Theatre Under the Stars is about to get a little naughty.
Houston's resident musical theater company is known for staging classics like Annie, Guys & Dolls and Hairspray as well as more modern productions such as Bring it On the Musical, 9 to 5 and Jekyll & Hyde. But now TUTS is reaching into new, more risqué territory, with a concept called TUTS Underground.
Think of TUTS Underground as the bawdy, cigarette and booze sneaking cousin of the more straight-laced main stage theater. You're going to be exposed to some things you wouldn't expect--and you're going to love it.
Set in the Hobby Center's intimate, 500-seat Zilkha Hall, TUTS Underground will debut next season with four shows mixed among TUTS' regular productions.
Kicking off the inaugural season will be Lizzie, based on the notoriously acquitted Lizzie Borden (who took up an ax and gave her mother 40 whacks). Whacks of a different nature will continue in the comedic spoof 50 Shades! Audiences will appreciate the true test of endurance with Hands on a Hardbody, which chronicles the hard-fought contest to win a brand-new truck. The fourth title has not yet been determined.
"I want to bring important theatre to Houston - shows that make people think and view the world around them differently and from a new and exciting angle, says TUTS Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin. "TUTS Underground will showcase just how dynamic musical theatre can be. Houston is ready for this. TUTS is ready for this."
The TUTS Underground experience won't end when the curtain closes. Audiences can relax and relive the experience at a wine and beer garden found right outside the Zilkha doors. Tickets to Underground productions range from $24 to $49. Get more details at TUTSUnderground.com