A mysterious death. A howling hound. A suspiciously Texan heir. What do all these things have in common? Chaos, comedy, and the incredible Todd Waite in his final bow as Sherlock Holmes at the Alley Theatre.
With only five actors and 36 characters flying in and out of scenes, The Hound of the Baskervilles was a theatrical juggling act, with a few wig, costume, and accent changes. Which is to say: it was impressive, ridiculous, and a lot of fun.
Before diving into the fun, we primed ourselves with a little chaos of our own: lunch at Post Market. In the spirit of the show’s variety, we went for food from all corners: noodles, rice, sushi, and African inspired power bowls— none of which appeared to be from the same restaurant.
Our group included LEAP friends Bill and Carol Hyman and Wayne and Andrea Scott, along with students Macey Schank, Jacob Wessels, Chrissy Biello, Michelle Moya, Mikaela Baires, and Austin intern Cinthia Villarreal. We showed up full and ready for whatever the Alley threw at us.
The Hound of the Baskervilles follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the legend of a supernatural hound that haunts his family’s estate. In this version, five actors take on dozens of characters, adding a fast-paced, comedic twist to the story.
When we saw Todd Waite last month at Murder by the Book, he mentioned how Sherlock Holmes is, frankly, a smart aleck, but one you can’t really get mad at, because he’s always right on the nose. Having heard him talk about the role made seeing him perform it even better. His timing, his wordplay, and even his smallest asides all landed with precision. He clearly knows Sherlock inside and out.
Dylan Godwin was another fan favorite in this show among our group. As the Texan heir to the Baskerville estate (among a dozen other characters), he was constantly shifting personalities and finding ways to distinguish the hilarious traits for both a grumpy street cop and a simple minded Texan—even when they are both in the same scene!
In all, this was a great experience for the LEAP Center to share with some amazing community friends.
We were at Murder by the Book, and we had some time to “kill.” We leafed through the Michael Connelly, thumbed the Agatha Christie, photographed the many Sherlock Holmes artifacts on display…
…and even bought a “Hound of the Baskervilles.”
But the real reason we were there was to see Todd Waite.
With 25 years at the Alley Theatre and an incredible 135 productions under his belt, he’s an institution in Houston theater. When he announced that he will be semi-retiring following his upcoming lead role in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, we felt the “weight” of the occasion. It was “elementary:” we purchased tickets.
As a prelude to opening night, Waite spoke at Murder by the Book, where he took the stage to the delight of a full house.
During the discussion, Waite discussed his love of language, a passion instilled in him by his mother, an English teacher who taught him early on to appreciate the weight of every word. This foundation shaped his approach to performance, where even the smallest vocal shift—from “ah” to “oh”—can redefine a line’s meaning.
He spoke about the complexity of human emotion and how, beyond the broad categories we assign feelings, true depth is conveyed through inflection, gesture, and tone.
His role as an actor, he explained, is to bring those nuances to life in a way that honors the writer’s intent. He illustrated these ideas with stories from his career, sharing insights from specific productions that influenced his philosophy.
Theater, he notes, is a form of alchemy—combining words, movement, and presence to create something greater than the sum of its parts, and this is something the LEAP Center tries to capture in its approach to education, incorporating the fine arts, history, law, politics, and literature into its curriculum. It is perhaps appropriate, then, that a majority of LEAP students have seen their first professional play with Waite on the Alley Theatre’s stage.
LEAP Students / Alumni at the Alley’s “Thirty-Nine Steps”
The Alley Theatre itself is something of an anomaly in contemporary American theatre. According to Waite, the Alley employs a full-time, year-round resident company—one of the few, if not the only, to do so. And this, of course, allows the residents of Houston and the surrounding areas, to see first-class theatre year-round.
Although we bid farewell (for now) to Waite’s (Murder by the Book) performance, we eagerly anticipate seeing him take the stage once more as a resident of the theatre company on April 13. We anticipate Baskerville leaving audiences “howling” for more.
Somehow, within the span of one year, an organization devoted to “law, engagement, and politics” has managed to see 10 plays in a 12-month period. the most recent of these was this past Saturday, when we saw Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, performed by SHSU’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre.
To briefly summarize, the play begins with a shipwreck that separates twins, Viola and Sebastian. Believing her brother to be lost at sea, Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino. Orsino, deeply in love with Lady Olivia, sends Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia on his behalf. However, Olivia falls for Cesario, unaware of Viola’s true identity, while Viola herself harbors feelings for Orsino. In other words, a true kerfuffle!
With any good Shakespeare play, there is a fantastic subplot. Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, becomes the target of a prank by Maria, Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Fabian. They trick him into believing Olivia loves him by forging a letter, along with some absurd instructions—wear yellow stockings, cross-gartered, and smile constantly at Olivia, who only welcomes melancholy. Malvolio’s monologue was by far my favorite moment in the play, as the humor of the prank is unfolding alongside a quite passionate and unwitting Malvolio.
Ultimately, as with all Shakespeare’s comedies, the play ends with multiple reunions and resolutions. Viola’s true identity is revealed, allowing her to reunite with her lost twin, Sebastian. Olivia, who had fallen for Cesario (Viola in disguise), is surprised but happy to find herself married to Sebastian instead. Orsino, realizing Viola’s love for him, shifts his affections and proposes to her. Meanwhile, the prank on Malvolio is exposed, but he exits vowing revenge rather than joining in the happy ending.
SHSU’s approach to the play, in terms of design, was quite interesting to me. With a 1920’s Art Deco style, one could imagine the themes of living in excess, false appearances and social ambition. In all, our group thought everything was well executed, entertaining, and all the more thought provoking. If this crowd was any judge of the performance, then the SHSU Theatre Department delivered a hit!
Music, murder, mayhem: what’s not to love? That’s pretty much how LEAP students felt about Bob Fosse’s “Chicago,” performed this week in College Station.
Performed at the Rudder Theater on Texas A&M University’s Campus, “Chicago” is in the midst of a seemingly endless national run. This tour included Taylor Lane (Velma Kelly), Ellie Roddy (Roxie Hart), Connor Sullivan (Billy Flynn), Andrew Metzger (Amos Hart), Illeana Kirven (as “Mama”), with Lane and Kirven as particular standouts (the latter is from Tyler, TX).
For those who haven’t seen it, the play is a satire on the strange world of celebrity in the United States, particularly the country’s tendency to elevate the most notorious of criminals. Written in the 1970s, the musical anticipates a world in which people such as O.J. Simpson, Kim Kardashian, Brittney Spears, and the “Hawk Tuah” girl are seen as influencers.
Such individuals not only escape the criminal justice system, but they also seem to win in the court of public opinion, maintaining a celebrity status.
In the musical, the story of Roxie Hart is told through songs. Hart, who is indicted for the murder of her lover, obtains a not guilty verdict through the “Razzle Dazzle” of her Johnny Cochran-like attorney, Billy Flynn. As salacious as Hart’s case is, however, she competes with the girls of the “Cell-Block Tango” among others for attention from the media and the public.
With a rewritten narrative of the murderous night (“We both reached for the gun“) and the manipulation of Roxie’s hapless husband, Amos (Mr. Cellophane), Roxie is acquitted.
But in a world where everyone receives 15 minutes of fame, Hart’s fame gives way to others, and she and Velma Kelly are relegated to Vaudeville, a kind of forerunner to TikTok.
For a group of aspiring lawyers in the 21st century, it was a worthy fable and a wonderful night of entertainment.
Indeed, different aspects of it appealed to each of us. For Chrissy, she enjoyed Bob Fosse’s choreography and the song “Nowadays.” Olivia enjoyed “Cell Block Tango” and, even more so, “We Both Reached for the Gun.” Michelle, on the other hand, favored “Me and My Baby” and the satire and irony that suffused the production–the very first play she has seen! For Mike and Stephanie, a “favorite” is less clear, but “All That Jazz” never gets old.
Nor does “Chicago: The Musical,” which is why it is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. And the third time–but not the last–that LEAP Ambassadors have seen the production!
On our first day in New York City, we decided it would be a good idea to explore the area and familiarize ourselves with the surroundings, including the subway system. It turned out to be a great decision, as we encountered many fascinating and exciting sights along the way!
As we began walking through the city, Professor Yawn noticed our proximity to the historic Prince Street. Along this notable street stands the first Richard Haas mural, which Olivia enthusiastically recognized and pointed out as we approached.
Richard Haas’s First Mural, 1974
The mural, gracing 112 Prince Street since 1974, features intricate details that have been thoughtfully added over the years. But even as an early work, it reflects Haas’s artistic and architectural sensibilities, as well as his ability to transform a space through art.
Haas, who lives in New York, once spent a summer working for Frank Lloyd Wright, before embarking on a successful career as what the New York Times referred to as an “urbanologist.”
Thanks to the work of Linda Pease, Haas brought his Urbanology to Huntsville, TX, where he has completed 15 exterior murals–the most of any city. Thus, despite being strangers in the strange land of New York City, we felt oddly at home.
Continuing our walk, Chinatown emerged as a fascinating destination; its narrow streets offered an authentic glimpse into this vibrant New York neighborhood.
To our delight, we found the New York City Hall, a magnificent French Renaissance Revival structure still bearing the inscription “New Amsterdam;” a beautiful reminder of the city’s Dutch origins.
Next on our route was Federal Hall, which was erected in the 19th century as a Customs House. Prior the construction of the present building, however, the site hosted many milestones in the formulation of the United States government. The US Congress, such as it was, met here in the 1780s, when the (semi) United States of America was governed under the Articles of Confederation, and even as the US Constitution was written to supersede the Articles, the First Congress met on this site–and the Bill of Rights was first proposed here. More relevant to our current trip, George Washington was inaugurated on the balcony of the old Federal Building–the first-ever US Presidential inauguration! Standing on this site, therefore felt particularly resonant, considering we will be witnessing the 47th presidential inauguration in DC on Monday!
Approaching the Brooklyn Bridge, we began to make the long way up; winds from the surrounding waters grew increasingly cold.
This suspension bridge, one of the oldest in the United States, goes over the East River and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn.
When we reached the top, the spectacular view, however, made the chilly walk (the wind chill was in the teens) entirely worthwhile!
A shift in the atmosphere became apparent when we visited the 9/11 Memorial. The names etched in bronze, the twin waterfall pools, and the One World Trade Center made us all feel reflective. Saturday, we will get the chance to visit the museum, something we are greatly looking forward to as it will allow us to educate ourselves more on that disastrous day.
Before heading back to prepare for our evening of theater (Hadestown and Sunset Boulevard), we stopped at Zuccotti Park to observe Mark di Suvero’s “Joie de Vivre.” The 70-foot red steel sculpture definitely stands out against the Financial District backdrop, with its modern design creating an interesting contrast with the surrounding area.
Finally, we returned to the subway, hoping our earlier experiences had made us experts. Despite our optimism, we still struggled to navigate the system (particularly myself), but successfully made our way back to the hotel to prepare for an evening of theater.
Katz’s Deli
Although our time in NYC is short, we hope to squeeze in as many quality (and affordable) restaurants (and coffee shops) as possible. Thus, amidst our rambles on New York’s sidewalks, we espied Katz’s Deli, which was rated as the “Best Deli” in the Big Apple by Zagat, while also regularly appearing in the New York Times’ various “best of” lists. It is also notable for the many films that have set scenes in the Deli, including Donnie Brasco, We Own the Night, The Sidewalks of New York, and most famously, When Harry Met Sally.
Being new to the place, we weren’t familiar with the unique ordering system of Katz’s. When you enter, you are handed a ticket, which you then take to a counter where one of approximately 15 “cutters” are stationed. The cutters, so named because they cut the meat in front of you, offer suggestions and samples, and so it was that Professor Yawn ordered Pastrami…
…and Olivia ordered a Reuben.
Chrissy, for her part, took a different approach, veering from the “I’ll have what she’s having” custom at Katz’s. To hear Chrissy tell of her upbringing–an upbringing that changes upon retelling, depending on her energy level and degree of coherence–she was fed baloney, almost exclusively, for the first six or seven years of her life.
If we followed this narrative correctly, this prompted her to order “soft salami.” Despite gentle nudges from the cutter to consider the pastrami, Ms. Biello remained obdurate, insisting on the salami. The cutter, clearly disappointed, complied, although his look of disappointment was palpable.
Just because we ordered separate foods, however, doesn’t mean we actually ate separately. Chrissy shared in both the pastrami and the Reuben, while all of us sampled all the food at our table.
While we can’t compare Katz’s to other NY Delis, we were in general agreement that we don’t get Pastrami or Corned Beef as good in Texas…and we have a full appreciation for why the New York Times called this institution–in business since 1888–the “king of New York delis.”
Hadestown on Broadway
by Olivia Discon
After spending the day exploring New York, Chrissy and I ended the night with a Broadway show—Hadestownat the Walter Kerr Theatre. Watching a production in this historic venue was an incredible experience, and Hadestown lived up to its reputation as one of Broadway’s best.
Written by Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The story follows Orpheus, a musician, and his journey to the Underworld to rescue his love, Eurydice, from Hades. The story covers some heavy hitting subjects while successfully executing a modern day retelling of the tragedy.
Chrissy and I both thoroughly enjoyed the set design.
The stage featured three spinning circles that worked like a treadmill, adding fluidity to the choreography and creating a sense of constant motion. This small but awesome detail elevated the performance and made every scene feel dynamic and alive.
The live jazz band, positioned on stage, was another highlight. Their presence both in song and in sound effects elevated the entire experience. It sort of reminded me of the live band that played at the first play I saw with LEAP, Chicago!
For Chrissy, Hermes (played by Malcolm Armwood) was the standout character, while I loved Persephone (played by Allison Russell). Both actors were incredibly talented and brought vastly different elements to the production. This cast can sing!
Seeing Hadestown has been a dream of mine for years, and getting to experience it with LEAP made it even more special. It’s a night I’ll cherish for a long time.
This past weekend, the LEAP Ambassadors, along with friends and alumni, took our regular trip to Houston for an afternoon filled with laughter, great food, and a little culture. Our destination: The Alley Theatre to see the farcical comedy Noises Off. These Houston outings have become something of a tradition for us—a chance to bond over good food and great theatre, and this time was no exception.
Before heading to the show, we made our first stop at POST Houston, a spot we frequent for its array of restaurants that cater to every craving. From sushi to burgers and international cuisine, POST has something for everyone. After fueling up, it was time for our traditional rooftop photo with the Houston skyline in the background—a moment we capture every time we’re in the area. The LEAP Ambassadors, a few friends, and alumni joined in for the photo op, including Michelle Lyons and her daughter Katherine Burnett, SHSU alum and former SHAIP intern Ashlyn Rodriguez with her husband, as well as Jacob Wessels and Yajaira Gutierrez. With full stomachs and a great group, we were ready for the play!
For those unfamiliar, Noises Off is a comedy about…well, comedy. It’s a play within a play, following a chaotic theatre troupe as they stumble (quite literally) through a performance. Having some theatre background myself, I was eager to see how close this farce would be to the real backstage antics I’ve experienced. Spoiler alert: it was spot on—and absolutely hilarious.
The play is structured in three acts, each highlighting a different stage of a theatre production.
The first act is the troupe’s final rehearsal before opening night, where the director desperately tries to smooth out the rough edges—particularly the constant confusion over a plate of sardines, which becomes a running joke. The second act gives us a behind-the-scenes look, with the audience seeing the backstage chaos unfold as the actors’ personal issues boil over. Doors are slamming, props are misplaced, and love triangles are revealed. And then, in the final act, we witness the disastrous final performance, where everything that could go wrong does. The actors are left to improvise their way through the script, which by now is nothing more than a series of disconnected lines and missed cues.
It was a joy to see our group laughing together, especially as some of us were familiar with the antics that come with putting on a play. Stephanie, in particular, has long been a fan of Noises Off, and by the end of the show, Yajaira had declared it her new favorite too. It’s no wonder—between the witty dialogue and physical comedy, the play is a masterclass in farce.
As we walked out of the theatre, we couldn’t help but keep laughing about the final performance scene—the sardines, the dropped lines, and the general mayhem. It was a perfect ending to a perfect afternoon. In fact, I think the sardines became their own character in the play! It was a delightful reminder that sometimes, when everything goes wrong, it makes for the best kind of theatre…and memories.
With the fall rapidly approaching, LEAP Ambassadors gathered together–along with alumni and friends–for some entertainment, food, and planning. It was our quarterly(ish) get together with alumni for theater entertainment and a meal, combined with our planning retreat. And when the Houston Post Market and the Alley Theatre are involved, you know it’s going to be fun.
As has become something of a tradition, we began at the Houston Post Market, a suggestion once made by Bryan Phillips (thank you!), which offers something for everyone and a great view from the top. The food hall offers more than 10 types of ethnic foods, plus other ice-cream, coffee, and juices. Orders tended to cluster among the Italian, West African, and Mexican options, and no one was disappointed.
Meanwhile, we also had the opportunity to spend times with “friends of LEAP,” such as Maggie Betancourt, Katherine Burnett, and Victoria Medrano (and Victoria’s mom, Sandra), and the chance to catch up with alumni Victoria McClendon (and her amiable fiancée Nick Cardenas), newly-minted alumna Morgan Robertson (and her long-suffering boyfriend Tommy Ward).
Professor Yawn even brought a gift for Morgan, who in her years in LEAP, distinguished herself as a klutz of the first order, often impersonating a pinball, bumping into angle, corner, wall, or furniture item within a stride’s reach. She is safer now, thanks to a bright yellow wrist-band reading “Fall Risk.”
This should alert safety personnel that an emergency is imminent, and it should warn passersby to give wide berth, for Morgan’s safety and their own.
After making Morgan feel at home, as though she had never left the LEAP fold, we headed off to the ostensible main attraction, our annual attendance at the Alley’s “Summer Chills,” where our group was joined by alums Bianca Saldierna and Quinn Kobrin and his fiancée, Jessica Madry. With an assist from the Alley’s always-helpful Laura Perez, we had 17 tickets for “And Then There Were None,” a suspenseful, fun, and–at times, frightening–adaption of the Agatha Christie classic.
The plot is familiar, but largely because Christie’s work has spawned so many conceptual copy-cats.
Ten people are invited to an isolated island under false pretenses, and then they are killed off one-by-one until “there were none.” The play, a type of locked-room mystery, is a technical masterpiece, and the Alley’s professional staff did a great job of pulling it off with freshness and humor and with a moody atmosphere that occasionally raised goosebumps.
And while the play was wonderful, the real treat was spending time with new students, the LEAP Ambassadors, and alumni. In many respects, these outings embody the LEAP approach to learning–fun, education, and long-term relationships rolled into one event.
It is a formula we hope to repeat throughout the fall–er, autumn (sorry, Morgan)–and, indeed, for many autumns to come.
For the first weekend of the summer session the LEAP Ambassadors gathered with alumni and friends to attend another of the Alley Theatre’s wonderful productions, this one “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” the Hitchcock classic adapted to the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher.
As is our norm, we met friends at the Houston Post Market for dinner. This venue allows everyone to try something new, while also providing for a diversity of taste options.
And the Post Market also provides a wonderful view–from the rooftop!
Although a casual dinner, it was celebratory. Not only was it a wonderful way to spend time with friends, but it was also the Spencers’ birthdays! Yes, they share the same birthday of June 1.
Following dinner, we zipped to The Alley Theatre, where we settled in for “Dial M for Murder.”
We were able to see some familiar faces, regulars from the Alley’s professional cast, such as Dylan Godwin (from SHSU) and Todd Waite. But we were also able to see some new (to us) talent, including Teresa Zimmerman, Geena Qintos, and Brandon Hearnsberger.
We loved the play, with some debate about whether this, “The Nerd,” or “Shear Madness” (at the Lincoln Center in DC) was the LEAP Ambassadors favorite among recent productions.
In broad outlines, the play follows the 1954 Hitchcock thriller, but this production added in more humor, particularly in the second half. There were also a few modernizations and an added twist, ensuring that even those familiar with the film classic will find new aspects of the thriller to enjoy.
All agreed that the sets and lighting were one of the chief assets of the production.
There was less consensus on which of the actors was the best, but everyone agreed that watching Todd Waite is a joy.
It was a wonderful way to spend an evening, precisely how we wished to kick off the summer session–with entertainment, education, and friendship.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 