John Johnston News

Most everyone is familiar with the opera The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, but few know that the opera is based on the 1775 play by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. In fact, the play has never before been professionally produced in Houston's long history. Beaumarchais' play is the origin for such iconic characters as Count Almaviva, Bartholo, Rosine, and of course, Figaro. 'This piece of theatre is so ripe with comedy that it directly spawned two operas, three plays, and a comic strip,' says director John Johnston. 'I'm thrilled to be able to produce Barber. It's one of those forgotten scripts that I've been champing at the bit to direct.' The hilarious love story of the dashing Count Almaviva as he woos the sweet and beautiful Rosine, all the while facilitated by the clown Figaro is sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles. 'And the chance to bring it to our Houston audiences, who will have never seen it before, particularly excites me.'

Following 2012's production of Miss Julie, Classical Theatre Company will produce its second play by the Swedish great August Strindberg in The Ghost Sonata. This dark examination of family was originally produced in 1908 and has disturbed audiences ever since. "Strindberg had a very unhappy family life - particularly his childhood. This play was his attempt to exorcise those ghosts through this supernatural drama," says CTC chief John Johnston. "We're excited to bring this rarely produced play to our Houston audiences. We've done a good job over the years in exposing our audiences to age-old plays that they've never seen on stage before. Most theatergoers are familiar with his other plays like Miss Julie, The Father, or A Dream Play, but The Ghost Sonata was his last great play, and perhaps his most overlooked."

Houston's Classical Theatre Company is one of only seven theatre companies selected nationwide in 2016 as first-time recipients of the American Theatre Wing's prestigious National Theatre Company Grant award. Scroll down for photos from Monday's award ceremony in New York City!

Classical Theatre Company tackles Russian Master Anton Chekhov once again. This time, the 9-year-old theatre company presents two of Chekhov's one-act vaudevillian comedies, THE BEAR & THE PROPOSAL and an essay of THE EVILS OF TOBACCO. The production is directed by John Johnston and stars Mark Roberts, Lindsay Ehrhardt, and Ben McLaughlin and runs through October 23, 2016.

Classical Theatre Company has announced that the American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards, is awarding the Classical Theatre Company with one of the 2016 National Theatre Company grants.

Classical Theatre Company returns to the Russian Master Anton Chekhov with an evening of his one-act plays: The Bear and The Proposal plus a bonus reading of his essay The Evils of Tobacco.

Classical Theatre Company returns to the Russian Master Anton Chekhov with an evening of his one-act plays: The Bear and The Proposal plus a bonus reading of his essay The Evils of Tobacco.

In this interview, BroadwayWorld.com talks to Classical Theatre Company Executive Artistic Director John Johnston about directing CTC's A DOLL'S HOUSE, Ibsen's meaning, and the play's controversial ending.

Classical Theatre Company Honors Dickens' Words In A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Classical Theatre Company Executive Artistic Director John Johnston and Resident Company Artist Matthew Keenan have adapted the A CHRISTMAS CAROL, producing a much lauded production last season. Like Frosty the Snowman, the CTC adaption of the holiday favorite has returned for the winter.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2015-2016 Mainstage Season. As the only professional theatre company in the State of Texas that solely produces classical drama on a year-round basis, CTC only produces plays that are 100 or more years old.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2015-2016 Mainstage Season. As the only professional theatre company in the State of Texas that solely produces classical drama on a year-round basis, CTC only produces plays that are 100 or more years old.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) presents The Speckled Band: An Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, tonight, February 4 - 22, 2015.

In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) is announcing that it will be moving all of its operations into the Chelsea Market theatre property (4617 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006), which until recently was home to one of Main Street Theater's two performance spaces. Formerly the home of Main Street Theater's Theater for Youth and educational programming, the theater property at Chelsea Market will allow CTC to consolidate all of its operations to one physical location. Because of daytime traffic issues, Main Street Theater was forced to move its Theater for Youth programming to Talento Bilingue de Houston, located at 333 S. Jensen Drive Houston, TX 77003, where its school buses can be better accommodated.

The Classical Theatre Company (CTC) has announced the lineup for its 2014-2015 Mainstage Season. As the only professional theatre company in the State of Texas that solely produces classical drama on a year-round basis, CTC only produces plays that are 100 or more years old.

Since its World Premiere performance on February 14, 1895, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST has been an enduring favorite of audiences. Critics recognized the play for its wit and popularity with audiences. In 2014, those same attributes hold up well. Currently, Houston's Classical Theatre Company is producing THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and earning many hearty laughs with their take on the classic.

CTC will present the last installment of their season of English language masterpieces by way of The Importance of Being Earnest. Oscar Wilde's final, and most masterful, play, The Importance of Being Earnest deals with a common theme in Wilde's work: the leading of double lives. Socialite Jack Worthing and dilettante friend Algernon Moncrieff create fictitious alter egos for themselves in order to buck society's stifling restrictions placed upon them. Hilarity ensues when their love interests, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, fall in love with their false personas. Full of witty repartee and scathing social commentary, The Importance of Being Earnest, will bring down the house with laughter.

CTC will present the last installment of their season of English language masterpieces by way of The Importance of Being Earnest. Oscar Wilde's final, and most masterful, play, The Importance of Being Earnest deals with a common theme in Wilde's work: the leading of double lives. Socialite Jack Worthing and dilettante friend Algernon Moncrieff create fictitious alter egos for themselves in order to buck society's stifling restrictions placed upon them. Hilarity ensues when their love interests, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, fall in love with their false personas. Full of witty repartee and scathing social commentary, The Importance of Being Earnest, will bring down the house with laughter.

The Classical Theatre Company's (CTC) first production of the 2013-2014 season will be Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The production runs three weeks from September 11th- September 29th 2013 at the Barnevelder Arts Complex - 2201 Preston Street.