Top 5 entertainment picks for this weekend's Conroe Stage

With new shows at both the Crichton and Owen Theaters tonight and the 51st season of the Montgomery County Choral Society kicking off tonight, there’s plenty to see on the Conroe stage this weekend.

Check out our top 5 entertainment picks for this weekend’s Conroe Stage…

1. Montgomery County Choral Society

The Montgomery County Choral Society kicks off its 51st season with the “Pillars of Song” concert tonight at 7:30 pm at First Methodist Conroe. This performance is dedicated to celebrating the choral legacy. Tickets are available online, from members, or at the door. $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $5 for students.

The singing group was formed in September 1971 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in the 2021-22 season. The season opener is also the first concert for new artistic director Sandy Hinckley.

Hinckley has taught both middle school and high school in Florida for 20 years. In 2017, Hinckley joined Sam on the faculty at Houston State University, where she is an associate of choral activities, where she serves as director and coordinator of music education.

Hinckley’s love of community choirs began during his undergraduate years when he conducted the Tallahassee Civic Choir.

Hinckley said, “I look forward to making music with this resilient, extraordinary group of people. There are many exciting opportunities in store for the Conroe arts community.”

The fall opener will be followed by a holiday choir concert on December 15th at First Methodist Conroe.

For more information on the Choral Society, please visit https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyChoralSociety.

2. The Players “Barefoot in the Park”

Director Kylie Johnson can’t say enough about the ensemble’s chemistry at The Players Theater Company’s Barefoot in the Park, which opens at the Owen Theater tonight.

“This cast is phenomenal. Their chemistry is evident on stage. We have two new actresses in the player – Marge Taylor and Jill Linton,” Johnson said. , everyone’s personalities fit together so well.They spent a lot of time helping each other with their lines outside of rehearsal time.This cast is truly a team.”

The Neil Simon Romantic Comedy is the second show in the Players season. After opening tonight, the show will continue with Owen and he the weekend until November 6th.

The show focuses on a newlywed couple, Paul and Corey, who are mismatched in that Paul is a conservative lawyer and Corey is a vivacious free spirit.

The “Barefoot in the Park” cast of players includes: Michael Hayes as a telephone repairman. Kat Gilcrees as Victor Belasco. Corey Blatter is played by Jill Linton. Paul Blatter is played by John Kenward and his mother or Mrs. Banks is played by Margie Taylor.

“Jill and John as Corey and Paul, just being together on stage is amazing,” Johnson said. “Watching their scenes is like watching two old acquaintances. They pay close attention to their characters and work hard to develop them.” Their comical timing is also very good.”

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.owentheatre.com or by calling 936-539-4090.

3. Stage Right presents “RENT”

Crichton Theater’s resident theater group, Tonight Stage Lights of Texas, opens ‘RENT’.

The show then continues over the weekend until November 6th.

Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s Rent is one of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. It followed the years.

The lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel are rife with the physical and emotional complications of illness. Maureen addresses her chronic infidelity through her performance her art. Her partner Joan wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble.Benny sells off her bohemian ideals in exchange for her large income and makes up with her former friends. . An aspiring filmmaker, Mark generally feels like an outsider in life. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the storyline for this groundbreaking musical.

The cast includes Roger and Mike Kilgore. Mark – Cameron Collier; Collins – R. Isaiah Owens. Angel – Colton Rand; Benny – Alan MacFarlane; Maureen – Shananda Poulos; Joanne – Chelsea Stewart and Mimi are yet to be announced at the time of casting.

Ensemble players include Justin Gray, Jessica Herrin, Julianne Moore, Julia Yolins, Mack Mars, Paxton Bourgeois, Cary Celian, Sean Sears, Steve Murfree and Marianne Beekman.

For tickets, visit stage-right.org or call the Crighton Box Office at 936-441-7469.

4 Books.Reverend Sleepy Ray of Pacific Yard House

Former Conroe City Councilman Raymond McDonald, aka Hong. Reverend Sleepy Ray will return to his house in Pacific Yard at 9pm on Saturday for his gospel blues and rock night.

His musical inspirations were Asleep at the Wheel and Fabulous Thunderbirds, as well as his good friend Dwight Yoakam. MacDonald met Yoakam in Hollywood, where both musicians were active in the 1980s.

The inspiration for McDonald’s dates back to my childhood growing up in East Houston.

As the only white family in the black neighborhood, MacDonald appreciated blues, soul and Motown music. He had posters of his BB King and similar artists on his walls.

He attended Texas A&M University to study engineering, but music was too demanding, so he and his brother Bobby moved to Hollywood and found success in the music business. After playing in bands in California for several years, he longed for his Texas roots and came to the Conroe area.

He founded the Vineyard Church in Conroe, where he continues to minister today.

In 2018, the album “Jesus Be Famous” was released.

For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/honrevsleepyray/.

5. 202 Main Host Winston Cook

Houston-based artist Winston Cook will host at 8 p.m. Saturday at Pacific Yard House in downtown Conroe.

Cook is an American singer-songwriter with influences from the alternative, rock, indie and folk genres. Starting out as a classically trained musician during his formative years, he eventually turned to the guitar and began developing his songwriting skills.

His lyrics call for emotional depth and subtle poetry, and his full-band arrangements retain the climactic, melodic and symphonic qualities he learned in his early days as a musician.

From his classical background to his eclectic mix of influences, Cooke’s music is sure to surprise in every way, from intimate subtle moods to strong levels of vocal performance.

For more information, please visit https://winstoncook.com/.