Deal of the Season: See Tartuffe at UHD for $3!

My brother, ConFrijoles, is starring in a play at UHD!

Department of Arts & Humanities

March 23, 2009

To: UHD Faculty and Staff

From: Thomas J. Lyttle, Director of Theatre

RE: Spring 2009 production of Tartuffe

The University of Houston-Downtown University Theatre cordially invites you to its spring production of French playwright Moliere’s seventeenth century comic masterpiece of social and religious criticism, Tartuffe.

Written in 1664 (and then, before it could be presented, re-written in 1667 and 1669 because of church censorship issues) this satiric comedy, exposing pretence and hypocrisy, centers around a gullible bourgeois gentleman named Orgon who is completely hoodwinked and nearly cuckolded by his seemingly devoted and dedicated friend, the crafty charlatan and religious zealot, Tartuffe.

Taking its origin from the French work “truffe”, meaning deception, the title of the play and its namesake antagonist, was a common epithet for schemers, connivers and con men. As you watch our production, we hope it will quickly become evident how true to its name the play is.

Please join us at one of the performances listed below as our students and guest alumni actors bring you the Richard Wilbur verse translation of this world classic, done in a modified staged reading style with a delightful twist or two.

Tartuffe opens in O'Kane Theatre on Friday, April 3 at 8 p.m. and will repeat as follows: April 4, 9, 10 (Good Friday) and 11 at 8 p.m.; April 5 at 3 p.m.; and April 8 and 10 (Good Friday) at 1:30 p.m. which are special student matinees. Tickets will go on sale at the University Cashier's Office in the 3rd floor main corridor beginning Monday, March 30 during their regular hours of operation. Any tickets not sold will be available at the theatre door beginning one-half hour before each performance. Admission is $3.00.

To make a reservation, or for further information, please call (713) 221-8042.

HLS&R Needs Scholarship Evaluators

I am the type of person who saves the protest for the big issues. I marched on Washington for women's rights in 2004, I marched for immigrant rights here in Houston in 2006 and I march in parades throughout the year for Cinco de Mayo, Fiestas Patrias, Houston Pride, Veterans Day and lots of holidays in between.

While I do believe that Sen. Mario Gallegos has a valid point, I'm not joining in on the protesting of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. There are ways of maintaining inclusion and diversity within HLS&R and one very important way is through the scholarship process. I am passing along an invitation I received to participate in the reading and evaluation of thousands of applications from graduating seniors in the 8 county area served by the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. I'm kinda swamped with the Ed Gonzalez campaign, but Ed is on the Go Tejano Committee and I know he'd want you to know about this:

HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO™

Metropolitan and Opportunity Scholarship Selection

Please plan to participate in evaluating applications for 2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Area Metropolitan and Opportunity scholarships. Your participation is vital to the Show’s awarding these four-year, $15,000 college scholarships to applicants from participating counties in the program.

Working in teams of three, evaluators will score applicants in the categories including community involvement, leadership activities and financial need. Applicants are drawn from graduating seniors from participating public high schools within the Metropolitan Houston area of Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.

If you'd like to contribute your time, contact Roseann Blanco by email at blancorose@yahoo.com.

Welcome back, Pink Dome

Pink Dome is back and at the ready with some serious chisme.
For reals?

Like there's only one Chief of Staff who partakes.

But in any case, I loves me some Pink Dome and I'm glad it's back.

Crickets!

When David Brooks says it's time to let Ronald Reagan and his policies Rest In Peace, you know the Republicans are facing a dearth of ideas.

New Latina/o Leadership for Texas on May 9th

I'm up to my eyeballs in campaign materials and responsibilities! I find myself here at the office on a Friday night contemplating the new class of Latinas and Latinos who have stepped up to the challenge of public service and are now running for office in Texas. Yes, my laptop is strategically positioned on a stack of yard signs that we're delivering tomorrow.

In Houston, of course, lifelong District H resident and HPD Sargeant Ed Gonzalez is first on the ballot for the May 9, 2009 Special Election to fill the vacancy left by the election of Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

In San Antonio, former Council Member Julian Castro is well on his way to a big victory as Mayor of San Antonio on Saturday May 9th. His campaign is highly professional, organized and serious about making a difference for San Antonio.

And in Austin, Capitol veteran Perla Cavazos is vying for a place at the Austin City Council table. It's way past time for more Latino representation at Austin City Hall. Council Member Mike Martinez is doing an awesome job, but on Saturday May 9th, Austin has the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion and diversity by sending someone to council who represents a growing Austin constituency.

Ed, Julian and Perla are the future of Texas politics. Support their candidacies and vote the slate!