Jay Irwin - Page 57

ACT brings Tom Stoppard's latest thought provoking play, "Rock n' Roll" to life this October in a mesmerizing production. The show is Stoppard's look at one family during the turbulent 1960's through the 1990's.

Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the 2nd production in their season, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" starring American Idol Finalist Anthony Fedorov in the title role. Now there are those that say this show is overdone and nothing really new or fresh can be done with it. I was one of those people. To them (and to myself) I say, "Then you haven't seen the production at the 5th Avenue yet."

Last night, as part of the Rep's New Play Program and in conjunction with a more global event, The Seattle Rep presented a one night only staged reading of "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later". Nearly 500 people were in attendance to this free reading of the play written by members of the Tectonic Theater Project, Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Piertotti and Steven Belber.

Former Houston Oiler, Bo Eason's, one man show 'Runt of the Litter' opened at Seattle's ACT and clearly stretches the boundaries of what a gripping sports drama needs to be.

Seattle's Intiman Theatre presents it's latest installment to it's American Cycle series, "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" by Robert E. Sherwood. The play, while being a little long winded at times, gives us an interesting look at one of our countries greatest figures before he became President. A man who most of us only know from what little we learned in school.

The Seattle Rep has opened it's 2009-2010 season with a real crowd pleaser, "The 39 Steps". This Tony Award winning play that is still running on Broadway after almost 2 years shows that it knows how to charm audiences outside of New York as well.

A brand new world premiere musical based on the Carl Sagan Novel and Jodie Foster movie "Contact" has ventured into our solar system (Centerstage in Federal Way to be exact). And one has to wonder what transmission from outer space told them that this show was a good idea.

Former Houston Oiler, Bo Eason's, one man show 'Runt of the Litter' opened at Seattle's ACT and clearly stretches the boundaries of what a gripping sports drama needs to be.

Seattle's Intiman Theatre's current production of Joan Didion's one woman play 'The Year of Magical Thinking' while pretty cannot capture the emotion in such a tragic tale. That is assuming that the emotional arc exists in the first place.

The touring production of 'Wicked' has returned to Seattle's Paramount Theatre. And for those of you that weren't able to catch it last time around during it's all too brief two week run, now is your chance to rush out and catch one of the juggernauts of current Broadway.

Balagan Theatre opens it's new 10 show season with Jane Wagner's brilliant one woman show, 'The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life In The Universe'. In the hands of a lesser actress, the production could be simply an imitation of the superb performance of the original star Lily Tomlin, who won a Tony award in 1986 for the show. But Balagan's Terri Weagant shows she is more than up to the task.

So, are you ready for some fun? Well, ACT has the answer. Their current production of 'Das Barbecu' is a delirious, goofy ride from beginning to end filled with toe tappin' songs, high kickin' dances and enough laughs to keep you goin' til the cows come home.

The 5th Avenue Theatre started off their season with the world premiere, pre broadway engagement of the musical 'Catch Me If You Can' based on the Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio film. And as one who has been very vocally against the trend of turning movies into musicals, I have to back pedal on that a bit and admit that when it's done well, it can be an amazing experience. And this show is the closest thing to a perfect new show that I?ve seen in awhile.

Shakespeare's classic tale of jealousy, envy and revenge has slithered it's way into the Intiman to whisper thoughts of betrayal in your ear. This production put on by The Theater for a New Audience, direct from their recent sold out run in New York, shows what a solid professional company who really understands the story can do.

Ian Bell's Brown Derby Series is back at Seattle's Re-bar with a hilarious staged reading of the 80's classic, 'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial' for three performances only.

Marc Bamuthi Joseph's hip-hop inspired show 'the break/s: a mixtape for the stage' is performing now at Seattle's ACT (A Contemporary Theatre). And while it may not be the thing for everyone, it certainly has something to say.

The Broadway Tour of Jonathan Larson's masterpiece, 'Rent', starring original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp has hit the Paramount and the show is still a powerhouse of all that's good about Musical Theater.

Seattle's ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) presents Richard Dresser's take on corporate drudgery with 'Below the Belt'. Starring TV and stage comedy veteran Judd Hirsch, they are billing this as 'The Office' meets Samuel Beckett. But it plays more like a cliché sitcom than a social commentary.

Herb Gardner's comedy 'A Thousand Clowns' at Seattle's Intiman theater, while not a brilliant evening of not to be missed theater, is definitely an enjoyable night out with a funny yet introspective show. Plus it demonstrates Gardner's gift with wonderfully witty dialogue.

The national tour of the latest revival of the 1972 hit 'Grease' is at the 5th Avenue Theatre with American Idol's Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel, and while it's still silly, campy fun and a good time, it lacks the charm of other productions.