretation.

**Casa Mañana continues its Sensory Friendly program with Junie B. Jones, The Musical’s performance on Sunday, October 12 at 11am. This performance features a more relaxed environment, including muted production elements such as sound and lights. A quiet room will be available to audience members. Additional details and resources are available on www.casamanana.org.

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photo credit: Justin Anderson

At 6:00 PM, 60s: Peace, Love & Casa Mañana kicked off with just under 300 attendees who dressed in their grooviest attire to exceed the night’s fundraising goal, with over $350,000 raised to go towards their mission to continue live performing arts in the Fort Worth community. Guests decked out in hippie flower dresses, bell bottoms and Lennon-esq purple sunglasses danced to Pete’s Dueling Pianos in the Claudia Stepp Grand Lobby, and were also treated to a special performance of The Music of Laurel Canyon in the Reid Cabaret, which runs through this Friday, April 16th for all who were not able to attend the gala. The event was catered by Chef Juan Rodriguez’s Magdalena’s. Co-Chairs for the event were Madolin Rosenthal and Kendall Kostohryz, and also in attendance was Fort Worth Councilmember Michael Crain. Rozanne Rosenthal, as well as Corrie Watson of Frank Kent Cadillac and Cadillac Wines were also seen enjoying the evening. President of Casa Mañana’s Board of Directors Dana McCallum was there mingling with guests, and told me that the night was fun and very successful.

Just down the road at 7:30 PM, I attended the Classically Cliburn Gala where around 575 attendees gathered in the Simmons Bank Pavilion at Dickies Arena for a joyous night of dinner and dancing to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Also delayed by the pandemic, the competition is set to take place this June 2-18 in Fort Worth.

Brent & Elisabeth Hyder
photo credit: Justin Anderson

The Cliburn Gala was co-chaired by Jennifer and Phillip Williamson, with honorary chairman Gail Rawl. The foyer of the Simmons Bank Pavilion was decked out with an antique carousel bar that took you right to New Orleans to the Hotel Monteleone. Seen before the dinner began were Elaine Agather and Cliburn president and CEO Jacques Marquis, as well as Thomas Smith and Brent and Elisabeth Hyder. Fort Worth artist Nancy Lamb wore a beautiful purple tulle dress and was seen taking her quintessential party photos as guests enjoyed cocktails before dinner.

Patrick Sheridan, partner at Bonds Ellis Eppich Schafer Jones LLP, has been a member of the Cliburn 180⁰ social group for arts-minded professions for the last five years and has attended all of the Cliburn Galas since then. Sheridan said that “The Cliburn really did a great job with the entry and transition into the open and beautiful dining area, and since Simmons Bank Pavilion at Dickies Arena is made of wrought iron with the glass up above, you could really feel the early 1900s opulence in the ballroom.”

Inside Simmons Bank Pavilion, the perimeter of the lavishly decorated dining room was adorned with French-green lattice crowning a white circular rendition of the iconic Cliburn piano-made-of-his-initials logo. The room was filled to the brim with sky-high arrangements from Three Branches Floral that jutted upwards to the clerestory, where one could gaze at the sky as the sunlight dwindled and the magic of the evening commenced.

Jacques Marquis & Jill Moser
photo credit: Justin Anderson

Ryan Lathan said “Hats off to the Cliburn and Kay Howell. Last Friday’s Gala was truly an unforgettable evening of NOLA flair and Fort Worth charm, an elegant night filled with some of the city’s most prominent philanthropists, cultural luminaries, and arts patrons. From that charming Carousel Bar to the powder-sugared beignets, every little detail was divine.”

Seen enjoying the fabulous evening was Mercedes Bass, Cami Goff, Rob Schumacher, Olivia Kearney, and Jane Weir, who has been a member of Cliburn 180⁰ for seven years and has attended five galas. WFAA anchor Meredith Land was also spotted enjoying the festivities. Towards the end of the evening near the carousel bar, I chatted with Christopher Darden, a comedian living in New York who flew in for the occasion.

Justin Anderson is an entrepreneur raised in the swamps of Houston who is passionate about connecting with people and making good food. After planting his stake in Fort Worth and attending TCU, he launched his second successful food brand, WOATS Oatsnack. Justin is the Olympics and Happenings Correspondent for Madeworthy, a longtime resident of downtown Fort Worth, and you can find his new Bel Air Ranch Herb & Spice Seasoning Rub in select fine meat markets in Fort Worth.

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Together, this group has demonstrated more than a wide-eyed passion for the performing arts — the team has put together a performance on the heels of Covid-19’s cataclysm, which consequentially cut their rehearsal time short by a full week.  Could have fooled me! The level of talent and dedication poured into every aspect of the show was not lacking, and for that, I have nothing but praise and appreciation for these cast members and their production team.

So, let’s talk about the show itself!

The musical dives right into the ill-fated end of the notorious Bonnie & Clyde, leaving a visceral image in your mind before the scene quickly transitions back to the unfolding of their lives. Each of their stories are presented alike; their disgruntled upbringing to later living in the throes of the Great Depression where we see their cumulative dream of something more in life. As a result, enticing the wrong and unlawful means to chase their own aspirations of wealth and fame.

Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana

It is quite the experience to see their story told in a way that goes beyond the dynamic fugitives’ chase, but also witness the impact of their choices to those around them. Its immersive and fascinating to be sure.

Throughout the show, there’s a little bit of everything — light-hearted comedy, romance, high energy, and tragedy all wrapped up in one. The ensemble members, individually and as a group portray all those components seamlessly with powerful vocals and energetic stage presence, leaving each character story valued and believable.

Indisputably, leading actors Maya Michalski, as Bonnie Parker, and Tristin Thomas, as Clyde Barrow, conveyed their roles of criminal lovers well. Each delivered excellent chemistry as well as a dynamic interpretation of their character’s inner misguided recklessness and personal turbulence. Additionally, I was moved by Michalski’s versatile voice, blending a warm and bluesy tonality that defined the sultry ‘femme fatale’ image assigned to Bonnie. Equally, Thomas harnessed his character through his singing that not only complemented Clyde’s swaggering tendencies, but he also bellowed an impressive and technically balanced range.

As someone who grew up and worked in the theatre, I can say nothing but praise for the whole production team and their hard work to put together a brilliant and energetic musical experience. I look forward to future opportunities to see them perform and to continue my support of the local theatre industry.

The musical will have its final show on August 8^th at 2PM. If you missed your chance to attend, Casa has more exciting shows to come that you will not want to miss. Visit their website for a full calendar of events and tickets: Casa Mañana Theatre –  Broadway & Children’s Theatre (casamanana.org)

Gretta Hendricks is a multidisciplinary creative who has been a chocolatier, baker, birth-doula, performance artist, and freelance writer, although her favorite job to-date has been becoming a first-time mama to her beautiful rainbow baby, Ofelia, born in January of 2020. Gretta has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember and is passionately interested in the ways she can both learn and share from the art of storytelling. Alongside her husband and daughter, she loves living in and exploring Fort Worth as well as pouring into her church and local community.

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A ghost light is a single bulb that is left burning on stage when a theater is unoccupied. Practically speaking, a ghost light is for safety. The bulb makes sure nobody is hurt in an otherwise dark theater. But theater people are a superstitious lot, and many claim that the ghost light is to appease the theater’s ghosts, giving them light to perform.

As the COVID pandemic forced theaters to close, the ghost light became a symbol of hope for actors, crew, theater staff, and theatergoers. It was, literally and figuratively, a beam of light in the darkness of the pandemic. It was a promise that one day, we would get to experience the joy of live theater again.

Like every theater, Fort Worth’s Casa Mañana has been hit hard by the pandemic. The Save Our Stages Act, passed by Congress in December of 2020, helps theaters pay the bills, but that’s not the point. The whole reason for theaters is to create a space for people to come together to experience something that cannot be experienced through a screen. And while big stage productions will have to wait a little while longer, Casa Mañana has come up with a way to bring people together right now.

Last August, Casa Mañana changed their format. Cabaret productions have moved from the Reid Cabaret Theatre to the mainstage. Theatergoers sit at tables, socially distanced across the stage, while the performers are on a new stage that’s been built across the first rows of seats. There is an immediacy and an intimacy between the performers and the audience that isn’t possible in big stage shows.

The current show, Always… Patsy Cline, features country music artist Jolie Holliday as Patsy Cline and Lana K. Hoover as Louise Seger, is sold out, as have most of the previous cabaret shows. More cabaret productions, like A Solitary Man: The Music of Neil Diamond and You Send Me: A Salute to the Life and Music of Sam Cook, are planned. After a year of quarantining and shunning society, people need to see live performances. Even socially distanced, they need to come together to share the experience of skilled performers doing what they do best.

The pandemic isn’t over. We still need to be vigilant. But hopefully, brighter days are ahead when we can return to the theater. Until then, Casa Mañana will continue to produce wonderful cabaret shows like Always… Patsy Cline.

So keep the ghost light burning.

The post A Fort Worth Tradition Continues “Always” first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Mainstage productions were originally scheduled to begin in February with Matilda the Musical, which had been postponed since the beginning of the shut down in March of 2020.

Reid Cabaret Theatre on the Mainstage productions will continue through the spring and summer. Audience members sit at tables of 2, 3 or 4, spread out across the stage. Adjustments have been made so that audience members are only sitting with their respective parties, and the number of tables is limited. Performers, limited to 4 or 5, are spread out across a stage that has been built over the first few rows of the original seats. Staff follow strict sanitary guidelines, including health screenings prior to coming to work, and wearing gloves and face masks. Performances do not have an intermission.

The next Reid Cabaret Theatre on the Mainstage is Bennett & Babs: The Music of Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand, February 9-14, 2021. Ticket Information can be found here: https://bit.ly/CM_BB.

Additional shows will be announced throughout the spring and summer.

The 2021-22 mainstage season schedule will be as follows:

For more information visit www.casamanana.org.

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