Trina Mills News

Oh my! What a year! We've seen bad-ass gospel singers, lost Jewish plays, mythical towns of excretion and even an octopus wrestler or two. No, those aren't allusions to the crazy theater going on in Washington D.C. but the crazy wonderful theater going on right here in the Seattle area. It was tough coming up with just one winner (or even just a few Honorable Mentions) but I managed to do it a?? for the most part. Plus, some shows that more of you should have seen. (Yes, that's me nagging you all, Dear Readers, to check out more of the smaller or obscure theaters around here.) But what it all comes down to is, we're blessed here in the Northwest with an over-abundance of theatrical riches and I'm so fortunate to be able to share some of my favorites of the year with you with the BWW 2019 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks). So, let's get started, shall we?

Pittsburgh Public Theater starts 2020 with the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. This show is Marya Sea Kaminski's first musical at The Public, and features the return of Grammy winner John McDaniel as Music Director. Little Shop of Horrors runs January 23 a?' February 23, 2020 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600, go to ppt.org, or visit the Box Office.

The hills were alive this weekend as Tally Sessions took over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story at Asolo Repertory Theatre's The Sound of Music, exactly 60 years after the iconic musical's original Broadway production opened! So in case you missed it (or just want to relive all of the fun and excitement), we compiled clips for you to enjoy. Check it all out!

It's worth the trip to experience this stunner!

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly kicks off its highly anticipated 2019-20 season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

The hills are alive because Tally Sessions is taking over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story at Asolo Repertory Theatre's The Sound of Music this Saturday, November 16th! Be sure to tune in throughout the day to get a peek behind the scenes of the iconic musical exactly 60 years after the original Broadway production opened!

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly kicks off its highly anticipated 2019-20 season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This Tony Award-winning musical sensation will be directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes (Broadway: Bright Star, It Shoulda Been You, First Date, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella). Rhodes returns to Asolo Rep where he previously directed and choreographed the theatre's record-breaking smash hit production of Evita in 2017 and Guys and Dolls in 2016. 

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.

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.

Paint Your Wagon is now open at The MUNY! What did the critics have to say? Read all the reviews!

BroadwayWorld followers got a special treat this weekend as Mamie Parris took over our Instagram Story as The Muny's production of Paint Your Wagon. So in case you missed it (or just want to relive all of the fun and excitement), we compiled clips for you to enjoy! Check it all out the full video!

The Muny's sixth production of its 101st Season, Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon, officially opened on July 27, 2019.

Get ready because Mamie Parris is taking over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story this Saturday, July 27th, at the Muny's production of Paint Your Wagon! Be sure to tune in throughout the day to get a behind-the-scenes look at this reimagined version of the Lerner and Lowe classic!

The Muny announced today its complete cast, design and production team for Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon, the sixth show of its second century, July 27 – August 2. Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon is proudly sponsored by Ameren.     

The Kennedy Center presented the Broadway Center Stage production of The Who's Tommy, with direction and choreography by Josh Rhodes April 24-April 29, 2019. Check out highlights from the production below!

BroadwayWorld has a first look at The Who's Tommy at the Kennedy Center! Check out the photos below!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! First, we'd like to wish a great first performance to Ginna Claire Mason who joins the Broadway company of Wicked as Glinda tonight! Break a leg, Ginna!

The full cast for the Kennedy Center production of The Who's Tommy, with direction and choreography by Josh Rhodes (Encores! Grand Hotel, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Bright Star) has been announced!

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced that Mickey Thomas, the lead singer of Starship (formerly Jefferson Starship), will star as Dennis in its sensational new production of Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages is the '80s rock ballad blast that features the music of Styx, Joan Jett, Twisted Sister, and more. With Mickey Thomas as lead vocalist, Starship produced hits including "We Built This City" (which appears in the production), "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and "Sara."

Rehearsals have begun for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of the beloved musical Annie, which plays this holiday season from November 23 - December 30, 2018. The 5th is excited to introduce Visesia Fakatoufifita of Tacoma, WA, and Faith Young of Kent, WA, who make their 5th Avenue Theatre debuts alternating the title role.