Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR: SCOTT ARTHUR

The first thing you notice about Robert is his voice. It’s deep and rich and very reminiscent of the late Robert Goulet. If you’re a fan of audio books, the voice might be familiar to you because he has narrated quite a number of best sellers.

Houston has heard this voice before ….Petkoff, an award winning stage actor, voice actor and singer, last appeared in the Bayou City reprising his Broadway role of Sir Robin in the TUTS production of Spamalot. Now, in CAMELOT, he graces the stage as Arthur, the man who will be king. Was it challenging as an actor to transform from the goofy version of the classic to the real deal?

 “I admit that there were times in rehearsal that we’d look at each other with a sparkle in our eye and go a little astray,” Petkoff chuckled.

CAMELOT, Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece, is one of history’s greatest love stories. A sumptuous tale set in a land where honor and chivalry reign. The musical follows the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guenevere, and the young Lancelot. With one of Broadway’s most enchanting scores featuring the hauntingly romantic If Ever I Would Leave You, I Loved You Once in Silence, and Follow Me, CAMELOT is the definitive musical theatre fable.

Petkoff’s seasoned career shows that the California born actor is very much at home on stage performing Shakespeare or sitting behind a microphone reading books …but in the last decade he has become a Broadway musical star.  Since he had no musical training, how did that come about?

“A director saw me playing Hamlet and asked if I would audition for a singing role. I thought –what the heck, I sing in the shower all the time – why not?” 

His performance hit all the right notes and Petkoff’s musical career was launched in 2002 when he got the role of George in the Chicago production of Sunday in the Park with George.

He was pleasantly surprised at the reaction. “I told my agent to start booking me in musicals …and here I am.” he said. Since then, Petkoff’s Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Spamalot, and most recently Anything Goes with Joel Grey.

In CAMELOT Arthur sort of “sing-talks” his musical part. Are you comfortable with that?

“Absolutely,” Petkoff says enthusiastically. “The part was originally written for Richard Burton … much more a Shakespearean actor than a singer. This (sing-talk) style allows the actor to actually act out the song in the moment and lets the audience feel the passion. It also worked well for Richard Harris in the 1967 movie version."

Speaking of those two iconic King Arthurs, do you base your performance on either of their portrayals?

“Part of them creeps into whom you are on stage,” said Petkoff. “I saw Burton do it early in my career and it influenced me greatly. And I sometime occasionally slip into my James Mason impression. But for the most part – it’s my interpretation.”

The story of CAMELOT is more than half a century old. What about it has made it a classic that never seems to get old?

Petkoff smiles as he says,

“I think the idea of royalty still attracts us. And the story is really about a guy who won the lottery. He pulled a sword out of a stone and was allowed to rule a country. Arthur was an everyman – a good man with a sense of humor and a youthful awkwardness. We can all relate as we watch him grow into becoming a wise king.” 

CAMELOT runs from January 22 through February 3 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. An audio described performance is available Sunday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

By DISH Contributor Scott Arthur

Children searching the Houston skies for something magical this time of the year might just see a flying boy before they spot a red sled. With a burst of fairy dust, Peter Pan lands at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for a dozen days beginning December 11. Somewhere on stage in between the Carol of Christmas and the Cracker of Nuts, try to make time to see a holiday show where you probably don’t already know all the dialogue and music. As part of TUTS’ “A Lot To Love” season, Peter Pan is a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating hook promises to mesmerize young and old alike. Highly recommended!

As an early Christmas offering, we’re gifted with a legendary performer portraying a legendary character. The ever sparkling Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby returns to play the elusive Pan. Her early days of gymnastics anchored by decades of theatrical and vocal experience allow her to bring Peter to life on stage as no one else has. When she dons the iconic outfit and takes flight, the years also seem to fly away. Rigby is spry, energetic, and thoroughly delightful. As an added bonus, some of Houston’s Humphreys School of Musical Theatre students are cast as supporting actors in the Lost Boys ensemble.  I’ve seen the previews – and I can’t wait.

And just like Tinkerbelle zips from place to place, allow me to briefly land on another subject. Peter Pan features “lost boys.” As a member of the Star of Hope Homeless Mission staff I see lost boys and girls every day. They seem especially lost over the holidays.

In Neverland the kids don’t want to grow up. Homeless children sometimes have to grow up too quickly or are robbed of their childhood because they are constantly moving from school to school, neighborhood to neighborhood and shelter to shelter. I can easily imagine some homeless families serving a “pretend feast” for dinner ….sitting in front of cold beans and rice …hearing the TIC TOC of approaching doom. They don’t have an ageless boy to save them …but they do have YOU. And I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have contributed to the Star of Hope Mission during the years – and encourage those who have yet to support us. Your contributions help us offer the tools to change lives ….even save lives. Don’t stop. Your ARE making a difference. Clap if you believe!    

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

On Thursday, January 31, 2013, the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH) invites you to celebrate 13 years of youth development social awareness and public art, by joining us at our 2012 “L’Art Nouveau” Masquerade Ball – Peinture a Les Etoiles. This dazzling event will raise awareness of MOCAH’s mission in serving at-risk youth in local communities and further our creative cultural art programming.

This year’s event theme will feature the pairing of influential local celebrities and talented local artists to produce a one of a kind piece of art, which will be live auctioned at the January Gala.

The list of collaboration between Artists and Celebrities include:

Shelby Hodge (Columnist, CultureMap-Houston) and Taft McWhorter

Mayor Annise Parker and Hanh Tran

Michael Garfield (The High-Tech Texan®, Radio Personality) and Allan Rodewald

Peter Remington (Publisher, Houston Magazine) and Katarina Conrad

Connor Barwin (Linebacker, Houston Texans) and Grant Marnier

 MOCAH is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) cultural arts organization with a mission to use art and creativity as tools for social awareness, educational enrichment and community development. Since its inception in 1999, MOCAH has served over 14,900 at-risk underserved Houston youth and our programs have operated in over 40 public schools throughout the city.  MOCAH has invested more than $3MM in community art projects and civic art commissions, providing over 90 professional and emerging artists with employment opportunities.   

The estimated audience of 300 business, civic leaders and patrons of the arts would benefit tremendously from your generosity. We would be most appreciative of a telephone call to let me know of your interest.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.  Thank you for considering this invitation and request.  We would like to meet with you to make a formal presentation about the organization, the event and historical information about the past performance of this function and of the organization.

The Art of Leadership (AoL) is a Spring Break and Summer Camp program that revolves around field trips, guest speakers and hands-on art projects that help middle and high school students recognize the importance of creative expression, innovation, entrepreneurship and civic responsibility.  The purpose of the art-based leadership camp is to enrich, develop, and empower the lives of the young people in and around the Houston area by exposing them to local business/civic leaders, team building exercises and art experiences that reinforce their learning journey.

The first of its kind in the city of Houston, the AoL is the evolution of spring break and summer camps offered by the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH) over the past 8 eight years.  For 2013 MOCAH seeks to refine the camp by providing the students with access and exposure to creative professionals and field trips to the work environments of these professionals.

Join us as we work to empower our youth and beautify Houston by putting the “public” back in to public art.

For more information visit www.mocah.org.

GIRLS ONLY - THE SECRET COMEDY OF WOMEN®, now appearing at Main Street Theater – Chelsea Market, has wowed Houston women and will extend once again until Sunday, February 3, 2013. 

Girls Only is an original comedy born out of the earnest and sweetly ridiculous writings the two authors discovered in their girlhood diaries.  The mix of sketch comedy, hilarious songs and videos will remind women that underneath, they all have very funny and very charming feminine similarities.

Houston actresses, Keri Henson and Tracy Ahern, have audiences of raucous laughing women, whipping their mascara smudged eyes with their hilarious improve comedy and audience participation.  The show has played to standing ovations and raves from Houston theater reviewers such as

• ·         “…pure joyful, silly fun…”
• ·         “…Will warm your heart…”
• ·         “…A hilariously orchestrated slumber party….”
• ·         “…will leave you dabbing away tears of laughter….” and
• ·         .”

It's showing at Main Street Theater – Chelsea Market (4617 Montrose Blvd., in the Museum District) now thru Sunday, February 3, 2013.  

Performance Schedule:  Wednesday & Thursday, 7:30pm;  Friday & Saturday, 8:00pm;  Sunday,  3pm                                    

Tickets:  $30 - $40

Purchase Tickets: CLICK HERE or call 713.524.6706

For Group Savings 10+ call or email Ingrid Gunn: 281.740.4408 or ir194@aol.com

For more information about the show itself CLICK HERE 

This show comes DISH Endorsed. It is a hysterical good time for all of your girl friends!

Join The Cullen Theater for a special performance from Bob Schneider and the Tosca String Quartet. Schneider, an Austin staple will be showcasing some of his favorite Holiday songs along with a few of his own - perfect for kicking-off the Season. For this magical evening, Schneider will bring with him a horn and string section, jazz drums and stand-up bass. The singer/songwriter has won 24 Austin Music Awards and has earned critical praise plus a strong live music following.

One night only November 30, 2012. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

PLUS...follow DISH on Twitter for a ticket giveaway!!