The Oldest Boy

The Oldest Boy

Regional Premiere
By Sarah Ruhl

An American mother and a Tibetan father have a three-year-old son believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama, a spiritual master. When a Tibetan lama and a monk come to their home unexpectedly, asking to take their child away for a life of spiritual training in India, the parents must make a life-altering choice that will test their strength, their marriage, and their hearts. The Oldest Boy is a richly emotional journey filled with music, dance, puppetry, ritual, and laughter — it’s Sarah Ruhl at her imaginative best.

“Gently emotional and touchingly intelligent, Main Street Theater’s production of The Oldest Boy: A Play in Three Ceremonies is a gripping, thought-provoking play.” Read the entire Houston Press Review

“This is easily one of Main Street Theater’s strongest offerings this year, and it is a show that is well-thought through and exquisitely paced…THE OLDEST BOY is about as perfect as you can manage to get in live theater, and it offers a lot to consider…Main Street Theater seems designed specifically for this kind of meditation, and THE OLDEST BOY is representative of the company at its utmost best.” Read the entire BroadwayWorld Houston review

“I just had a marvelous evening with The Oldest Boy and his deeply affecting parents….My appreciation runs deep. I have studied and lived with Tibetans, especially Tibetan scholars and meditation masters, on and off for nearly 50 years. The conversation between traditional Tibetan and contemporary American perspectives is part of my life and central to The Oldest Boy….The Oldest Boy is a moving and entertaining reflection on, among other things, the expansiveness of human possibility. It’s quite a marvel for both mind and heart. Don’t miss it!” Read the entire reflection by Dr. Anne C. Klein, founder of Dawn Mountain Tibetan Buddhist Temple, Community Center and Research Institute.

LOCATION

Main Street Theater – Rice Village
2540 Times Blvd.
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Apr 2 – 23, 2023
Previews: Mar 26, 30, 31, 2023
(No performances April 1 or 9)

Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3:00pm

Tickets: $35 – $59

Open Captioning

Sunday, Mar 26, 2023 at 3pm
Open “in-sync” Captioned Performance

HELPFUL INFO

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining
Learn more about available discounts here.

Running Time: 2 Hours including a 15 minute intermission

Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.

Children under the age of 9 are not allowed in the theater.

Monday, March 6 at 6:45pm: Join us for a free, first read-thru of The Oldest Boy at our Rice Village location, 2540 Times Blvd. You get to be a fly on the wall for the very first rehearsal, hearing the cast read the play aloud for the first time together. Connect with the production from it’s very beginning and then see the arc of the process when you come back to see the full show. To RSVP, please click here

Sunday, April 2: Join us Sunday, April 2 following the matinee for a discussion with Tibetan Buddhism expert Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, Huffington Foundation Endowed Director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute, Adjunct Faculty, UT Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center; Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. following the matinee for a discussion with Tibetan Buddhism expert Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, Huffington Foundation Endowed Director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute, Adjunct Faculty, UT Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center; Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. Even if you are seeing the play on another day, you are welcome to join us. Just plan to arrive at the theater about 5:00pm.

Thursday, April 20 at 6:45pm: Join us for a pre-show Happy Hour with special guest host Judy Peach! Special thanks to our media sponsor OutSmart Magazine and our production partner Michael’s Outpost.

Free Beer Fridays, sponsored by Saint Arnold’s! Have a beer on us after the show!

Production Partners

Jim Salners
Efraín Corzo and Andrew Bowen

Season Sponsor

Saint Arnold Logo

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach

Based on the book by Roald Dahl
Dramatized by Richard R. George

After his parents’ tragic death by rhinoceros, James is sent to live with his horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. The contents of a magic bag transform an old peach tree into a portal to an amazing adventure with a host of fantastical creatures on a giant peach!

Recommended for 1st Grade and older.

For over 43 years, Main Street Theater has had a reputation for bringing thoughtful, entertaining, and fun adaptations of children’s books to life. Recently a social media post was made about our usage of cross-gender casting. This is a technique we have used for years (which has produced great humor!) to allow us to produce works with smaller casts. In addition, there was a question of the use of pronouns for the insects. True to Dahl’s book, the Glowworm explains that it is not a male but rather a female because male Glowworms do not light up.

We hope that you will reach out to our box office or school booking line if you need clarification on content. We are always happy to help!

Public Box Office: 713-524-6706

School Bookings Office: 713-524-9196

Parents can order mementos of your visit in advance and have them ready when you come to the theater. Orders may be placed by clicking the image to the left or scanning the QR code.

LOCATION

MATCH
3400 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Weekend & Holiday Performances:
Ticket Prices: $18 – $28

Sundays, April 23 & 30, 2023 at 12:30pm & 3:30pm

Saturdays, May 6 & 13, 2023
at 10:30am & 1:30pm

School Matinees:
School Group Tickets: $8.00 each (discounts for Title I schools)

Mondays – Fridays
April 19 – May 19, 2023
Performances are at 9:30am, 11am & 12:30pm
(No 12:30pm on April 19)

Sensory Friendly icon

April 30 at 12:30pm
Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed Performance

Audio Described

April 30 at 3:30pm
Audio Described
Advance Reservations Required (7 days minimum). Click here to reserve.

ASL Performance icon

May 6 at 1:30pm
ASL Performance

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining
Learn more about available discounts here.

Running Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes including a 20 minute intermission.

Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.

Recommended for 1st Grade and older
Children under the age of 3 (including sleeping babies) are not allowed in the theater.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

Based on the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
Script by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz

When a bus driver takes a break from the route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take the driver’s  place – a pigeon! And you’ve never met one like this before! From the Caldecott Honor award-winning book, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping with its innovative mix of songs, silliness, and feathers.

Recommended for Pre-K and older.

Parents can order mementos of your visit in advance and have them ready when you come to the theater. Orders may be placed by clicking the image below or scanning the QR code.

LOCATION

MATCH
3400 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Weekend & Holiday Performances:
Ticket Prices: $14 – $24

Tuesday – Friday, March 14 – 17, 2023
at 1:30pm
Saturday, March 18, 2023
at 10:30am & 1:30pm
Open to the Public

At the MATCH for Schools:
School Group Tickets: $8.00 each (discounts for Title I schools)

Tuesday – Friday, March 14 – 17, 2023
at 10:30am

On Tour for Schools:
(separate pricing)

Feb 6 – May 19, 2023

Sensory Friendly icon

March 14 at 1:30pm
Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed Performance

Audio Described

March 14 at 1:30pm
Audio Described Performance
Advance Reservations Required (7 days minimum). Click here to reserve.

ASL Performance icon

Saturday, March 18 at 1:30pm
ASL Performance

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining

Running Time: 1 hour with no intermission.

Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.

Recommended for Pre-Kindergarten and older.
Children under the age of 3 (including sleeping babies) are not allowed in the theater.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Book by Joe Tracz
Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Adapted from the book, THE LIGHTNING THIEF, by Rick Riordan

When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. This dynamic rock musical is for Percy fans of all ages!

Recommended for 5th Grade and older. Please be aware that the words “damn” and “ass” are used in this production.

LOCATION

MATCH
3400 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Weekend & Holiday Performances:
Ticket Prices: $20 – $35

Sundays, January 29 & February 19, 2023 at 2:30pm

PERFORMANCE ADDED!
Sunday, February 12 & 19, 2023 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm

Fridays, February 3 & 10, 2023 at 7:00pm

Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 1:30pm

Open to the Public

School Matinees:
School Group Tickets: $8.00 each (discount for Title I schools)

Thursday, January 26 – Friday, February 17, 2023
Performances are at 9:30am & 11:45am

Audio Described

January 29 at 2:30pm
Audio Described Performance

Advance Reservations Required for Audio Described (7 days minimum). Click here to reserve.

ASL Performance icon

February 19 at 2:30pm
ASL Performance

HELPFUL INFO

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining
Learn more about available discounts here.

Running Time: 2 hours hours including one 20 minute intermission.

Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.

Recommended for 5th Grade and older.
Children under the age of 3 (including sleeping babies) are not allowed in the theater.

Cinderella

Parents can order mementos of your visit in advance and have them ready when you come to the theater. Orders may be placed by clicking the image below or scanning the QR code.

Cinderella

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
CINDERELLA
Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Adapted for the Stage by Tom Briggs
From the Teleplay by Robert L. Freedman

The timeless magic of the romantic fairy tale of a prince and his Cinderella, and the hilarity of the silly stepsisters and their stepmother, will enchant audiences this holiday season.

Recommended for Kindergarten and older.

LOCATION

MATCH
3400 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Weekend & Holiday Performances:
Ticket Prices: $20 – $35

Sundays, November 13 & 20, 2022 at 12:30pm and 3:30pm

Monday –  Wednesday & Friday, November 21 – 23 & 25, 2022 at 1:30pm

Saturdays, November 26 & December 3, 10, & 17, 2022
at 10:30am and 1:30pm

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 1:30pm

Thursday & Friday, December 22 & 23, 2022 at 1:30pm and 7:00pm
Open to the Public

School Matinees:
School Group Tickets: $8.00 each (discount for Title I schools)

Mondays – Fridays: November 11 – December 16, 2022
Performances are at 9:30am, 11am & 12:30pm
(No 12:30pm show on November 14; no performances Nov. 21 – 25)

Sensory Friendly icon

November 13 at 12:30pm
Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed Performance

Audio Described

November 13 at 3:30pm
Audio Described Performance
Advance Reservations Required (7 days minimum). Click here to reserve.

ASL Performance icon

December 10 at 1:30pm
ASL Performance

HELPFUL INFO

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining
Learn more about available discounts here.

Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes inculding one 20 minute intermission

Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.

Recommended for Kindergarten and older.
Children under the age of 3 (including sleeping babies) are not allowed in the theater.

Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street

By Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West
Music and Lyrics by Lamont Dozier and Paris Ray Dozier
Digital Recording and Underscoring by Paris Ray Dozier

Originally co-commissioned and produced by Chicago Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company

Illustration by Christian Robinson
From the book Last Stop on Market Street @ 2015
Published by the Penguin Group

On a visit to see his Nana, CJ is introduced to the people in her community, from those who ride the bus to people at the soup kitchen. Through their adventures, CJ learns about friendship, empathy and finding joy in unexpected places. Last Stop on Market Street celebrates the bond between a young boy and his grandmother in this heartwarming and energetic musical.

Recommended for Pre-Kindergarten and older.

Back to School Special!
SCHOOL GROUPS: Book one of the performances between September 21 – 30, and receive  $1.00 off per ticket!

In LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET, CJ and Nana visit a soup kitchen. CJ learns to appreciate what they have and finds joy in helping those less fortunate.

Loaves & Fishes is a large soup kitchen in downtown Houston where 300-350 of Houston’s chronically hungry gather six days a week for nutritious, hot, home-cooked lunches cooked by their staff and served by volunteers. There is no cost and no requirement.

When you come to MARKET STREET, please consider bringing some of these items for our Loaves & Fishes food drive!

-Spaghetti sauce
-Diced tomatoes
-Large (6 lb) cans of vegetables
-Smaller cans of vegetables for group homes
-Powdered milk
-Pancake mix

-Oatmeal/Rolled Oats
-Cereal (specifically the unhealthy kind! It’s a real treat.)
-Rotel tomatoes
-Any canned fruits and vegetables
-All condiments
-Any and all dry goods

LOCATION

MATCH
3400 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Weekend & Holiday Performances:

Tickets: $18 – $28

Sundays, September 25 & October 2, 2022
at 12:30pm and 3:30pm
Saturdays, October 8, 15 & 22, 2022
at 10:30am and 1:30pm
Open to the Public

School Matinees:

School Group Tickets: $8.00 each (discount for Title I schools)

Mondays – Fridays: September 21 – October 7, 2022
Performances are at 9:30am and 11am

Mondays – Fridays: October 10 – 21, 2022
Performances are at 9:30am, 11:00am and 12:30pm

Sensory Friendly icon

October 2 at 12:30pm
Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed Performance

Audio Described

October 2 at 3:30pm
Audio Described Performance
Advance Reservations Required (7 days minimum). Click here to reserve.

ASL Performance icon

October 22 at 1:30pm
ASL Performance

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining

Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes with one 20 minute intermission

Please note: no outside food/snacks are allowed at the theater. You may purchase concessions at the show.

Recommended for Pre-Kindergarten and older.
Children under the age of 3 (including sleeping babies) are not allowed in the theater.

JEDI Artist Fellowship Program

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
Artist Fellowship Program

Main Street Theater’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Artist Fellowship Program is a paid artistic leadership development program for early-career artists of color. Applicants submit a resume and portfolio. The selected fellows will be assigned to a production either with the MainStage or Theater for Youth programs in their area of interest (Directing, Design, or Stage Management) while being given access to additional professional development opportunities within the Main Street Theater organization.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 – 2025 ARE NOW OPEN.

PLEASE SEE BELOW.

2023 – 2024 JEDI Artist Fellows

Nychollete Easter (Directing Fellow) Main Street Theater: Debut. Nychollete Easter is a Houston based director and Teaching Artist! Nychollete has been doing theatre for 10+ years and has worked with several regional theaters including The St. Louis Black Repertory Company and The Alley Theater. Nychollete recently received her BA in acting and directing from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Nychollete strives to tell stories that represent a diverse group of characters and people! Nychollete is very excited to be back in her hometown and hopes to bring the importance of the arts back to her community!


Jessica Jaye (Directing Fellow) Main Street Theater: (Actor) The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963; Stages: (Actor) POTUS, cullud wattah; Rec Room Arts: (Actor) IS GOD IS; Ensemble Theatre: (Director) Theater YPP: Fame, (Actor) Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, Brer Rabbit; Encore Theatre: (Actor) Isolation, Macbeth; Orlando Shakes: (Actor) A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Fade to Black Fest: (Director) Measure of a Man, Just Like Family, (Actor) Choices, Hot Potato, To Each His Own, Sweetie’s Confession; UCF Theater: The Rover, The Last Paving Stone; TSU Theater: Daughters of the Moon, Presidential Timber, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, For Colored Girls…, Marcus: or the Secret of Sweet. Education: M.F.A., University of Central Florida, Acting; B.A., Texas Southern University, Theater Performance.


Nori Thach (Stage Management Fellow) Main Street Theater: Carmela Full of Wishes, (Stage Management Intern) Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley; San Jacinto Community College Theatre: Mary Poppins The Musical, Shrek The Musical. Education: B.A., Fine Arts; A.A., Fine Arts.

Application Information & Important Dates

Application Deadline | Rolling
Candidate Interviews | Rolling
Fellowship Date Range | May 2024 – August 2025 Candidates will be selected for one production on either the MainStage or Theater for Youth during the 2024/2025 season.

See full application below.

Eligibility

  • Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
  • Resides in Houston or the surrounding area
  • Applicant’s experience must indicate their intention to pursue a professional career in directing, stage management or design for the theater.
  • Directing fellows will attend auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, and technical rehearsals of their designated production.
  • Stage Management fellows will attend auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and all performances of their designated production.
  • Design fellows will attend production meetings and assist their design mentor as needed, both on and off site, and be present for all technical rehearsals.
  • Min. age: 22

Compensation

  • $1,500 stipend is provided to each Fellow

Benefits 

  • Professional development and networking opportunities
  • Complimentary tickets to Main Street Theater productions
  • Mentorship opportunities at Main Street Theater and in the Houston theater community

For more information or if you have questions about the Fellowship, please contact Rebecca Greene Udden, Executive Artistic Director, at rudden@mainstreettheater.com

Apply:

MST JEDI Fellowship Program Application

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Do you have daytime availability?(Required)
Do you have reliable transportation?(Required)

REFERENCES:

Input three employment references in the field below (if not already included in your resume or CV) Please include each reference's Name and Contact Information (phone and email)

First Reference

Name(Required)
Second Reference

Name(Required)
Third Reference

Name(Required)

APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR UPLOAD:

  • Letter of Interest, no longer than two (2) pages, that addresses the following:
    • Why are you interested in the Fellowship? What attracts you to this particular Fellowship?
    • What are your goals as an artist? Where do you want to be in a year? How will this Fellowship help you achieve your goals?
    • Tell us about yourself: your experiences, dreams. What do you bring to this cohort of Fellows, mentors, and Main Street Theater staff?
    • Why are you a fit for this particular Fellowship?
    • Have you been mentored, or mentored someone before?
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from arts professionals
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 200 MB.

    Donna Southern Schmidt

    Above: Donna Southern Schmidt at work on masks.

    Dr. Dana Oldham’s mask (below) came from fabric from our production of Sideways Stories from Wayside School, pictured above.

    Donna Southern Schmidt, a local, professional costume designer who works regularly with us at MST as well as other Houston theaters, has found a way to make good use of her forced hiatus by sewing masks for medical workers. But these are not ordinary masks. She’s using fabric remnants from plays she designed for us in the past.

    We gave Donna the fabric to use for as many masks as she could make. Since March 27, she has made approximately 85 masks and delivered them to LBJ Hospital in Harris County. With the help of her community, all told they have made and donated 320 masks!  Her original goal was 200! The masks are colorful and uplifting, coming from plays like The Wizard of Oz and Sideways Stories from Wayside School. The Oz masks are from the fabric of the Scarecrow and Flying Monkeys’ costumes – not your everyday hospital gear.

    “Donna is a brilliant designer but she is also a community builder, and this is totally something I would expect her to do,” shared MST Founding Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden. “We are honored to have a small part in her efforts, and we know the hospital workers are very grateful for all Donna is doing.” Donna is also the Manager of Houston’s Costume Connection, a warehouse collaborative started by Main Street Theater and The Ensemble Theatre for arts groups to share resources and rent costumes for productions.

    The local press has covered Donna’s work extensively:

    Houston Chronicle

    Houston Press

    Houstonia Magazine

    Houston Family Magazine

    Houston Public Media

    Leftover fabric from the Scarecrow’s costume were turned into the masks above.

    Fabric from the Flying Monkeys costumes were used to make the masks above.

    Art Together with MST

    Short, online theater classes for children –
    or anyone who wants to have a little fun!

    Our MainStage Part of the Art Series goes online with behind the scenes/ insider looks at productions and more.

    An insider look into what happens when actors “break,” meaning they just can’t help laughing on stage! This is a gem from Joel Sandel from MST’s 1993 production of Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing. As actor Mark Roberts said of this moment, “Sometimes the audience wants to see the real human under the mask we wear for them on stage, and I think they thought it was a rare treat. I don’t know that I thought it was a treat at the time, but I certainly do now.”

    A behind the scenes look at what happens in technical rehearsals for a play, specifically MST’s 2015 production of Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson. Shannon Emerick shares her personal experience of the process and illuminates how the director, designers, and actors all truly work together to create the world of a play.

    Well, we were all ready to go with our production of Cry It Out when the world changed. We never got to give you the play, but we can take you on an insider’s tour of the set with designer Adam Thornton and director Rachel Ollagnon! Enjoy!

    So part of live theater is what you do when an actor doesn’t show up for a performance and you have a full house waiting to see the play. Yes, this really happens! (Thankfully not very often!) Here is a legendary story from our history. It’s a classic example of the magic of live theater!

    Sponsor

     

    Season Sponsor

    Season Sponsor

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