The Spotlight’s on These Talented Newstonians (Who Are Soon to Be Upstaged by Another New Arrival)

The Spotlight’s on These Talented Newstonians (Who Are Soon to Be Upstaged by Another New Arrival)

Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (photo by Andy Henderson)

BRET SHUFORD AND Stephen Hanna are wildly talented professional actors and content creators who have amassed an incredible social media following. Their feeds are filled with dance videos, hilarious lip dubs and travel recaps. Shuford, a Houston native, is a business and marketing coach for creatives, while Hanna teaches ballet. Having performed on stages across the country, including on Broadway, the couple has recently settled in Houston. The talented duo has a lot to be thankful for this season. Read on to find out why!

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? BS: Working on Broadway full-time. Check! Full-time


SH: A professional dancer. Check!

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? BS: After moving to NYC, I returned to Texas for Christmas (I was so homesick) and my family had the entire street where we lived decorated for the holidays with lights in every yard. I cried. I never had felt more seen.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given? SH: I surprised Bret with a gift to Paris one Christmas, but the trip got cancelled because I booked Billy Elliot on Broadway. We still need to go!

Favorite holiday tradition? BS: Every year in NYC we would make Tex-Mex on Christmas Eve. Even now that we live in Texas, we plan on keeping that tradition alive!

Tell us about your closet. Something old you love, and something you hope gets stuffed in your stocking? BS: I'm a huge fan of my Mickey Mouse Sweatshirt (the one I wore daily during the pandemic), but I'm hoping to perhaps get some more Tecovas boots this year!

SH: My classic pair of blue Levis 514. And I hope I get some new black dress shoes. Or a new car. Or new furniture. Or new tank tops?

Name-drop time: Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met (and how did that happen)?

BS: Perhaps working on set with Matthew McConaughey on The Wolf of Wall Street for a week. We got to talk all things Texas.

SH: I was in the Broadway cast of Hello, Dolly! and after a show one night, Faye Dunaway was lost backstage and asked me where she could find Bette Midler.

Name three things on your bucket list. SH: We want to see the Pyramids, go to Paris together, and Bret wants to hit every Disney park on the globe.

What’s your most useless talent? SH: Bret can cross his eyes one at a time.

BS: Stephen is really good at making Instagram reels.

What’s the worst movie you love? BS: Flashdance

SH: Santa Claus: The Movie (the one with Dudley Moore)

What’s the closest thing in life to real magic? Both: The gift of a surrogate carrying our child. We can’t wait to be dads!

If you were arrested without explanation, what would your friends and family think you had done? Both: Indecent exposure.

Login • Instagram

Login • Instagram

Login • Instagram

People + Places
Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.


IF YOUR SUNDAY nights could use a little sparkle—and a lot of fried chicken—The Marigold Club has just the thing. Starting May 25 at 5pm, the Montrose hotspot known for its playful mix of Southern charm and London polish is rolling out a new weekly tradition: Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays.

This isn’t your average comfort food situation. We're talking a shareable fried chicken dinner for two, made with farm-raised birds from Deeply Rooted Ranch, and served alongside buttery whipped potatoes, minted peas, aged cheddar scones, and some over-the-top sauces — including a foie gras sauce supreme that’s as extra as it sounds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food

Kristi Ison, Rebecca Pritchard, Nora Jarrard, Katie Tsuru, Ronda Carman

H-TOWN FOOTBALL JUST got a fashion upgrade. The Texans teamed up with Houston’s own Christy Lynn to debut a first-ever capsule collection that swaps jerseys and hoodies for silk sets, chic dresses, and elevated knitwear — all in the team’s signature colors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Style

Sonja Kostich, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Jim Nelson

HOUSTON BALLET’S 2025–2026 season opened in high style with a double celebration. After the curtain fell on Onegin — John Cranko’s tale of love and rejection — more than 220 patrons gathered on stage at the Wortham for the annual Opening Night Onstage Dinner, one of the company’s most anticipated traditions.

The evening paid special tribute to Jim Nelson. Nelson, who took the helm as Executive Director in 2012, guided the Ballet through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the challenges of COVID. During dinner, Nelson was honored with a proclamation from the City of Houston. Even Nelson’s mother attended and received a special shout-out during his dinner toast.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parties