Nancy Churnin

Nancy covers theater and children's entertainment for The Dallas Morning News. A former theater critic and columnist for the San Diego Edition of the Los Angeles Times, she won two San Diego-area press awards in back-to-back years for Best Arts Feature and has filed theater stories from Moscow and New York. She is a member of the SCBWI, Writer's Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild dating back to her work on the television show Happy Days.

Latest Stories

Seth Magill stars as Hamlet in 'Hamlet,' presented by Shakespeare Dallas at Moody...

To be indoors or not for ‘Hamlet,’ Shakespeare Dallas says yes to a dramatic change

Shakespeare Dallas' brand-new winter season, which will feature its first indoor production, 'Hamlet,' at Moody Performance Hall.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsJan 11, 2019

Actors perform during an opening scene at a dress rehearsal for Green Day's American Idiot,...

Theater critic Nancy Churnin's must-see plays this weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth

Trying to decide what shows are worth your time and money? Here's a quick look at the Dallas-Fort Worth productions that theater critic Nancy Churnin recommends.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsJan 4, 2019

From left, back row: Robert Long and Alex Moore; middle row: Shelia D. Rose, Beth Lipton and...

These clowns may be killers — but for a real nightmare, try being the Pegasus Theatre makeup designer

"Clowning Around With Murder!" is the latest in the Living Black & White series, and it posed a real challenge.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsJan 4, 2019

Olivia Cinquepalmi and fellow cast members from Everybody at Stage West in Fort Worth....

In Stage West's 'Everybody,' the actors are picked randomly, and the message is profound

It's a wrenching tale about the randomness of life.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsJan 2, 2019

The Junior Players production of Green Day's American Idiot, directed by Valerie...

School shootings. LGBTQ rights. Women's empowerment. Texas teens go there in 'American Idiot'

North Texas teens get opportunity to share the issues that concern them in Junior Players' contemporary staging of Green Day's 'American Idiot' at Moody Performance Hall.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsJan 2, 2019

Joe Barbara as Sonny (left) and Frankie Leoni as Young Calogero in A Bronx Tale, presented...

You gotta have heart, and 'A Bronx Tale' has it at AT&T Performing Arts Center

Amid a mix of familiar musical moments, 'A Bronx Tale,' delivers a dash of wisdom in a tale full of heart.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsDec 31, 2018

Actor and writer Chazz Palminteri talks at Campisi's Egyptian Lounge on Nov. 13 to promote A...

Chazz Palminteri talks pizza, murder and 'Bronx Tale' at Campisi's in Dallas

The play, on national tour at Winspear Opera House, is the story of Chazz Palminteri's life, with the names changed to protect the wise guys who became his friends.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsDec 24, 2018

Eddie George stars as Billy Flynn in the national tour of Chicago, presented by AT&T...

From football to footlights: Former Dallas Cowboy Eddie George is now a star in 'Chicago'

He says getting a standing ovation for 'Chicago' is like scoring touchdown in the Super Bowl. And he's done both.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsDec 17, 2018

Some fans lined up at Music Hall at Fair Park for their shot to get tickets to Hamilton on...

Dallas fans get their shot at 'Hamilton' tickets, and some were ready to work for it

North Texas 'Hamilton' fans wait anxiously by computer screens at tickets for the Dallas run.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsDec 14, 2018

Cherish Robinson (left) as Johnnie Taylor and M. Denise Lee as Paulette in Solstice: A New...

A new 'Solstice' at Theatre Three offers local laughs and romance

The original, good-hearted, celebratory holiday piece by Jonathan Norton, with contributions by Janielle Kastner, grew out of last year's success.

By Nancy ChurninPerforming ArtsDec 11, 2018