BroadwayWorld.com Seattle Stories

Video: FREAK THE MIGHTY World Premiere Musical at Seattle Rep

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:08:09 PST

Get a first look at FREAK THE MIGHTY, the world premiere musical heading to Seattle Rep this summer. The clip highlights the central friendship at the heart of the story and sets the tone for what the creative team is billing as a multigenerational theatrical experience.

The musical is based on Rodman Philbrick's novel and features book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, with music by Ryan Fielding Garrett. The story centers on two teenagers, Maxwell Kane and Kevin "Freak" Avery, who feel like outsiders until they find each other and form a bond that reshapes their world. Set in the early 1990s, the show blends humor and emotional weight as it follows the pair through a coming-of-age adventure driven by imagination and resilience. The production is brought to the stage by the Tony Award-winning producers of COME FROM AWAY.

FREAK THE MIGHTY is a co-production between Seattle Rep and Cleveland Play House, directed by CPH Artistic Director Michael Barakiva and choreographed by David Connolly. Performances at Seattle Rep run July 30 through September 6, 2026 at the Bagley Wright Theater.

The show completed an earlier leg of its world premiere run at Cleveland Play House before moving to Seattle. BroadwayWorld has covered the production extensively, including a review from the Cleveland engagement and an interview with book and lyricist Anthony Drewe.

Click Here to Play!

BEDROOM FARCE to Close Tacoma Little Theatre's 107th Season

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:04:46 PST

Tacoma Little Theatre will close out its 107th season with the uproariously funny, Bedroom Farce, written by Alan Ayckbourn. This hilarious comedy will play July 10-July 26, 2026.

In this raucous 1975 comedy, Ayckbourn brilliantly blends farce and claustrophobia, confining the drama to three bedrooms over one endless Saturday night. Manipulating time and space, he explores the ups and downs of four marriages—older Delia and Ernest, their son Trevor and his wife Susannah, young Malcolm and Kate, and Trevor's ex-girlfriend Jan and her husband Nick. As complications and revelations mount, relationships teeter on the edge, yet each character finds their own way forward. This fast-paced comedy revels in the absurdity of human relationships and the chaos they bring.

Tacoma Little Theatre's production of Bedroom Farce features the talents of Vince Brady as Ernest, Sally Brady as Delia, Don Anderson II as Nick, Gina Grosso as Jan, Bil Nowicki as Malcolm, Athena Stirbis as Kate, Brett Hunt as Trevor, and Jordyn Konopaski as Susannah.

The production team features: Micheal O'Hara (Director), Joy Martin (Stage Manager), Blake R. York (Scenic and Projection Design), Michele Graves (Costume Design), Joshua Johnson (Props Design), Kristina Perroni Lutteroth (Lighting Design), and Chandler Garry (Sound Design).

Bedroom Farce will run Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 26, 2026, for a total of 11 performances. Evening showings are at 7:30pm and matinees are at 2:00pm, please check the website for exact dates.

There will be a special “Pay What You Can” performance on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 7:30pm. Tickets for that performance are available now online, in person, or over the phone. The performance on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 2:00pm will be an ASL interpreted performance.

BEDROOM FARCE & More Lead Seattle's Summer 2026 Top Theatre Shows

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:39:00 PST

Seattle is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month.

We understand the importance of choosing the perfect show, especially for new theatregoers. That's why our experienced editorial team meticulously reviews a wide range of productions each month. We consider various factors including a producer's track record, audience reviews, and overall production value, to bring you the very best recommendations for the following month.

See what the experts recommend! Check out our editorial team's top picks for the best shows to see in Seattle for Summer 2026.

BEDROOM FARCE at Tacoma Little Theatre

Tacoma Little Theatre - July 10, 2026 through July 26, 2026

In this raucous 1975 comedy, Ayckbourn brilliantly blends farce and claustrophobia, confining the drama to three bedrooms over one endless Saturday night. Manipulating time and space, he explores the ups and downs of four marriages—older Delia and Ernest, their son Trevor and his wife Susannah, young Malcolm and Kate, and Trevor’s ex-girlfriend Jan and her husband Nick. As complications and revelations mount, relationships teeter on the edge, yet each character finds their own way forward. This fast-paced comedy revels in the absurdity of human relationships and the chaos they bring.

For tickets: click here.

Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Wade James Theatre - Now through June 07, 2026

This faithful, new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduces audiences to the first mystery of Hercule Poirot. The year is 1916 and, injured in WWI, Hastings finds himself convalescing at the manor of his old friend, John Cavendish. But when John’s mother is poisoned in the middle of the night, everyone becomes a suspect. The only person who can solve the crime is none other than the famed Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie’s gifts of misdirection are on full display as red herrings, twists, and turns lead the audience on a dizzying journey to find out whodunnit.

For tickets: click here.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Paramount Theatre - August 22, 2026 through September 12, 2026

It’s time to believe in magic again. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. “You’ll be wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine).

For tickets: click here.

We Ain't Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical

Village Theatre - Now through June 21, 2026

It’s the jukebox musical nobody asked for! First there was Mamma Mia!, then Jersey Boys, then Beautiful: The Carole King Musical—and now, at last, there’s We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up, the bio-musical that charts the fictional lives of the most famous folk duo that never existed, chock full of the absolute best songs from their completely fictional catalogue.

From their earliest days performing Christian folk through an unforgettably muddy performance at Woodstock to their hysterically misguided children’s television show, Hymon and Parfunkel have lived (and sung!) through it all. Expect an evening of ear-to-ear smiles and belly-laughs as Saul Hymon and Bart Parfunkel—in tour-de-force performances by writers Gregg Hammer and Louis Pardo—satirically skewer the jukebox musical while playing every role (and every instrument!) in this brand-new feel-good buddy show.

Will the perfect fictional folk duo find superstardom, or will they break up? You’ll have to come see to find out!

For tickets: click here.

The Distillery New Works Festival

Seattle Public Theater - June 11, 2026 through June 11, 2026

The Distillery New Works Festival is a weekend-long celebration of emerging theater. It features exciting new plays from local and national playwrights. The readings conclude with a discussion of the play, giving writers the chance to receive feedback from Seattle audiences (like YOU!) and providing a platform to help shape new works in progress.

Join us for the staged readings of 7 New Plays, June 11-14, 2026.

For tickets: click here.

No Strings Attached: An Improvised Puppet Show for Grownup World Cup Editions

Unexpected Productions - June 13, 2026 through June 13, 2026

Seattle's ORIGINAL improvised puppet show for grownups. An improvised fever dream with googly eyes and lots of laughter

The World Cup is coming, and the puppets are losing their minds. On June 13th, they offer a special World Cup-inspired edition of No Strings Attached: An Improvised Puppet Show for Grownups, which turns soccer fever into a wild, bawdy, completely unpredictable night of adult puppet comedy. Everything is made up on the spot from YOUR suggestions, so every match, scandal, chant, and championship moment happens once and only once.

Whether you are a die-hard soccer fan, World Cup-curious, or just want to watch puppets lose their minds, this special edition is your ticket to a night of grown-up comedy with no rules and absolutely no strings attached. It’s puppets, it’s improv, and it’s guaranteed to make you laugh.

For tickets: click here.

Million Dollar Quartet

Harlequin Productions - June 19, 2026 through July 19, 2026

December 4, 1956. Sun Records. One legendary night. When a twist of fate brings Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins into the same Memphis recording studio, music history is made. Inspired by the true story of that once-in-a-lifetime jam session, Million Dollar Quartet is a Tony Award-nominated high-octane rock ’n’ roll musical packed with heart, history, and hit after iconic hit. From “Blue Suede Shoes” to “Great Balls of Fire,” this electrifying celebration of talent, fame, and raw sound takes you inside the night that changed music forever.

Featuring more than 20 Rock ‘n Roll hits, including:
Blue Suede Shoes, Matchbox, Who Do You Love?, Folsom Prison Blues, That’s All Right, Sixteen Tons, Hound Dog, Down By the Riverside, Peace in the Valley, I Walk the Line, Great Balls of Fire, See You Later Alligator

For tickets: click here.

Giant

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts - Now through June 13, 2026

Giant is a drama by Mark Rosenblatt, directed by Vito Zingarelli, presented as an invitation-only professional staged reading. Inspired by true events, the play explores the tangled legacy of literary icon Roald Dahl, scrutinizing how charm and intellect can mask prejudice. Blending dark humor with sharp insight, it challenges audiences to reckon with the real-world harm of antisemitic rhetoric and the enduring power of words. Performances take place June 5, 7, and 13.

For tickets: click here.

Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts - June 11, 2026 through June 11, 2026

Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest receives its world-premiere staged reading as part of WICA's ongoing partnership with Island Shakespeare Festival. The event on June 11 also includes a new works conversation following the reading.

For tickets: click here.

Hell's Kitchen

The Paramount Theatre - July 21, 2026 through July 26, 2026

HELL’S KITCHEN won two 2025 Tony Awards and the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The musical, now in its second full year on Broadway, continues to play to rapturous audiences nightly at the Shubert Theatre in New York City.

The musical focuses on Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, you'll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family, and the neighborhood that helps her grow. Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun,

For tickets: click here.

Looking to include your shows? Submit them to our listings here.

LOLA to Return to Can Can Seattle for 21st Anniversary Season

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:48:06 PST

Can Can will present Lola as part of its 21st anniversary season, bringing a beloved production back to the stage with fresh energy, dazzling updates, and signature cabaret flair. Revived from the Can Can catalog, this vibrant summer spectacular celebrates the company's legacy of bold storytelling and immersive entertainment while showcasing its ever-evolving creative vision.

Set in 1970 at the Copacabana, Lola follows famed showgirl Lola and bartender Tony as their fiery romance hits a breaking point. When Rico, a suave bartender from a rival hotspot, sets his sights on Lola, a playful and high-stakes love triangle unfolds, full of jealousy, charm, and mischief. Featuring vibrant new costumes, original choreography, summertime tropical music, and Can Can's signature mix of humor and glamour, this reimagined production delivers even more laughs, high kicks, and razzle-dazzle than ever before.

Guests can elevate their evening with seasonal cocktails, market-fresh culinary offerings, and Pacific Northwest-inspired fare that capture the spirit of summer in Seattle. Back by popular demand, Lola is poised to be the must-see, hit show of the summer.

Special marketed performances include Father's Day Weekend shows on Friday, June 19 at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM, Saturday, June 20 at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Sunday, June 21 at 6:30 PM.

Pride Weekend performances take place on Friday, June 26 at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM, Saturday, June 27 at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Sunday, June 28 at 6:30 PM.

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:03:21 PST

Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community. In this May 2026 edition, we're bringing you a fresh batch of standout reviews from regional stages across the country - from Brigadoon at Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles to The Phantom of the Opera at Seattle's Paramount Theatre and Pippin at Signature Theatre in DC.

Diane Paulus directs an immersive, David Bowie-inspired Life on Mars at American Repertory Theater, the producers of Japan's Gypsy revival walk back a planned title change, and we go behind the scenes with interviews spanning Adam Fields of the Beetlejuice national tour, The Muny's casting director Michael Baxter, Richard Kind on finally taking on Edna in Hairspray, and BWW's Kid Reporters chatting with the touring Von Trapp kids of The Sound of Music. Plus, get a first look at exciting new productions through performance videos and photos, including Anastasia at La Mirada Theatre, Dear Evan Hansen at Arden Theatre, Pippin at Signature Theatre, and the Manila cast of Jesus Christ Superstar - and so much more from across the BroadwayWorld.

Diane Paulus Will Direct Immersive David Bowie Inspired LIFE ON MARS at American Repertory Theater

Joshua Wright | Boston

Diane Paulus will direct Life on Mars, an immersive theatrical production set to David Bowie's music, as the inaugural production at the Goel Center for Creativity & Performance in May.

GYPSY in Japan: Producers Walk Back Title Change Ahead of 2026 Revival

Joshua Wright | Japan

The Japanese revival of GYPSY will retain its original title when it returns to the stage in 2026, reversing an earlier decision to present the production under the name 'Rose.'

Interviews

Interview: Adam Fields of BEETLEJUICE National Tour

Brock Mills | Jacksonville

For Adam Fields, returning to Jacksonville with the national tour of Beetlejuice the Musical isn’t just another stop, it’s a full-circle moment. The production will play in Jacksonville from May 12–17 at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.

Interview: BWW’s 'Kid Reporters' Chat With THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s Touring Von Trapp Kids

Melissa Heckscher | Los Angeles

BroadwayWorld Los Angeles' kid reporters talk with the young touring cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC to find out what it's like to be part of one of Broadway’s most iconic shows and what actually happens behind the curtain.

Interview: Chatting with The Muny's Casting Director Michael Baxter

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

Michael Baxter’s work will shine on The Muny stage during all 50 performances this summer. He led the efforts and had a hand in hiring every one of the 194 actors who will fill the principal and ensemble roles.

Interview: Richard Kind Talks Finally Taking on Edna in The Muny's HAIRSPRAY

James Lindhorst | St. Louis

When The Muny opens their production of Hairspray on June 15, 2026, the legendary Richard Kind will don Edna Turnblad’s housecoat and step into her fuzzy house slippers. Kind, star of stage, screen and film, calls it bucket list moments to get to perform at The Muny and play Edna all at the same time.

Reviews

Review: BRIGADOON at Pasadena Playhouse

Andrew Child | Los Angeles

Brava to Alexandra Silber for capturing all the heart and humor of Lerner’s original book with her thoughtful new adaptation and brava to Katie Spelman for dreaming up a Brigadoon that is as ebullient and spirited as it is deeply human.

Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Paramount Theatre

Shelley Dean | Seattle

It’s almost unbelievable for me to admit that this was my first time seeing The Phantom of the Opera. Of course, I knew the iconic songs and had seen countless clips over the years, but experiencing the production live on stage for the first time was entirely different, haunting, and spine-chilling in the best way possible. From the chandelier drop to the monumental set pieces, the show truly lives up to its legendary reputation. The 2026 tour, directed by Harold Prince, serves as a revitalized version of the original production, featuring Maria Björnson’s iconic designs, musical staging, and choreography by Gillian Lynne. It is absolutely ravishing, and Seattle audiences are lining up hours early to witness the spectacle for themselves.

Review: PIPPIN at Signature Theatre

Aidan O'Connor | Washington, DC

Certain facets of the human condition are foundational to our very existence – change, connection, desire. One such particularly toxic universal truth is a constant need to be something more than we currently are. To search for happiness in external achievement rather than within ourselves, in our simple joys. Pippin at Signature Theatre breathes within that precise virulence, relatively orchestrated by a troupe of impeccably costumed and choreographed players. A feast for the eyes in all senses, Matthew Gardiner’s production surpasses even the highest of expectations.

Videos

Video: Watch La Mirada Theatre's ANASTASIA Star Lena Ceja Perform 'Journey to the Past'

Michael Major | Los Angeles

La Mirada Theatre has released new video footage of Lena Ceja rehearsing 'Journey to the Past' from their upcoming production of Anastasia. The production features Dillon Klena as Dmitry, a role first played on Broadway by his brother Derek Klena.

Photos/Video: DEAR EVAN HANSEN At Arden Theatre

A.A. Cristi | Philadelphia

Arden Theatre Company is now presenting DEAR EVAN HANSEN as the final production of its 2025/26 season, with performances continuing through July 5. New production photos and video have been released from the Philadelphia production, including footage of Evan A. Kaushesh performing “Waving Through a Window.”

Video: Watch 'Corner of the Sky' From Signature Theatre's PIPPIN

Michael Major | Washington, DC

Watch a video of Brayden Bambino performing 'Corner of the Sky' in Signature Theatre's production of Pippin. The in-the-round production is now running through July 26 with tickets available now.

Photos

Photos: Get a First Look at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in Manila

Oliver Oliveros | Philippines

The 2017 Olivier Award winner for Best Musical Revival, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' has officially opened at The Theatre at Solaire.

FUSSY CLOUD PUPPET SLAM VOLUME 31: SLAM SAVE AMERICA to Return This Summer

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:22:34 PST

In a time of uncertainty and division, one heroic institution dares to ask the question: what if puppets could save America? This July 3rd and 4th, Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam Volume 31: Slam Save America! returns to Theatre Off Jackson with another puppet variety show of handmade chaos dedicated to preserving the very soul of the nation. This all-new edition of Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam celebrates the grand American tradition of screaming into the void (but with puppets!) The event will run Friday, July 3rd & Saturday, July 4th.

Returning to the podium is the dazzling Tootsie Spangles, our master of ceremonies and self-appointed Secretary of Shenanigans, who leads the audience through the evening's show with charm and questionable life advice. Each short-form act brings its own unique vision of patriotic delusion and handcrafted spectacle.

HAPPPPPY ACCCCCCCCDENT (PDX)
pompom pirate and cornbread jimmysweet (Brooklyn, NY)
Robin Amico (PDX)
Seatown Proletariat Puppet Uprising
Alice's Malices
Treasure Trove
The Puppet Pervs: Jackie hotdog, Amethyst, Coco
Sophia Shoshana
Puppet Hijinks

Slam Save America! Peers into what's broken in our Country, and uses the healing art of puppetry to mend us all. Laugh at the dream realized: Mungo eating degenerate American politicians; Cry from the beauty of psychic connection that binds women and femmes around the world; and see our world in flames through (shadow) puppet eyes. Freedom may not be free, but puppet shows are pretty affordable!

Laura Kaminsky and Deborah Brevoort Named Creative Directors of Seattle Opera's Jane Lang Davis Creation Lab

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:36:43 PST

Seattle Opera announced today that composer Laura Kaminsky and librettist Deborah Brevoort have been named Creative Directors of the company's new-works incubator program, the Jane Lang Davis Creation Lab. Kaminsky and Brevoort, who both previously served as Creation Lab mentors, will redesign the Creation Lab curriculum and serve as mentors for up-and-coming composers and librettists looking to tell diverse and innovative stories on the opera stage.

“For opera to continue to thrive in the US, it must speak to the current moment and bring to the stage new stories that resonate with contemporary audiences,” said Brevoort. “But to do that we need composers and librettists trained in the art of writing for the opera stage. As we enter this new phase of the program, I ask, what would an opera based in Pacific Northwest life sound and look like? What kinds of stories would it tell? The Jane Lang Creation Lab provides that training to the Pacific Northwest's most talented artists.”

“There has been a resurgence of new work in American opera over the last 15 years, fueled by the audience's need for stories that speak to contemporary life in the diverse communities that make up America,” added Kaminsky, whose operas As One and Lucidity were produced by Seattle Opera in 2016 and 2024. “These works tell stories about the world in which we live, are smaller in scale, shorter in length, and diverse in musical style. This growing body of chamber opera that addresses current issues of our day is creating vibrancy in a field often thought to be ‘old world' and ‘stuffy.' I am eager to foster the next generation of creators as they explore the creative and dramatic possibilities of this genre.”

Established in 2020, the Jane Lang Davis Creation Lab seeks to cultivate emerging opera composers and librettists from the Pacific Northwest. Over the course of an 18-month program, three composer-librettist teams will learn the craft of collaborative writing for the opera stage, receiving support from professional composers and librettists as they develop their work. The program culminates in the presentation of new, 20-minute works at the Opera Center in March 2028. Previous projects have received subsequent performances at companies such as Kitsap Opera and Lowbrow Opera Collective

“We are very excited for Laura and Deborah to spearhead this program,” said Lōkela Alexander Minami, Co-Director of Programs & Partnerships, Community Engagement. “They are not only leaders in the field, but also experienced instructors with deep connections to the Pacific Northwest. Under their guidance, we have sharpened and expanded this training program, and we can't wait to see how the next cohort of participants will bring the innovative spirit of the region to bear on this powerfully expressive and adaptable art form of opera.”

Seattle Opera welcomes applications from composers, songwriters, librettists, lyricists, playwrights, and poets of all genres who reside in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho and are at least 18 years of age. Applications for the 2028 cohort are now open, with a deadline of August 2, 2026. Applications and eligibility requirements can be found at seattleopera.org/creationlab.

About Deborah Brevoort

Deborah Brevoort writes plays, musicals and operas. In 2023, she was awarded the Campbell Opera Librettist Prize from Opera America and is best known for The Knock, her opera about military spouses; Blue Moon Over Memphis, her Noh Drama about Elvis Presley, regularly produced in Japan; and her play, The Women of Lockerbie, produced internationally. She is a long-time educator and currently serves as the Librettist Mentor to the American Opera Initiative at Washington National Opera and for the American Lyric Theatre in New York. She is also a Fulbright Specialist in opera and theatre for the US State Department where she taught the first-ever opera writing workshop at the Seoul Institute of the Arts in South Korea in 2024.

A three-time winner of the Frontiers Festival at Ft. Worth Opera, Deborah has written 12 opera librettos which were commissioned and produced by leading opera companies in the U.S. such as Glimmerglass Festival, Cincinnati Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Ft. Worth Opera, On-Site Opera, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Opera Colorado, American Lyric Theater, the Decameron Opera Coalition, Fargo Moorhead and Anchorage Opera. She has also authored over 10 plays that are regularly produced at leading theatres in the US and abroad, including her latest, My Lord, What a Night, about Marian Anderson and Albert Einstein, which was staged at Seattle's Tap Root Theatre and the historic Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. Her critically acclaimed comedy about NASA's Apollo engineers, The Blue-Sky Boys, recently completed an extended, sold-out run at Florida Studio Theatre.

Her opera librettos include: The Knock, with Aleksandra Vrebalov (made into a film, on YouTube); Murasaki's Moon with Michi Wiancko; Embedded and Albert Nobbs with Patrick Soluri; Steal a Pencil for Me with Gerald Cohen; Dinner 4 3 with Michael Ching; Quamino's Map with Errolyn Wallen; and new adaptations of Strauss's Die Fledermaus and Mozart's The Impresario for the Anchorage Opera. A recording of Steal a Pencil for Me was recently released by Sono Luminus.

She is currently writing two children's operas: Silverwing, with Dean Burry, for Tulsa Opera and Canadian Children's Opera Company and The Snow Queen 2.0, with B. E Boykin for the Glimmerglass Festival. She is also working on The Red Thread, about Chinese girls adopted by American families, with Wang Lu, which received a Discovery grant from Opera America, and Where Flowers Bloom, about Lady Bird Johnson, with Laura Kaminsky.

In musical theatre, Deborah is a two-time winner of the Frederick Loewe award for Coyote Goes Salmon Fishing, with Scott Davenport Richards, and King Island Christmas, based on the Alaskan children's book, with David Friedman. Her new musical Loving, about Loving v. the State of Virginia with famed jazz composer Diedre Murray, will be developed next year in the new works program at The Apollo Theatre

Deborah taught for many years in the NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program and the MFA playwriting program at Columbia University and serves as an ongoing mentor to the NBO Musical Theatre Initiative in Nairobi, Kenya. Deborahbrevoort.com

About Laura Kaminsky

Possessing “an ear for the new and interesting” (The New York Times), frequently addresses social and political issues in her work. Her first opera, As One (co-librettists Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed), is the most produced contemporary opera since its 2014 premiere, with 65+ productions internationally. Other operas: Some Light Emerges and Today It Rains (Campbell & Reed); Hometown to the World (Kimberly Reed); Finding Wright (Andrea Fellows Fineberg); February (co-librettist with novelist Lisa Moore); Lucidity (David Cote); Time To Act (Crystal Manich); The Post Office (Elaine Sexton); and, forthcoming, The Song of the Lark (Fineberg). Classical Voice America posits that "Kaminsky writes effectively for the voice, whether in searing, soul-baring arias and duets or recitative-like passages that propel the narrative," while American Record Guide notes that her music is “full of fire as well as ice, contrasting dissonance and violence with tonal beauty and meditative reflection.” Kaminsky has written a Piano Concerto and a Piano Quintet for internationally renowned pianist Ursula Oppens, and two string quartets for the acclaimed Fry Street Quartet, with whom she recently collaborated on a score for the documentary series Poetry in America. Awarded the Polish Gold Cross of Merit (Zloty Krzyż Zasługi RP) by the President of Poland for exemplary public service/humanitarian work, Kaminsky has been recognized by the NEA, Koussevitzky Music Foundation at the Library of Congress, Opera America, Chamber Music America, and USArtists International, among others. On the faculties at SUNY Purchase and Boston Conservatory/Berklee, Kaminsky is the co-director, with librettist Deborah Brevoort, of Seattle Opera's Creation Lab. Recordings of her music can be found on the Affeto, Albany, Bridge, BSS, Cedille, CRI, Capstone, Mode, MSR, and Navona labels. laurakaminsky.com

Photos: SOTTO VOCE At Tacoma Little Theatre

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:11:15 PST

Tacoma Little Theatre will present Sotto Voce, by the Pulitzer Prize winning Nilo Cruz, to its stage. This lyrical and haunting exploration of memory, love, and the echoes of history will play from June 5-June 21, 2026. Check out photos of the show.

Saquiel, a young Cuban man obsessed with the M.S. St. Louis—a ship of Jewish refugees turned away from American shores in 1939—seeks out Bemadette Kahn, an aging German-born writer who lost her lover in that tragic voyage. As they form an unconventional bond through phone calls and imagined conversations, Bemadette confronts long-buried grief. Through poetic language and magical realism, Sotto Voce intertwines past and present, exile and longing, and the lingering weight of history.

Tacoma Little Theatre’s production of Sotto Voce features the talents of Sharry O’Hare as Bemadette Kahn, John Pedro as Saquiel Rafaeli, and Valeria Sanchez-Jimenez as Lucila Pulpo.

The production team features: Maria Valenzuela (Director), Kaylie Holcomb (Stage Manager), Blake R. York (Scenic and Projection Design), Michele Graves (Costume Design), Madeleine Arnold (Props Design), Alonna Hall (Lighting Design), and Chandler Garry (Sound Design).

Sotto Voce will run Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 21, 2026, for a total of 11 performances. Evening showings are at 7:30pm and matinees are at 2:00pm, please check the website for exact dates.

There will be a special “Pay What You Can” performance on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 7:30pm. Tickets for that performance are available now online, in person, or over the phone.

The performance on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 2:00pm will be an ASL interpreted performance. Tickets are $30.00 (Adults), $28.00 (Seniors 60+/Students/Military), and $23.00 (Children 12 and under). Tickets may be purchased online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com, or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281. Group rates are available for 10 or more, and special FLEX passes for 6 are only $160.00.

Photo Credit: Dennis K Photography

John Pedro, Sharry O'Hare

John Pedro, Valeria Sanchez-Jimenez

Sharry O'Hare

Sharry O'Hare, Valeria Sanchez-Jimenez

John Pedro

John Pedro, Valeria Sanchez-Jimenez

Sharry O'Hare

John Pedro

Sharry O'Hare

John Pedro

Valeria Sanchez-Jimenez

Sharry O'Hare, John Pedrio, Valeria Sanchez-Jimenez

Sharry O'Hare

BEYOND BAROQUE FESTIVAL to Launch 2026-27 Season at Early Music Seattle

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:42:45 PST

Early Music Seattle has announced its 2026-27 Beyond Baroque Season, a landmark season of showcases and festivals highlighting connection, migration, and cultural dialogue. The season also marks the beginning of celebrations of EMS's milestone 50th Anniversary — presented with bold imagination and a global perspective.

FALL FESTIVAL: CROSSROADS OF TIME | OCTOBER 8–11, 2026

The season opens with the Crossroads of Time, tracing the sounds of trade and conquest across continents and centuries. Featured performances include Eurasia Consort (October 10) and Rumbarroco (October 11).

SHOWCASE: VOX LUMINIS: MONTEVERDI'S VESPERS OF 1610 | NOVEMBER 20, 2026

Internationally acclaimed ensemble Vox Luminis performs Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine, a monumental work of sacred music that bridges the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

WINTER FESTIVAL: IN HER VOICE | JANUARY 21–24, 2027

In Her Voice centers powerful female artistry and poetic expression, featuring performances from Seffarine (January 23) and GRAMMY Award-winning soprano Amanda Forsythe with her ensemble Opera Prima (January 24).

SPRING FESTIVAL: MEDITERRANEAN CURRENTS | MARCH 11–14, 2027

Mediterranean Currents (March 11–14, 2027) weaves together stories from Lebanon, Italy, and Persia, opening with a Nowruz Celebration featuring the Maaha Ensemble (March 11), followed by JUNO Award-nominated Haitham Haidar (March 13), and the globally acclaimed ensemble, La Fonte Musica (March 14).

50 YEARS OF EARLY MUSIC SEATTLE (APRIL 1977–2027) | APRIL 18 & 20, 2027

The season concludes with two landmark performances. Chanticleer (April 18) brings Love Supreme, exploring humanity's eternal longing for the transcendent. Then Jordi Savall and Le Concert des Nations take the stage at Benaroya Hall's S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium (April 20) for a monumental performance of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5. Together, these artists have shaped the evolution of early music worldwide, and their presence marks both a culmination of this extraordinary season and the launch of EMS's 50th Anniversary celebrations.

BEYOND THE FEATURED CONCERTS

Each Beyond Baroque Festival weekend extends well beyond the concert hall. Multidisciplinary programming will include open rehearsals, instrument and gallery exhibitions, creative city itineraries, workshops, community music events, public conversations, and showcase opportunities for a wide array of Seattle's own artists.

The season also continues to deepen EMS's partnerships with leading local arts organizations, including the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, the University of Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Cornish College of the Arts, Northwest Folklife, and others.

Explore the season at earlymusicseattle.org

Festival Passes starting at $100 (Discounted through June 15, 2026).

Single Tickets go on sale August 2026.

BEYOND BAROQUE FESTIVAL to Launch 2026-27 Season at Early Music Seattle

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:42:45 PST

FALL FESTIVAL: CROSSROADS OF TIME | OCTOBER 8–11, 2026

SHOWCASE: VOX LUMINIS: MONTEVERDI'S VESPERS OF 1610 | NOVEMBER 20, 2026

Internationally acclaimed ensemble Vox Luminis performs Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine, a monumental work of sacred music that bridges the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

WINTER FESTIVAL: IN HER VOICE | JANUARY 21–24, 2027

SPRING FESTIVAL: MEDITERRANEAN CURRENTS | MARCH 11–14, 2027

50 YEARS OF EARLY MUSIC SEATTLE (APRIL 1977–2027) | APRIL 18 & 20, 2027

BEYOND THE FEATURED CONCERTS

Explore the season at earlymusicseattle.org

Festival Passes starting at $100 (Discounted through June 15, 2026).

Single Tickets go on sale August 2026.

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:05 PST

Ever watched the weekly Broadway grosses roll in and thought you could pick the winners? Now you can put it to the test. BroadwayWorld has launched the Producer Fantasy Game, a free, season-long competition that lets theatre fans build a roster of Broadway shows and earn points based on how those productions actually perform at the box office. The draft window is open now.

How It Works

The setup is simple. During the draft window, you pick any six Broadway productions that opened this season. Drafting is non-exclusive, so there is no need to race a rival for a hot title. Any number of players can roster the same show.

From there, your shows go to work for you. Every week, each production on your roster earns fantasy points based on its reported box office grosses and capacity percentages. When Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations and wins are announced, your shows bank bonus points on top of that. And each week you can answer our Fantasy Forecast prediction questions for up to five bonus points per correct call.

Weekly Scoring

Each week, a show earns one base point for every $50,000 it grosses, so a $1 million week is worth 20 base points. On top of that, shows can earn bonuses: up to five points for filling seats (based on how close to full capacity the house ran), six points for grossing $2 million or more (or three points for grossing between $1 million and $2 million), and eight points if its gross jumped at least 15 percent from the week before. A show loses four points if its gross dropped at least 15 percent. If a show goes dark and reports no gross for a week, it scores zero for that week with no penalty.

The Fantasy Forecast

The Producer Fantasy Game is really two games in one. The first is the box office game: drafting shows and earning points from their weekly grosses and awards. The second is the Fantasy Forecast, a weekly set of prediction questions about what's happening on Broadway, where each correct answer is worth up to five points. You can play one or both.

We track them separately so you can shine at either. Your Producer score covers the box office game, your Forecast score covers your prediction results, and your Combined score adds the two together for the overall championship ranking. The leaderboard lets you toggle between Overall, Producers, and Forecasters, so a sharp predictor can top the Forecasters board even during a rough season for their roster, and a roster powerhouse can lead the Producers board without answering a single question.

Managing Your Roster

Your lineup stays at six shows all season, and you have plenty of room to maneuver. You get one free drop every week, three additional season drops to use anytime before the trade deadline, and free replacements whenever a show on your roster closes. New productions open throughout the season and become available the moment they start reporting grosses, so it pays to keep a transaction in your pocket for that buzzy new opening.

Join the Game

The Producer Fantasy Game is free for all BroadwayWorld users, and you can join any time the draft window is open. Draft within the first two weeks of the season and your roster is scored from opening week, so the earlier you get in, the more weeks you bank. Build your roster, make your predictions, and start climbing the leaderboard today.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL is Coming to Portland's Keller Auditorium

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:09:54 PST

BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical will arrive in Portland as part of the 2025-26 Broadway Season. This spectacular live experience based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film has thrilled millions worldwide with its destination now set for Keller Auditorium from June 16 – 21.

The nostalgia-rich Broadway production played an impressive 18-month run at the Winter Garden Theatre from August 3, 2023, through January 5, 2025. Following its nearly five-year run in London's West End, BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical continues its global expansion, with recent productions in Tokyo and Sydney, Australia, and is now dazzling audiences aboard Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship. The musical also launched in Hamburg, Germany in March 2026 for an open-ended run, with additional territories to be announced. A UK tour will open at the Bristol Hippodrome in fall 2026, with a Paris production set to debut in September 2027.

Marty McFly is a rock ‘n' roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

Speight Jenkins, Former Seattle Opera General Director, Dies at 89

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:12:48 PST

Former Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins, who transformed Seattle Opera into one of the leading opera companies in the US during his 31-year tenure (1983–2014), died Saturday at age 89.

“Seattle, Seattle Opera, and the opera world have lost a giant,” said former longtime Board Chair John Nesholm. “Speight brought Seattle Opera into the first rank of opera companies nationally and internationally. His groundbreaking productions of Wagner's Ring attracted audiences from every state and dozens of countries. Speight's manifold contributions to opera were extensive, influential, and brought many into McCaw Hall. In retirement he continued teaching and inspiring others through his deep knowledge of and infectious passion for our beloved artform. He will be sorely missed.”

A passionate, precise, and persistent leader, Jenkins was an icon in the Pacific Northwest and held in the highest esteem across the opera industry. Under Jenkins' watch, Seattle Opera grew into one of the largest and most respected opera companies in the United States, recognized worldwide for its ambitious programming, its nurturing environment for young artists, and its vital presentations of the works of Richard Wagner, including the composer's four-opera epic, Der Ring des Nibelungen.

“As we mourn the loss of Seattle Opera's former General Director, we also celebrate the extraordinary impacts he made on the world of opera and the greater arts scene in the Pacific Northwest,” said James Robinson, Seattle Opera's current General & Artistic Director. “Speight was a force, a true impresario who launched countless careers over the years. He was exacting, demanding, and utterly committed to excellence, and he remains an inspiration to so many of us who now lead opera companies in the US.”

“Everyone has a few people who believe in them when they are young and getting going—Speight Jenkins was one of those very special people for me,” said Francesca Zambello, stage director and Artistic Director of Washington National Opera. “He was a true impresario in the classical sense. In his role as General Director, he was hands-on, always in rehearsals, always watching and making suggestions in a constructive way, softened by his charming Southern accent. He always phrased everything as a question when he was giving a note. A good lesson I tried to learn from him! I will miss our many exchanges—always signed ‘Love, SP8'.”

“Some people enter our lives and, through the simple yet profound act of believing in us, alter the course of our journey forever,” said tenor Lawrence Brownlee, an alumnus of Seattle Opera's Young Artist Program. “Many people have encouraged me throughout my career, but few have believed in me as faithfully and intentionally as Speight Jenkins. His support was endless and came not only in moments of success, but also in moments of uncertainty. He saw possibilities in me that I sometimes could not see in myself, and gave me opportunity after opportunity to hone my craft and establish myself as a serious artist. This is a monumental loss for me. Whatever I have or will accomplish will be thanks to my dear friend, Speight Jenkins.”

“So many of us truly owe our careers to Speight,” said stage director and tenor Peter Kazaras, who directed Seattle Opera's Young Artist Program from 2006 to 2013. “More importantly, we came to understand how to fully be our artist selves thanks in part to his unique mentorship style. In my case, he always gave me permission to disagree with him, especially once I started directing. He would listen to my point of view, and he'd let me know he trusted me to do the job he had hired me to do. His faith in an artist was a serious business, and so many people in our world today are doing what they do because Speight believed in them at a crucial juncture. He inspired tremendous devotion and love in countless others. I so hope he understood and felt this over these many decades.”

“Speight was a brilliant, hands-on producer unique in American opera,” said stage director Stephen Wadsworth. “His encouragement and loyalty spurred the careers of many singers and directors, and his blue-chip friendship was and remains singular—intellectually stimulating, steeped in laughter, and constant. He is the only impresario in history who regularly received frenzied, lengthy applause simply stepping before the curtain to make a pre-show announcement. On the last night of our Ring cycle in 2013, I called him out onstage for the summer's final solo bow, and every single person in the theater rose as one and screamed. I've heard every great singer of the last sixty-five years, but to this day I've never hear an ovation like that.”

Jenkins began his career as a music critic, hosting the Metropolitan Opera's “Live from the Met” television broadcasts and working for several years for Opera News and later the New York Post. He first came to Seattle Opera as an educator and opera-lover, giving pre-show talks for the 1982 presentation of Wagner's Ring cycle in his inimitable, fast-paced Southern tenor voice. Jenkins' enthusiasm for opera captivated the Board of Directors, who asked him to succeed founding General Director Glynn Ross. Although Jenkins had extensive experience in the music industry, he had never worked for an opera company. However, he proved a quick study, and within a few years Seattle Opera was attracting national attention for innovative and provocative productions.

Jenkins built on the foundation Glynn Ross had established, extending Seattle Opera's reputation as a Wagner epicenter by producing all ten of Wagner's major operas, including two very different Ring productions. Seattle Opera became synonymous with Wagner's works, and productions such as Lohengrin ('94), Tristan und Isolde ('98), the Ring ('01), and Parsifal ('03) became must-see events for opera lovers around the world.

Thanks to his uncanny ability to hear the potential in a voice, Jenkins brought to Seattle many young singers who would go on to spectacular careers, including Vinson Cole, Lawrence Brownlee, Gordon Hawkins, and Mary Elizabeth Williams. He developed Seattle Opera's Young Artist Program and International Wagner Competitions, which launched the careers of dozens of young singers. Jenkins also mentored young stage directors like Francesca Zambello and Stephen Wadsworth, who went on to have long and distinguished careers in the industry.

A staunch believer that even the grandest operas should be for the people, Jenkins helped usher in a new era of audience accessibility when he introduced translated supertitles to Seattle Opera for a production of Wagner's Tannhäuser in 1984, making Seattle Opera one of the first companies in the United States to feature the new technology. Seattle Opera's tradition of post-show talkbacks with singers and creative teams also began with Jenkins, who hosted nearly one thousand such sessions during his time as General Director.

Jenkins made significant contributions to the development of new opera and new opera productions in the United States. He spearheaded the commission of Amelia, which premiered in 2010; co-commissioned Floriencia en el Amazonas, Seattle Opera's first Spanish-language opera, in 1998; and co-produced Iphigenia in Tauris, the company's first joint production with the Metropolitan Opera, in 2007. During the 1990 Goodwill Games held in Seattle, Jenkins produced Prokofiev's War and Peace, the most complete version of that opera yet presented in the US and a performance that was heralded as the Games' “crown jewel.”

A native of Dallas, TX, Jenkins was transfixed by opera at the young age of six, when he was in second grade. Jenkins recalls his mother's explanation of the art form: “It's like a play, but they sing. They have crazy stories.” The first time he heard Die Walküre, he was rapt. “I can't explain it, but I was totally suckered in, absolutely dumbfounded,” he said of the experience.

Jenkins trained as a lawyer at Columbia University and served in the US Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps, where he honed his writing and lecturing skills. Following his Army service, Jenkins returned to New York City to begin his career in music journalism.

Jenkins received a Mayor's Art Award in 2009, the National Endowment for the Arts Opera Honor in 2011, the Governor's Arts Organization Leadership Award in 2014, and honorary doctorates from Seattle University, the University of Puget Sound, and New England Conservatory of Music. The Seattle Times named him one of the 150 most influential people who have shaped the character of Seattle and King County in 2000, and in 2006, Opera News called him one of the 25 “most powerful” names in American Opera. On the occasion of his retirement, the city and county proclaimed August 9, 2014, Speight Jenkins Day, and the city named a street in his honor.

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:57:07 PST

“A Drag Queen Christmas” will return for its 12th year, launching a 39-city national tour this November - December. The 2026 edition is hosted by returning fan favorite and theatre star Nina West, and features an all-new merry lineup of drag superstars from the Emmy-winning RuPaul's Drag Race franchise.

Artist pre-sale begins Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. (local time) with the code “TWELVE,” and general on sale begins Friday, June 5 at 10 a.m. (local time) at dragfans.com.

This year's cast includes:

Myki Meeks, Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Nini Coco, Runner-up, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Darlene Mitchell, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Juicy Love Dion, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Discord Addams, Drag Race Season 18 (2026)
Crystal Methyd, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026) & Drag Race Season 12 (2020)
Silky Ganache, Drag Race All Stars Season 11 (2026), Drag Race All Stars Season 6 (2021), Drag Race Season 11 (2019)

“A Drag Queen Christmas” is the world's premiere holiday drag showcase and a sensational theatrical experience that delivers high camp, over-the-top lip-sync performances, side-splitting comedy, elaborate costumes, Broadway-style staging, and a whole lot of heart—something we all seek during the chaos of the holiday season. With plenty of spectacular surprises in store, the show offers audiences a chance to see drag queens at the top of their game perform showstopping numbers of epic holiday proportions on revered theater stages across America. Each year, “A Drag Queen Christmas” provides an annual tradition for folks from all walks of life to come together and connect, find community, and celebrate the season with joy and laughter.

This dazzling, 18+ holiday extravaganza runs two hours and offers fans the chance to add-on a VIP Meet & Greet Experience—including early access to the venue, photos with the queens on stage, autographs, and exclusive tour merchandise.

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

November 11 - Detroit, MI (Fisher Theatre)

November 12 - Rochester, NY (Kodak Center)

November 13 - Rutland, VT (Paramount Theatre)

November 14 - Portland, ME (Merrill Auditorium)

November 15 - Boston, MA (Emerson Colonial Theatre)

November 17 - Red Bank, NJ (Count Basie Center for the Arts)

November 18 - Morristown, NJ (Mayo Performing Arts Center)

November 19 - Washington, DC (Warner Theatre)

November 20 - Durham, NC (Durham Performing Arts Center)

November 21 - Wilmington, NC (Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College)

November 22 - Philadelphia, PA (Fillmore)

November 24 - Pittsburgh, PA (Byham Theater)

November 25 - Columbus, OH (Palace Theatre)

November 27 - Chicago, IL (Riviera Theatre)

November 28 - Appleton, WI (Fox Cities Performing Arts Center)

November 29 - Omaha, NE (Orpheum Theater)

November 30 - Oklahoma City, OK (The Criterion)

December 1 - Des Moines, IA (Hoyt Sherman Place)

December 2 - Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)

December 4 - Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)

December 5 - Salt Lake City, UT (Kingsbury Hall)

December 7 - Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)

December 9 - Sacramento, CA (Channel 24)

December 10 - San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Theatre)

December 11 - Stockton, CA (Bob Hope Theatre)

December 12 - Los Angeles, CA (The Wiltern)

December 13 - Santa Rosa, CA (Luther Burbank Center)

December 15 - Mesa, AZ (Mesa Arts Center)

December 16 - Tucson, AZ (Fox Tucson Theatre)

December 17 - El Paso, TX (Plaza Theatre)

December 19 - Austin, TX (ACL Live at The Moody Theater)

December 20 - Dallas, TX (Winspear Opera House)

December 21 - Wichita, KS (Orpheum Theatre)

December 22 - St.Louis, MO (The Factory)

December 23 - Knoxville, TN (Tennessee Theatre)

December 26 - Tampa Bay, FL (Straz Center for the Performing Arts)

December 27 - Fort Myers, FL (Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall)

December 28 - West Palm Beach, FL (Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)

December 29 - Jacksonville, FL (Florida Theatre)

Review: BLUE MAN GROUP at The Paramount Theatre

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:57:20 PST

The Blue Man Group North American Tour
at The Paramount Theatre. Photo Credit: Blue Man Group

There’s a reason Blue Man Group has been beloved for nearly 40 years: their show is pure fun. Packed with electrifying percussion performances, inventive visual storytelling, and laugh-out-loud-worthy comedy, the group's North American tour continues to delight audiences, and their stop at The Paramount Theatre was no exception. I have never heard so much laughter and genuine excitement from a theater audience.

The show, or more so, experience, begins before the curtain even rises. A playful, camaraderie-filled preshow encourages audience participation and immediately sets the tone for the evening. This is followed by a riveting percussion sequence that rattles your bones. Before we even catch a glimpse of the iconic blue faces, we hear them delivering this performance that commands attention. The drums roar through the theater, and the audience shifts with anticipation.

After the curtain rises and the three Blue Men appear, the show shifts into a nonstop night of creativity and comedy. From marshmallow-catching antics and paint-splattered percussion numbers to immersive audience interactions, every segment feels fresh and unexpected. The performers enter through the crowd multiple times throughout the evening, blurring the line between stage and audience. The result is a production that never slows down and never loses its sense of wonder. Looking around the theater, every person in attendance had a huge smile on their face. The energy in the room was infectious, and didn’t leave the audience members when they walked outside.

The Blue Man Group North American Tour
at The Paramount Theatre. Photo Credit: Blue Man Group

Identified only as “Left Blue Man,” “Center Blue Man,” and “Right Blue Man” in the program, the trio delivers a masterclass in physical comedy, timing, and musicianship. Every gesture, expression, and comedic beat is executed with remarkable precision, and each performer brings a distinct personality to the role. As they wandered through the audience, their curious movements made them feel almost like whimsical creatures encountering humans for the first time. It was impossible not to giggle along with the rest of the audience.

Accompanying the Blue Men was “The Rockstar,” who was an absolute lifeforce in this production. Propped up on a massive elevated platform upstage, The Rockstar provided the driving pulse behind the majority of the show with extraordinary musical talent and undeniable Stage Presence. Their energy radiated throughout the theater, and the striking costume only added to the larger-than-life performance.

Overall, this was a theater experience I’ll remember for a long time. I brought my dad along, a lifelong drummer, and the show earned his approval as well. I’d consider that a testament to the impressive musicianship on display.

If you happen to be in another location the Blue Men pop into, I highly recommend this show. You definitely won’t leave feeling blue.

Photos: HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET Performs To Sold Out Audience; Producers Eyeing Full Production

Sun, 31 May 2026 14:35:07 PST

A special staged benefit concert of the new musical "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" based on Jamie Ford's New York Times bestselling novel took place May 23 and 24 at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Producers eyeing Full Production. Check out the photos below!

The cast was led by Rich Ceraulo Ko and Darius de Haas and featured Rick Faugno, Tinka Gutrick Dailey, Kate Jaeger, Keita Kawahara, Kathleen Kwan, Jonny Lee Jr, Sam McCulley, Shaunyce Omar, Cyana Paolantonio, Morgan Claire Roberts, Isa Noriko Sanchez, Jimmy Shields, Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Owen Yen, and Minami Yusui.

The musicians for the concert presentation include Kenneth Aramaki, Jonah Byrne, Paul Fujimoto, Merwin Kato, Jarrett Mason, and Kellen White.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet features book, direction, and choreography by Lainie Sakakura, with music, lyrics, and orchestrations by Paul Fujimoto. The creative team also includes Brian Walters (Music Direction/Supervision), Fenton Li (Cantonese Consultant), Sam Davis (Dance Arrangements), Rick Faugno (Co-Choreographer), Camilla Tassi (Projection Design), Jessica Trundy (Lighting Design), Ari Lindholm (Sound Design/Technical Director), Keith Yamaguchi (Event Coordinator/Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation ) and the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute facility team.

Photos by Matt Masuoka, Rick Wong, Sharon Hasegawa

The production was produced by SAKACHEZ fiscally sponsored by New York Live Arts 501c3, supported by Seattle community members, and made possible by angel donors Louise & David Wright.

Darius de Haas, Keita Kawahara, Isa Noriko Sanchez

Isa Noriko Sanchez, Keita Kawahara

Sam McCulley, Isa Noriko Sanchez, Keita Kawahara

Kathleen Kwan, Owen Yen, Keita Kawahara

Jarrett Mason, Kenneth Aramaki, Merwin Kato, Jonah Byrne, Rich Ceraulo Ko, Brian Walters

Keita Kawahara, Isa Noriko Sanchez, Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Jimmy Shields, Rick Faugno

Keita Kawahara, Isa Noriko Sanchez

Jamie Ford with HOTCOBAS Band

Rich Ceraulo Ko, Kenneth Aramaki, Jarrett Mason, Merwin Kato, Paul Fujimoto

Full Company

Minami Yusui, Isa Noriko Sanchez, Keita Kawahara

Keita Kawahara, Owen Yen, Kathleen Kwan

Rick Faungo, Owen Yen, Cyana Paolantonio

Morgan Claire Roberts, Jonny Lee Jr, Rich Ceraulo Ko

Rich Ceraulo Ko, Jonny Lee Jr

Rick Faugno, Owen Yen, Keita Kawahara, Sam McCulley

Keita Kawahara, Isa Noriko Sanchez

Rick Faugno, Nathaniel Tenenbaum

Shaunyce Omar

Darius de Haas, Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Keita Kawahara, Isa Noriko Sanchez

Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Darius de Haas

Cyana Paolantonio, Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Jimmy Shields, Darius de Haas, Minami Yusui, Rick Faugno

Keita Kawahara, Shaunyce Omar, Cyana Paolantonio, Isa Noriko Sanchez, Jimmy Shields, Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Jimmy Shields, Darius de Haas, Minami Yusui,

Keita Kawahara, Isa Noriko Sanchez, Nathaniel Tenenbaum, Jimmy Shields, Rick Faugno

Rich Ceraulo Ko, Jonny Lee Jr

Owne Yen, Kathleen Kwan, Keita Kawahara

Darius de Haas, Keita Kawahara

Keita Kawahara, Sam McCulley

Isa Noriko Sanchez, Keita Kawahara, Kate Jaeger

Brian Walters, Sam McCulley, Keita Kawahara

Darius de Haas, Keita Kawahara

Isa Noriko Sanchez, Rich Ceraulo

Kenneth Aramaki

Jamie Ford

Merwin Kato

Jarrett Mason

Merwin, Paul Fujimoto, Kellen White

BORDER:HOME and THE END OF LEAR to Make World Premiere at Seattle's ReAct Theatre

Fri, 29 May 2026 20:45:13 PST

Baker Theater Workshop will present the world-premiere staged reading of a script by a local playwright alongside a reimagining of King Lear this June.

Baker Theater's artistic director Peter Temes has penned a new play called Border:Home that will premiere at Seattle's ReAct Theatre June 5th and run through the 14th. The play centers around a group of volunteers stationed at the least-used border crossing between the US and Mexico who are dedicated to helping migrants cross the open desert.

Border:Home does more than raise a voice of protest against the US's current policy of granting precious few asylum claims and repelling families seeking shelter: it spotlights the human dimensions of the tragedy and the struggle to make some kind of positive contribution.

Border:Home will be presented alongside another one-act called The End of Lear: Four Kings, an adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy. Continuing Baker's dramatic explorations of King Lear, this one-act piece depicts the original text from Lear's perspective.

In The End of Lear, four dynamic Seattle actors simultaneously unearth the varied facets of this Shakespearean king: his cruelty toward his loved ones, his anxiety about how others perceive him, and his propensity for transforming the world into merely a stage for his personal drama.

Paired together as one evening of theatre, both Border:Home and The End of Lear delve into themes related to the hunger for power, the limits of family bonds, and the personal tragedies inherent within larger political machinations. The staged readings are directed by Temes and feature local actors Peter C. Cook, David S. Klein, Hester Elwell, Raine Hoover, Ken Knight, and John Dugaw.

Border:Home and The End of Lear premiere on June 5th at ReAct Theatre in Pioneer Square and run through June 14th. The entire evening runs approximately two hours, including one ten-minute intermission. There will be snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase both prior to the show and during intermission.

ReAct Theatre is wheelchair-accessible through the freight elevator entrance at the back. If you need any accommodations, please contact us at peter@iloinstitute.com after reserving your tickets so that we can let you in through this entrance or assist you with anything else.

Baker Theater Workshop exists to bring new works of theater to the Seattle community, with an eye toward highlighting voices often unheard. We offer free admission as part of our radical hospitality policy that ensures quality art is accessible to all. You can also choose to make a donation with your ticket reservation, which greatly helps underwrite the costs of producing high-caliber theatre and offering unlimited radical hospitality ticketing.

THE BLACK KEYS to Kick Off STG's CONCERTS AT THE FARM Season

Thu, 28 May 2026 21:20:04 PST

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) has announced the lineup for its 2026 Concerts at the Farm season at Remlinger Farms, with Grammy Award-winning rock duo The Black Keys opening the series with performances on May 29 and 30.

All concerts are open to all ages and feature general admission lawn seating. Performances by Thee Sacred Souls and Men at Work will also offer reserved main floor seating options. Free parking is available onsite at Remlinger Farms.

Concertgoers can purchase STG Club upgrades for all performances at checkout. Wanderlie will also return to provide roundtrip shuttle service from Downtown Seattle and Bellevue.

STG's 2026 Concerts at the Farm sponsors include Jack Daniel's, Captain Morgan, White Claw, Fremont Brewing, Nivo House, Experience Redmond, and One Redmond.

2026 Concerts at the Farm

May 2026

The Black Keys with Fai Laci
- May 29 at 6:30 p.m.
- May 30 at 6:30 p.m.

July 2026

The Head and the Heart with Michael Marcagi and Dean Johnson
- July 10 at 6 p.m.
- July 11 at 6 p.m.
Deep Sea Diver & Nation of Language
- July 18 at 6 p.m.

August 2026

Thee Sacred Souls with La Lom and The Womack Sisters
- August 8 at 6 p.m.
Men at Work & Toad the Wet Sprocket with Shonen Knife
- August 14 at 6 p.m.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
- August 15 at 6 p.m.
Cake
- August 23 at 7 p.m. (Sold Out)

September 2026

Big Thief
- September 25 at 6 p.m.

Ticket Information

Tickets for all Concerts at the Farm performances are on sale now through Concerts at the Farm.

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:59:39 PST

As Sonic the Hedgehog celebrates 35 years as one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, Senbla and SEGA today announced Sonic Live In Concert (www.sonicliveinconcert.com). This new concert experience brings the music and moments of the beloved video games to the stage.

Featuring iconic moments and music from the very first game in 1991 through today, the production will debut in the U.S. at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on September 26, 2026, before making its European premiere at London's Eventim Apollo on September 30. The U.S. tour will visit more than 30 cities nationwide, and a UK tour will follow in February 2027. More European dates will be announced at a later time. Tickets will go on sale May 29, 2026, with pre-sale tickets going on sale on May 28, 2026.

As part of a global rollout celebrating the franchise's milestone anniversary, Sonic Live In Concert features the most recognizable music from the Sonic universe, performed by a live ensemble alongside rock musicians, vocalists, and electronic elements. The setlist includes fan-favorite tracks and an incredible array of music from the very first game through to today accompanied by synchronized HD footage of iconic levels, moments and boss battles from the franchise. Audiences can expect musical Easter eggs woven into the arrangements, adding an extra layer of discovery that brings Sonic's world vividly to life on stage.

The concert also highlights the creative legacy behind Sonic's music from legendary composers Jun Senoue and Tomoya Ohtani, whose work has helped define Sonic's sound across generations.

"Sonic has some of the most distinct and celebrated music in gaming," says Ollie Rosenblatt, CEO of Senbla. "We wanted to create a live show that stays true to what the fans love about Sonic's music, from the electronic and melodic themes to high-energy rock."

“Music has always been a core part of Sonic's identity, shaping how fans experience this world across generations," said Ivo Gerscovich, Chief Business & Brand Officer at SEGA of America, Inc. "With this concert, we're looking forward to celebrating that legacy in a live setting; bringing together the energy, emotion, and creativity of Sonic's music in a way that both longtime fans and new audiences can enjoy together.”

Since his debut in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has become a global entertainment icon spanning video games, film, television, and consumer products. With renewed momentum driven by recent film releases, new game titles, and a global brand campaign tied to the 35th anniversary, the franchise continues to reach new generations of fans worldwide.

The performance schedule includes:

September 20, 2026 – Spokane, Washington – First Interstate Center for the Arts
September 22, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre (preview)
September 23, 2026 – Portland, OR – Keller Auditorium (preview)
September 25, 2026 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre (preview)
September 26, 2026 – Hollywood, CA – Dolby Theatre
September 27, 2026 – Riverside, CA – Fox Performing Arts Center
September 29, 2026 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater
September 30, 2026 – London, U.K. – London Eventim Apollo
October 1, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre
October 2, 2026 – Fresno, CA – Saroyan Theatre
October 3, 2026 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
October 4, 2026 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
October 6, 2026 – Denver, CO – Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre
October 8, 2026 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
October 9, 2026 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
October 10, 2026 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
October 11, 2026 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
October 13, 2026 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
October 15, 2026 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
October 16, 2026 – Peoria, IL – Prairie Home Alliance Theater
October 17, 2026 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre
October 18, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
October 19, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
October 20, 2026 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
October 22, 2026 – Brandon, MS – City Hall Live
October 23, 2026 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
October 24, 2026 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
October 25, 2026 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts
October 27, 2026 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
October 28, 2026 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
October 29, 2026 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
October 30, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FL – Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
October 31, 2026 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Au Rene Theater
November 1, 2026 – Orlando, FL – Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
February 17, 2027 – Glasgow, UK – Royal Concert Hall
February 18, 2027 – Edinburgh, UK – Usher Hall
February 19, 2027 – Manchester, UK – Bridgewater Hall
February 20, 2027 – Birmingham, UK – Symphony Hall

For more information, tour dates, and tickets, visit www.sonicliveinconcert.com.

WICA New Works June Festival to Feature Dance, Drama, Poetry, and World Premieres

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:21:33 PST

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts will host its New Works June festival, which has gained a reputation for bringing fresh, bold storytelling to Whidbey Island. This year's festival, running June 4-14, features a diverse lineup of programming and an exciting chance to witness the organization's commitment to storytelling, in whatever form it takes.

"New Works June is the perfect example of what the arts are intended to do," said WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. "They're meant to push the boundaries, encourage expression, and uplift voices. With New Works June, this is your chance to take a seat and experience firsthand new art within an incubator. In this, we are inviting audience members to come experience 'performing arts that you'll hear about first' at WICA, because we know that this is only the beginning for these inspired works."

The June 4 opening night of the festival will kick off with a performance of new Modern dance works by Meander Dance Collective, exploring the question "Who are we?" In addition to this, the festival will include an invitation-only, non-ticketed professional staged reading of Giant (June 5, 7, and 13), directed by the festival's Producing Director Vito Zingarelli. Inspired by true events, Mark Rosenblatt's drama Giant explores the tangled legacy of literary icon Roald Dahl. With biting wit and unsettling honesty, the play scrutinizes how charm and intellect can mask prejudice, confronting the uneasy truths behind beloved cultural figures. Blending dark humor with sharp insight, Giant challenges audiences to reckon with the real-world harm of antisemitic rhetoric and the enduring power of words.

New Works June will also feature two evenings of Solo Theatrics (June 6 and 14). In these solo performances, Alyssa Keene and Eric Mulholland, two WICA stage icons, will explore memory, caregiving, history, grief, and human connection. WICA's ongoing partnership with Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF) will be on display June 11 for the Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest world-premiere staged reading and new works conversation. Also on June 11, Claudia Castro Luna will be sharing work from her most recent poetry book, Green, the World. The book, partly inspired by the verdure and spring of Whidbey Island, is an ode to the plants and trees that surround and sustain us. Castro Luna will also read an excerpt from her upcoming lyrical memoir The Flowers Along the Way, forthcoming in September of this year. ISF and Meander Dance will be back again on June 12 for a combination of theatre and dance programming.

"With New Works June, it's important to note that all offerings are accompanied afterward with audience talkback sessions allowing the audience to become a partner in the collaboration," said Zingarelli. "I find one of the most exciting opportunities of presenting new work is to engage with the community, exchange ideas with the artists, and experience a greater connection with the work. Please do plan to stay and participate in this vital and illuminating component of New Works June."

"We are thrilled to have a varied lineup this year, showcasing the diverse types of arts programming that come through our doors," added Duncan. "Featuring dance along with theatre and solo works demonstrates how dynamic the arts can be, and how you can find something that speaks to you at your community arts center."

WICA New Works June Festival to Feature Dance, Drama, Poetry, and World Premieres

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:21:33 PST

SEATTLE VICE to Return to The Triple Door

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:21:29 PST

From the smoky VIP booths of Lake City Way to the neon-lit corners of Pioneer Square, Seattle Vice resurrects the scandalous true story of infamous "Stripper King" Frank Colacurcio - and the tunes and politics that defined a generation. Performances will run July 10-18.

Award winning creators Opal Peachey and Mark Siano are best known for their popular genre-bending cabaret Bohemia. Seattle Vice is a hot-summer left turn for Triple Door audiences, taking them on a scandalous ride through the nightclubs of Seattle's history. Inspired by journalist Rick Anderson's book Seattle Vice, this musical peels back the glittery curtain on sex, politics, and power in the Emerald City.

“Rick Anderson came to see the first production of Seattle Vice live at ACT Theater in 2014, and he absolutely loved it,” says composer/creator/performer Mark Siano (A Very Die Hard Christmas, Jesus Christ Superstar). “He sadly passed away a few years back, so now we're taking the chapters of the book we didn't touch and making a new show around them. These are all real clubs, real people who lived in our city, before the tech industry took over.”

This show is on brand for Peachey and Siano, with unique performance styles featuring original songs, “70s Bangers”, pole dance, burlesque, live music, comedy, acrobatics, and an alternative history that appeals to Seattle locals as well as tourists and newbies who'd like a peep into the underbelly we've tried hard to clean up in recent years.

When the most recent installment of Seattle Vice was presented at The Triple Door last year it opened to cheering crowds and critical acclaim. The Stranger's Nathalie Graham proclaimed, “Nothing is more Seattle than making a weird variety show about niche local history…I loved it.”

Directed and Choreographed by Katy Tabb (9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, Bohemia) audiences will delight in Broadway-style dance numbers and a tight storyline that features a star turn from Gregory Award winning actor Ray Tagavilla as Colacurcio himself.

“We love breaking your expectations. This is our version of our history” says playwright Opal Peachey (Café Nordo/Nebula Seattle) “You think you know what Seattle is all about? Read ‘em and weep.”

More from The Stranger's Nathalie Graham. “The timing resonates. Seattle Vice asks us to sit back and enjoy, but also to think about whether the show as it is would exist today without the strip club moratorium or the strip-club alcohol ban. Burlesque and circus, artforms pivotal to Seattle Vice, may not have boomed locally if strip clubs weren't so sanitized. It's mostly a silly time, but also surprisingly educational."

MORE MUSIC @ THE MOORE To Celebrate 25 Years with Seattle Theatre Group

Sat, 23 May 2026 17:43:35 PST

2026 marks 25 years of More Music @ The Moore!

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) celebrates more than two decades of More Music @ The Moore, its flagship music Education & Community Engagement program, with a summer full of opportunities to catch program alumni performing around the Seattle area leading up to the 25th anniversary performance in August.

More Music @ The Moore is a dynamic show of the highest talent, bringing together emerging musicians ages 14-21 of nearly every genre and style, including artists over the years such as Macklemore, Lucia Flores-Wiseman (The Voice), Benicio Bryant (America’s Got Talent), Metropolitan Opera star J’Nai Bridges, and many more. This year’s musical mash up and celebration at the historic Moore Theatre will take place on Friday, August 7 at 1:00pm and 7:30pm.

STG will celebrate the milestone anniversary of this program all summer long with the following performance schedule:

Friday, May 22, 3:30-4:10pm
NW Folklife Festival Mural Stage
Amanda Hardy (2014, Hard Rock)
Zje Mongol (2023/2025, Traditional Mongolian)

Sunday, June 14, 5:15-5:40pm
Columbia City Beatwalk
Henry Wine Trio (2022/2024, Jazz, Electronic)

Saturday, July 4, 5:00-10:00pm
Remlinger Farms 4th of July
Welsh & Co (2022, Americana)
ZAN (2018, Americana)
Jayza Duhon (2017, R&B/Opera)
RUB (former More Music mentor)

Thursday, July 23, 6:00-8:00pm
Friends of the Waterfront Stage Pier 58
Aurora Ave (2022, Indie-rock
Kaira Soin (2024, Classical Indian)

Friday, August 7, 1:00pm and 7:30pm
The 25th Annual More Music @ The Moore

This year’s participating musicians, mentors, and music director will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Tickets to the final performance start at $8 (not including fees) and are on sale now. They can be purchased online at The Seattle Theatre Group's website or in person at the Paramount Theatre Box Office located at 911 Pine Street in Downtown Seattle. This is an all-ages event and seating is general admission.

Review: WE AIN’T EVER GONNA BREAK UP: THE HYMON AND PARFUNKEL MUSICAL at Village Theatre

Sat, 23 May 2026 13:20:04 PST

L to R: Gregg Hammer and Louis Pardo in
We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up:
The Hymon & Parfunkel Musical
at Village Theatre.
Photo by Nikki Womac (2026)

Dear Readers, the bio-musical is a tricky thing. Some love them, some hate them. For me, it all depends on if you have an affinity for the music of the subjects, plus it needs a strong book. And then there’s the current show from Village Theatre, “We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical”, a show bold enough to create a made-up songwriting duo and spend their time poking fun at the genre they attempt to fit into, the bio-musical. But, without recognizable songs to hook you, we’re left with the strength of the book. Luckily the book is hilarious, assuming you’re a fan of the well-crafted groaner. Which I am.

We’re introduced to the most famous (fictional) songwriting duo ever, Hymon and Parfunkel (Gregg Hammer and Louis Pardo, who also wrote the book, music and lyrics). They’re here to tell us of the tumultuous road their duo traversed, ultimately leading to their biggest hit, “We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up”. And, you guessed it, during the course of the show we see how through betrayal, addiction, and songs about dead horses, (spoiler alert) they do eventually break up.

Now, a show like this could be a one-trick pony (sorry for the repeated horse references). It could be one joke driven into the ground. But Hammer and Pardo have masterfully spun that one joke off into several directions, creating a wonderfully varied timeline. Yes, one of the duo does seem to come off better than the other while ultimately being the downfall of the other, but those bumps in their relationship are as varied as they are ridiculous. I honestly didn’t know people could become addicted to carnival games.

Beyond the hilarious book we have the hysterical songs that span several-ish decades and their love of those various genres of music show through with how well they satirize them. We go from folk, to Christian, to rock and even a really inappropriate hip hop number. And that could be the through-line for all the humor of the show, inappropriate. And personally, I love that inappropriate humor.

L to R: Louis Pardo and Gregg Hammer in
We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up:
The Hymon & Parfunkel Musical
at Village Theatre.
Photo by Nikki Womac (2026)

Besides being gifted writers, Hammer and Pardo are supremely gifted performers, tackling multiple characters throughout, and never letting the show or energy lag, I’m sure in part to their director Scott Weinstein. This is one of those shows where you just need to let go of your inhibitions and hang on for dear life.

I will call out one downfall of the night as the pace is so breakneck with songs that you can’t possibly be familiar with, that sometimes the lyrics got a bit lost. And in a show where the humor is a large part of the lyrics, we don’t want to miss a thing. I could chalk this up to opening night nerves and hopefully later they can settle in and help those utterly wrong jokes land a bit easier.

But qualms aside, this is a super fun romp through the history of a duo that never was and possibly never should have been. I caught this back in 2024 when it was part of Village’s Festival of New Musicals, and I’m so glad they brought it back with a much more fleshed out production. And so, with my three-letter rating system, I give Village Theatre’s production of “We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical” an “oh God, they didn’t just say that!” YAY. Yes, bio-musicals can be problematic, so why not shine a spotlight on those problems and have a few utterly tasteless laughs along the way.

“We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical” performs at Village Theatre in Issaquah through June 21st before moving to their Everett location running June 27th through July 19th. For tickets or information, visit them online at www.VillageTheatre.org.

Tickets to HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD at The Paramount to go on Sale Next Week

Fri, 22 May 2026 13:25:38 PST

Individual tickets for the Seattle premiere of the first ever touring production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will go on sale Tuesday, May 26 at 10 am. The six-time Tony Award-winning production will play The Paramount Theatre for a limited engagement of three weeks only, August 22 through September 12.

ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is a play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany.  

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD features movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe. US Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA.

INTERSECTIONS OF SOUL, JAZZ & HIP-HOP to be Presented at Seattle Center

Fri, 22 May 2026 12:57:56 PST

Global Artists Collective, F-Rock Inc., and Seattle's Artists at the Center program proudly present "Intersections of Soul, Jazz & Hip-Hop Across the Generations" on May 31, 2026. This rare performance unites generations of artists and music genres, featuring Grammy-nominated jazz artist Nathan Breedlove alongside his nephew, B-Boy Fidget (aka Marcus Sharpe), his brother Ted Sharpe, and the award-winning band Global Heat.

The 12-member ensemble will take you on a journey from the classic Jazz Hip Hop of Digable Planets, Soho, and more; to the Soul hits of Jill Scott and Kandace Springs; to present day fusion of Eric B & Rakim, Kendrick LaMar, and ensemble originals.

Join us for an inspiring cross-cultural, cross-generational celebration of music and community.

The event will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 3 PM at Seattle Center Armory. Admission is free.

Featured artist:

* Nathan Breedlove - Grammy-nominated trumpeter and composer, Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, and Lionel Hampton Orchestra alum.

* B-boy Fidget - Dynamic rapper/producer and b-boy; credits include 2 Chainz, Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Waka Flocka, and Tech N9ne.

* Ted Sharpe - Percussionist formerly with the Caribbean All-Stars.

* Global Heat - Funky beats, heart-felt vocals, and positive vibes:

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES to Open at Edmonds Driftwood Players

Wed, 20 May 2026 17:02:40 PST

Edmonds Driftwood Players will present a new stage adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles, adapted by USA Today bestselling author Kate Danley and directed by Bryar Freed-Golden. Performances run May 15 through June 7, 2026.

Based on Dame Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduces audiences to the famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Set in 1916, the story follows Lieutenant Arthur Hastings, recovering from World War I injuries at the estate of his friend John Cavendish. When a sudden poisoning occurs, every member of the household becomes a suspect and Poirot must unravel a complex web of secrets, misdirection, and deception to uncover the truth.

This adaptation remains faithful to Christie's original work while translating its intricate plotting and suspense for the stage. The production continues Kate Danley's focus on elevating women's voices in theatre, and honors Dame Christie's legacy as a pioneering force in mystery fiction.

The cast includes Seattle legend Chris Ensweiler as Hercule Poirot; newcomer Duncan Thorvilson as Poirot's partner, Lieutenant Hastings; and a mix of established regional artists and new faces. Director Bryar Freed-Golden brings her extensive resume from Off Broadway to film/TV (Grimm), and 37 years as an educational artist, informed by her training with Michael Shurtleff, Stella Adler, Gene Frankel, and Uta Hagen.

The production runs approximately two hours, including a 15-minute intermission. Evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at
8:00 PM, matinee performances on Sundays at 2:00 PM. Performances take place at Edmonds Driftwood Players in Edmonds, Washington.

Ginger Minj to Present 2026 HOKUS POKUS LIVE! Tour With Sapphira Cristál, Jujubee and Landon Cider

Wed, 20 May 2026 14:46:36 PST

"RuPaul's Drag Race" All Stars 10 Winner Ginger Minj will take flight this fall with the Hokus Pokus Live! tour, co-starring Sapphira Cristál ("RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16"), Jujubee ("RuPaul's Drag Race" and "DRAG: The Musical") and Landon Cider ("Dragula"). Written, directed, and co-produced by Minj, traveling across 29 North American cities from September 17 - November 3 in major theaters!

Artist presale begins Friday May 22nd at 12 p.m. Eastern (CODE: SPELLS), and tickets go on general sale Monday, May 26th at 12 p.m. Eastern at HokusPokusLive.com (VIP packages are also available).

Hokus Pokus Live! is a true love letter to the classic film! This enchanting new narrative production promises an evening of raucous laughter, unparalleled talent, stunning vocals, spellbinding performances, jaw-dropping drag artistry, and unforgettable entertainment as these queens and king bring their unique brand of sorcery to stages across North America.

This marks the fourth iteration of Hokus Pokus Live! but don't expect to see the same show you've seen before. Ginger's masterful work as a writer will showcase new songs that connect with the characters of the story we all know and love, and adds in the magic of each new cast member that only they can bring, while still staying true to the heart of the original film.

In a groundbreaking move for the drag industry, Hokus Pokus Live! is proud to introduce a New Digital Lottery. This system, the first of its kind for a drag tour, will offer fans the chance to win exclusive discounted tickets and front-row experiences. Lottery sign ups begin at 9 a.m local time the day before the scheduled show and end at 3 p.m the day before the scheduled show at HokusPokusLive.com. Winners will be notified and will have 60 minutes to claim their discounted tickets!

Beyond the incredible performances, the show is packed with "many other surprises" that will happen throughout the night. From immersive audience interaction to jaw-dropping special effects and unexpected guest appearances, no two nights of the tour will be exactly the same.

2026 Tour Dates:

September 17 – Edmonton, AB

Horowitz Theatre

September 18 – Calgary, AB

MacEwan Hall

September 19 – Kelowna, BC

Kelowna Community Theatre

September 21 – Victoria, BC

McPherson Playhouse

September 24 – Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Theatre

September 27 – Seattle, WA

Moore Theatre

September 28 – Portland, OR

Aladdin Theater

October 1 – Boise, ID

The Egyptian Theatre

October 2 – Spokane, WA

Bing Crosby Theater

October 4 – Salt Lake City, UT

Jeanne Wagner Theatre

October 6 – San Francisco, CA

The Warfield

October 7 – Los Angeles, CA

Orpheum Theatre

October 8 – Las Vegas, NV

House Of Blues

October 11 – Anaheim, CA

House Of Blues

October 12 – San Diego, CA

The Observatory

October 13 – Phoenix, AZ

Orpheum Theatre

October 15 – Denver, CO

Fillmore Auditorium

October 17 – Iowa City, IA

The Englert Theatre

October 18 – Chicago, IL

Riviera Theatre

October 19 – Detroit, MI

The Fillmore

October 20 – Washington, D.C.

Warner Theatre

October 22 – Columbus, OH

Southern Theatre

October 26 – Boston, MA

Emerson Colonial Theatre

October 28 – Philadelphia, PA

Keswick Theatre

October 29 – New York City, NY

Town Hall

October 31 – Charleston, SC

The Charleston Music Hall

November 1 – Orlando, FL

The Plaza Live

November 2 – Atlanta, GA

Center Stage Theater

November 3 – Tampa, FL

Tampa Theatre

VIP Packages:

THE COVEN ULTRA VIP PACKAGE:

Each "The Coven Ultra VIP" Upgrade Package includes:

Priority Extra Early Entry to the Venue
Intimate Coven Meeting with The Witches
Access to an Exclusive Exhibit of Tour Costumes and Props
Professional Photos and Meet & Greet with the Cast
Early Access to Shop Tour Merch
Exclusive Coven VIP Gift
Exclusive Tour Poster Signed by The Cast

RIP (REALLY IMPORTANT PERSON) PACKAGE

Each "RIP (Really Important Person)" Upgrade Package includes:

Early Entry to the Venue
Access to an Exclusive Exhibit of Tour Costumes and Props
Professional Photos and Meet & Greet with The Cast
Early Access to Shop Tour Merch
Exclusive Tour Poster Signed by The Cast

EVERY BRILLIANT THING Will Launch National Tour in 2027

Tue, 19 May 2026 14:22:30 PST

Every Brilliant Thing will launch a national tour in 2027, from Seattle, Washington. Casting and venue dates for the national tour will be announced at a later date.

The Broadway production of the play, currently starring Tony Award winner Daniel Radcliffe, has extended three times due to popular demand, and remained one of the top grossing plays on Broadway since beginning previews on Saturday, February 21, at the Hudson Theatre. This afternoon’s box office report for the week ending May 17, 2026 – the penultimate week of Radcliffe’s run – ranked the play as the #1 highest grossing production on Broadway, with a weekly intake of $1,976,168.10. Read reviews for the production HERE!

Every Brilliant Thing was recently honored with 2026 Tony Award nominations for Best Revival of a Play and Best Leading Actor in a Play (Daniel Radcliffe), Drama League Award nominations for Best Revival of a Play and Distinguished Performance (Daniel Radcliffe), and won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. Radcliffe plays his final performance on Sunday, May 24, and Hargitay will join the production on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, leading the show through Sunday, July 5, 2026, at which time six-time Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Tracee Ellis Ross will make her Broadway debut in the role beginning Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and play through Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Every Brilliant Thing is a play in which its central character looks back at their life and the glimmers of hope that carried them through—all told through a list of every wonderful, beautiful, and delightful thing that makes life worth living. Written by Olivier Award nominee Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe, and directed by Olivier & Tony Award nominee Jeremy Herrin, Every Brilliant Thing is a one-of-a-kind solo show that creates an electric, communal energy between performer and audience, no matter the venue.

THE NOTEBOOK North American Tour Adds 26 Cities to 2026-27 Route

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:13:15 PST

The North American Tour of THE NOTEBOOK hasannounced engagements for the 2026-27 season, adding 26 cites to the previously announced route, including stops in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, and Houston. The tour began performances on September 6, 2025, at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, and has welcomed over 500,000 patrons to date.

Read the reviews for the touring production of The Notebook.

Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Based on the book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that is one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK played Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 to December 2024 following a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the fall of 2022.

THE NOTEBOOK features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC's “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).

The creative team for the tour includes scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon. The production's music supervisor is Carmel Dean, who also collaborated on arrangements with Ingrid Michaelson and on orchestrations with John Clancy, and the music director is Tina Faye. Casting by The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin, CSA.

The production was recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing, Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical.

2026-2027 Tour Dates:

Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre
September 22 – October 4, 2026

Dayton, OH — Schuster Center
October 6 – 11, 2026

Grand Rapids, MI — DeVos Performance Hall
October 13 – 18, 2026

East Lansing, MI — Wharton Center
October 27 – November 1, 2026

Richmond, VA — Altria Theater
November 3 – 8, 2026

Pittsburgh, PA — Benedum Center
November 10 – 15, 2026

Schenectady, NY — Proctors
December 1 – 6, 2026

Boston, MA — Emerson Colonial Theatre
December 8 – 20, 2026

Oklahoma City, OK — Civic Center Music Hall
December 29, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Houston, TX — Hobby Center
January 5 – 10, 2027

Dallas, TX — Winspear Opera House
January 12 – 24, 2027

New Orleans, LA — Saenger Theatre
January 26 – 31, 2027

Hershey, PA — Hershey Theatre
February 3 – 7, 2027

Providence, RI — PPAC
February 9 – 14, 2027

Rochester, NY — Auditorium Theatre
February 16 – 21, 2027

Fayetteville, AR — Walton Arts Center
February 24 – 28, 2027

Huntsville, AL — Von Braun Center
March 2 – 7, 2027

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Broward Center
March 9 – 14, 2027

Ft. Myers, FL — Barbara B. Mann Hall
March 16 – 21, 2027

Naples, FL — Artis—Naples
March 23 – 28, 2027

North Charleston, SC — North Charleston PAC
March 30 – April 4, 2027

Birmingham, AL — BJCC Concert Hall
April 6 – 11, 2027

Atlanta, GA — Fox Theatre
April 13 – 18, 2027

Tucson, AZ — Centennial Hall
April 27 – May 2, 2027

San Jose, CA — Center for the Performing Arts
May 4 – 9, 2027

Sacramento, CA — SAFE Credit Union PAC
May 11 – 16, 2027

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SHOWCASE: VOX LUMINIS: MONTEVERDI'S VESPERS OF 1610 | NOVEMBER 20, 2026

WINTER FESTIVAL: IN HER VOICE | JANUARY 21–24, 2027

SPRING FESTIVAL: MEDITERRANEAN CURRENTS | MARCH 11–14, 2027

50 YEARS OF EARLY MUSIC SEATTLE (APRIL 1977–2027) | APRIL 18 & 20, 2027

BEYOND THE FEATURED CONCERTS

BEYOND BAROQUE FESTIVAL to Launch 2026-27 Season at Early Music Seattle

FALL FESTIVAL: CROSSROADS OF TIME | OCTOBER 8–11, 2026

SHOWCASE: VOX LUMINIS: MONTEVERDI'S VESPERS OF 1610 | NOVEMBER 20, 2026

WINTER FESTIVAL: IN HER VOICE | JANUARY 21–24, 2027

SPRING FESTIVAL: MEDITERRANEAN CURRENTS | MARCH 11–14, 2027

50 YEARS OF EARLY MUSIC SEATTLE (APRIL 1977–2027) | APRIL 18 & 20, 2027

BEYOND THE FEATURED CONCERTS

BroadwayWorld Launches Producer Fantasy Game

How It Works

Weekly Scoring

The Fantasy Forecast

Managing Your Roster

Join the Game

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL is Coming to Portland's Keller Auditorium

Speight Jenkins, Former Seattle Opera General Director, Dies at 89

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS to Return for 12th Year With 39-City National Tour

This year's cast includes:

A Drag Queen Christmas 2026 Tour Dates:

Review: BLUE MAN GROUP at The Paramount Theatre

Photos: HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET Performs To Sold Out Audience; Producers Eyeing Full Production

BORDER:HOME and THE END OF LEAR to Make World Premiere at Seattle's ReAct Theatre

THE BLACK KEYS to Kick Off STG's CONCERTS AT THE FARM Season

2026 Concerts at the Farm

May 2026

July 2026

August 2026

September 2026

Ticket Information

SONIC LIVE IN CONCERT to Launch Global Tour With US and UK Premieres

WICA New Works June Festival to Feature Dance, Drama, Poetry, and World Premieres

WICA New Works June Festival to Feature Dance, Drama, Poetry, and World Premieres

SEATTLE VICE to Return to The Triple Door

MORE MUSIC @ THE MOORE To Celebrate 25 Years with Seattle Theatre Group

Review: WE AIN’T EVER GONNA BREAK UP: THE HYMON AND PARFUNKEL MUSICAL at Village Theatre

Tickets to HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD at The Paramount to go on Sale Next Week

ABOUT HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

INTERSECTIONS OF SOUL, JAZZ & HIP-HOP to be Presented at Seattle Center

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES to Open at Edmonds Driftwood Players

Ginger Minj to Present 2026 HOKUS POKUS LIVE! Tour With Sapphira Cristál, Jujubee and Landon Cider

September 17 – Edmonton, AB

September 18 – Calgary, AB

September 19 – Kelowna, BC

September 21 – Victoria, BC

September 24 – Honolulu, HI