Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly continues its 60th season with SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It will be directed and choreographed by Peter Rothstein, who helmed the theatre's critically acclaimed 2018 production of Ragtime. Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Hugh Wheeler and from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, this musical masterwork and global phenomenon previews May 1 - 3, opens May 4 and runs through June 1 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Seattle Shakespeare's ARMS & THE MAN visits the past and finds the present. With wit, humor, and richness of production, the show presents a classic tale of a chance encounter that changes everything. From the pithy dialogue to the talented cast, Seattle Shakespeare has chosen well for its second show of the season.
George Bernard Shaw's recipe for fun mixes smarts with silliness and adds just a dash of morality. Arms and the Man takes center stage at Seattle Shakespeare Company helmed by David Armstrong, former artistic director of the 5th Avenue Theatre. Arms and the Man previews October 23-25, opens October 26 and runs through November 18 at the Center Theatre at the Seattle Center.
Let me start, Dear Readers, by saying this is NOT the frothy Disney cartoon you may recall from your youth. Yes, it does contain many of the Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz songs from the 1996 Disney animated film but this show is more akin to the Victor Hugo novel than the cartoon. Gone are the silly, wise-cracking gargoyles whom you might find recreated in a Happy Meal, and amped up is the story of religious persecution, intolerance, sex, and betrayal. Leading me to wonder, what audience are they aiming for? Disney songs, filled out with heady albeit soaringly beautiful choral pieces, and a dark and gritty story that (spoiler alert) does not end well for everyone. And this is my biggest problem with the show, it can't make up its mind as to what it wants to be.
This summer The 5th Avenue Theatre is staging an exciting new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame starring Joshua Castille as Quasimodo. A Deaf actor, Castille is celebrated for his performances in Tribes at ACT Theatre in Seattle and in Spring Awakening with Deaf West on Broadway.
The full cast for The 5th Avenue Theatre's spectacular new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which stars Deaf actorJoshua Castille as Quasimodo, has been announced. Castille will use American Sign Language (ASL) throughout his performance, bringing new life and perspective to Quasimodo, who is deaf in the novel by Victor Hugo.
See brand new footage from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatre favorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul and Richard Ziman as First Man.
See brand new footage of the number 'Too Darn Hot' from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatre favorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul and Richard Ziman as First Man.
Check out photos from the 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca.
See brand new footage of the number 'Wundebar' from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatre favorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul and Richard Ziman as First Man.
See brand new footage from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatrefavorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul andRichard Ziman as First Man.
When a show works, when all the elements come together from cast to crew, from set to script, it's just a joy to behold. But when that script is a brand-new piece and you realize you're seeing the birth of something incredible it becomes even more special. Such is the case with the World Premiere of David Grimm's 'Ibsen in Chicago' currently playing at the Seattle Rep, a wonderful new work that manages to sneak up on you with how engaging and meaningful it is amidst all the laughs.
With great excitement, Seattle Repertory Theatre presents its world premiere production of the new comedy, Ibsen in Chicago. The story from playwright David Grimm (Measure for Pleasure; The Miracle at Naples) follows a group of Scandinavian immigrants working to put on the world premiere of Ghosts, a new play by the revered and controversial Norwegian dramatist of the time, Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen in Chicago was commissioned and developed by Seattle Rep through the organization's 'The Other Season,' program, and will run February 2 - March 4, 2018 (opening night is Wednesday, February 7, 2018) in the Leo K. Theatre. Tickets are on sale now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206.443.2222 and online at seattlerep.org.
With great excitement, Seattle Repertory Theatre presents its world premiere production of the new comedy, Ibsen in Chicago. The story from playwright David Grimm (Measure for Pleasure; The Miracle at Naples) follows a group of Scandinavian immigrants working to put on the world premiere of Ghosts, a new play by the revered and controversial Norwegian dramatist of the time, Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen in Chicago was commissioned and developed by Seattle Rep through the organization's 'The Other Season,' program, and will run February 2 - March 4, 2018 (opening night is Wednesday, February 7, 2018) in the Leo K. Theatre. Tickets are on sale now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206.443.2222 and online at seattlerep.org.
Seattle Repertory Theatre today announced the full ensemble cast of its world premiere production of playwright David Grimm's clever comedy, Ibsen in Chicago. Under the direction of Artistic Director Braden Abraham, Ibsen In Chicago follows an unlikely ensemble of Scandinavian immigrants as they work to rehearse a controversial new play written by their fellow countryman Henrik Ibsen.
As we eagerly await the broadcast of A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE!, airing this Sunday, December 17th at 7/6c on FOX, BWW takes a look back at the origins of this classic holiday tale, from book, to movie, to stage to television!
Singer and arranger Ryan Edward Armstrong has collaborated with some of Broadway's brightest talents to produce the upcoming album CROSSROADS. Stephen Schwartz, who has two of his tunes featured on the record, sat down for this exclusive video interview with Armstrong and YouTube personality Andy Lalwani.
Okay, let's just get real for a moment: if one approaches this show as an adult and compares it with the canon of theatrical literature, this a production which often falls flat. However, in comparison to average children's entertainment (which is clearly the producers' targeted demographic) it holds up well. Your average elementary aged kid will be thoroughly and utterly charmed. But the parents who brought them? That might be a different story. The performers are all supremely talented, with dozens of Broadway shows to their credit. Even if I felt they might have been instructed to push every moment, they still allow their glorious voices to shine through. While it doesn't run in the same league as the classic Disney films, this production does its job: providing fluffy entertainment for an evening out after school, getting through everything as quickly as possible to make sure the kids get back home in bed to be ready for school tomorrow.
