The best plays, musical performances and exhibits in Texas are being enjoyed by record number crowds, according to our cultural adventurers Claire-Lise Greve and Lance Avery Morgan who share our favorite recommendations from across the state in this issue.  

AUSTIN

OVER THERE IS NOW HERE

The new exhibit at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, WWI America, presents the stories of a divisive and transformational America told through original artifacts, images, voices, music, hands-on exploration, and multimedia presentations to capture the era that changed the world. Thru August 11.

At TheStoryOfTexas.com

Photo courtesy of the Bullock Texas State History Museum

LONGINGS THEN & NOW

From four-time Tony Award® winner, screenwriter Terrence McNally is Immortal Longings. In his newest show, the tempestuous relationship between the flamboyant impresario, Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev  and  Vaslav Nijinsky, the sensational superstar of his troupe is explored in Les Ballets Russes at ZACH Theatre. Recommended for ages 17+ and up due to language and mature situations. Through July 14.

At ZachTheatre.org

Photo courtesy of ZACH Theatre

TODAY’S ART WORLD

Jeffrey Gibson: This is the Day features over 50 remarkable pieces including everything from beaded wall hangings to paintings to ceramics and even garments. This Blanton Museum exhibition features a brand new video, I Was Here. that was commissioned  specifically for the show, Opening July 14.

 

At BlantonMuseum.org

DALLAS / FORT WORTH

DELECTABLE DIOR

The Dior: From Paris To The World exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art features designs from every creative director from Dior over the 70 year history of the fashion house. It showcases nearly 200 haute couture dresses as well as accessories, original sketches, and other rare archival materials. The cathedral-like installation room of gowns is a must-see. Through September 1.

At DMA.org

Photo courtesy of the Dallas Museum of Art

FINE IMPRESSIONS

Monet: The Late Years, the new exhibit at The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth portrays the evolution of Monet’s painting style from 1913 until his death in 1926. It features many paintings that are being shown in the United States for the first time ever. Through September 15.

At KimbellArt.org

Photo courtesy of the Kimbell Art Museum

MATCHMAKING MUSICAL

Coming to Fair Park, Hello Dolly, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals, is the story of a socialite turned matchmaker who tries to assist her latest clients in finding love. This great show for the whole family is classic Broadway and features Broadway great and native Texan, Betty Buckley in the title role. Through July 17.

At FairParkBoxOffice.com

Photo courtesy of Dallas Summer Musicals

HOUSTON

ISN’T IT ICONIC?

Icons of Style: A Century of Fashion Photography at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston  is an exhibition showcasing over 200 photographs from various fashion photographers. It highlights  how their work shaped the industry into the cultural force it is today. Through September 22.

At MFAH.org

 

Dressed, 1981 by Helmut Newton. Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

A MAGICAL TIME

Aladdin, adapted from the Academy Award®-winning animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including One Thousand and One Nights, is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance brought to the stage by Broadway At The Hobby.

At BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com

 

Photo by Deen van Meer

WE HAVE LIFT-OFF

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and see how the miracle of space happened when all eyes were on the moon in July, 1969. We recommend the NASA Tram Tours featuring Historic Mission Control at NASA Johnson Space Center.

 

At SpaceCenter.org

 

Photo courtesy of NASA

 

 

SAN ANTONIO

WARHOLS MEETS GENDER STUDIES

The Swinging Sixties are alive and kicking as the McNay Art Museum presents two innovative and inclusive exhibitions—Andy Warhol: Portraits and Transamerica/n: Gender, Identity, Appearance Today..  The Warhol show features over 120 paintings, prints, photographs, films, and videos that captures New York from the 1960s through the 1980s. The Transamerica/n: Gender, Identity, Appearance Today exhibit is the country’s first broad survey of contemporary artwork from across North America to explore the construction of identity through gender and outward appearance. Through September 15

At McNayArt.org

 

Andy Warhol, Valentino, 1974. Acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. 1998.

YOU’RE MY SUPERHERO

The colorful Men of Steel, Women of Wonder exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art analyzes the world’s response to superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman…ranging from their creation in the Great Depression to their modern portrayals in film. Through September 1.

At SAMuseum.org

 

Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Museum of Art

WESTWARD HO!

Into A New West: Contemporary Works From The Booth Museum at the Briscoe Museum of Art includes modern art from the 1960s in a way that challenges our conventions of what represents western art, as well as art from the present day. Through September 1.

At BriscoeMuseum.org

 

Photo courtesy of the Briscoe Museum of Art