A wheel on the ceiling with Texas stars as a chandelier. A green road sign that says “San Marcos.” A neon cactus sign. In the center, a round stage with the Texas flag embedded in the state shape. No, this isn’t your nearest honky tonk. This is Das Barbecü showing until June 1 at Stages Theatre.

Das Barbecü is a fun, fast-paced western themed musical comedy based on the 1874 soap opera The Ring Cycle by Wagner. All you need to know is this: there’s a love story, an accidental love triangle, and, of course, the ring of power that everyone–including humans, giants, trolls–are fighting over.

In this two hour play, five actors play over 30 characters throughout, shifting costumes and changing props in almost every scene. Sitting by one of the stage exits, I could feel small gusts of wind from its actors rushing past to hit their marks on stage.

Gemini Quintos plays Brunnhilde, a Valkyrie engaged to fiancé Siegfried whom she was proposed to by the ring. We had the pleasure of interviewing her about performing in Das Barbecü.

Kathrina Maribao: Das Barbecü is such a fun, Texas-sized musical comedy romp. Describe Das Barbecü using only three words.

Gemini Quintos: Big, fun, tender.

KM: Rings obviously have an important role in engagements and marriages to symbolize love and partnership. In this story it represents power. What’s the significance of the ring from Brunnhilde’s personal point of view?

GQ: For Brunnhilde, the significance of the ring evolves with her story. At first it definitely symbolizes the love between her and Siegfried. Then when she is confronted with grief, it becomes the source of her pain, as well as all the greed, waste, and pain of everyone in the story. And finally, it does ultimately symbolize Brunnhilde's power—not the same kind of selfish power that Wotan and Alberich want the ring for, but for Brunnhilde, the power to end the curse and the cycle of hurt that the ring has caused for generations.  

KM: What’s the biggest challenge of performing on a 360 stage? What’s the funnest?

GQ: The biggest challenge would be sightlines, and directing focus—essentially, getting the story across. The play is already a narrative challenge with all the characters and subplot-lines and opera references. I think Mitchell Greco did an excellent job of getting the plot across despite the logistic challenges of being in a round. The most fun part though, is that everywhere we turn as actors on stage, we are seeing audience members and their reactions. Whether they're laughing, dancing in their seats, looking confused, or even asleep, it's definitely fun to see all the many different reactions. 

KM: So Das Barbecü is set in Texas which is obviously where we are. Do you think it lands a bit easily with audiences here vs LA or in New York? Or abroad?

GQ: I think that doing it here in Texas, it's personal for audiences. I think maybe in other places, it's a culture that you're witnessing objectively, and the Texas culture becomes almost a whole other character in the show. Whereas here, there is a pride and a feeling of being home —these wacky characters are our people, they're us. They're family, and we take them for who they are and root for them til the end of the show. 

KM: There are a ton of fun props going on and off stage in the show, one of my favorites being the boat. What’s one prop you’d take home if you could?

GQ: I think I'd take home the ring! I have a nice long, emotional, dramatic song with the ring, and I stare at it for a good chunk of time. That, or the lechon. 

KM: What do you hope audiences take away from seeing Das Barbecü? 

GQ: Just leaving the theater feeling happy. I love that the show is not that deep—just a lot of fun, and at its heart, maybe an easy lesson putting family first.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• Grab a day pass at Marriott Marquis for Memorial Weekend

• Dancin’ In The Street Motown & More at Miller Outdoor Theatre

• AAPI Restaurant Weeks (New restaurants added like Agnes & Sherman and Hidden Omakase!)

• See musical comedy show Das Barbecü at Stages Theatre

• See In The Heights at The Hobby Center 

Thursday, 5/22

6pm-9pm, Cigar Lounge | It’s Houston Cigar Week! Nice Ash cigar lounge is hosting their cut and light event featuring Dunbarton. “Exclusive discounts and bundle deals during the event!” Free. See flyer.

7pm-10pm, Opening Reception | Aurora Picture Show’s celebrating their new space in Houston’s East End. “Come see the city’s new home for film and media arts and celebrate a new chapter in Aurora’s legacy of creativity and community.” There’ll be a live DJ, light bites, cocktails, and beer. Free. More info. 

7pm-12am, Nightlife | 93’ Til is hosting Don’t Trip, an R&B night feature DJ’s: Demo, Kayillah, Celly and Loso. Free. See flyer.

Friday, 5/23

6:30pm, Live Music | RedLoc Collective will be performing a jazz concert inspired by the Tamara de Lempicka exhibition at MFAH. “This concert will draw from themes of the exhibition and incorporate the group’s own improvisational jazz style.” Grab a drink at happy hour and enjoy the show. Included in with museum admission. $24 for GA, free for members. More info. 

Saturday, 5/24

11am-12pm, Art Tour | Asia Society Texas Center will be hosting tour of Hung Hsien: Between Worlds. “Learn more deeply about the pioneering artist's training and how she developed a distinct artistic language.” $10. See flyer.

12-5pm, Craft Workshop | Heavenly by Nayaeli is hosting a Trinket Tea Party pop-up at The Teahouse. “We will be having vendors consisting of handmade jewelry, Calico Critters, Sonny Angels, crochet, art, press-ons, y2k womenswear & MORE! Come in your cutest Tea Party outfit!” Free. See flyer.

12-6pm, Flower Workshop | Day 1: Taidaima is hosting a mini ikebana session. Ikebana is a Japanese style of floral arrangement that emphasizes clean lines and harmony. $50, includes flowers. Buy tickets.

6pm-11pm, Art Show | Stop by “May Flowers” brought to you by Stark Nova at The List. This exhibition is meant to encourage growth within ourselves and our everyday journey to bloom into the people we are working towards. “Enjoy art, music, and floral themed drinks.” Free. See flyer.

7pm-1am, Dancing | Get ready to two-step the night away at “Axeltonk” Axelrad’s very own Honky Tonk bash! Come show off your boot-stompin moves and enjoy a night filled with honky tonk vinyl vibes spun by Killin Time. Free. More info.

5pm-10pm, Block Party | 8th Wonder Brewery is shutting down Hutchins St. for their Good Vibes Only Block Party! From AfroBeats to Hip-Hop to House and everything in between, they are bringing the soundtrack to your best day of summer! $15. Buy tickets.

Sunday, 5/25

11am-2pm, Live DJ + Coffee | Café Con Sazón will be having another live coffee and live DJ event, this time at Sneaks Coffee Lounge. Free. Limited capacity. RSVP.

11am-6pm, Food Festival | Karbach Brewing is throwing their first family-friendly Pickle Festival! “Pickle eating, tossing, AND juice chugging contests.” Free. More info.

12pm-4pm, Pop-up | Mixtape Deli is hosting their first pop-up at Moth! Featuring sandwiches, cafe drinks, a blend of smooth jazz and house music. “A portion of every sale goes towards independent musicians, young music engineers, LGBTQ+ and women creators in the industry!” $20. Buy tickets.

12-6pm, Flower Workshop | Day 2: Taidaima is hosting another mini ikebana session of the weekend. Ikebana is a Japanese style of floral arrangement that emphasizes clean lines and harmony. $50, includes flowers. Buy tickets.

Good reads in Houston

How Houston’s lean culture shaped music, style — and why one man is trying to rewrite its meaning (Houston Chronicle)
Lean, purple drank, sizzurp. Houston’s purple drank goes by many names. It’s well-established and well-known lore cements it as a Houston icon influencing H-town’s hip-hop music scene, purple slabs and more. Yet at the end of the day, maybe it doesn’t exactly feel right to glamorize a drug. Charleston Wilson of Exotic Pop thinks that ‘aesthetic’ elements of it could inspire culture still. “Everything from the double cups, to the slabs, to the slowed-down music, it all represents that purple stuff lifestyle.” I get what he’s saying and culture can morph, but it feels like this is a performance of “lean” culture rather than the real thing.

Burger Friday: Is P. Terry's all that? (Alison Cook’s Htown)
Alison Cook visits P. Terry’s, an Austin burger chain that just opened a location in Richmond and is known for its value. Comparing to another popular chain, In-N-Out, “the fries and shakes and atmosphere are far superior.” She notes that the restaurant itself is worth the dining experience given its 1950s motel feel. Sounds like it’s a trip worth taking to find out for myself.

The 25 Best Restaurants In Houston (The Infatuation)
What do we think about this list? Here’s the top 5:
1. Nancy’s Hustle
2. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
3. Jūn
4. Katami
5. March

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