Hip Pocket Theatre Opens 48th Season with A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle

Hip Pocket Theatre Opens 48th Season with A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle Basil Twist, one of the world’s foremost puppeteers, directs a show created exclusively for North Texas audiences FORT WORTH, Texas (May 3, 2024) – Hip Pocket Theatre opens its 48th season with A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle featuring puppetry, direction, and scenic design by internationally-acclaimed artist Basil Twist. This spacey tale full of hope and possibilities will be presented from Friday to Sunday, May 17-19, and Thursday to Sunday, May 23-June 2. All shows start at 9 p.m. The theatre is located at 1950 Silver Creek Dr. in Fort Worth, and tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website. “I'm so thrilled to have Basil joining us this season,” said Lake Simons, managing artistic director. “I've had the honor of working with and being inspired by Basil for over 20 years, and I can’t wait for DFW to experience a Basil Twist production.” The theatre is also proud to welcome Kenneth Ard—a member of the first cast of CATS and Starlight Express on Broadway—as an artistic collaborator and featured performer. Joe Rogers, who has created music and lyrics for more than 40 productions in DFW, will showcase his talents as music director. Johnny Simons, consulting artistic director and co-founder of Hip Pocket Theatre, will contribute a song to the show. Based in New York, Twist is a giant in the world of theatrical puppetry and a sought-after collaborator for theater, ballet, opera, dance, and film. He has contributed to productions that extend from Broadway shows to major symphonies as well as the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, for which he created the dementors. His Broadway credits include Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Addams Family and The Pee-Wee Herman Show, among others. His work has received an Obie Award, Drama Desk Awards, a New York Innovative Theatre Award, and a Henry Hewes Award. He has been honored with a MacArthur grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and his productions have received numerous grants from the Jim Henson Foundation. Get more info at basiltwist.com. "I’m excited to return to Hip Pocket, which has been a deep well of creative nourishment for me,” said Twist. “I’m grateful for its existence and for those in Fort Worth who hold it up so bravely." Susan Austin is the costume designer for the show, with Nikki DeShea Smith handling lighting design. The cast will feature Kenneth Ard, Tyler Dorney, Shelby Griffin, Paul Heyduck, Amanda Merrill, Sara Rashelle, Jeffrey Stanfield, Ash Vance, and James White. For more information about the cast and crew, visit the Hip Pocket website. Adult tickets are $25 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and $20 Sundays, with reduced prices for seniors, military, teachers, first responders, students, and children 12 and under. Tickets are available on the Hip Pocket website or by calling 817-246-9775. The box office opens at 7:30 p.m. on performance nights. Due to the nature of the amphitheatre design, there is no late seating. Theatergoers are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy live music in The BackYard, which opens at 7:30 p.m. Live music is also performed after the show. Get the full performer schedule here. The Hip Cafe offers beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks for purchase before and after the performance. No outside food or beverages are permitted. ###