Connor Toms News

There are moments, Dear Reader, when you can encounter a work that can completely revitalize your love of good theater. Such was a moment for me the other night when I was lucky enough to catch ACT's production of "The Invisible Hand". I really wasn't sure what I was in for except that it was a play about politics and economics in Pakistan from Ayad Akhtar, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of "Disgraced". What I got was an absolutely gripping evening of theater thanks to a killer production and a riveting play that I cannot urge you enough to go see.

A Contemporary Theatre announces the west coast premiere of writer/actor Ayad Akhtar's The Invisible Hand, about an American investor kidnapped by a militant group in Pakistan. Akhtar won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 for his play Disgraced, which opens on Broadway this fall. The Invisible Hand premiered at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis studio series in 2012. Since then, Akhtar has continued development on the script, added a character, and he will participate in the creative process as the show develops in Seattle, spending time in the rehearsal room and audience preview process.

A Contemporary Theatre announces the west coast premiere of writer/actor Ayad Akhtar's The Invisible Hand, about an American investor kidnapped by a militant group in Pakistan. Akhtar won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 for his play Disgraced, which opens on Broadway this fall. The Invisible Hand premiered at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis studio series in 2012. Since then, Akhtar has continued development on the script, added a character, and he will participate in the creative process as the show develops in Seattle, spending time in the rehearsal room and audience preview process.

When Seattle Shakespeare Company hits one out of the park they do it with gusto. Such is the case with their current production of Oscar Wilde's battle of witty banter, "The Importance of Being Earnest". They've managed to take Wilde's delightful romp and made it even more delightful by executing it with magnificent precision in all aspects. If I had to find one drawback with the production it's that it ended as I, for one, was having entirely too good a time.

Seattle Shakespeare Company is proud to announce their new production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde. The production, directed by Victor Pappas, will run tonight, March 21 through Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center.

Seattle Shakespeare Company is proud to announce their new production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde. The production, directed by Victor Pappas, will run Friday, March 21 through Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center.

Only one other writer could compete with Shakespeare for the title of the most quoted playwright, and that is Oscar Wilde. Seattle Shakespeare Company produces their first production of a Wilde play with The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Victor Pappas this spring.

Sure, it's a story about a monster, but a monster that is looking for love and acceptance and his creator who's looking for power and the redemption they both seek from their mistaken paths to find their goals. Mary Shelley's novel manages all that within a simple gothic romance and David Quicksall's adaptation manages a somewhat gripping stage representation of that tale. Unfortunately while much of the staging of "Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus", currently presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre, offers chilling moments, many other choices within the show detract so much as to pull you from the story and leave it muddled.

I love it when a production manages to actually make me giddy with its technical aspects whether that be the gorgeous set, the intricate staging or the storytelling lights and sound. It appeals to the theater geek in me. So, Dear Readers, you can imagine how much I was in geek heaven at the Seattle Rep's current production of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" which managed all four of those elements. And when coupled with a fresh fun new script and equally fun cast, this new production makes for a chilling romp through the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Theatrically the questions of "What is art?" and "Can art be commercialized" are not new ones. But that is precisely what John Logan's Tony Award winning play "Red", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, is putting out there. And while not a new issue, the play still results in an interesting look into the mind of two artists, one established and one fledgling, and above all turns in some stellar performances from the actors involved.

Theatrically the questions of "What is art?" and "Can art be commercialized" are not new ones. But that is precisely what John Logan's Tony Award winning play "Red", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, is putting out there. And while not a new issue, the play still results in an interesting look into the mind of two artists, one established and one fledgling, and above all turns in some stellar performances from the actors involved.

The Seattle Times has officially announced the winners of their 2011 Footlight Awards. Featured amoungst this year's winners are such favorites as Mike Daisey, Carolee Carmello, and many more! The full list of 2011 winners is as follows:

It's that time of year again. Time to make your voices heard for your favorite shows and performances from the 2011 Seattle Theater Season. Last year's inaugural Seattle awards were so much fun that we just had to bring them back.

It's that time of year again. Time to make your voices heard for your favorite shows and performances from the 2011 Seattle Theater Season. Last year's inaugural Seattle awards were so much fun that we just had to bring them back.

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.

A Contemporary Theatre prepares to stage another scintillating Sarah Ruhl modern masterpiece, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play (July 29-August 28) , a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Play.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre offers up something for everyone! Sarah Ruhl's tender, electric new comedy hit, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play lights up the Mainstage, while the Central Heating Lab keeps things cooking with steamy performances all month long!

Right off the bat let's just get out there what Sarah Ruhl's "In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play" is about. It's in the title for Pete's sake. Yes, the show is about vibrators and their use in the 1880's. Yes, THOSE kinds of devices and activities that usually are not discussed in polite society. So I'll try and be as delicate as I can for my more sensitive readers. But beyond the obvious, the show deals with a small group of people as they come to grips with … er … I mean … get in touch with their … um … DAMN, this is harder than I … uh … well, they discover more about their true feelings. Yes the show is slightly naughty but in a delightful way with depth and humor and ACT's production is presented with beauty and skill.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre offers up something for everyone! Sarah Ruhl's tender, electric new comedy hit, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play lights up the Mainstage, while the Central Heating Lab keeps things cooking with steamy performances all month long!

A Contemporary Theatre prepares to stage another scintillating Sarah Ruhl modern masterpiece, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play (July 29-August 28) , a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Play.