Last Call For Art: Retablos And UH-D's Musical Debut

By Olivia Flores Alvarez Fri., Nov. 6 2009 at 4:18 PM

Categories: Art, Bayou Body Count

Among the annual must-see shows is Lawndale Art Center's "Retablo Exhibition." The show is winding down, with Saturday as its last day, so if you haven't seen it yet, get to it.

Dozens of Texas artists re-interpreted the Mexican tradition of retablos or devotional paintings for the show. The artists, including The Art Guys, Adrian de la Cerda, Gonzo0247, and Houston Press writer Kelly Klaasmeyer, produced work that runs from whimsical to cutting-edge. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 4912 Main. For information, call 713-528-5858 or visit www.lawndaleartcenter.org. Free.

The first musical ever produced in the 30-year history of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ain't Misbehavin', is coming to a close on Saturday. The show celebrates the life and music of American jazz pianist and composer, Thomas "Fats" Waller, with a roster of songs that include "The Joint is Jumpin,'" "Honeysuckle Rose," and "Ain't Misbehavin'." Former UHD student Tony Glover is directing the musical and says that he's excited to be at the helm on the show. "What I really love is that the cast is non-traditional, because UHD and the UHD theater are non-traditional. We have created a show where everyone in the cast is a star," he's said. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. One Main Street. For information, call 713-221-8000 or visit www.uhd.edu. $5.

The children's show After the Rain King ends its short run on Sunday. The fantasy follows the Rain King, a frightful creature who is happiest when making other people miserable. He's been imprisoned between the covers of a book for twenty years, but when a girl named Glory accidently releases him, the Rain King sets out to wreak as much havoc as he possibly can. He even recruits one of Glory's friends, Pete, as his evil assistant.

After the Rain King and Pete disappear back into the book, Glory and her friends follow them into a magical world where pirates, medieval knights, and the Wild West all coexist. The cast is made up of ten child actors under the direction of Jonathan Gonzalez, the assistant director of Kids on Stage. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Main Street Theater - Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose. For information, call 713-524-6706 or visit www.mainstreettheater.com. $5.

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