April 24, 2011 · 10:00 AM

An Elegant PROOF

Brad Stephens has accepted an offer to play the role of “Hal” in the upcoming production of Proof at Mesquite Community Theatre.

Written by David Auburn and directed by Doug Luke, the 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play runs June 10–25, 2011 at the Mesquite Arts Center.  This will be the third production Brad has mounted at MCT, previously performing as Chris Keller in All My Sons (2008) and directing To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday (2009).

On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician.  Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind.  Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness – or genius – will she inherit?

For tickets and information, visit the Mesquite Community Theatre website.

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April 5, 2011 · 10:56 PM

READY TEDDY to Bare Bones

Ready Teddy will slice through Muskogee, Oklahoma later this month when it screens at the Bare Bones International Film Festival.  Writer/director Jerod Costa announced recently that his bloody opus has been nominated in the Best Horror/Sci-Fi Micro category at the festival which champions small-budget filmmakers.  Ready Teddy is scheduled to run Saturday, April 30th at 2 PM.

Elvis is kidnapped by four Liverpudlian lunatics seeking to extract the secret of That-Which-All-Men-Desire. Caught in a trap and can’t walk out, will our hero get all shook up? That’ll be the day! Not for the squeamish, Ready Teddy is a tale of blood, guts and peanut-butter-banana cuisine.

Brad Stephens stars as a sinister Paul McCartney in the film.  Shot in the Dallas area, Ready Teddy made its début last year at the Trail Dance Film Festival, winning two awards including Best Dark Comedy.  It then went on to claim the Best Short Film award at Blood Bath 2: The Film Festival in November.

The Bare Bones International Film Festival was created for filmmakers, screenwriters and actors involved in independent motion picture projects anywhere in the world.  Movie Maker Magazine named the festival one of their “25 Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” in 2010.  The festival run April 25–May 1, 2011 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

For more information, visit The Bare Bones International Film Festival website.

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March 31, 2011 · 5:24 PM

HAY FEVER Breaks Out In Fort Worth

Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s production of Noël Coward’s Hay Fever opens tomorrow night at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center in the Sanders Theatre.  Co-directed by Steven Lindsay and Allen Walker, the show runs through April 10, 2011.

This classic comedy is set in the 1920’s at the country home of the eccentric Bliss family – Judith, a recently retired stage actress; David, a self-absorbed novelist; and their two equally bohemian children, all of whom live in their own world where the boundaries between reality and fiction are extremely blurred.  Upon entering this domain, their unsuspecting weekend guests are repeatedly thrown into wildly melodramatic situations by their hosts.  The resulting pandemonium is a joy to witness.

Performing in the role of Sandy Tyrell, Brad Stephens will make his second appearance at Stolen Shakespeare Guild after starring as Benedick in the company’s critically acclaimed production of Much Ado About Nothing last year.  He reunites with former cast-mates Lindsay (All My Sons), Walker and his loving and devoted wife, Arlette Morgan (Much Ado About Nothing).  “I’m delighted to be collaborating again with such wonderful talent,” he said.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.stolenshakespeareguild.org.

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March 5, 2011 · 9:00 AM

Brad to Present at “The Rocky Horror Column Show!”

Brad Stephens has accepted an invitation to present an award at the 12th Annual Column Awards Gala.  This is the second year in a row Stephens has been requested for presenting duties at the prestigious event honoring excellence in theatre within the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Stephens is also a nominee for Best Actor in a Musical (non-equity) at this year’s gala for his performance as Jekyll/Hyde in last October’s production of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre.  This is his second nomination after winning Best Supporting Actor in a Play (non-equity) last year for his 2009 performance in All My Sons at ICT MainStage.

The Column Awards are voted by the entire Dallas/Fort Worth theatrical community. Actors, directors, artistic directors, producers, musical directors, choreographers, designers, publicists, local area theater critics, playwrights, and even patrons of theater nominate and vote for the best in every aspect of theatrical production.  Over 300 productions were eligible and over 80 Theater companies participated in this year’s eligibility season.

The theme this year is The Rocky Horror Column Show! featuring an opening number celebrating the cult classic musical and starring many local talent.  Broadway stars Max Von Essen, Tyler Maynard and Tony award-winner, Broadway legend Donna McKechnie will co-host the event with Column Founder and President, John Garcia.

The Gala will be held Monday, March 14, 2011 at the exquisite Carpenter Hall Theater at the Irving Arts Center in Irving, Texas.  Cocktail hour starts at 7:00pm with the awards ceremony starting at 8:00pm.  For ticket or other information regarding The Column Awards, visit www.thecolumnawards.org.

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March 3, 2011 · 12:30 PM

Enter The GREAT WHITE WAY

The Great White Way makes its world premier this weekend at WaterTower Theatre’s Out of the Loop Fringe Festival in Addison, TX.  Brad Stephens stars with a cast comprised of local youth and professional actors including Casey Axelson, Josh Culpepper, Zane Harris, Kevin Paul Hofeditz, Darius-Anthony Robinson, and Joleen Wilkinson as Sunny Meadows.  The show will have two performances during the annual theater festival – Saturday, March 5th at 2:00 PM and Wednesday, March 9th at 7:30 PM.

Written by David Parr and composed by Rebecca Cordes, The Great White Way is a comedic backstage musical about second chances, finding inspiration in unlikely places and following your heart, no matter where it may lead.

In the basement of The Music Box Theatre, John “Average” Worth, an aspiring writer/composer, irons shirts for a blockbuster Broadway musical featuring a great white shark that terrorizes a sleepy beach community. John’s pedestrian life suddenly changes when he falls for Estrella Proxima, a taciturn night dresser on the production who has long-since abandoned her own ambition of making it as a performer. Inspired by Estrella’s journey and the legacy of his deceased idol, eccentric Broadway legend Izzy Freeman, John begins his own heartfelt musical about the wacky road to The Great White Way, proving that you can fully realize your dreams at any age and beyond any obstacle.

For the past nine years, WaterTower Theatre’s Out of the Loop Fringe Festival has wowed audiences with an exciting and unmatched artistic lineup. Featuring some of the best acts in theater, music, dance and art from around the region, Out of the Loop continues to bring all three spaces of the Addison Theatre Centre alive with exciting, contemporary work.

Out of the Loop Festival Passes are on sale now. Single tickets for Out of the Loop shows will go on sale February 15th at 12:00 PM. Contact the WaterTower Theatre Box Office for more information and to buy tickets.

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February 14, 2011 · 12:00 PM

JEKYLL & HYDE Alive with Column Nominations!

Nominations for the 12th Annual Column Awards were streamed live over the Internet yesterday afternoon from the Irving Arts Center in Irving, Texas.  Brad Stephens received a nomination in the category of Best Actor in a Musical, Non-equity for his performance in last October’s Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre.  This is his second Column Award nomination after winning Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Non-equity last year (All My Sons, ICT).

Stephens received the news via text message from good friend and fellow J&H cast-mate Diane Powell while attending a matinee performance of Othello in Albuquerque where his wife, Arlette Morgan, performs as Desdemona.  Powell relayed that Morgan had also received a Best Featured Actress nod for the role of Jane Ashton in Brigadoon at Artisan Center Theater.  In addition, both Jekyll & Hyde female leads, Courtney Sikora (Lucy Harris) and Michelle Foard (Emma Carew), received nominations as Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.  Jaceson Barrus also earned an nomination for Best Lighting Design.

“I’m delighted to find myself in the company of some of the most talented performers in Dallas/Fort Worth,” Stephens said upon receiving the news.  “Jekyll & Hyde was the most demanding role I’ve yet tackled and I’m humbled and grateful to receive such recognition.  I’m especially happy for my co-stars who truly deserve this honor as does my gifted and supportive wife.”

Jekyll & Hyde was named one of DFW’s best productions of 2010 by John Garcia, Senior Chief Theater Critic and founder of The Column Online.  “I was completely blown away by how Director Sharon Veselic and her highly talented cast actually created a fantastic, thrilling, and visually exciting production,” he exclaimed.  Garcia also named Stephens, Sikora and Foard among his Breakthrough Performers of the Year.  “The trio of leads tore into the score with vocal finesse with a hard working ensemble cresting right along with them in commitment and talent.”

The Column is the creation of professional actor/part time theater critic John Garcia.  What began a little over a decade ago as a small email group of theater friends has grown into a major daily entertainment related column with over 19,000 subscribers.  The Column Awards annually honors excellence in local theater productions.  Additionally, The Column Awards strives to raise funds for the fight against AIDS by primarily contributing to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.  Finally, The Column Awards is dedicated to developing a love of theater in local youth.

Nominees were selected from a list of eligible productions and individuals by the collective subscribers of the Column throughout the month of January.  Subscribers will vote on the nominees in a secondary round of voting beginning today.  Winners will be announced at the annual Column Awards Gala on March 14th in the Carpenter Theater at the Irving Arts Center.

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February 3, 2011 · 12:00 PM

Out of the Loop

Brad Stephens has accepted the male lead role in a new musical, The Great White Way, premiering at WaterTower Theatre’s Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, March 3–13, 2011 in Addison, Texas.  The show will have two performances during the annual theater festival – Saturday, March 5th at 2:00 PM and Wednesday, March 9th at 7:30 PM.

Written by David Parr and composed by Rebecca Cordes, The Great White Way is a comedic backstage musical about second chances, finding inspiration in unlikely places and following your heart, no matter where it may lead.

In the basement of The Music Box Theatre, John “Average” Worth, an aspiring writer/composer, irons shirts for a blockbuster Broadway musical featuring a great white shark that terrorizes a sleepy beach community.  John’s pedestrian life suddenly changes when he falls for Estrella Proxima, a taciturn night dresser on the production who has long-since abandoned her own ambition of making it as a performer.  Inspired by Estrella’s journey and the legacy of his deceased idol, eccentric Broadway legend Izzy Freeman, John begins his own heartfelt musical about the wacky road to The Great White Way, proving that you can fully realize your dreams at any age and beyond any obstacle.

For the past nine years, WaterTower Theatre’s Out of the Loop Fringe Festival has wowed audiences with an exciting and unmatched artistic lineup. Featuring some of the best acts in theater, music, dance and art from around the region, Out of the Loop continues to bring all three spaces of the Addison Theatre Centre alive with exciting, contemporary work.

Out of the Loop Festival Passes are on sale now.  Single tickets for Out of the Loop shows will go on sale February 15th at 12:00 PM.  Contact the WaterTower Theatre Box Office for more information and to buy tickets.

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February 1, 2011 · 12:30 PM

A Game To Be Played

Brad Stephens has accepted an offer to perform in Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s upcoming production of Hay Fever.  The Noël Coward comedy will be directed by Steven Lindsay and Allen Walker.  The show will run April 1–10, 2011 at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center in the Sanders Theatre.

This classic comedy is set in the 1920’s at the country home of the eccentric Bliss family – Judith, a recently retired stage actress; David, a self-absorbed novelist; and their two equally bohemian children, all of whom live in their own world where the boundaries between reality and fiction are extremely blurred. Upon entering this domain, their unsuspecting weekend guests are repeatedly thrown into wildly melodramatic situations by their hosts. The resulting pandemonium is a joy to witness.

Accepting the role of Sandy Tyrell, Stephens will make his second appearance at Stolen Shakespeare Guild having performed as Benedick in the company’s critically acclaimed production of Much Ado About Nothing last year.  He reunites with former cast-mates Lindsay (All My Sons), Walker and Arlette Morgan (Much Ado About Nothing).  “I’m delighted to be collaborating again with such wonderful talent,” he said.

Rehearsals are slated to begin later this month.  For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.stolenshakespeareguild.org.

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January 29, 2011 · 9:00 AM

A Fleeting Wisp of Glory

Tonight, the curtain descends upon Artisan Center Theater‘s production of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot.  My final performance as King Arthur will be at today’s matinee.

My gratitude goes out to my wonderful cast for all their support and talent as well as our consistently sold-out audiences. Thank you for helping me realize one of my dream roles and for making this production a most memorable experience.

Oh, how you sparkle!

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December 31, 2010 · 3:13 PM

Opening Knight, New Year’s Eve

The sword is drawn from the stone tonight as Artisan Center Theater presents a special performance of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot during their New Year’s Eve gala, ringing out the old year and officially opening their 2011 season.  

Established as a nonprofit community theater in 2003, Artisan Center Theater is home to a 150-seat theater in the round, producing up to ten shows per year.  Camelot will run through January 29, 2011 at 418 East Pipeline Road in Hurst, Texas.  Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday matinees.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.artisanct.com or by calling the box-office at 817-284-1200. 

Directed by Dennis Canright and produced by DeeAnn Blair, Camelot utilizes two highly talented casts performing six shows a week.  Sharing duties as King Arthur are Neil Rogers and award-winning actor Brad Stephens in his fourth Artisan appearance.  Meredith Browning and Amanda Gupton perform as Queen Guenevere with Joel Lagrone and Kyle Holt in the role of Lancelot.  Both casts are amazing so come see the show twice! 

Click here, print these out and give them to your friends for ticket discounts!

Named one of John Garcia’s breakthrough performances of 2010, Brad Stephens will perform Monday and Friday evenings and Saturday Matinees.  Casts are subject to change so be sure to check his upcoming events calendar for updated performances.  You may recieve a discount on tickets by printing out a sheet of Feature Actor Cards and presenting one upon arrival at the theater.  Please feel free to give the rest to your friends! 

A classic of American musical theater, Camelot is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from the T. H. White tetralogy novel The Once and Future King.  The original 1960 production ran on Broadway for 873 performances, winning four Tony Awards and spawning several revivals, foreign productions and a 1967 film version. The original cast album was America’s top-selling LP for 60 weeks.

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