Onyx Theater remains open, shifting focus to comedy
To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the Onyx Theatre’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
As it turns out, the great humorist is the ideal person to paraphrase in this instance, because the intimate Commercial Center theater is metamorphosing into a comedy-oriented venue.
At least that’s the plan put forth by Troy Heard, the Onyx Theatre’s new producing director, who will oversee the theater. The busy Heard’s other titles range from creative director for Table 8 Productions (which most recently presented “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant” at Art Square) to producer of “Joni and Gina’s Wedding” at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel and Events Center.
Heard plans to bring in Paul Mattingly (one half of Matt & Mattingly, who host the Wednesday night “Bucket Show” at downtown’s Scullery Theater) to create an in-house improvisational troupe.
In addition to improv, Heard plans to present plays, from musical comedies to Shakespeare. Jan. 15 is the launch date for improv, with the first produced show debuting the following weekend.
