Tag Archive for: live performance

HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH AT HORIZON THEATRE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/25/26

Horizon Theatre Serves Up Wildly Theatrical Comedy HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH

Aug. 21–Sept. 19, 2026

Atlanta playwright Kira Rockwell mixes sharp humor and chicken-fried chaos

“A cleverly funny show with a lot of heart. A clucking good time!”
The New England Theatre Geek

Horizon Theatre Company presents HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH, a wildly theatrical new comedy by award-winning Atlanta playwright Kira Rockwell, running Aug. 21–Sept. 19, 2026, with a press opening Aug. 28. Directed by Horizon Theatre Co-Artistic Director Lisa Adler, the comedy gathers 100 zealous fans of the fictional fast-food chain Holy Chicken Grail for an overnight parking lot campout and the chance to win a year of free fried chicken combos. But as the night unfolds, it becomes clear there’s a fox in the chicken coop. Loyalties are tested, sides are drawn and the flock begins to fracture—with a lot more at stake than free chicken.

On the eve of Holy Chicken Grail’s highly anticipated grand opening, devotees arrive with tents, sleeping bags and plenty of enthusiasm, ready to camp overnight for the ultimate prize. Newly appointed store manager Jade is charged with keeping the crowd happy and the event under control. But strange disruptions and unexpected revelations soon turn a carefully orchestrated corporate celebration upside down. As tensions rise among campers, employees, influencers and YouTubers, Jade races to uncover the source of the chaos before the night spirals completely out of control.

Fresh, funny and topical, HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH combines whip-smart humor, a shape-shifting ensemble and an absurd pantheon of chicken gods with a cheeky satire of our increasingly divided world. As the celebration unravels, loyalties deepen, opposing camps emerge and everyone becomes increasingly certain that the other side is the problem. Through the chicken-fried chaos, Rockwell takes a sharp, playful look at how our beliefs and values can bring us together—or send us scrambling to opposite sides of the parking lot. At the heart of it all: What is really in the secret sauce of devotion?

Horizon’s relationship with Rockwell began through its New South Young Playwrights Festival, where she served as a lead mentor and teacher for college student writers. Horizon Co-Artistic Director Lisa Adler then discovered Rockwell’s HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH and immediately wanted to bring her distinctly Southern theatrical voice to Horizon audiences. “I loved the play’s humor and heart, and the way it finds comedy and humanity in the divisions we see all around us today,” explains director Lisa Adler.  “It felt like a perfect fit for Horizon—hilarious, smart, timely and ultimately about how we connect with one another.”

“My theatrical Southern roots stem from a background in Charismatic Pentecostalism, where I first encountered the power of communal storytelling through ritual and performance,” Rockwell said. “I explore themes of belief, values, group dynamics and the fine line between faith and fanaticism.” HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH takes those ideas into the absurdly familiar world of a fast-food grand opening. A workshop production presented as part of the Boston New Works Festival earned praise from The New England Theatre Geek, which called the play “a cleverly funny show with a lot of heart” and “a clucking good time.”

Originally from the heart of Texas, Kira Rockwell is an Atlanta-based playwright and educator whose work has been developed and produced across Atlanta and nationally. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre performance from Baylor University, a Master of Fine Arts in playwriting from Boston University and was recently featured in American Theatre magazine as an artist to watch. Atlanta audiences may know her work from Actor’s Express’ acclaimed 2023 production of Oh, to Be Pure Again, for which she won the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award from Atlanta’s Suzi Bass Awards. She currently teaches playwriting and screenwriting at Kennesaw State University.

HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH features an ensemble cast of Atlanta comedic actors who transform rapidly among Holy Chicken Grail devotees, employees, influencers, YouTubers and even chickens.  Leading the cast is Cara Mantella as plucky new store manager Jade, shepherding her flock of 100 devoted “Grailers” through the night-long campout.

Surrounding Jade are the mysterious “Chicken Gods”—Wing, Tenderloin, Gizzard, Thigh and Drumstick—played by five actors who shape-shift through the many characters Jade encounters over the course of the night. Marcie Millard (Horizon’s Hot Jambalaya and Dog Mom) returns to the Horizon stage for her third show this year, playing main god Wing who takes on the roles of a reluctant momma “Grailer” who does not understand her daughter’s devotion, a middle-aged ASMR YouTuber, a Pentecostal widow and a mysterious “beggar woman.” Alejandra Ruiz (Kira Rockwell’s Oh, to Be Pure Again at Actor’s Express and Twelfth Night at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern) plays the god Tenderloin who becomes the enthusiastic Daughter, thrilled to be first in line for special treatment tonight, as well as a newlywed on a strange journey and a sunny influencer.  Brad Raymond (Horizon’s Wild with Happy and many Alliance Theatre productions) is the god Gizzard who takes on the roles of a Grandpa out for fun with the Cha Cha Slide, Parchesi and extra chicken tenders, Jade’s mentor and corporate leader Mr. True, and viral YouTuber Tik Tok Pops.  Myles Evans (The Hot Wing King, Alliance Theatre) is the god Thigh who transforms into Husband, a passionate Original Grailer and also Kevin, the popular “Holy Chicken Disciple” YouTuber, banished when he reveals something rotten in the company sauce and is here tonight to win back his former friend Jade. Alexander Anderson (KSU theatre student) plays the god Drumstick and Nicky, the brand new employee and young trans man, brimming with excitement for this special night. 

Director Lisa Adler (recently – Horizon’s I Carry Your Heart with Me, Roe) has led dozens of new works as a director or dramaturg for Horizon’s New South Play Festival, including The Waffle Palace, Waffle Palace Christmas, Third Country and many more.  Here she orchestrates the crazy world of HOLY CHICKEN SANDWICH with Horizon’s multiple Suzi Award-winning resident designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay on scenic and Mary Parker on lighting. The creative team also includes Horizon newcomers costume designer Stephanie Dixon and sound designer John Michael Hoke (The Hobbit, Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern) and Horizon’s returning props master, Annabel Sapp. The production’s ensemble staging, rapid transformations and reality-bending plot bring big theatrical energy to a comedy with thought-provoking ideas simmering beneath the surface.

Performances begin Aug. 21, with a press opening Aug. 28, running through September 19.  Performances are on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $40* on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $45* for Friday nights, Saturday nights and weekend matinees. Prices will increase as performances fill, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best pricing and availability. Group pricing is available for parties of 10 or more. Groups of 10-24 receive $5 off the general admission ticket price. Groups of 25 or more receive $7 off the general admission ticket price. Students under 25 can purchase $20* tickets with valid student ID. *7.5% sales tax/fee is added to all ticket orders. Single ticket seating is general admission, with a reserved seating section for season subscribers. There is limited accessible seating for patrons needing accommodation, and it must be reserved by phone.  For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

For full actor and creative team bios, visit horizontheatre.com/plays/holy-chicken-sandwich.

CREATIVE TEAM

Playwright – Kira Rockwell
Director – Lisa Adler
Scenic Designers – Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay
Lighting Designer – Mary Parker

Costume Designer – Stephanie Dixon
Props Designer – Annabel Sapp
Sound Designer – John Michael Hoke
Stage Manager – Tara Patterson
Assistant Stage Manager – Clarissa Mullig

CAST

Alexander Anderson (Drumstick, Nicky)
Myles Evans* (Thigh, Kevin, Husband, Secretary)
Cara Mantella* (Jade)
Marcie Millard (Wing, Mother, Widow, ASMR YouTuber, Beggar Woman)
Brad Raymond* (Gizzard, Grandpa, Mr. True, Tik Tok Pops)
Alejandra Ruiz (Tenderloin, Daughter, Wife, Influencer, Secretary)

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

GOLD COMES TO LIFE WITH AU ROOM AT PULLMAN YARDS, AUGUST 27 – OCTOBER 11, 2026

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/18/26

Produced by Pink Puma, Creators of Sold Out After Dark Cabaret Experience,

AU Room Features World-Class Aerialists, Choreography, Immersive Visuals, Music, and More

All Ticket Levels On Sale Now

All that glitters is gold with the Atlanta premiere of AU Room Show at Pullman Yards launching Thursday, August 27, and running for a limited time through Sunday, October 11. Inspired by humanity’s centuries-long fascination with gold, AU Room Show explores the beauty, power and temptation tied to it throughout history. Produced by Pink Puma Inc., in partnership with BucketListers and Pullman Yards, the 100-minute production blends World-class aerial performances with powerful music and contemporary choreography inspired by humanity’s relationship with gold and wealth—spectacular LED visuals and a rich theatrical atmosphere transform the stage into immersive worlds where story, music, movement, lighting, and design create an unforgettable evening. 

AU Room Show is created and produced by Polina Volchek, a former Cirque du Soleil soloist, four-time World Pole Sport & Artistic Pole Champion, world record holder and Master of Sports at the International Level. Volchek also produced the sold-out AfterDark Show, which made its Atlanta debut at Pullman Yards earlier this year.

“Gold has inspired civilizations for thousands of years. AU Room isn’t about luxury. It’s about our relationship with one of history’s most powerful symbols,” says Volchek. “We wanted to create a world where audiences don’t simply watch a performance; they step inside a living work of art.’

“Polina brings an extraordinary artistic perspective to AU Room, shaped in part by her Russian roots and a strong appreciation for theatrical storytelling, discipline, and visual artistry,” says Maureen Meulen of Pullman Yards. “Her talent to transform movement into emotion and create these breathtaking, immersive worlds is truly remarkable. Atlanta audiences are going to experience something remarkable, an artist at the height of her craft bringing her vision to life in a way that feels both timeless and completely original.”

Tickets for AU Room Show are on sale now, including Diamond and Platinum levels, which include one complimentary signature cocktail, wine, beer, champagne by the glass, or a non-alcoholic beverage. Performances will take place Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 6 p.m. at Pullman Yards, located at 225 Rogers St. NE in Atlanta. All ticket levels and additional information are available online at auroom.show. AU Room Show is an all-ages show, but recommended for guests ages 12 and older.

Visit www.PullmanYards.com for the most up-to-date information on this and all experiences on the Pullman Yards complex. Pullman Yards is located at 225 Rogers Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia.

SPAMALOT COMES TO ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/21/26

The Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Comedy is Back!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Fox Theatre

July 21-26, 2026

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2025/2026 Season

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta is delighted to announce that tickets for SPAMALOT are on sale now for a limited one-week engagement at the Fox Theatre from July 21-26, as part of the 2025/2026 season. Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre box office at 660 Peachtree Street NE, by visiting foxtheatre.org/spamalot or by calling 855-285-8499. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by contacting sales@foxtheatre.org. For more information, please visit spamalotthemusical.com.

SPAMALOT, which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, features a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three including Best Musical. 

The performance schedule is as follows:

Tuesday – Thursday                    7:30 p.m.
Friday                                          8 p.m.
Saturday                                      2 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sunday                                        1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

Following its critically acclaimed 2023 Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre in NYC, SPAMALOT is now on an all-new North American tour. Under the direction and choreography of Josh Rhodes, the production was praised for its inventive staging, design, and exceptional performances, reaffirming the enduring appeal of Monty Python’s distinctly British wit and comedic brilliance. The Broadway revival now brings its celebrated production to audiences across the country. The tour will travel to more than 30 cities in its first year including Cleveland; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas; San Francisco; Seattle; Denver; Atlanta; Dallas; New Orleans; St. Louis; Houston; Ft. Worth; Charlotte; Schenectady; St. Paul, Greenville; Rochester; Milwaukee; Hartford and Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit spamalotthemusical.com. 

The cast includes Major Attaway (Aladdin) as King Arthur, Sean Bell (Harmony) as Sir Robin, Chris Collins-Pisano (Forbidden Broadway) as Sir Lancelot, Ellis C. Dawson III (Hamilton) as Sir Bedevere, Leo Roberts (Les Misérables) as Sir Galahad, Amanda Robles as The Lady of the Lake, Blake Segal (Mary Poppins) as Patsy and Steven Telsey (The Book Of Mormon) as The Historian/Prince Herbert.

The cast also includes Lindsay Lee Alhady, Delaney Benson, Jack Brewer, Connor Coughlin, L’ogan J’ones, Graham Keen, Claire Kennard, Ben Lanham, Nathaniel Mahone, Maddie Mossner, Emilie Renier, Mark Tran Russ and Meridien Terrell.  

The creative team includes scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada & Haley Parcher, wig design by Tom Watson and music supervision by John Bell. Jonathan Gorst is the Musical Director/Conductor. The team also includes Matthew Brooks (Production Stage Manager), Anna K. Rains (Stage Manager) and Dani Berman (Asst. Stage Manager), James Neal (Company Manager) and Kat McIntyre (Asst. Company Manager). Derek Kolluri is the Associate Director, and Michael Fatica is the Associate Choreographer. Casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA and RCI Theatricals serves as General Manager. SPAMALOT is produced by Jeffrey Finn.

Lovingly ripped from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre: from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOT features well-known songs including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theater canon.   

BLUE IS BACK: RESCHEDULED BLUE MAN GROUP RETURNS TO ATLANTA WITH NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, JUNE 16-17

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/18/26

Blue Man Group is making its way back to Atlanta with the highly anticipated smash hit North American Tour, following a postponement due to winter weather earlier this year.  For the first time since 2023, audiences will rock, laugh and party as three bald and blue characters explore the world and discover music, comedy and surprises at every turn. As part of the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2025/2026 season, the Blue Man Group will perform at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre in a limited three-show engagement from June 16 – 17, 2026. Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre box office at 660 Peachtree Street NE, by visiting foxtheatre.org/bluemangroup or by calling 855-285-8499. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by contacting sales@foxtheatre.org.

The beloved production will continue to showcase classic Blue Man favorites along with brand new content including the addition of a new character exclusive to the current tour. The “Rockstar” is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist with striking blue hair who will join the Blue Men in creating a multi-sensory experience fans can remember for years to come. Featuring pulsing, original music, custom-made instruments, surprise audience interactions and hilarious absurdity, showgoers will join the Blue Men in a joyful experience that unites audiences of all ages.

Blue Man Group continues to redefine live entertainment through their combination of rhythmic artistry, groundbreaking technology and immersive audience interaction. The upcoming tour showcases over three decades of creative evolution, with the iconic trio continuing their legacy as innovators of experimental performance while consistently delivering their signature blend of musical innovation, visual spectacle and spontaneous humor that has captivated millions of fans worldwide.

Blue Man Group will play a limited three-show engagement in Atlanta as part of the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2025/2026 season from June 16 – 17. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday                                          7:30 p.m.
Wednesday                                     1 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

HORIZON THEATRE PRESENTS ENCORE PRESENTATION OF HOT JAMBALAYA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/18/26

Horizon Theatre Presents Encore Production of Dad’s Garage’s Suzi-Nominated Musical Comedy
HOT JAMBALAYA, May 22–June 21 (Press opening May 29)

A fast-paced, musical comedy whodunit returns following a hit world premiere –

a rollicking mix of murder mystery, screwball farce, tasty tunes and New Orleans spirit

“A wacky comedy musical with a legitimately compelling,
twisted murder mystery at its center.” — Arts ATL

Horizon Theatre Company presents HOT JAMBALAYA, an encore production of Dad’s Garage Theatre Company’s wildly popular, Suzi Bass Award-nominated whodunit musical comedy, running May 22-June 21 (press opening May 29). A break-out hit last summer, it’s back for seconds at Horizon Theatre! Family ties, lies, secrets, and the treachery of old New Orleans boil over in this rollicking mix of murder mystery, screwball farce and music set against the sultry backdrop of New Orleans.  

A murder, multiple motives, secrets, and lies: the Big Easy just got a whole lot hotter. When wealthy and crooked patriarch Papa Joe Van Horn takes a fatal spill from a French Quarter balcony, his family, friends and enemies gather for his lavish funeral aboard the aging steamboat, Fleur de Lis. Then they uncover the chilling truth:  Papa Joe was murdered, every single person on board wanted him dead, and they must uncover whodunit and why before the killer strikes again!

As the steamboat winds its way through the bayou, alliances fracture and suspicions escalate, transforming the journey into a high-stakes and hilarious game of survival. At the center of the chaos, an ex-detective and a spunky New York reporter must navigate a wacky maze of deception, ambition and buried secrets to uncover the truth before time runs out. Blending classic whodunit structure with musical comedy and heightened theatricality, HOT JAMBALAYA invites audiences to solve the mystery while reveling in its irreverent humor and infectious score.

“HOT JAMBALAYA was built to work on two levels – as a fully realized mystery and as a comedy that keeps surprising you.  And it has some of the greatest musical numbers in our history,” said Dad’s Garage Co-Artistic Director Jon Carr. “We are so excited about this next chapter at Horizon!”

Created by Dad’s Garage artists Matt Hobbs (New Orleans native and internet sensation with his Puppysongs) and Travis Sharp (Dad’s Garage’s Wicket!), HOT JAMBALAYA garnered multiple 2025 Suzi Bass Award nominations, including recognition for direction, choreography, scenic design, sound design and ensemble performance, along with a nomination for Outstanding World Premiere Production – a testament to both its creative scope and audience impact.

“HOT JAMBALAYA doesn’t just parody the murder mystery – it builds one that fully works, then throws it into joyful chaos with music, movement and characters who refuse to behave,” says Horizon Co-Artistic Director Lisa Adler. “What makes this production stand out is its precision beneath the absurdity. The comedy lands because the stakes are real, and the storytelling is airtight. That balance is rare, and it’s what makes audiences lean in just as much as they laugh. We are thrilled to bring this home-grown comic treasure to Horizon audiences.”

HOT JAMBALAYA’s cast is led by recent star of Horizon’s acclaimed Dog Mom, Marcie Millard, as Papa Joe’s bitter, dramatic widow Dorothy Van Horn. The other passengers include: Papa Joe’s twin adult children, the flamboyant Teddy Van Horn and the baby doll-carrying Mary Van Horn (Trevor Rayshay Perry, Noelle McIntyre); washed up navigator of the Fleur de Lis, Captain Pierre St. Pierre (Alexander Hudson); the ship’s knife-wielding chef, Rose Catalano (BriAnne Knights); Big Apple reporter Posie Davenport, on the trail of a hot mystery (Charis Sellick); honest but disgraced detective Benny Broussard (Sully Brown); and our two ever present deckhands (Mya Burns and Riley Given). The entire cast reprises their roles from last year except for newcomer Givens. Candy McLellan Davison (The Color Purple at Aurora Theatre and Petite Rouge at Synchronicity Theatre) returns to the helm as director/choreographer, alongside Avery Sharpe (assistant director), Kari Twyman (assistant choreographer), Javar Parker (music director), Gavin Mosier (scenic designer), Rachael D. Blackwell (lighting designer), Jarrod Barnes and Liz Singleton (costume designer and costume coordinator) and Dan Bauman (sound designer).

With its mix of suspense, spectacle and irreverent humor, HOT JAMBALAYA captures the spirit of New Orleans while delivering a theatrical experience that is both wildly entertaining and smart. As an encore presentation, the production offers audiences who missed its initial run – as well as those eager to return – another opportunity to experience one of Atlanta’s most talked-about new works.

Performances are at Horizon Theatre, located at Euclid and Austin in Little Five Points/Inman Park (1083 Austin Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30307). The musical starts May 21, with a press opening on May 29, and runs through June 21 with a possible extension, based on demand.  Performances are on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m.   Tickets start at $40* on weekdays and $45* on weekends. Prices increase with demand, and patrons are encouraged to purchase early for the best prices and availability. Best deals are for subscribers – 25-35% off.  Group pricing is available for parties of 10 or more. Full-time students under 25 may purchase $20* tickets with valid ID. *7.5% Sales Tax/fee is added onto all ticket orders. Single ticket seating is general admission, with a reserved seating section for season subscribers. There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodation, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

For full actor and creative team bios, visit horizontheatre.com/plays/hot-jambalaya.

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CREATIVE TEAM

Director/Choreographer                 Candy McLellan Davison
Assistant Director                           Avery Sharpe
Assistant Choreographer                Kari Twyman
Music Director                                 Javar La’trail Parker
Scenic Designer                               Gavin Mosier
Costume Designer                           Jarrod Barnes

Costume Coordinator                      Liz Singleton

Props Designer                                Melissa DuBois
Sound Designer                               Dan Bauman

Stage Manager                                Davan Glynn

CAST

Posie Davenport                              Charis Sellick: A spunky New York reporter investigating the murder.

Benny Broussard                             *Sully Brown: An honest detective and piano player.

Dorothy Van Horn                           Marcie Millard (alternate,Christina Cusack Curbelo): Papa Joe’s bitter, dramatic widow.

Teddy Van Horn                              *Trevor Rayshay Perry: Papa Joe’s flamboyant son/twin.

Mary Van Horn                                Noelle McIntyre: Papa Joe’s daughter/twin, who carries a baby doll,

Chef                                                  BriAnne Knights: A grudge-carrying chef with a love of knives.

Captain                                             Alexander Hudson: The washed-up captain of the Fleur-de-Lis.

Deck Hand/Understudy                  Mya Burns, Riley Given

Understudies                                   Mya Burns (Mary), Riley Given (Teddy/Captain), Jonah Harmone                                                                                   (Benny/Deckhand), Amy Duffy (Posey, Dorothy, Deckhand)

*Members Actor’s Equity Association

BACK FOR AN ENCORE: HORIZON THEATRE PRESENTS I CARRY YOUR HEART WITH ME FROM JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 15

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/2/26

Return engagement of acclaimed play starring Atlanta Suzi Award-winner Carolyn Cook

Press Opening on February 6

“It’s both entertaining and engrossing, doing what good theatre is supposed to do – leave you thinking and contemplating your own life as you walk out of the theatre.”

BroadwayWorld

 Horizon Theatre Company continues its 2025-2026 season with an encore performance of I Carry Your Heart With Me by Jennifer Blackmer, starring Carolyn Cook in her 2025 Suzi Award winning performance. The surprise hit of last season, Horizon reprises the play January 30 – February 15 (press opening February 6) and then brings it to Savannah Repertory Theatre in Savannah, Georgia, Feb 26-March 8. Winner of the prestigious 2024 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Citation, the play centers on Esther, a stenographer inside a top-secret Vietnam-era debriefing room, who has a picture-perfect world until she encounters an airman whose story quite literally changes her life. As she captures the stories of noncommissioned officer and POWs freshly back from the front lines, Esther finds herself smack dab in the middle of a troubling investigation. 

With plenty of twists and turns along the way, this taut, suspenseful play delivers a powerful emotional impact. The production’s strong audience response and critical reception have helped propel Jennifer Blackmer’s powerful solo work to new stages across the region.

“This play lingered with audiences in a way that was impossible to ignore,” said Carolyn Cook. “The response to the first run made it clear that Esther’s story was still unfolding for people, and that there was more to be explored. Returning to the role offers a chance to deepen the work and continue the conversation the play began with Atlanta audiences.”

In this solo play, Carolyn Cook (Suzi Award for Best Actor for Horizon’s I Carry Your Heart With Me, Time Stands Still, and Horizon’s solo show The Syringa Tree as well as Best Supporting Actress for Citizens Market) commands the stage as Esther Shannon, looking back on her formative time in her early 20s as a government stenographer for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Raised in a military family, Esther is now the new girl and best typist on the base, where she meets attractive officer Andy, who wines and dines her. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she seems destined to become a military wife and mother. Longing to make her father proud and to make a bigger difference, she thinks about taking her skills to Vietnam instead. Andy persuades her to stay stateside by pulling strings to get her a top-security clearance job on the base. Tasked with transcribing debriefings of POWs and non-commissioned officers returning from the front lines, she records their fractured memories of the war which seep into her and change her perspective on the world. Then Esther encounters a POW helicopter pilot whose story has a deep impact on her, ultimately causing a clash with her official duties and complicating her life. As she becomes entangled in an investigation, Esther grapples with her future in a suspenseful and emotionally charged journey.

“The play was particularly meaningful to military veterans and their families in this story that honors their sacrifice and service,” said director Lisa Adler. “And this time, we are offering heavily discounted tickets to veterans, active duty and military families as a thank you for their service.”

A blend of fact and fiction, the play is inspired by playwright Jennifer Blackmer’s mother’s real-life experiences as a young stenographer with a similar job on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. Blackmer’s mother revealed some of her experiences to her daughter before she passed away suddenly in her early 60s, leaving the playwright to put together the pieces and imagine the rest of her story. Jennifer Blackmer’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and across the country, and she serves as Professor of Theatre and Executive Director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry at Ball State University. Blackmer was in residence at Horizon in 2023 as one of the lead mentors in Horizon’s New South Young Playwrights Festival.

Directed by Horizon Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director Lisa Adler, the 2026 production reunites her with one of her favorite collaborators, the talented Carolyn Cook. Adler has directed Cook in many productions over the past three decades, including her acclaimed performance in the solo play The Syringa Tree, which played at Horizon and toured venues in the Southeast, as well as her award-winning performances in Time Stands Still and Skylight. The world of the play is created with an evocative, poetic set by resident designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, shaped by lights from resident lighting designer Mary Parker and supported by projections from Victoria Nation (Horizon’s Amelie and Madeline’s Christmas) with sound by Whitney Leonard. The productions meticulous pacing and emotional resonance have struck a chord with audiences, with one calling it “a must-see play.”

Performances begin January 30, with a press opening on February 6. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 5 p.m. A special 2 p.m. performance will take place Sunday, February 8 (Super Bowl Sunday), with an additional 2 p.m. Wednesday matinee on February 11. Tickets start at $40* on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $45* for Friday nights, Saturday nights and weekend matinees. Prices rise as performances fill up, so patrons are encouraged to order early for the best prices and availability. Best deals are for subscribers – 25-35% off. Students under 25 can get $15* tickets with valid student ID. Veterans, active duty, and military families can reserve two $20* tickets for any performance by emailing their military ID, their contact info and requested performance date to boxoffice@horizontheatre.com.*Sales Tax and a small fee are added onto all ticket orders. Single ticket seating is general admission, with a reserved seating section for season subscribers. There is limited accessible seating for those needing mobility accommodations, and it must be reserved by phone. For tickets and more information, visit horizontheatre.com or call the Box Office at 404.584.7450.

KATZU OSO IN ATLANTA AT TERMINAL WEST FEB 14

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/25/26

KATZÙ OSO

Releases His New Album La Conexión Via Cosmica Artists 

New Tour Dates in 2026 Supporting Say She She

“We can’t help but stan Katzù Oso, an irrepressibly talented LA musician whose work has blended themes, genres and styles together in a harmoniously captivating way. On his latest single “Amantes” off his upcoming recently announced album La Conexión, that mystic of neighborhood rhythms and backyard romances is readily apparent, a heart fluxing tune that has a fragrance you can hear.” Live Nation’s Ones to Watch

“Despite sporting a bit of that velvety ‘70s soft rock swagger and quiet storm strut, the Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter makes it clear that he’s not out for another casual midnight rendezvous or vapid hookup. Instead, he makes it known that he’s struck gold (“Show me what this loves about…that fuzzy feeling keeps me around,” “A woman like you makes me feel so alive, takes me to paradise”). Taking cues from artists like Tame Impala and Alan Palomo, Hernandez injects some modern electro pop energy into the mix for a deeply satisfying psychedelic love song that has shaped out to be one of his most vulnerable songs yet.” Remezcla

“Los Angeles native Katzù Oso showcases an intimate new single. Titled “A Woman Like You,” the piece is a soft reflection on the courage it takes to be vulnerable with a partner. His warm, luscious vocals glide over a delicate, glistening backdrop for the ultimate intoxicating track. With soothing sounds evoking vibes of acts like Chicano Batman, the second he starts singing you are instantly drawn in.” Atwood Magazine

“The Spanish pop song gets funky, electric, and reflective as he looks back on a toxic relationship. The up-and-coming Latino artist from Los Angeles is one to watch as he perfectly blends synth, psychedelic rock, and Latin culture.” Hola!

“Katzù Oso, “A Woman Like You” – In a whispery falsetto over a warm melodies, Angeleno singer-songwriter Paul Hernandez and his band Katzù Oso invites listeners to sink in and feel seen. He wrestles with the fear of not being enough — then credits love for transforming him. Fans of Durand Jones and The Indications, Herbie Hancock and Marvin Gaye will recognize the influence, but Katzù Oso keeps it intimate, modern and emotionally resonant.” Riff Magazine

Singer-songwriter Katzù Oso has released his new album La Conexión that is out now on all platforms. 

La Conexión, is an immersive, cinematic exploration of human emotion, relationships, and self-discovery. The artist brings his visual storytelling background as a photographer into his music, with every track functioning like a moment suspended in time—capturing the raw beauty, pain, and complexity of life through sound. Through themes of transformation, love, loss, and introspection, Katzù crafts a narrative that is universally relatable yet deeply personal, blending elements of Latin pop, acoustic ballads, and cinematic instrumentation.

Katzù says, “This album is a collection of pivotal moments that have shaped who I am. It’s a project about love, pain, hope, longing, and the quiet resilience that carries you forward. Like a roll of film with 36 exposures, each song captures a unique story, a snapshot in time.

‘La Conexión’ is made up of 12 songs — 12 moments suspended in 35 minutes of music. I didn’t confine myself to a single genre, because I wasn’t raised in a single sound. I grew up surrounded by a wide spectrum of music, culture, and emotion — and I wanted this album to reflect that, without holding back.

I come from a diverse city, rich with culture and community, and I wanted ‘La Conexión’ to feel like that — a melting pot of influences and sounds that ultimately made me, me.”

The album is not just a collection of songs but an intimate journey that showcases how Katzù Oso translates his artistic vision across different mediums.

Before the year is over, Katzù will be doing his album release show at The Paramount in Los Angeles on November 8th. Tickets are on sale at https://dice.fm/event/v3kv2l-katz-oso-8th-nov-the-paramount-los-angeles-tickets?lng=en-US

Then in 2026 Katzù will embark on a US tour as support to Say She She. Tickets are on sale at https://www.katzuoso.com/tour-ko . See all tour dates below.

About Katzù Oso

Katzù Oso is a Latino artist born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles. His melodic vocals and contemporary sounds are influenced by his multicultural upbringing in East LA and Boyle Heights. After the release of his two buzzworthy harmonic EPs, Colour, and Pastel, Katzù Oso takes us to another alternative dimension with his debut album, Tmí. Oso’s album is a timeline portal into his hero’s journey growing up in his Boyle Heights neighborhood. From the heart and soul he brings to life una historia de amor to escape the current reality and transcend into a melodic universe filled with synthesizer and upbeat tempos. Visually, our hero takes on the new alter ego with the Luchador mask, a symbolic representation of his roots and serves as an ode to his Latino cultura. 

His musical manifestations started with him writing his entire album in his bedroom to performing shows in his hometown, and later taking the stage at ACL, Tropicalia, and opening for Tyler the Creator. Signed to Cosmica Artists, he is currently working on his much anticipated second album and hopes to go deeper into the realms of his mulit-faceted universe. Katzù credits his eclectic musical style and influences to romantic soulful Mexican singer, José José, psychedelic rock band, Tame Impala, iconic Mexican artist, Julieta Venegas, and many more. Katzù’s music highlights the experiences of being young, brown, and gifted in today’s America while breaking free from society’s stereotypical confinements with his euphonic charm. More than synths and beats, his music is a glimpse into unseen worlds within the soul of a modern artist influenced by a multicultural upbringing.  

Tour Dates

1/27 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
1/29 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
1/30 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre
1/31 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
2/2 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post Roseville
2/5 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
2/6 – San Diego, CA – Music Box
2/7 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s
2/9 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
2/10 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s
2/12 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
2/13 – Nashville, TN – 3rd & Lindsley
2/14 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
2/15 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
2/17 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis
2/18 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
2/20 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
2/21 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
2/22 – Albany, NY – Lark Hall
2/24 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall
2/26 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
2/27 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
2/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium
3/1 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Indianapolis

MARYJO TOUR SUPPORTING ALEX SAMPSON COMES THROUGH ATLANTA FEB 13 AT VINYL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/25/26

maryjo

KICKS OFF 2026 ON THE ROAD AS SUPPORT FOR ALEX SAMPSON

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Emerging pop singer maryjo is set to kick off 2026 on the road as direct support for Alex Sampson. The tour launches February 6 in Anaheim at The Parish and wraps March 14 in Los Angeles at The Roxy, marking an exciting new chapter for the fast-rising artist. Tickets are available at https://www.maryjo-official.com/#shows.  See all tour dates below.

maryjo says, “New year, new tour, new songs—and a few surprises waiting in the wings. I’ve been dying to take these songs on the road, and there’s no better way to start the year than doing what I love most. I’m beyond excited to be touring with Alex Sampson, and I can’t wait to meet some new faces and share what’s coming. This one feels special

maryjo is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter with an unforgettable voice tailor-made for heart-melting piano ballads. Known for her striking emotional range and vocal agility, she moves effortlessly from full-throated belting to fragile, crackling vulnerability. Born in Knoxville and raised in Cleveland, maryjo quietly nurtured her love for songwriting and piano after becoming shy about performing. It wasn’t until she began posting performance videos online that she broke through her fear—quickly captivating audiences with her raw talent and emotional honesty.

Her breakout online presence led to a loyal following of over 1.3 million TikTok fans and a spot on Season 19 of American Idol, where she finished in the Top 24. Following the show, maryjo signed a major label deal and released her debut single, “Love Fools,” a stripped-back, emotionally rich ballad produced by ACM Award-winner Gordon Mote. She followed with standout singles including “Don’t Call Me” and “Nothing to Lose,” further cementing her as a compelling new voice in pop.

Now fully independent, maryjo is reclaiming her narrative and leaning deeper into the soul-stirring sound that first made the world listen—most recently with her viral single “LIVING ROOM” featuring Mergui.

HIGHLIGHTS

·       Finished Top 24 on American Idol Season 19

·       Tour support for Jessica Baio, Alex Warren, JVKE, and Knox

·       Performed at Dusk Music Festival, Truckee Music Festival, and Warped Tour 2025

·       Over 200 million career streams with 2.5 million monthly listeners

·       Collaboration with global artist Cyril surpassing 150 million streams

·       More than 1.5 million followers across social platforms and 32.6 million TikTok likes

Tour Dates

February 6 – Anaheim, CA – The Parish at House of Blues

February 7 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues

February 8  -Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge

February 10 – Houston, TX – Bronze Peacock at House of Blues

February 12- Nashville, TN – Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

February 13 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl Center Stage

February 14 – Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse

February 15 – Washington, DC – DC9

February 17 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

February 18  -Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at Fillmore 

February 20 – Boston, MA – The Red Room at Café 939

February 21 – Montreal, Canada – Petit Campus

February 22 – Toronto, Canada – The Mod Club

February 25 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar

February 26 – Detroit, MI – El Club

February 27 – Chicago, IL – Reggies Rock Club

February 18 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry

March 3 -Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre

March 4 – Salt Lake, City, UT – Soundwell

March 6 – Seattle, WA – Maaume Lou’s

March 7 – Vancouver, Canada – Hollywood Theatre

March 8 – Portland, OR – Mcmenamins Mission Theatre

March 10 – San Francisco, CA – Café Du Nord

March 14 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre 

DAFFO ON TOUR PLAYING THE MASQUERADE – ALTAR

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/24/26

Daffo will be making a stop in Atlanta, GA to play a show at The Masquerade – Altar on 1/28 

Their debut album, Where The Earth Bends, is out now via Concord Records and is a one-of-a-kind coming-of-age album that finds powerful catharsis in painful confession. Produced and mixed by Rob Schnapf (a veteran producer known for his work with Elliott Smith, Beck, Cat Power, and more), Where the Earth Bends encompasses an intimate yet frenetic sound that perfectly mirrors the album’s emotional intensity.

An essential new voice on the indie-rock scene Daffo brings an unexpected beauty to the most uncomfortable of feelings. With a poetic specificity that cuts right to the heart, they speak an unfiltered truth about all that sets them apart from the wider world, confronting everything from shame and self-loathing to misplaced affection and the chaos of living with an overactive brain. Where the Earth Bends was produced and mixed by Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck, Cat Power), and engineer Matt Schuessler (Kurt Vile, Steve Gunn). Esteemed musicians were enlisted like drummer Josh Adams (Devendra Banhart, Jon Batiste) which allowed the album to embrace a boldly naturalistic approach to every element of the production process. 

“Gabi Gamberg’s scratchy voice over sputtering drums and lo-fi distorted guitars seesaws between remembering the wonderment of ‘the kid in you’ and an adult realization that ‘there’s nothing I can do’ – the holiday season’s tensions laid bare.”

-The New York Times

“The gritty, slacker rock sound brings strength to their tender phrasings and acrobatic harmonies”

-Paste

“Catchy and distortion-heavy”

-Stereogum

“Uniquely confessional lyricism”

-The Needle Drop

SKEWED ORBIT STUDIOS PRESENTS HIGHLY HILARIOUS: LIVE COMEDY AT THE GEORGIA HEMP COMPANY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/25/25

A Night of Endless Laughs from Top Comedians, Infused Libations from Nine Dot, and All Around Good Vibes

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Pairing pre-rolls with punchlines, Skewed Orbit Studios and The Georgia Hemp Company are giving guests a whole new way to roll with laughter. A one-night-only live comedy show, Highly Hilarious is the perfect joint event where comedy meets cannabis on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at The Georgia Hemp Company’s Decatur location. 

A hub for top talent in Atlanta’s comedy scene, Skewed Orbit Studios is taking the show on the road with this special community pop-up. As doors open at 7:30 p.m., comedy enthusiasts can grab a seat and a complimentary Nine Dot beverage to get the good vibes going early. The show starts at 8 p.m. with sets laced with laughter and sharp wit from an incredible lineup of talent including Nathan Loe, David Perdue, Jay Badlani and Mookie G along with Skewed Orbit Founders Rachel LaForce and Alex Gettlin. 

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.skewedorbitstudios.com/ourevents. The Georgia Hemp Company Decatur is located at 1524 Church St Decatur, GA 30030 and guests must be 21+ to attend. Stay connected with Skewed Orbit Studios on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at @skewedorbitstudios.