An Exciting New Play by a Legendary Houston Theatre Artist!
Performance dates: March 24-April 9, 2023
Preview: March 23, 2023
Get ready for the ultimate theatrical collaboration as two Houston legends join forces to bring you The Book of Mary (It Costs a Lot to Be Real). Mary Hooper’s self-authored, one-woman show promises to be a standout production–with Director Ted Swindley at the helm and Mary taking center stage in the spotlight where she belongs. It’s a show filled with laughter and heart that you won’t want to miss.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Ted Swindley Theatre Workshop in association with Dirt Dogs UNLEASHED presents the world premiere of The Book of Mary (It Costs a Lot to Be Real) written by and starring Houston’s own Mary Hooper and directed by Ted Swindley, founder of Houston’s Stages theatre and author of the popular musical, Always…Patsy Cline. It’s a raucous ride: from her Beaumont beginnings as a shy child of deaf parents and her timely escape to the “gayborhood” of Montrose in the 70s and 80s, to her adventures onstage in Houston’s way off Broadway theatre scene. Both funny and poignant, The Book of Mary is a love letter to the diva in us all.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Mary Hooper is well known to Houston audiences. From piano bars, improvised warehouse performance spaces, to more sophisticated venues like Alley Theatre and Stages Repertory Theatre, Mary has been on the boards in the Houston theatre scene for more than 45 years. She has numerous performance credits, including those with The Montrose Players, Equinox Theatre and Theatre LaB. In addition, she is a founding member of the company at Stages and was the first cisgender female to join the cast of The Diana Awards.The Book of Mary (It Costs a Lot to Be Real), not only features Mary in the starring role, it is her maiden voyage as a playwright. “I’ve been told so many times, ‘You should really write a book! What a life you’ve had!’ and I always thought, who would believe it?” Mary recounted. “The pandemic gave me the opportunity to write—not exactly a book, but my own one-woman show. Writing and performing The Book of Mary is my greatest adventure yet!”
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR & CREATIVES
Director Ted Swindley is also a playwright and producer, as well as the founding artistic director of Stages Repertory Theater in Houston. He has directed and/or produced plays and musicals for more than 40 years and is internationally known as the creator and original director of the popular musical, Always…Patsy Cline. He is President and Executive Director of Ted Swindley Productions theatrical licensing where he continues to write plays and musicals, consult and mentor playwrights, including high school seniors for the Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Annual Student Playwright Festival, and direct plays for various theaters throughout the U.S. and abroad. Ted’s complete bio is available at www.tedswindleyproductions.com.
Rounding out the creative team are Mark Lewis (scenic designer), Ian Evans (lighting designer), Tim Thomson (sound/video designer) and Norma Catlin Thomson (production stage manager).
DETAILS
CALENDAR LISTING
Theatre/Performing Arts
WHAT
The Book of Mary (It Costs a Lot to be Real)
WHO
Directed by Ted Swindley (77027)
Featuring:
Actor
Role
(ZIP)
Notable acting credits
Mary Hooper
Herself
(77009)
The Rocky Horror Show (Trixie, Columbia), Why Hannah’s Skirt Won’t
Stay Down (Hannah), Neon Woman (Kim), Blue Window (Boo), Carnal
Knowledge (Cindy), Hair (Sheila), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Leader
of the Pack (Annie Golden), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Vampire
Lesbians of Sodom (Madeleine Astarte) and The Most Fabulous Story
Ever Told (Narrator/God)
WHEN
March 24–April 9, 2023
Preview, March 23, 2023
PERFORMANCES
Preview
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Opening night
Friday, March 24, 2023 (followed by a champagne reception)Evenings
8pm | Fridays & Saturdays, March 24, 25 & 31 and April 7 & 8
7:30pm | Thursdays, March 30 & April 6
7:30pm | Monday, April 3
Matinees
3pm | Sundays, March 26 and April 2 & 9
Talk back (with director and cast)
Thursdays, March 30 & April 6 | after the performance
Approximate run time
90 minutes (one intermission)
WHERE
MATCH – Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
Matchbox 1, The Emily Todd Theater, 3400 Main St., Houston, TX 77002
BOX OFFICE
713.521.4533 | https://matchouston.org/events/2023/book-mary
TICKETS
Single tickets, $40
Group tickets (parties more than 10), $32 each, March 23, 26, & April 3 are “Pay What You Can”
PRESS CONTACT
Trevor B. Cone, General Manager, trevor@dirtdogstheatre.org, 713.561.5113
ABOUT TED SWINDLEY THEATRE WORKSHOP
The Ted Swindley Theatre Workshop is focused on the development of new plays, reimagined presentations of classic American plays, theatre education seminars and the occasional full productions of original works. The workshop solicits material from writers, actors and directors that is informative and funny, celebratory and cautionary. Ted Swindley is a nationally known playwright, director and founder of Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston. At this theatre he began new works projects such as The Texas Playwrights Festival. He is best known as the creator/writer of Always…Patsy Cline, one of America’s most popular musicals.
ABOUT DIRT DOGS UNLEASHED
UNLEASHED is a non-season series centered on development of new works, staged readings, and other theatrical productions that further the mission of Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. to enrich and entertain audiences, inspire artists, and honor playwrights. www.dirtdogstheatre.org/unleashed.
