Amadeus

City Theatre brings Peter Shaffer's Amadeus to the Genesis Creative Collective starting October 2, with performances running through October 18. It's a play that's won a Tony and an Oscar, and it's one of those stories that sticks with you long after the curtain drops.

The play is set in the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, where Antonio Salieri, the established court composer, finds himself pitted against Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a vulgar prodigy whose talent is as undeniable as his personality is grating. It's a study of ambition, envy, and the price of greatness, and it follows Salieri as that rivalry drives him to the brink. The production is directed by Bridget Farias Gates, who takes the lead roles of Mozart and Salieri with Brad Forsyth and Kevin Gates. This is her ninth show for the company.

City Theatre is an Austin not-for-profit founded in 2006, and it's built a solid track record over the years. They've picked up recognition from the Austin Critics Table Awards, the B. Iden Payne Awards, and the Central Texas Excellence in Theatre Awards, and Austin 360 once voted them Best Theatre Company. Amadeus itself was a 2000 Best Revival of a Play Tony nominee, so it's a well-traveled script coming to a local stage.

Shows run Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, so you can catch it on a weeknight or a weekend afternoon. General seating is $20 to $25, and center reserved is $30 to $35, with group, senior, and student discounts available. You'll find the production at Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd, Austin, TX 78722.