Growing up, random evenings at my house meant one thing: the soft murmur of British accents floating from our living room TV as my mom settled in for another Agatha Christie adaptation. I'd be sprawled on the carpet doing homework (or pretending to), half-listening to the familiar rhythm of clues being dropped and characters unveiling plots. Back then, it was just background noise to my teenage life.

Fast forward to now, my relationship with Christie has remained pretty surface-level.

I've caught Death on the Nile on Hulu during a lazy weekend streaming session. I’ve read Murder on the Orient Express once. But here's what continues to amaze me about Christie: she’s managed to write a seemingly endless collection of murder mysteries, each one feeling fresh and distinct despite all staying within the murder mystery genre.

Whether it's Hercule Poirot with his meticulous attention to detail or Miss Marple with her deceptively sharp observations disguised as village gossip, Christie found ways to make each story uniquely captivating, while staying true to her signature style.

Last weekend I brought my aunt and my mom, both devoted Christie fans, to see the live stage adaptation and US debut of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack'd. I figured who better to judge whether a production does justice to the Queen of Crime than two women who've been following these characters for decades?

The live format immediately elevated the Christie experience.

There's something electric about watching actors embody these beloved characters right in front of you, bringing nuance to familiar characters that you just can't get from a screen. The performances were genuinely compelling. Each actor seemed to understand not just their character's role in the mystery, but their place in the larger Christie universe.

The set design was both simple and impressive, and I found it intriguing how seamlessly production handled scene transitions. Small but intentional changes between scenes completely transformed the space. A moved chair here, a new chandelier there, and suddenly we were in an entirely new location.

The cast's entrances and exits from multiple directions also kept things dynamic. It felt almost magical, like the stage was breathing and reshaping itself around the story.

The production's biggest strength was how it wove together past and present. The adaptation doesn't just tell you about events that happened years ago; it actually shows you using lighting, careful staging, and clever acting bits to create flashbacks that feel organic rather than clunky. It kept everyone on their toes, constantly reevaluating what they thought they knew.

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If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, murder mysteries or true crime, you don’t want to miss The Mirror Crack’d at Alley Theatre. The Mirro... See more

Now, I'd be lying if I said the experience was 10/10 perfect. Depending on where you're sitting, you might end up with a viewing angle that blocks crucial details.

I've actually seen this show twice now, and both times I missed key facial expressions during pivotal moments, including the actual "mirror cracking" moment that gives the story its title. That, however, is just the reality of the Hubbard Stage (and probably most theater venues, if we're being honest). The solution is obvious but not always budget-friendly: if you want the peak experience, front and center seats are worth the investment.

Watching The Mirror Crack'd live reminds me why Christie's work has endured for nearly a century (only being outsold by the Bible and Shakespeare btw).

There's something deeply satisfying about following breadcrumbs to a conclusion that feels both surprising and inevitable. Experiencing that familiar comfort of a Christie mystery in the immediate, communal space of live theater? That's something my teenage self, half-listening from the living room carpet, could never have imagined enjoying so much.

This weekend’s date night is on us and Alley Theatre! That means one reader will receive TWO tickets to the final showing of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d this Sunday on August 24th at 7pm. Click here to enter the giveaway for a chance to win.

The winner will be randomly selected and emailed tomorrow morning.

The Alley Theatre’s Karamu Advisory Committee is thrilled to gift a night of mystery and magic at The Mirror Crack’d! In partnership with On The House, the Alley’s Education and Community Engagement team is creating space for our community to experience bold theatre; together.

Use code ECECOMMUNITY for 15% off future shows and join us on a journey toward a dynamic 2025–26 season rooted in cultural relevance, artistic accessibility, and place-based programs that center personal storytelling, local culture, and transformative arts education.

Want to sponsor a future issue and treat readers to a local experience on you? Hit reply.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

The future is analog. For a late night outside that doesn’t involve clubbing, may we suggest a vinyl listening bar? Like the other major cities, record bars have been popping up in Houston giving audiophiles and patrons alike a chance to relax to the smooth sounds vinyls. Mentioned in this article’s list: 93’ Til, The Flat, Hifi and The Finn, The Listening Lounge at Hotel Saint Augustine, and Off the Record. We’d also like to add, while not officially a record bar, Republic of Nowhere.

Before summer ends, catch The Monarch Story. If you love flowers then you likely also love pollinators, which means butterflies! A Monarch Story at Houston Arboretum is a lush space by artist Michelle Matthews that incorporates a 5000 square feet garden of native plants and 3D-printed sculptures of monarchs 200 times their actual size. Her message? There’s joy in preserving and observing the natural world.

"They taste like they were grilled right by the ocean!" Allison Cooke visits Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen, a new revival of the Greek entry of the Pappas’ empire. In short, she’s all about the shrimp there.

Zeus is at it again… ICYMI the lightning storms in Houston on Monday evening were equally both a scary sight and an absolute marvel.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• “Mother load of all estate sales” at Reeves Gallery 

• Houston Theatre Week BOGO deal

• KPop Demon Hunters sing-a-long in theaters

• Houston Mariachi Festival

• Houston Restaurant Weeks continues

Thursday, 8/21

6:30pm-8:30pm, Class | Learn American Mahjong for “A night of tiles, toasts, & tactics. Perfect for curious beginners and casual players alike, this introductory session will be led by local mahjong pro” at Hotel Saint Augustine $86.

7:00pm-11pm, Nightlife | It’s Adulti-verse at Meow Wolf again and this time it’s DJ Beez on deck with House, Bass and UKG music.

10pm, Nightlife | Discoteka Presents: Montrose Cumbia Club at Catbirds. Cumbia jams all night! No cover.

Friday, 8/22

6pm-8pm, Coffee Tasting | Cafe Forth presents: Journey Through Coffee. “Join us for a sensorial evening exploring the depth and nuance of espresso. This guided tasting experience highlights the origins, flavor notes, and craftsmanship behind each espresso shot — all pulled traditionally by our café team.” $42.

8pm, Live Music | Listen to Malice Towards None produced by Apollo Chamber Players at Miller Outdoor Theatre. “A multidisciplinary program reflecting our shared humanity of art being a force for good in our fractured yet ever-progressing republic.” Free.

9pm-Late, Live DJ | It’s Vinyl Friday’s at The Mood Room. “Enjoy the nostalgic vibes from the 80s and 90s in a chill atmosphere that’s perfect for music lovers, date night, or friends night out.” Free.

Saturday, 8/23

9:30am-11am, Yoga | Do yoga at Art Club at Beyond the Senses: A Multisensory Yoga & Breathwork Journey. “You’ll move through a dynamic vinyasa flow set to a euphoric, electronic-inspired playlist designed to mirror your energy and elevate your mood.” $77.

11am-3pm, Market | Stop by the first-ever Montrose Market at The Montrose Ballroom at Hotel Saint Augustine. “Join us inside the Montrose Ballroom, where local artists, makers, and small businesses will showcase a curated selection of handmade goods, original works, and thoughtful treasures.”

12pm-10pm, Festival | Experience Dukes & Boots Mimosa Festival at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park. “Get ready for a day filled with soulful tunes, good vibes, and of course, plenty of mimosas.” $36+.

12pm, Tattoos | It’s SUMMERWHEEN at Moonlight Studio. Get $50 Halloween-inspired flash tattoos. “Spooky flash, summer heat, and a giveaway you don’t want to miss. Proudly sponsored by @saintarnoldbrewing — complimentary drinks for our 21+ guests.”

4pm-6pm, Workshop | Learn the basics of floral design at Taiba’s Florals Summer Floral Workshop. “You’ll learn essential floral care, design principles, and color theory while working with textures and shapes specific to the season.” $65.

4pm-6pm, Art Open House | Step inside a giant 11-foot anaconda sculpture in progress in Loriana Espinel’s open house. “Step inside its sensory space, watch the creative process unfold, ask questions, and meet the artists in an informal setting.” Free.

7pm-9pm, Live Music | It’s International Blues Month! Enjoy local acts playing an array of Blues and Soulful tunes on the Lawn at POST. Free and all ages.

Sunday, 8/24

9am-12pm, Car Show | Don’t miss Exotics & Brews at Maven Sawyer Yards for “Houston’s premiere gathering of exotics, supercars, and performance icons — all set against the backdrop of specialty coffee, curated community, and industrial-luxe vibes.” Free.

2pm-4pm, Workshop | Sanman Academy presents an interactive learning workshop guided by creative and production designer David Landry. $10.

2pm-8pm, Market | It’s Mooty Mart at Axelrad Beer Garden again. “We’re hooking you up with great live music + Djs + a cool thrift Pop-up market all at once.” Free.

9:45pm, Film | Watch Blade (1998) at River Oaks Theatre. $16.

ON THE HOU(S)E Concierge

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