Sara Coates

Seattle Theater Writers critics' circle just announced the nomination slate of the fourth annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards,theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters in the prior calendar year.

Maybe it was the fact that the theater was a hot box. Maybe it was the incessant nervous twitch that one audience member had that apparently everyone could hear but him. Or maybe it was that the show just isn't my style. But Sounds Theatre Company's production of "A Small Fire", while having some stellar performances, just didn't quite do it for me.

Sound Theatre Company launches its eighth year of production with the Seattle premiere of A Small Fire by Adam Bock, directed by Julie Beckman. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

A Small Fire opens tonight, May 30 for a limited run at New City Theatre, located at 1404 18th Avenue in Seattle, with a preview performance on May 29. Tickets are $25, $15 for students, and pay-what-you-can performances on May 29, June 9, and June 16. Due to the small, intimate performance venue, seating for A Small Fire is extremely limited.

A Small Fire opens on May 30 for a limited run at New City Theatre, located at 1404 18th Avenue in Seattle, with a preview performance on May 29. Tickets are $25, $15 for students, and pay-what-you-can performances on May 29, June 9, and June 16. Due to the small, intimate performance venue, seating for A Small Fire is extremely limited.

This winter, Mirror Stage continues exploring one of our country's most inflammatory questions: what does it mean to be black (or white) in America? From the early days of the civil rights movement to the racial profiling of today, the question of color remains ablaze in controversy and contentiousness. The popular Feed Your Mind staged reading series presents the West Coast premiere of Honky by Greg Kalleres this weekend, February 8 and 9, 2014.

This winter, Mirror Stage continues exploring one of our country's most inflammatory questions: what does it mean to be black (or white) in America? From the early days of the civil rights movement to the racial profiling of today, the question of color remains ablaze in controversy and contentiousness. The popular Feed Your Mind staged reading series presents the West Coast premiere of Honky by Greg Kalleres on February 8 and 9, 2014. Directed by Suzanne M. Cohen, Feed Your Mind: Honky features Elena Flory-Barnes, Sara Coates, Tim Gouran, Carl Kennedy, James Lapan, Andrew Litzky, Corey Spruill and Tyler Trerise. All performances will be presented at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in Seattle's University District.

To say that the current production from Theater Schmeater, "The Gingerbread House" by Mark Schultz, is intense is somewhat of an understatement. In fact this modern day fable doesn't just tell its story so much as it beats you over the head with it. A little long winded at times, this gripping tale will leave you shaken to say the least. In fact I think as I was leaving I said to my theater companion, "I'm a little messed up after that", although I used a more colorful epithet.

Opening Wednesday, April 18, 2012, and playing through May 13, ArtsWest presents EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR.

Opening Wednesday, April 18, 2012, and playing through May 13, ArtsWest presents EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR. Part I Love Lucy, part Jacobean revenge tragedy, part feminist manifesto, part beautiful ballet, part nature special, and part 80's power ballad, EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR is written by San Francisco based writer, Lauren Gunderson, and is in the midst of what's called a 'rolling' World Premiere - with separate productions in Atlanta's Synchronicity, San Francisco's Crowded Fire Theater and here in Seattle at ArtsWest.

Opening Wednesday, April 18, 2012, and playing through May 13, ArtsWest presents EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR.

Opening Wednesday, April 18, 2012, and playing through May 13, ArtsWest presents EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR. Part I Love Lucy, part Jacobean revenge tragedy, part feminist manifesto, part beautiful ballet, part nature special, and part 80's power ballad, EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR is written by San Francisco based writer, Lauren Gunderson, and is in the midst of what's called a 'rolling' World Premiere - with separate productions in Atlanta's Synchronicity, San Francisco's Crowded Fire Theater and here in Seattle at ArtsWest.

ArtsWest is presenting the Seattle premiere of fresh new playwright Lauren Gunderson's, "Emilie: La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight". Initially having a little trouble finding its way, this Stoppard-esque exploration of life and love ultimately turns in an evening of humor and heartbreak with a powerhouse ending.

ArtsWest is presenting the Seattle premiere of fresh new playwright Lauren Gunderson's, "Emilie: La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight". Initially having a little trouble finding its way, this Stoppard-esque exploration of life and love ultimately turns in an evening of humor and heartbreak with a powerhouse ending.