Stage Notes: Richard A. Freeman is now DBDT's AD; Uptown Players' season opener cast and crew

Opening this week:

Onstage now:

Amphibian Stage: The Birds, through Sunday.

Casa Manana: West Side Story, through Sunday.

Onstage in Bedford: Break a Heist, through Sunday.

Theatre Denton: Dial M for Murder, through Sunday.

Ochre House Theatre: Libro de los Sueños Olividados, through Nov. 13.

Art Centre Theatre: The Rocky Horror Show, through Nov. 15.

Pocket Sandwich Theatre: The Phantom of the Opera, through Nov. 15.

Auriga Productions: Richard III, through Nov. 16 at the Bath House Cultural Center.

Richard A. Freeman, Jr. named Artistic Director Of Dallas Black Dance Theatre

After a troubling year in 2024, Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) has begun a new chapter. The DBDT Board of Directors announced this week the appointment of Richard A. Freeman, Jr. as Artistic Director. The former DBDT dancer, resident choreographer and arts leader is seen by the board as the next generation of artistic leadership for one of America’s most acclaimed dance institutions as it heads into its 50th anniversary season.

“Richard has been an integral part of Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s artistic fabric for years, and his extraordinary leadership during his time as Interim Artistic Director made this decision clear,” Heidi K. Murray, member of DBDT’s Board of Directors said in Monday’s press release. “His dedication to artistic excellence, his deep understanding of our mission, and his vision for the future of contemporary modern dance make him the ideal person to lead DBDT into this exciting new chapter. We are thrilled to welcome him as Artistic Director.”

Prior to the announcement, Freeman served as the organization’s Interim Arts Director. During that tenure for DBDT’s 48th season and current 49th season, Freeman brought a notable artistic vision and leadership, guiding the company through its performances, community engagement and the discord the company suffered between dancers and previous leadership.

Earlier this year, ahead of DBDT’s The Big Dance gala fundraiser, he spoke to the Dallas Voice about his plan of action to bring back DBDT’s respected reputation.

“We’ve remained focused on world-class, quality performances and rebuilding the trust of our community by getting back to the roots of our organization,” he said in June. “We know actions speak louder than words, so we’ve reaffirmed our commitment to our community through outreach programs, maintaining the highest excellence in artistry and championing accessible arts education for students of all backgrounds. My goal is to facilitate a culture where dancers feel free to express themselves in a welcoming and safe creative environment,”

His extensive experience within DBDT with his official appointment will ensure his leadership to him to steward the company’s continued growth, artistic development and excellence.

“Richard embodies everything Dallas Black Dance Theatre stands for—artistry, excellence, and a deep commitment to uplifting our community through dance,” Ann M. Williams, Founder of Dallas Black Dance Theatre mentioned in the release. “I have had the privilege of watching him grow from a gifted dancer into an inspiring leader and visionary artist. His dedication to preserving our legacy while boldly charting new artistic territory gives me tremendous confidence in DBDT’s future. Richard understands what it means to carry this company forward, and I could not be more proud to see him step into this role.”

As Artistic Director, Freeman will oversee all areas of DBDT’s artistic operations while continuing to present world-class performances and expanding educational programming and community partnerships throughout Dallas and beyond. Of distinct note, his appointment also extends the impressive LGBTQ+ representation of leadership in the Dallas Arts District that includes The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center and TITAS who call the area home.

“I am deeply honored to accept this role and to continue building on the incredible foundation established by the vision of Ann Williams,” Freeman said in the announcement. “This company has a unique power to move, inspire, and unite communities through dance. I look forward to working with our talented dancers, staff, and board to create unforgettable artistic experiences and to nurture the next generation of dance artists.”

Freeman officially assumed the role of Artistic Director on Oct. 24.

Dallas Black kicks off its new 49th season this weekend with the Director’s Choice series, CATALYST. DBDT’s season premiere spotlights a curated program of all-female choreographers. World premiere commissions by Krystal Butler and Christen Reyes
will be featured alongside “Lost in Memory” by 2023 Guggenheim Fellow Nejla Yatkin. Performances held at the Wyly Theatre on Friday and Saturday.

DMA’s Arts & Letters Live presents Annie Leibovitz, Padma Lakshmi

ICYMI, Dallas Museum of Art’s Arts & Letters Live program is bringing in some heavy hitters this month.

On Nov. 12, renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz will showcase work from Women, a new collection featuring her most recent photos on this subject, accompanied by the republication of her landmark collection, together in a slipcased edition.

One of the most influential photographers today, her work is exhibited all over the world, and her distinctive portraits have appeared on the covers of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. She is a Commandeur in the French government’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and has been designated a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. She was recently inducted into the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

The event will be held at McFarlin Auditorium. For tickets, click here.

In conversation with Priya Krishna, former New York Times restaurant critic, former Top Chef host and creator of the acclaimed series Taste the Nation, Padma Lakshmi will discuss her new cookbook All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond which is described as a love letter to the people who create and evolve American cuisine every day and a joyful reflection of who we truly are as a nation, from one of our most essential culinarians.

The event is sold out but live-streaming tickets are available here.

Cast and crew announcements

Uptown Players will begin its 24th season with a holiday world premiere

The cast of Uptown Players’ world premiere Star of Wonder: A Carol Ann Christmas. (Courtesy Uptown Players)

Uptown Players will open its new season with the original musical revue holiday comedy, Star of Wonder: A Carol Ann Christmas by Mark Waldrop. The larger-than-life diva who was first introduced in When Pigs Fly now gets her own showcase written by award-winning lyricist and playwright Mark Waldrop. The company announced its cast and team for the show earlier this week.

When Carol Ann’s beloved Melody Barn Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota, literally goes up in smoke after a freak curling-iron mishap, she heads south to Dallas—determined to stage the dazzling holiday extravaganza she never got to finish.

“Star of Wonder isn’t just a holiday show—it’s a love letter to theater itself,” says Craig Lynch, Executive Producer of Uptown Players. “It celebrates every messy, glitter-covered, laugh-till-you-cry thing we adore about putting on a show, and it captures the queer joy and camaraderie that define Uptown’s spirit. It’s bold, campy, heartfelt, and gloriously gay.”

Directed by B.J. Cleveland, with music direction, arrangements, and orchestrations by Adam C. Wright and choreography by Alli Betsill, the production stars Micah Green reprising his role as Carol Ann Knipple alongside a cast of Uptown favorites including Peter DiCesare, Seth Paden, Jacob Hemsath, Ryan Michael Friedman, Laura Lites, Brett Warner, Lee Walter and Kylie Stewart.

Alongside Cleveland and Wright, the creative team features choreography by Alli Besill. The design team includes Dennis Canright (set), Mia Lindemann (lighting), Suzi Cranford (costume), Brian Christensen (sound), Kennedy Smith (Properties) and Michael B. Morore (hair and makeup).

The show runs Dec. 5-14. Tickets are available at UptownPlayers.org.

Casa Mañana announces the cast and creative for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Casa Manana’s cast for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

As the Fort Worth theater wraps up West Side Story this weekend, Casa Mañana will next get ready for the season with the holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . The show runs Nov. 22-Dec. 23 . Tickets are on sale now.

In this week’s show announcement, CM also revealed the show’s cast and crew for the show directed by B.J. Cleveland (yes, he’s doing this one too!).

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stars Simon Kowalski as Rudolph, David Allsup as Hermey, Braxton O. Johnson as Sam, Zak Reynolds as Yukon Cornelius and Addisen Bairrington as Clarice.

The ensemble includes Lillian Bicheno, Patrick Bilbow, Allison Bridgeman, Isabella Green, Hunter Hall, Dylan Markey, Giancarlo Marrero, Nathan Middleton, Grace Moore, Dominic Pecikonis, Ally Kay Ramsey, Gabrielle Rollins, Kristal Seid, Maximilian Swenson and Phillip Taylor.

Along with Cleveland, the creative team includes Choreographer Laura West Strawser, and Music Director Matthew Stern. The show’s designers include Samuel Rushen (lighting), Kimberly V. Powers (scenic), Allan Branson (sound), Tammy Spencer (costume) and Catherine Petty-Rogers (wigs, hair and makeup).

The run will include ASL interpretation and sensory-friendly performances. Tickets are available at CasaManana.org.

–Rich Lopez

Stage Notes: Richard A. Freeman is now DBDT’s AD; Uptown Players’ season opener cast and crew

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