The 5th Avenue Theatre's Third Annual NEXTFEST: A FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS Launches This Weekend
The 5th Avenue Theatre is a vibrant hive of musical theater activity as the projects of NextFest: A Festival of New Musicals have started rehearsals this week. A three-week musical theater intensive development cycle, NextFest has played a role in the creation of musicals ranging from Persuasion by Harold Taw and Chris Jeffries (Taproot Theatre, 2017) to Come From Away by Irene Carl Sankoff and David Hein (Broadway). Nationally recognized for its contribution to the contemporary musical theater cannon, The 5th Avenue Theatre is a celebrated incubator for new musicals. Each year, the nationally renowned theater company connects writers at all stages of development with some of the region's most brilliant performers, giving life to the words on the page and allowing book writers, composers and lyricists to see their work in action. This year's various works are brought to life by Alexandria Henderson, Justin Huertas, Matthew Kacergis, Shaunyce Omar, Brandon O'Neill, Timothy Piggee, Hannah Schuerman, Billie Wildrick and many more.
Review Roundup: Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The 5th Avenue Theatre
The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st! This holiday season, Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in 5th Avenue's Holiday Inn. Luft joins a phenomenal cast of local and national talent, including Eric Ankrim, Sarah Rose A. Davis, Matt Owen and Taryn Darr for a dazzling winter treat that is perfect for the whole family. 5th Avenue favorite Richard Gray will play Danny Reed. Caden Brauch and Kristoffer Holtan, will alternate the role of Charlie Winslow.
BWW Review: 5th Ave's HOLIDAY INN Hits All the Right Notes but Misses the Spark
I should start, Dear Readers, by saying that I've been spoiled where the stage musical of Holiday Inn is concerned. Spoiled by the filmed version of the recent Broadway incarnation which captured every single ounce of Broadway magic you'd want. So, while the current production of this wonderful Irving Berlin classic at the 5th Avenue is a lot of fun and looks quite like the Broadway (not surprising since the sets and costumes were based on the Broadway designs) it just didn't quite live up to that spark of the Broadway for a few key reasons that we'll get to in a bit.
Photo Flash: Swoon with a Sneak Peek at the Stars of Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at The 5th Avenue Theatre
This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Just announced, the cast will ffeature the talents of Seattle stars and 5th Avenue favorites Eric Ankrim (How to Succeed..., First Date, Paint Your Wagon) as Jim Hardy, Sarah Rose Davis (The Pajama Game, How to Succeed...) as Linda Mason, Matt Owen (ELF, Spamalot, A Room with a View) as Ted Hanover and Taryn Darr (The Pajama Game, A Chorus Line) as Lila Dixon. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the leads in costume below!