Last Chance to catch country star Larry Gatlin's new musical, Texas Flyer, which had its world premiere (May-June) at PA's Bristol Riverside Theatre, and is now receiving its second production, through July 25, as part of Houston's Theatre Under the Stars free park musicals series. The mounting, which opened July 15, is a co-production between Bristol and TUTS.
Flyer concerns a quiet Texas cafe owner and widower, who has distanced himself from life. Author Gatlin (1994's Alive and Well) starred on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies.
As he did in PA, Gatlin plays the lead role. Supporting Gatlin are Susan Powell, a former Miss America, and Richard White, who provided the voice of Gaston in the animated film Beauty and the Beast. Susan D. Atkinson directs.
Gatlin joins an ever-growing list of music stars setting their sights on the theatre. Recent months have seen pop singer-songwriters such as Paul Simon, Elton John, and Barry Manilow pen works for the stage. A new musical by Donna Summer is scheduled to debut in England this fall.
For information on Texas Flyer at TUTS' Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park call (713) 558-2600. -- By Robert Simonson and David Lefkowitz