Carol Roscoe News

Henry James' novella a?oeThe Turn of the Screwa?? is considered by some to be a classic of horror literature. A suspenseful story of ghosts and insanity that leaves each reader with a different viewpoint on what just happened. To be perfectly candid, I'd never read it and so my first exposure to it was last night's Book-It adaptation and production. And honestly, the way it was presented, I found it as suspenseful as a fly in a glass of milk, eliciting vaguely interesting questions of a?oewill she drowna?? or a?oewill she fly awaya??, but most of all a?oedo I really care?a?? All I know for certain is that I don't want to drink it anymore.

Book-It Repertory Theatre's landmark 30th season continues with The Turn of the Screw, adapted from the 1898 horror novella by Henry James. Adapted by Rachel Atkins and directed by Carol Roscoe, this production will dive into the darkest corners of James's most famous and haunting story, asking audiences to question who they trust and whose version of events they believe. This will be Book-It's first production under the leadership team of current Artistic Director Jane Jones and Incoming Artistic Director Gus Menary. The Turn of the Screw plays February 12 a?" March 8, 2020 (Opening/Press Night on Saturday, February 15) at The Center Theatre. 

The winners of the 2017 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards are announced by the Seattle critics circle, Seattle Theater Writers!

Seattle's critics announce the Nominees of Excellence in Seattle theatrical productions. Spanning dozens of theater companies and productions, from large and prominent to small and humble, the Gypsy Rose Lee Awards honor the excellence found in as much professional theater as we reviewers can attend in a year. Named in honor of the famed theater entrepreneur and Seattle native, Gypsy Rose Lee, and in a nod to the vast numbers or theater practitioners forced to travel the country to earn their living, the Gypsys seek to acknowledge the excellence of the Seattle theater community.

It's going to be very tough, Dear Readers, to tell you about the latest offering from Intiman Theatre, 'Barbecue', as I don't want to give anything away. The show is packed full of twists, turns and misdirections that for me to tell you much would be tantamount to writing up a review of certain movies and sharing details like, Rosebud is a sled, Darth Vader is Luke's Father, or Bruce Willis is a ghost too. But I will try simply by saying that Robert O'Hara's play is quite engaging and filled with rich dialog and his script is only served by some outstanding performers.

It's been 200 years since Jane Austen's incorrigible matchmaker "Emma" first came on the scene in print and since has spawned film versions, adaptations and has never been out of print since its release. And while the current adaptation from Book-It Repertory Theatre keeps the mischievousness and attitudes alive, at times if feels a little too static making this romp drone on a bit.

Book-It Repertory Theatre presents Jane Austen's Emma this December. Adapted by Rachel Atkins and directed by Carol Roscoe, Emma will help Book-it celebrate the holiday season and the 200th anniversary of the novel's publication. Emma will play at the Center Theatre from December 2, 2015 - January 3, 2016. Tickets range from $25-$50.

From the title of Book-It Repertory Theatre's current production, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”, you might think this could be a lovely and romantic date night possibility. Well, nothing could be further from the truth as this collection of four Raymond Carver stories seem to focus on the more mundane, banal and vicious elements of relationships and come across more like Carver exorcising his own demons. So not only is it someone else's therapy on stage but on page as well and was, frankly, boring.

Book-It Repertory Theatre presents WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE, named for Raymond Carver's 1981 famed short story collection, as the opening production in its 26th season. Pulled from the company's repertoire, these four stories have been adapted for the stage and directed by Book-It Founder and Co-Artistic Director Jane Jones. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE will play at the Center Theatre at the Armory tonight, September 22 - October 18, 2015.

Book-It Repertory Theatre presents WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE, named for Raymond Carver's 1981 famed short story collection, as the opening production in its 26th season. Pulled from the company's repertoire, these four stories have been adapted for the stage and directed by Book-It Founder  and Co-Artistic Director Jane Jones. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE will play at the Center Theatre at the Armory September 22 - October 18, 2015.

Members of The Sandbox Artists Collective will present the Sandbox One-Act Play Festival (aka SOAP Fest), premiering new works by some of Seattle's most provocative playwrights. Innovative and inspiring, each piece is a fully realized story of approximately 20-30 minutes and packed with dramatic intensity.

What would you do if you had a child who couldn't run or play or really even communicate? That's the central question of Peter Nichols' 1968 play “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” currently playing at ACT from fledgling theater group Thalia's Umbrella. And while I definitely found some moments and performances in the show thoughtful and engaging, the show itself just seems a bit dated and droning.

One of the biggest pitfalls of casting "Romeo and Juliet" is that you need to find younger actors (the lovers are supposed to be 14 years old) who can handle these characters and this play without devolving them into petulant teens. And this was the major issue I had with the current production at the Intiman as neither of the two eponymous lovers seemed to connect with each other or the flowery speeches and therefore didn't connect with the audience. Luckily many of the other members of the cast turned in some stellar performances making the more interesting play, "Romeo and Juliet's Family and Friends".

What starts off as a seeming battle of wills and words between two writers soon devolves and reveals itself to be more of a geo-political statement in John Patrick Shanley's "A Dirty Story" which opens the Intiman's Summer Theatre Festival. At times a bit clunky and forced the show ultimately amounts to a crazy ride with some outstanding performances that will give you plenty to discuss afterward.

Tony-award winning Intiman Theatre turns 40 this year and will celebrate by launching a new summer theatre festival with four plays: Romeo and Juliet, Hedda Gabler, Miracle! and Dirty Story. The artists leading the charge - Dan Savage, Valerie Curtis-Newton, Andrew Russell and Allison Narver - are bringing passion projects with a twist to awaken the theatre, and the company of 17 local actors features established heavyweights and new forces, twisting and turning to play more than 40 roles in more than 80 performances. Similarly, the design team is stretching and shifting to build a versatile playground on the mainstage that will support several shows while simultaneously creating a separate universe in Intiman's studio space.

Tony-award winning Intiman Theatre turns 40 this year and will celebrate by launching a new summer theatre festival with four plays: Romeo and Juliet, Hedda Gabler, Miracle! and Dirty Story. The artists leading the charge - Dan Savage, Valerie Curtis-Newton, Andrew Russell and Allison Narver - are bringing passion projects with a twist to awaken the theatre, and the company of 17 local actors features established heavyweights and new forces, twisting and turning to play more than 40 roles in more than 80 performances. Similarly, the design team is stretching and shifting to build a versatile playground on the mainstage that will support several shows while simultaneously creating a separate universe in Intiman's studio space.

Theatre Puget Sound (TPS) today announced the nominees for the 3rd Annual Gregory Awards. These nominations acknowledge high achievement in the theatre arts and the award recipients will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held at A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 7:30pm.

ACT is honored to produce the World Premiere of Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World by award-winning local playwright Yussef El Guindi. Full of unabashed sweetness and goofy charm, this sexy, 'very now' new work reminds us that we are all 'immigrants' with far more connecting than separating us. The production will end on July 17, 2011.

There are very few new and original stories in the world today. Most things are just a rehash or new take on the familiar formula. Boy meets girl and complications arise. This is the standard romantic comedy premise that's been around since Tarzan met Jane or Tracy met Hepburn. Such is the case with the culture clash romantic comedy from Yussef El Guindi, "Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World" currently at Seattle's ACT. With crisp and engaging dialog, El Guindi has taken an interesting new spin on the same old formula.