Trouble in Mind

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Trouble in Mind

Regional Premiere
By Alice Childress

1957. Rehearsals begin on what everyone hopes will be Broadway’s next big hit. But social norms and prejudices collide, and so Wiletta Mayer, a gifted Black actress, will finally get to play the lead role in a Broadway show if she’s willing to compromise her principles. Funny, moving, and ultimately a shattering look at racism, identity, and ego in the high-stakes world of New York theatre. This 1955 comedy-drama—planned for Broadway but canceled when the playwright wouldn’t tone down its message—finally made its triumphant premiere in 2021.

“With an engrossing history, a superlative cast, and a message that cannot be ignored, Main Street Theater’s “Trouble in Mind” is not simply a period piece from the 1950s, but a riveting commentary on race, art, and power that will leave you thinking long after the show is over.” Houston Chronicle review

“Main Street Theater should be lauded – again (as with their regional premieres of Coast of Utopia, Wolf Hall, Light in the Piazza) – for their prescience in bringing this lost masterpiece to Houston. Trouble in Mind is glorious theater.” Houston Press review

“This is a powerful production of a fine play. However much it may at times unsettle, it is a troubling of the mind much to be desired.” Conroe Courier review

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LOCATION

Main Street Theater – Rice Village
2540 Times Blvd.
Directions

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Sept 17 – Oct 16, 2022
Previews: Sept 11, 15, & 16, 2022

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

Tickets: $35 – $59
(Previews: $15 – $20)

Open Captioning

Sunday, Oct 2, 2022 at 3pm
Open “in-sync” Captioned Performance

HELPFUL INFO

Seating Charts
Parking/Dining

Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes with one 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.

Part of the Art Logo

Special opportunities for each of the MainStage productions to help you connect with the work at MST in new ways.

 

PART OF THE ART Series Events for Trouble in Mind

Tuesday, August 23 at 6:45pm: Join us for a free, first read-thru of Trouble in Mind 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. To RSVP, please click here. Following the CDC’s current recommendations while taking into account that Houston is currently at a High Community Risk Level, masks are recommended. 

Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30pm: Join us for our next DEBI Discussion (Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion) moderated by Tamara Siler, professional actor and Deputy Director of Admission, Access and Inclusion at Rice University. Panelists include local artists S. Denise O’Neal, Crystal Rae, Steven J. Scott, and Manning Mpinduzi-Mott. We’ll explore the ways BIPOC artists navigate the Houston theater landscape. The event is free and open to all artists. Just register here: bit.ly/MSTDEBISept

       

Thursday, October 9: Join us for a pre-show Happy Hour with the one and only Carmina Vavra!

Sunday, October 9: Join us for a post-show discussion featuring some of Houston’s outstanding Black actresses: Tamara Siler, Rachel H. Dickson, Tené Carter, Ansonia Jones, Sloane Teagle, and Michele Harrell.

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

This production is generously supported in part by:

Underwriter

Season Sponsor

Last Stop on Market Street

Written by

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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.

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

SCHOOL GROUP RESERVATIONS

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

Grandparents’ Day at Main Street Theater!

We appreciate all you do, Grandparents! Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm at the MATCH, join us for a FREE event for grandparents and their grandchildren! We’ll have a photo booth, frame-making, handprint cards, and story-time! RSVP by Sept. 19 to aarnold@mainstreettheater.com with the number of adults and children in your party.

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.

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley

Written by

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley

SEASON ADD-ON
By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon

Regency romance is back with our favorite literary couple and their entertaining relations: Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy! Continuing Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, the below stairs servants at the grand Pemberley estate find themselves in the midst of a holiday scandal. An unwelcome visitor has stumbled into the hall in the middle of the night—Mr. Darcy’s nemesis and Lydia’s incorrigible husband, Mr. Wickham! Mrs. Reynolds, the bustling housekeeper, Cassie, the resilient new serving girl, and Brian, the helplessly romantic groomsman, must each balance their holiday preparations with keeping Wickham confined. But before long, everything reaches a boiling point, festivities spiral into chaos, and the truth comes to light! An utterly delightful holiday tale.

From MST’s 2019 Production:
“The play is delightful, engrossing in a light entertaining way.” —Houston Press “Have you ever gotten a present during the holiday season that when you start to read it, try it on, or begin to play with it, you realize it is just what you wanted? Such a gift is Main Street Theater’s holiday production, The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.” —Houston Chronicle/Conroe Courier

ADD THE WICKHAMS ON TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTION NOW!

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LOCATION

Main Street Theater – Rice Village
2540 Times Blvd.

PERFORMANCES

Nov 19 – Dec 18, 2022
Previews: Nov 17 & 18, 2022
No performance Thanksgiving Day, November 24

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

Tickets: $39 – $59

Open Captioning

Sunday, Nov 20 at 3pm
Open “in-sync” Captioned Performance

HELPFUL INFO

Seating Charts
Directions

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.

2022 – 2023 Theater for Youth Season

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SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR OUR 2022-2023
THEATER FOR YOUTH SEASON ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

Create a 3 Production Package, 4 Production Package, or the whole season with a 5 Production Package, and save on single ticket prices AND receive great benefits, including:

  • Free, unlimited TICKET EXCHANGES throughout the season.
  • LOWEST TICKET PRICE with no ticketing fees.
  • Access to the BEST SEATS before single tickets go on sale to the public.
  • PRIORITY ACCESS for our Holiday Subscription add-ons.
  • Discounted tickets for additional purchases to the Theater for Youth and the MainStage (in Rice Village).
Click here for all the details about our new season!

2022 – 2023 MainStage Season

Written by

Subscriptions for our 2022-2023
MainStage Season are now available!

Subscribe today, save on single ticket prices, AND receive great benefits, including:

  • Free, unlimited TICKET EXCHANGES throughout the season.
  • LOWEST TICKET PRICE with no ticketing fees.
  • Access to the BEST SEATS before single tickets go on sale to the public.
  • PRIORITY ACCESS for Subscription add-ons like The Wickhams – Christmas at Pemberley.
  • Discounted tickets for additional purchases to the MainStage and the Theater for Youth (at the MATCH).
Click here for all the details about the new MainStage Season!