FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 19, 2025) – Hip Pocket Theatre has announced its much-anticipated 50th season, opening June 12, honoring its long legacy of original, experimental and interdisciplinary works. Only Casa Manana has a longer continuous theatrical production history in Fort Worth. All productions will be performed at 1950 Silver Creek Rd.
“The theatre began with three artistic visionaries with a common goal,” said co-artistic directors Lake and Lorca Simons, daughters of Johnny and Diane Simons, who founded the theatre along with Douglas Balentine in 1976. “They wanted to create a homemade, artful theatre that embraced unconventional ways of sharing stories on stage by using movement, dance, music, mime, spoken word, puppetry and more. Hip Pocket offered something new and different, taking the theatre community in Fort Worth to another level of expression. That dedication to the community is something we cherish deeply as we take these big steps into our 50th year.”
Below is a rundown of the historic 50th season. Each evening includes live music performed before and after the show for a full evening of entertainment.
June 12-28: The Three Cuckolds, adapted by Leon Katz with additional writing by Johnny Simons and directed by Christina Cranshaw. This bawdy farce was the theatre’s inaugural production in 1976.
July 10-26: A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle, written and directed by Basil Twist with music by Joe Rogers. The sci-fi spectacle returns, bringing a joyful collision of live music, ingenious puppetry and cosmic delight.
Aug. 7-30: Raggedy Farm, by Johnny Simons and Douglas Balentine, directed by Lake Simons with music direction by John Dyer. A Simons & Balentine classic! Told through brilliant songs, this poetic, back-to-the-roots tale is tender and timeless.
Sept. 11-27: Soul Notes From the Velvet Elk, A place of wild surrender, directed by Lorca Simons and devised by the ensemble. Take a trip into the unexplored wilderness of wonder through another Hip Pocket original.
Oct. 9-Nov. 1: Mega Python vs Gatoroid (The Musical), adapted by Molemo!, directed by Johnny Simons with music by The Original Fruits. A horrifyingly hilarious tale of battling juggernauts, this musical is certain to make audiences squirm and scream in delight.
Oct. 29-31: Hip Pocket’s 4th Annual Twilight Soiree Puppet Pageant. A free community outreach event dedicated to creative puppetry, the pageant will be presented before the closing weekend’s performances of Mega Python.
Tickets for each show will be $28 for adults and $23 for seniors, military, teachers, first responders and students. A Pay-What-You-Can Preview will be offered Thursday prior to the opening night of each show. Tickets will be sold at the door only, with a suggested donation of $15.
Hip Passes provide 10 tickets that can be used throughout the season. Adult Hip Passes are $225 for adults and $200 for seniors, military, students and teachers. They may be purchased here.
For more information about the season, visit the Hip Pocket website.
“Making Hipstory,” a 50th anniversary fundraiser, will be held March 28. The enchanting event will be in the beautiful outdoor setting of Conundrum Farms in Crowley featuring live music by Brave Combo, America’s premier dance band and a rollicking, rocking, rhythmic global journey.
About Hip Pocket Theatre
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Hip Pocket Theatre is a unique, alternative theatre company known for its imaginative, experimental productions and its rustic outdoor setting. Established in 1976, the theatre combines an unconventional approach to storytelling with original scores, drama, humor, puppetry, mime and movement. Hip Pocket produces a wide variety of works, including original plays, adaptations, musicals and multimedia performances. Often incorporating elements of fantasy and fable, the theatre creates an immersive experience filled with creativity and artistic exploration.
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