Anne Allgood News

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Seattle Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

If you remember, Dear Readers, three weeks ago I said that Intiman's production of Part 1 of Tony Kushner's masterpiece, "Angels in America" still resonated through Kushner's script but the show felt under done and lacked focus. But I hoped it would settle into itself over time. I also hoped that the settling in to the characters would affect the power of the second part, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika". Alas, it did not. While it's still, again, Kushner's beautiful script, the show lacks the heart, punch and commitment to the piece to make it truly great. And while you may think that now this one needs to settle in, I think it stems from a larger issue.

20 Years ago a bright eyed theater nerd (as opposed to the bitter, jaded wretch I am today) was over the moon that the Intiman Theatre was able to get the rights to do one of the most exciting and talked about plays of the day, "Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches" so close on the heels of it's wowing Broadway and winning the Tony and Pulitzer. That fresh faced 25 year old was blown away by the artistry, language and sheer incredible storytelling prowess of author Tony Kushner and that amazing production solidified my love for this work. But can anything compare to your first time? Well the bloom may be a little off the rose and my cynical sensibilities of today may have missed some of the focus and wow factor of that original production in this current one being presented by Intiman Theatre, but the play still shows itself to be a masterwork and still deserves attention.

As the cornerstone of its annual theatre festival, Intiman Theatre presents Angels in America, Tony Kushner's epic masterpiece about finding hope in the face of crisis. One of the great plays of the 20th century, this two-play blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

As the cornerstone of its annual theatre festival, Intiman Theatre presents Angels in America, Tony Kushner's epic masterpiece about finding hope in the face of crisis. One of the great plays of the 20th century, this two-play blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

OK, so we'll start off with the fact that it's an Arthur Miller piece. One of the greatest storytellers of our time and ACT's current production of "The Price" is a shining example of that. But add into the genius of Miller a killer set, sizzlingly intense pacing and a stunner of a cast and ACT has an absolute winner of a show that deserves to be seen and savored.

Two estranged brothers who haven't spoke in sixteen years are forced to come together to settle their late father's estate. In the attic of a New York brownstone scheduled for demolition, two men whose lives have taken different paths attempt to resolve their father's holdings and reconcile a past rife with conflicting family histories. Nominated for two Tony Awards including Best Play, The Price is one of Arthur Miller's masterpieces examining the worth of family loyalty in a powder keg of resentment and animosity.

Because I couldn't be limited to just five, here are the top SIX theatrical endeavors happening this summer in Seattle that have me a little giddy.

Two estranged brothers who haven't spoke in sixteen years are forced to come together to settle their late father's estate. In the attic of a New York brownstone scheduled for demolition, two men whose lives have taken different paths attempt to resolve their father's holdings and reconcile a past rife with conflicting family histories. Nominated for two Tony Awards including Best Play, The Price is one of Arthur Miller's masterpieces examining the worth of family loyalty in a powder keg of resentment and animosity.

Arizona Theatre Company presents the Arizona premiere of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Drama finalist and Broadway hit Other Desert Cities, a story of family relationships and deep, dark secrets meant to stay buried, at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, from tonight, Feb. 13 through March 2.

A Contemporary Theatre single tickets go on sale to the public for all 2014 Mainstage shows February 12, 2014. ACT is offering 50% off of adult price tickets for previews of Bethany one-week only February 12-18.

Arizona Theatre Company presents the Arizona premiere of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Drama finalist and Broadway hit Other Desert Cities, a story of family relationships and deep, dark secrets meant to stay buried, at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, from Feb. 13 through March 2.

Holy Crap! That's really the most emphatic sentiment I can use to describe the internal battles I had when trying to pick my top picks for this past year. There were so many amazing performances and achievements that to pick just one was almost an impossibility (and as you'll see, WAS an impossibility for one category). But the battle is over and it's my distinct pleasure to announce my picks for the 2013 Broadway World Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (or Jay's Picks, if you prefer).

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre welcomes Sir Alan Ayckbourn to direct an entirely local cast for the American premiere of his play Sugar Daddies at ACT, now playing through November 3, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights below!

Sir Alan Ayckbourn certainly knows how to bring rich and complex characters to life and then set them spinning to hilarious ends and his current production of "Sugar Daddies", making it's American Premiere at ACT, is no exception. And while it could use some trimming, he gives us a sobering yet funny look at how nothing comes without a price.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre welcomes Sir Alan Ayckbourn to direct an entirely local cast for the American premiere of his play Sugar Daddies at ACT this October.

I hope you will indulge me, Dear Reader, as I will not be reviewing the current production of "The Pirates of Penzance" at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Instead let's call this what it is, a thank you letter to the remarkable cast and crew at the 5th Avenue for infusing a musical theater classic with such heart, fun, humor, talent and beauty that even a diehard fan of the show found himself leaving the theater with a huge grin on his face and a renewed love for the piece. (I'm referring to myself, of course.)

Today's 'New Day NW' in Seattle welcomed Brandon O'Neill, Anne Allgood and Hunter Ryan Herdlicka from The 5th Avenue Thatre's Gilbert & Sullivan classic THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. The trio performed the song 'Matter Patter', then joined guest host Kim Holcomb to chat about the production. Click below to watch the segment!

The 5th Avenue Theatre is thrilled to announce that pirates will be invading the historic stage for four hilarious weeks of performances this summer in Gilbert & Sullivans The Pirates of Penzance. This tuneful classic first set sail from New York's Fifth Avenue Theatre on Broadway more than 130 years ago, and 40 major revivals later, it arrives in Seattle with a Pacific Northwest twist. DirectorJames Rocco will take the helm of the all-new production, which he is setting in British Columbia. This cheeky farce features a boatload of Seattle's favorite performers.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre announces that Sir Alan Ayckbourn has selected an entirely local cast for the American premiere of his play Sugar Daddies at ACT this October.