playbill vip

Hello, and welcome to the HOUSTON PREMIERE of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical!

I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am that this is the show to open our 2nd season as a company. When planning this season, the rights to this show hadn't been released yet and we had another show programmed and planned. Shortly before announcing our season to the public, the rights were released. We SPRINTED to change our plans so we could be the first to bring this show to Houston. As a '90s kid myself, when I first heard the cast album for the off-Broadway production, I immediately fell in love. I knew every single song, and the fact that it was set to a familiar movie from my youth made it even better. Like most '90s kids, I was first introduced to Cruel Intentions late one night in my early teen years when it aired on either MTV or VH1. I remember keeping my finger on the channel button in case my mom walked in. I don't think I had seen a film quite like it! I'm willing to bet that a lot of you in the audience have a similar experience. 

Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical started in a bar in 2015. It was supposed to be a one off, few-weeks run that was ultimately for people to drink, jam to their favorite '90s tunes, and laugh at the ridiculousness of one of their favorite movies. Obviously, the show blew up and has taken on a life of it's own. In the spirit of that 2015 production, we want to create a similar atmosphere! Flip through this Playbill and find the drinking game that accompanies the show. Go out to the bar and grab yourself a drink... or two. No one's going to judge you for double fisting here. And if you see me doing the same... no, you didn't. Also, run to the bathroom at intermission, and grab more drinks, because around the 5-minute mark of intermission, we will start '90s trivia! That's right. You get a chance to jump onstage and show off your knowlege from one of the best decades. There will be prizes!

Working with this cast and team has been a dream. Their connection is insane onstage and off! Again... if you see us out at JR's in Montrose at Thursday karaoke... no, you didn't. They have all made my job incredibly easy, and have made this process as much fun as it looks. A huge thanks to everyone that has worked on this show. And a special thanks to theatre angels Julie Osterman and Wayne Landon for donating microphones so we can really rock out!

Speaking of those that have worked on this show, there are 10 people onstage, but nearly 30 people worked to bring you the production you are about to witness. All of these artsits are paid. Nearly half of our yearly budget goes to paying the artists that work on our shows, and we only make half of our income on tickets. Where does the other half of that come from? From generous patrons such as yourself! We have an exciting year of theatre ahead, and we need your help to get there! There's a page in this Playbill about donations, along with a QR code to take you to our donate page. If you're willing and able, please consider a donation to The Garden! As a new company, we very literally cannot do what we do without you!

Please come back and see us starting in January for A Midusmmer Night's Dream, Steel Magnolias, and Bonnie & Clyde. I wasn't lying when I said we had a great year of theatre ahead! There's something for everyone. 

With that being said, sit back, relax, HAVE A DRINK, and enjoy the Houston premiere of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical!

Logan Vaden

Founding Artistic Director/Director of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical

The Garden theatre