As October kicks off, theatrics will take center stage in and around Fort Worth. A certain world famous pop singer takes over the biggest venue in the area for two straight nights, and there will be no fewer than four new theater productions, including two for children. You can also see a great comedian, drink lots of beer, and enjoy art in many forms.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, October 4
Amphibian Stage Productions presents Artist Descending a Staircase
In this play by four-time Tony Award winner Tom Stoppard, an artist is murdered, leaving his two friends suspecting each other. There is one thing that unites them all: their infatuation with Sophie. Before she tragically went blind, she fell in love with one of them after viewing his picture in a gallery, but there seems to be confusion about whose picture she saw. The production will run at Amphibian Stage Productions through October 28.
Improv Arlington presents Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia found success on the L.A comedy circuit, and was later named "International Comedy Grand Champion" from Buscando Estrellas (the Latino version of Star Search). This led to appearances on In Living Color, The Arsenio Hall Show, Moesha, An Evening at the Improv, and eventually his own Comedy Central show, Mind of Mencia. He'll perform six times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Friday, October 5
Magnolia at the Modern: Kusama - Infinity
Kusama - Infinity explores artist Yayoi Kusama's journey from a conservative upbringing in Japan to her brush with fame in America during the 1960s (where she rivaled Andy Warhol for press attention) and concludes with the international fame she has finally achieved within the art world. The film will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Artisan Children’s Theater presents Willy Wonka Jr.
The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. The production will run at Artisan Center Theater in Hurst through November 3.
Taylor Swift in concert with Camilla Cabello and Charli XCX
It's been almost three years since Dallas-Fort Worth fans have had a chance to see Taylor Swift perform in person, so she's doubling down and giving them two chances. Swift's latest album, Reputation, has not been quite the crowd-pleaser as her previous albums, but her level is so high that it dwarfs pretty much any other singer. She'll perform on both Friday at Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with support from Camilla Cabello and Charli XCX.
Casa Mañana presents The Big Bad Musical
A courtroom has never been livelier than in the smart and wickedly funny The Big Bad Musical. The audience is the jury, and you must decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairy-tale world. The notorious Big Bad Wolf is being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by storybooks of quirky characters who want to get even: Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. The production will run at Casa Mañana Theatre through October 21.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents La Mer
Music inspired by water is at the core of this program, featuring Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Smetana’s The Moldau from Má vlast, Debussy’s La mer and Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto, featuring cellist Maja Bogdanović. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will present the concert three times through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Tarrant Actors Regional Theatre presents Man of La Mancha
In 16th-century Spain, a part-time actor, poet, and playwright named Don Miguel de Cervantes has been imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition for an offense against the Church. Desperate to save a manuscript he carries with him, Cervantes demands a "trial," and stages, with the help of his devoted servant, his own defense: the story of Don Quixote. The production will run through October 14 at Fort Worth Community Arts Center.
Saturday, October 6
Flying Saucer BeerFeast
Flying Saucer’s BeerFeast will feature more than 120 beers. Guests can sample from a lineup of carefully curated, world-class beers from the U.S., Belgium, Germany, England, and beyond. There will also be food from restaurants of Sundance Square, including creations from Bird Café. VIP Ticket Holders receive a food voucher, a commemorative 2018 BeerFeast Taster Glass, and 12 2-oz beer samples on a commemorative taster card.
Sunday, October 7
Kimbell Art Museum presents "Balenciaga in Black" and "Goya in Black and White" opening day
Two separate color-focused exhibitions will open at Kimbell Art Museum on Sunday. "Balenciaga in Black" features more than 100 carefully selected costumes and accessories from Cristóbal Balenciaga, all made by hand in the haute-couture ateliers of the fashion genius, and all sharing one major feature: they are all black. "Goya in Black and White" will explore the evolution of Francisco de Goya y Lucientes' graphic work in all media, showing the literal and figurative importance of black and white in his pieces. Both exhibits will be on display through January 6, 2019.
Tarrant Actors Regional Theatre presents Man of La Mancha at Fort Worth Community Arts Center, October 5-14.
