The best plays, musical performances, and exhibits in Texas are enjoyed by record-breaking crowds, according to our cultural arts arbiter Leanne Raesener, who shares our favorite recommendations for what to enjoy this summer across the state.
AUSTIN
THE COOL FACTOR
Street artist Banksy has always been known for his secrecy. Banksyland, an international touring exhibition, includes more than 80 original studio works, salvaged street artworks, and never-before-seen immersive installations. July 22 ̶ 24; location in zip code 78712; TBD two weeks prior.
At BanksyLand.com.
POSITIVE POST
The Blanton Museum will present Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards, a comprehensive survey of over 150 of Kelly’s playful, creative postcard collages made between 1949 and 2005. Many postcards reveal places Kelly lived or visited, such as Paris or New York City. August 27‒November 27. At BlantonMuseum.org.
UNDER IMAGE: Artist. Ellsworth Kelly. Courtesy of Ellsworth Kelly Studio © Ellsworth Kelly Foundation
DON’T BE CRUEL
Direct from Broadway, Mean Girls is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the cruel ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. August 2‒7. At TexasPerformingArts.org.
ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Texas Performing Arts at The University of Texas at Austin.
DALLAS / FORT WORTH
IMMERSE YOURSELF
Massimiliano Siccardi, the original Immersive Van Gogh and Immersive Monet creator, brings us The Impressionists, a compelling exploration of vibrant colors on a jaw-dropping scale. It features everything from Monet’s celebrated water lilies to Degas’s graceful dancers. July 1‒September 11. At ImmersiveMonet.com.
UNDER IMAGE: Photo by Elana Emer
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Dallas Theater Center announces the Public Works Dallas’ The Odyssey. This final grand trilogy reimagines the Greek epic with Public Works’ signature blend of professional actors, community members, and special guests. July 8‒July 10. At DallasTheaterCenter.org.
ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the Dallas Theater Center
TWO OF A DIFFERENT TIME
The Kimball Museum’s Focus Exhibition will include two paintings depicting different versions of the Old Testament story of Judith and Holofernes—one by Italian Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi and the other by American contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley, realized exactly 400 years apart. July 19‒September 5. At KimbellArt.org.
UNDER LEFT IMAGE: Judith and Holofernes, c. 1612–17, oil on canvas by Artemisia Gentileschi (Rome, 1593–Naples, ca. 1653), Inv. Q 378. Napoli, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte.
UNDER RIGHT IMAGE: Judith and Holofernes, 2012 by Kehinde Wiley (American, b.1977). © Kehinde Wiley. Courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of Art and Sean Kelly, New York.
HOUSTON
BUTLER, CANDLESTICK...PANTRY?
It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’re at a dinner party, where murder and blackmail are on the menu. Based on the cult movie and the classic board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and guessing until the end. July 22‒August 28. At AlleyTheatre.org.
ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the Alley Theatre
IS IT REAL, OR IS IT…?
MFAH’s new exhibit Leandro Erlich: Seeing Is Not Believing, features two of his most iconic installations: Bâtiment (Façade) and Le cabinet du psy (The Psychoanalyst’s Office) in two immersive, room-size environments. Through September 5. At MFAH.org.
UNDER IMAGE: Courtesy of the Alley Theatre
REVENGE IS BEST SERVED…
Is God Is, the 2018 Obie Award and 2016 Relentless Award-winning play by Aleshea Harris, makes its Houston premiere this summer. A modern myth about twin sisters seeking justice in this darkly funny and unapologetic new play. July 14‒August 6. At RecRoomArts.org.
UNDER IMAGE: Photo courtesy of Rec Room Arts
SAN ANTONIO
TRUE TO YOUR ROOTS
The San Antonio Botanical Garden presents Rooted, a monumental sculpture exhibition by acclaimed contemporary artist Steve Tobin. The forces of nature are displayed throughout the park, from the towering root systems to polished clouds resting on the earth, bronze egg-laden nests up to 6-feet tall, and spiraling tornados. Through October 30. At SABot.org.
ON IMAGE: Courtesy of San Antonio Botanical Garden
COOL COMIDA
Cooling down on a scorching day with a frozen paleta or warming up in a cozy neighborhood diner are the many shared experiences evoked in The Art of SA Eats. Five San Antonio artists explore the city’s culinary landscape through paintings, photographs, sculpture, and video. Through September 4. At McNayArt.org.
UNDER IMAGE: Eva Marengo Sanchez, Fruteria La Mission y Taqueria, 2018. Oil on panel. Courtesy of Henry Muñoz.
ISLAND LOVE TRAGEDY REDEMPTION
The Public Theater of San Antonio presents Once On This Island. The classic love story between a peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. July 15‒August 7. At ThePublicSA.org.
ON IMAGE: Courtesy of The Public Theater of San Antonio