Lori Larsen

Most theatergoing people know of Sam Shepard's a?oeTrue Westa??. It's considered a classic of American Theatre. But I have a question for you, a?oeHave you seen it?a?? It's revived every few years on Broadway but not so much locally. And I will admit, I knew it but never had the opportunity to see a production. So, when the Seattle Rep announced it as part of their season, I was thrilled to fill in that gap in my theatrical knowledge. And then when they announced a stellar cast including Kevin Anderson who killed it in last season's a?oeLast of the Boysa??, I was even more thrilled. And now after seeing it (finally) I can see why it's a classic with its superb dialog and storytelling and why actors, such as Anderson, clamor to be able to sink their teeth into these meaty characters when they come around.

Seattle Rep today announced complete casting for its revival of beloved playwright Sam Shepard's Pulitzer Prize-nominated story of sibling rivalry, True West. Seattle Rep Artistic Director Braden Abraham directs the play, which is set to star Kevin Anderson (Seattle Rep's Last Of The Boys) and Zachary Ray Sherman (Seattle Rep debut) on the Bagley Wright stage. Single tickets are on sale now (starting at $17) and available through the Seattle Rep Patron Services Office at 206.443.2222 or online at SeattleRep.org.

Snowflake Avalanche presents Y York's play, Framed at 18th & Union: An Arts Space.

Snowflake Avalanche proudly presents Y York's play, Framed at 18th & Union: An Arts Space.

Snowflake Avalanche and 18th & Union will present the world premiere of Y York's new play, SYCORAX, starring legendary Seattle actress Demene E. Hall.

Snowflake Avalanche and 18th & Union will present the world premiere of Y York's new play, SYCORAX, starring legendary Seattle actress Demene E. Hall.

Rehearsals started this week at The 5th Avenue Theatre for the exultant classic musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, the iconic show sweeping Seattle for the holidays. Boasting such beloved songs as 'Do Re Mi,' 'My Favorite Things,' 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen,' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain,' this production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music will be presented as only The 5th can do, complete with a sensational live orchestra, stunning costumes, and incredible sets. Under the direction of David Bennett and with choreography by Trina Mills and music direction by Kat Sherrell, this musical will feature an exuberant all-local cast of fresh faces and favorite performers that includes Anne Allgood as the Mother Abbess, joining the previously announced David Pichette as Max Detweiler and Jessica Skerritt as the Baroness Elsa Schraeder, with Hans Altwies as Captain Georg von Trapp and Kirsten deLohr Helland as Maria.

La Miranda Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the second production in its 2013-1014 season of shows, the Tony & Pulitzer Prize Award-winning play, RABBIT HOLE, written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Michael Matthews. RABBIT HOLE had a press opening on Saturday, October 26 and runs through Sunday, November 17, 2013 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. Check out the opening night photos below!

ESP comes around the curve and into summer's final stretch with Pinero's 1887 horse-racing farce, Dandy Dick! With two impetuous daughters both on the brink of matrimony,the Very Reverend Augustin Jedd is in need of a bit of dowry enhancement... So, even though he's a staunch disapprover of the racing game, when his sometime-do-well sisterGeorgiana Tidd, the 'daisy of the turf,' shows up with a supposedly sure thing -the horse of the play's title - the Very Reverend gets very interested, and he and his whole household go delightfully and British-ly bonkers!

It's a fine line between a biting familial dramedy and diving head first into the realm of back biting reality TV. One lends itself to insightful views on the nature of parent/child dynamics and the other has an overweight little girl spewing forth "Oh no she di'in't" like a circus act to make the viewers feel better and superior about themselves. Luckily Jon Robin Baitz searing play "Other Desert Cities", currently playing at ACT, falls into the category of the former. Yes, the family can get pretty vicious at times but you can also see the heart and compassion through the barbs bringing out the power of the piece.

Conservative parents and their Liberal children square off in Jon Robin Baitz's thrilling drama, Other Desert Cities.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre single tickets go on sale to the public for all 2013 Mainstage shows February 12, 2013. ACT is offering 50 percent off of adult price tickets for all Mainstage preview shows throughout the season for one-day only February 12. ACT also shares a glimpse of the casting for the first half of the upcoming Mainstage season.

ACT has announced some of the casting for the first half of the upcoming Mainstage season. ACT's own Artistic Director Kurt Beattie gets back on the boards alongside Jeff Steitzer, Marianne Owen, Julie Briskman, and Laura Kenny in Assisted Living. In Other Desert Cities the critically acclaimed Marya Sea Kaminski makes her ACT debut going head to head with television actress Pamela Reed (Parks and Recreation, Kindergarten Cop) who is a UW Drama alumni and Washington resident. Many other notable local actors will be returning to ACT or making their debut including Jessica Skerritt, Matt Owen, Lori Larsen, Suzy Hunt, Aaron Blakely, and Kirsten Potter to name a few. See the current listing of committed artistic and production talent below.

Singer/Pianist Victor Janusz performs his one-man show Hands Solo: Pianoman today, June 3, 2012 as part of Les Michaels Summer Cabaret Series at the Arthur Newman Theater at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert, Calif. As one of Seattle's busiest, most in-demand singers and pianists, Mr. Janusz has been a full-time musician for 14 years, headlining at notable Northwest venues and this performance marks Victor's debut in the Desert.

Singer/Pianist Victor Janusz performs his one-man show Hands Solo: Pianoman on June 3, 2012 as part of Les Michaels Summer Cabaret Series at the Arthur Newman Theater at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert, Calif. As one of Seattle's busiest, most in-demand singers and pianists, Mr. Janusz has been a full-time musician for 14 years, headlining at notable Northwest venues and this performance marks Victor's debut in the Desert.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT opened their 2011-2012 season with one of the funniest comedies of all time, NOISES OFF written by Michael Frayn and directed by Richard Seyd. Click below for photos from the opening night!

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will open their 2011-2012 season with one of the funniest comedies of all time, NOISES OFF written by Michael Frayn and directed by Richard Seyd.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will open their 2011-2012 season with one of the funniest comedies of all time, NOISES OFF written by Michael Frayn and directed by Richard Seyd.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MC COY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT will open their 2011-2012 season with one of the funniest comedies of all time, NOISES OFF written by Michael Frayn and directed by Richard Seyd.

Imagine a world where the printed word is forbidden; it may by closer than you think. The first rehearsals for Jordan Harrison's cautionary tale Futura, directed by Kip Fagan, are now underway at Portland Center Stage. Futura begins previews on Tuesday, February 1, opens Friday, February 4, and runs Tuesday through Sunday until March 27. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and select Thursday matinees at noon. Tickets start at $30, with student and under-age-30 discounts available. Rush tickets are $20 each. For a full calendar of performance dates and ticket availability, please visit http://www.pcs.org/futura.