The Best Theatre, Dance, Films and More to See in Austin This Fall
All the touching films, emotive dance, and spooky shows you should see this season
Fall is on its way, even if the sweat on your brow doesn’t show it. Get excited for cozy season and all the spooky fun it brings with our list of the best theatre, dance, comedy, films, drag shows, and more to see from now through November. There’s something for Star Wars fans, RuPaul’s Drag Race enthusiasts, true crime lovers, and beyond.
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard
September 13-October 6. Austin Playhouse West Campus, 405 W. 22nd St. $21-$46.
The winner of the 1995 Tony Award for Best Play arrives at Austin Playhouse. Sift through time at the theatre, from the early 1800s to the present, as Stoppard’s sprawling play explores change and how we make sense of it. In the first scene of Arcadia, set in 1809, teenager Thomasina Coverly introduces the concept of Chaos Theory, the point where order becomes disorder — a fitting metaphor for human’s constant realignment as birth, death, desire, and entropy take hold of our lives, often by forces we cannot control.
“Our Rhythms, Our Voices” featuring Javier Jara and Austin Unconducted
September 8 at 3 p.m. Dell Hall at the Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. $50-$75.
After the 2016 election and the many vitriolic stories about Latin American immigrants taking center stage in the media, local composer Javier Jara wanted to tell a different kind of immigrant story. Jara, who emigrated from Ecuador 21 years ago, decided to create original songs inspired by the true stories of Latin American immigrants from Bolivia, El Salvador, Mexico, and other countries. In “Our Rhythms, Our Voices” hear 12 original songs performed by the 18-piece Austin Unconducted Orchestra for one night only at the Long Center.
Twyla Tharp Dance: Diamond Jubilee
September 26. Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr. $29-$71.
The pioneering choreographer’s company returns to Austin to perform some of Tharp’s potent compositions. This Diamond Jubilee program includes Ocean’s Motion (1975) as well as two new pieces, Brel and The Ballet Masters.
21st Annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival
September 27-28. Rollins Theater at the Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. $5-$100.
The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities presents a cinematic celebration of disability in Texas with all kinds of films from a mix of international independent filmmakers. The two-day festival includes screenings of documentaries, avant-garde films, and all the films up for the short film competition, as well as live music and the presentation of the Gene Rodgers Creative Advocacy Award. All films are screened with open captions, and ASL interpretation is provided for all spoken events.
BELLE / A Tale of Beauty & the Beast
September 27-29. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. $20-$99.
Ballet Austin tells the contemporary, sensual story of Beauty and the Beast through dance and a haunting score from composer Graham Reynolds. Expect Alexander McQueen-esque costumes (no townsfolk aprons here), a gritty set inspired by film noir, and a twisted romance in BELLE / A Tale of Beauty & the Beast.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
October 22 at 8p.m. Bass Concert Hall. $45-$65.
The classic reigns supreme once again this month. Let’s do the time warp again with Austin’s premiere cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show (O’Brien’s Orchestra performs all year long at Southwest Theaters) joined onstage by special guest Nell Campbell, who played Columbia in the iconic 1975 film.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back by Austin Symphony Orchestra
October 25 at 7:30 p.m. Long Center. $69-$174.
In an auditorium not that far away at all, treat yourself to composer John Williams’ legendary music performed live by the Austin Symphony. Experience the 1980 film in a brand-new way as a full orchestra plays the soundtrack to our intergalactic heroes’ quest. Buy a ticket, or don’t…there is no try.
Bob the Drag Queen: This is Wild World Tour
November 8 at 8 p.m. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Avenue. $43.50-$203.
The hilarious winner of season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race graces us with his presence for a night of standup and glamour. Bob recently emceed the one and only Madonna’s tour, and this is his first headlining world tour, so you know he’s ready to put on one hell of a show.
Criminal Live
November 10, Paramount Theatre. $35-$45.
The beloved Criminal podcast turns ten this year, and it’s on a live tour to celebrate. The dulcet tones of host Phoebe Judge will take the stage to tell you a true-crime tale (and possibly interview someone) about “people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.” Which one are you?
Shucked
November 12-17. Bass Concert Hall. $30-$150.
Enjoy a night at the theatre when this corny Broadway tale heads to Texas. Shucked, the eight-time Tony Award-nominated original musical, tells the story of Cob County, a town that’s absolutely crazy for corn. Keep your ears open for plenty of corn puns as the protagonist Maizy tries to find out why the town’s corn is suddenly dying and takes off to Tampa, a big city she’s deeply enamored by. A series of wild misunderstandings and hijinks leads Maizy to a field full of trouble — and true love.