Sarah Russell News

The air is electric. The room is filled with smiles, greetings, hugs, and a huge amount of anticipation. From bated breath to roaring cheers, the audience welcomed the Russells onto the stage. The stories and songs shared by Faith Bennet Russell, Be Russell, and Sarah Russell turned the evening from a night at the theater into a lovefest. It was magical. It was cathartic. It was the missing piece that finally made us whole.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced the cast for its new original staging of The Wiz, playing this holiday season from November 19 - December 23, 2022.

Dear Readers, if you’ve ever been to a Showtunes show, you know the amount of joy and fun that floods off the stage from those insanely talented performers. And their current production of “9 to 5: The Musical” is no exception.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced that The Lamplighter, a new musical with a book by Sara Porkalob, music and lyrics by Justin Huertas, and story by Kirsten “Kiki” deLohr Helland, Huertas, and Porkalob, concludes the trio of Musical Radio Plays it will produce in its 2020/21 digital season.

Each year, thousands of elephants make an incredible journey to the Okavango Delta in Botswana to feed on its lush vegetation, in one of the biggest natural events on the entire planet.

Fridays @ The 5th doesn't stop just because we're all stuck inside! Here's Episode 4: Is There Musical Theater After High School? with guest panelist Solea Pfeiffer.  This episode originally aired on Friday, April 10, 2020.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It is a day that remains the largest collective call-to-action in human history. And each year since, people have flocked together by the millions to campuses, parks, beaches and town squares around the world to stand up and fight for the planet.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents Sister Act, March 14 - April 5, 2020.

Complete casting has been announced for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Sister Act, which begins rehearsals today.

Seattle Theater Writers Seattle's theater reviewers circle announces the Winners of Excellence in Seattle theatrical productions. Spanning dozens of theater companies and productions, from large and prominent to small and humble, the Gypsy Rose Lee Awards honor the excellence found across the area.

Seattle's critics' circle announces nominees for the 2020 Gypsy Rose Lee awards celebrating excellence in Seattle theatrical productions.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is excited to announce initial casting for its disco ball and sequin-studded brand new production of Sister Act! Leading the cast as Deloris Van Cartier is the celebrated actor and singer Lisa Estridge, who returns to The 5th after starring in Mamma Mia! as Tanya. Her other 5th Avenue Theatre credits include Into the Woods, Company, and Most Happy Fella.

Dear Readers, let's set the way-back machine to May of 2005 when a musical theater geek got to take his first trip to New York and see his first Broadway shows on Broadway. He sat there in Circle in the Square and marveled at a new William Finn show called a?oeThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beea??. Now this was during its previews so not a lot of buzz on it yet, which made it even more special, as he got to experience its greatness as it unfolded. He laughed, he cried, he fell in love with this silly little show. Obviously that geek was me. Since then I've seen numerous productions here and abroad. The show is a staple of musical theaters as it's inevitably a winner. I wouldn't say it's bulletproof but it's bullet-resistant. As long as you have a decent cast that can have fun playing kids, you're good. But few have taken me back to that original moment and evoked the tears at the end or from one particular song a?? until now.

Writing team Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond (Disney's a?oeVampirinaa??) released the world premiere recording of their musical The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes today, Friday, September 13, 2019.  The Fred Ebb Award and Jonathan Larson Grant winners return to their theatrical roots after completing three seasons of music for the hit Disney Junior series a?oeVampirina,a?? which airs in 115 countries to more than 100 million viewers. 

In CRIKEY! IT'S THE IRWINS, Terri, Bindi and Robert continue Steve Irwin's mission to bring people closer to animals and inspire them to become Wildlife Warriors who work together to protect and preserve our environment and its wildlife. Never before has it been so important to spread their message of conservation to ensure an abundance of wildlife for generations to come. The new series premieres on Saturday, October 5 at 8PM ET/PT.

Writing team Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond (Disney's a?oeVampirinaa??) announced the world premiere recording of their musical The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes will be released on Friday, September 13, 2019. After completing three seasons of music for the hit Disney Junior series a?oeVampirina,a?? which airs in 115 countries to more than 100 million viewers, the Fred Ebb Award and Jonathan Larson Grant winners return to their theatrical roots with this album. To preorder the album, visit KoomanDimond.com/store. 

Village Theatre is thrilled to inaugurate their 40th Anniversary Season with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The fast-paced and irreverent Tony Award-winning comedy is set to run in at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah September 12 a?" October 20, 2019 before moving to the Everett Performing Arts Center October 25 a?" November 17, 2019.

It's that time of year again. One of my favorite times of year. That time when I get to spend the weekend at Village Theatre checking out the shows brought together by the folks at Village, spotlighting new works around the country. Some amazing, some needing work, but all showing promise. Now, of course, I can't review any of these. They're all still works in progress and not fully staged. But I can share what went on over the weekend as a potential coming attraction of musicals to come to a theater near you.

Writing team Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond (Disney's a?oeVampirinaa??) announced the world premiere recording of their musical The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes will be released on Friday, September 13, 2019. 

Washington state's very own Amanda Giese of Panda Paws Rescue is returning to Animal Planet for an all- new season of AMANDA TO THE RESCUE which will feature more heart, laughter, and unforgettable rescue stories. Along with her daughter and son, Jade and Beast, and her main pup pack, Garnett, Bulldog, and Groot, Amanda's mission to help special needs and major medical dogs who have been cast aside continues as she works night and day to find the loving, forever homes they deserve. AMANDA TO THE RESCUE Season Two premieres Fall 2019.