Eric Ankrim News

The American musical sensation, Grease, will send audiences cruisin' through the days of pajama parties, sock hops, and drive-ins with an exuberant cast of Seattle's freshest faces and favorite performers at The 5th Avenue Theatre this summer.

Seattle Repertory Theatre's 2015-2016 season was announced today by Acting Artistic Director Braden Abraham. The season is headlined by the new musical Come from Away, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Disgraced and the world premiere of R. Hamilton Wright's Sherlock Holmes and the American Problem.

Even Musical Theater nerds such as myself might not be familiar with “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well & Living in Paris”, currently performing at ACT in a joint production with ACT and the 5th Avenue Theatre. I, myself, admit only a passing familiarity with the work and mostly from the covers that others have done of some of his songs. But now that I've seen it done I can understand the cultish following the show engenders and thankfully it was this production that filled the gap in my Musical Theater knowledge as this incredible ensemble took every angst ridden note and made them soar.

Beginning this month, A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) continues to partner with the 5th Avenue Theatre, co-producing a musical that appears on each organization's season and performed at ACT. Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris opens tonight, March 12, and runs for 10 weeks in the Falls Theatre, directed by David Armstrong.

If you read my previous review, Dear Readers, of SMT's production of 'Sweet Charity' you'll know that I already had the occasion this weekend of a show where the leading lady just didn't connect for me. Well, that seems to be a trend as the 5th Avenue Theatre's current production of 'Carousel' also had a leading lady who was lacking. There's plenty of good things happening in the show but their Julie Jordan (Laura Griffith) came across as emotionless and stone faced making me wonder why or even if she was falling in love.

Under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, The 5th Avenue Theatre presents a fresh and exciting new take on the tempestuous romance, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel. In its fourth major collaboration with Spectrum Dance Theater, The 5th is thrilled to welcome Tony Award-nominated choreographer Donald Byrd to the creative table, and a host of Seattle's theatrical royalty to its stage.

With nearly 2000 subscribers in attendance, The 5th Avenue Theatre Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong revealed the season line-up for this celebrated theater's 8-show 2015/16 season.

This exciting new staging will star the radiant Laura Griffith as Julie and 5th Avenue favorite Brandon O'Neill as Billy in his first Seattle production following his Broadway debut in Disney's Aladdin. The cast also includes local luminaries Anne Allgood, Eric Ankrim, Allen Fitzpatrick, Sean G. Griffin, Cynthia Jones, and Billie Wildrick, and marks The 5th Avenue debut of rising talent Joshua Downs.

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.

Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce a special autism-friendly performance for its critically-acclaimed, holiday musical, Elf. Paper Mill Playhouse will offer this special autism-friendly performance of Elf today, December 23, at 1:30pm. This performance is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities.

Paper Mill Playhouse released a block of great seats today for its holiday musical, Elf, for the week following Christmas. Expanded availability includes performances from December 27, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf is directed by Eric Ankrim and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf runs eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through January 4, 2015. Elf has been playing to many sold-out houses since November 26. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the holiday musical, Elf, which opened on November 30 and continues through January 4, 2015. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Director Eric Ankrim's solid mounting is bursting with brassy talent.

'Elf' a holiday treat for the entire family is now on stage at Paper Mill Playhouse through January 4th. Area audiences should not miss the chance to see this fabulous musical theatre performance.

The holiday season is here at last, and in just weeks, the world will be spreading the yuletide cheer by decking the halls, wrapping the gifts and sipping the eggnog. There are plenty of ways to join in the spirit, but for theatre fans, there is even more to celebrate, as our favorite holiday programming and performances will be presented across all platforms this December. Whether you'd like to check out your favorite Christmas musical on stage, tune in for a festive concert on TV, or buy a movie ticket to a big holiday release, Broadway is everywhere this season... and BroadwayWorld has a complete guide of where to find it! This year's guide is brought to you by Fathom Events. Fathom Events is the home of cinematic experiences that offer high-quality, affordable entertainment events broadcast to the big screen. This December, ring in the holidays with an array of iconic performances including world-class ballet, MET Opera, classic films and more! For additional information, visit: http://fathomevents.com. Below, check out our all-inclusive Holiday Roundup for 2014!

Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce a special autism-friendly performance for its critically-acclaimed, holiday musical, Elf. Paper Mill Playhouse will offer this special autism-friendly performance of Elf on Tuesday, December 23, at 1:30pm. This performance is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the holiday musical, Elf. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book byThomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf will be directed by Eric Ankrimand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater now through January 4, 2015. The official press opening was last night, November 30. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you interviews with the company and a sneak peek of the cast in rehearsal!

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the holiday musical, Elf. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book byThomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf will be directed by Eric Ankrimand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater now through January 4, 2015. The official press opening was last night, November 30. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action!

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the holiday musical, Elf. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book byThomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf will be directed by Eric Ankrimand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater now through January 4, 2015. The official press opening was last night, November 30. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the opening party with the cast and crew!

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the holiday musical, Elf. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book byThomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf will be directed by Eric Ankrimand choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater now through January 4, 2015. The official press opening was last night, November 30.