After #AmonOnTour, our play — AMON! The Ultimate Texan—returns home.
NEXT SHOWS - Theatre Arlington
Four performances: Jan. 9, 10, 11, 2026.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Details below.
If you’ve heard about the true-to-life comedy from friends, come enjoy the award-winning play as it makes its Arlington debut. (Photo courtesy of Mary Couts Burnett Library at Texas Christian University.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW!
#AMONTheUltimateTexan Returns to North Texas to #TheatreArlington January 9–11
December 11 Marks the 146th Birthday of Amon G. Carter
ARLINGTON, TX — This week marks the 146th birthday of legendary newspaper publisher Amon G. Carter and #TheatreArlington is preparing to welcome his story back to the stage with AMON! The Ultimate Texan. The acclaimed one-man play written by Dallas Morning News columnist Dave Lieber arrives for a special four-performance engagement January 9–11, 2026. This week we'll ask some trivia questions about Amon G. Carter on the Amon Carter Play Facebook page.
Starring Kelvin Dilks as the unforgettable Mr. Fort Worth, the award-winning play celebrates Carter’s wit, humor, vision, and outsized influence on Texas history. The show has been staged nearly 70 times across the Lone Star State, earning recognition for its quick-paced storytelling and heartfelt portrayal of one of Texas’s most iconic figures.
“Amon Carter’s birthday on December 11 is the perfect moment to remember his incredible legacy,” Lieber said. “We’re excited to bring his story to Arlington in January, where audiences will experience just how much he shaped Fort Worth and all of North Texas.”
At Theatre Arlington audiences can expect a vibrant, up-close performance that blends theatrical flair with real-deal history. Founded in 1973, Theatre Arlington is one of the oldest and most respected small professional theaters in North Texas. Located in the heart of Arlington’s Downtown Cultural Arts District at 305 W. Main Street, it presents a full season of plays and musicals.
AMON! The Ultimate Texan Performance Schedule -- January 9–11, 2026
Friday, January 9 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 10 – 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 11 – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets
Learn more about the show:
https://theatrearlington.org/season-extras/
Purchase tickets directly:
https://buy.ticketstothecity.com/purchase.php?event_id=18174
With only four performances and strong early interest, audience members are encouraged to secure seats early.
About the Play
AMON! The Ultimate Texan brings to life the remarkable journey of Amon G. Carter—publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, champion of aviation, patron of the arts, and charismatic promoter of Fort Worth. Through humor, insight, and vivid storytelling, the play reveals the man behind the legend and the Texas-sized legacy he left behind.
Website:
https://www.amonplay.com/
Facebook:
Follow AMON! The Ultimate Texan at “Amon Carter Play” or visit
facebook.com/groups/1675498099423559
About the Creative Team
Dave Lieber is a columnist for The Dallas Morning News and an award-winning author, speaker, and storyteller. His work champions everyday Texans and celebrates the state’s one-of-a-kind character. AMON! The Ultimate Texan grew out of his long-term fascination with Amon G. Carter’s outsized life and enduring legacy — and years spent digging through hundreds of boxes of Carter’s letters and papers.
Kelvin Dilks brings Amon Carter roaring to life with humor, vigor, and heartfelt authenticity. A beloved North Texas drama teacher and director, Dilks has performed the role across Texas, earning praise for capturing Carter’s commanding presence, quick wit, and deep love for Texas — right down to the twinkle in his eye.
Connie Sanchez, the director of AMON! The Ultimate Texan, is an award-nominated North Texas theater artist recognized for her directing, scenic, and costume design work. Her collaboration with Lieber and Dilks has helped shape AMON! into a fast-paced, emotionally rich evening of theater that audiences return to again and again.
Photos & Media
Additional photos and video clips are available upon request.
Media Contact:
Barbara Griffith
Griffith.barbara@att.net
The Legend Returns: “AMON! The Ultimate Texan” Rides into Theatre Arlington January 9–11
ARLINGTON, TX — Texas history takes center stage this January when AMON! The Ultimate Texan — the acclaimed one-man play about legendary Fort Worth newspaperman Amon G. Carter — comes to Theatre Arlington for a four-show limited engagement, January 9–11, 2026.
Written by Dallas Morning News columnist Dave Lieber and starring Kelvin Dilks as the larger-than-life Amon Carter, the award-winning play celebrates the wit, vision, and unstoppable spirit of the man often called “Mr. Fort Worth.” Through humor, storytelling, and a few of Carter’s own tall tales, audiences meet a Texas original who shaped the state’s media, business, and civic landscape.
Carter founded the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, launched WBAP radio and television, and spent decades promoting Fort Worth and West Texas to the world. Lieber’s play — based on extensive research and archival materials — captures Carter’s trademark charm and his determination to make his city and state shine.
“Amon Carter was bold, funny, and relentless — and he built an empire by believing in Texas,” says playwright Dave Lieber. “We created this play to show how one man’s vision and humor helped define an entire region. It’s part history, part inspiration, and a whole lot of Texas pride.”
AMON! The Ultimate Texan, directed by Connie Sanchez, has delighted audiences across North Texas and beyond with its blend of laughter, nostalgia, and authenticity.
At Theatre Arlington, audiences can expect a vibrant performance that blends theatrical storytelling with historic insight. Founded in 1973, Theatre Arlington is one of the oldest and most respected community theaters in North Texas. Located in the heart of Arlington’s Downtown Cultural Arts District, it presents a full season of plays and musicals. https://theatrearlington.org/season-extras/
Dates and times: January 9–11, 2026 (four performances)
· Friday, January 9 at 7 p.m.
· Saturday, January 10 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
· Sunday, January 11 at 3 p.m.
Venue: Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main Street, Arlington, TX
Tickets will go on sale soon. Watch this space.
Website: https://www.amonplay.com/
Follow Amon! The Ultimate Texan on Facebook at Amon Carter Play or visit facebook.com/groups/1675498099423559.
Dave Lieber is the Watchdog columnist for The Dallas Morning News and an award-winning author, speaker, and storyteller. His work often champions ordinary Texans and celebrates the state’s unique character. AMON! The Ultimate Texan reflects his long-term fascination with Amon G. Carter’s life and legacy.
Kelvin Dilks brings Amon Carter to life with humor, vigor, and heartfelt authenticity. His performance has been widely praised for capturing Carter’s commanding personality and his deep love for Texas.
Additional photos and video clips are available upon request.
Media contact: Barbara Griffith
WATCH: Nudity, bashing Dallas and 214 vs. 817. It’s Episode #1 of The Dave Lieber Show with guests Kelvin Dilks and Connie Sanchez.
AMON! The Ultimate Texan is the story of one of the most amazing Texans who ever lived. Born in a log cabin and with only an eighth grade education, Amon G. Carter Sr. became Texas’ most powerful media overlord. Presidents put up with him because he owned the largest newspaper, radio and television station in Texas. He had a big heart, but a bigger sense for business and for the future. He was one of a kind and this play – and its companion book – by popular newspaper columnist Dave Lieber bring the story of this remarkable Texan back to life.
A Special Video Message from Amon
VIDEO: The message about community offered by the subject of my first play - Amon G. Carter Sr., aka Mr. Fort Worth - is more relevant today than when he uttered it.
‘Let’s Bring Amon Home’ Project A Success
After 66 performances, it’s safe to say that AMON! The Ultimate Texan about Fort Worth’s founding father Amon G. Carter Sr. was one of Dallas/Fort Worth’s, er, excuse us, Fort Worth/Dallas’ (you’re welcome, Amon) top theatrical events of the year.
We’ve only just begun. We’ve performed in 11 Texas cities. We’re exploring many venues for future shows.
Our goal is to take this show everywhere.
This is the play and the companion book’s official website. You can buy tickets here, and ask questions. You can visit the NEWS tab up top and see what audiences and the press say about our play that when you’re not laughing, you’re crying.
The play features actor Kelvin Dilks as Amon. The play is directed by Connie Sanchez, who also did stage and costume design as well script supervision. The play was written by The Dallas Morning News Watchdog columnist Dave Lieber, who also serves as producer.
Stay tuned for more AMON! news.
“Amon Carter really is our Alexander Hamilton. He’s our consequential figure that we’ve forgotten who he is and what he did for us. “”