Eric Ankrim News

I'm fortunate enough to have been to a few of the Village Originals Festival of New Musicals where they present concert stagings of new shows in workshop. I've seen shows that I've felt needed to polish a bit but then get that bigger, mainstage production and I've seen shows that I've felt should have been placed carefully back in the writer's desk drawer and forgotten. 'String' was definitely in the former camp, a fun little tuner with a bunch of potential that has now made it to the Village mainstage. Unfortunately, the rework of this show feels like it went in the wrong direction as the story now only has one focus leaving all others out in the cold.

Village Theatre is excited to announce the World Premiere of String, a brand-new story with a mythological twist by award-winners Sarah Hammond (book), and Adam Gwon (music & lyrics), and direction by Brandon Ivie.  A fun and fresh fable about fate, love, and the imperfections that make us human, String is an original story about three sisters - goddesses known as the Fates - who are responsible for spinning, measuring, and snipping the String of Life. After falling out of favor with Zeus, they find themselves banished to a modern skyscraper in the mortal world. But when the eldest sister falls in love, the very fabric of the universe begins to unravel. "We are thrilled to have such a sophisticated show premiering on our stage," said Ivie. "This show is very intimate, but also deals with understanding our place in the universe and what it means to be human. It's a show about Gods, but they deal with the same things we do - sisterhood, love, loss. We know our audiences are going to connect with these characters on a deep emotional level."

Theater Program presents its fourth annual production, Anything Goes, directed by 5th Avenue Theatre Casting Director Kelsey Thorgalsen. The show runs March 9th though 18th, with previews March 7th and 8th, at the Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse at 4045 University Way NE.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st. Watch Sarah Rose Davis (Linda Mason), Matt Owen (Ted Hanover), Eric Ankrim (Jim Hardy) and company perform 'Easter Parade' from the show below!

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st. Watch Sarah Rose Davis (Linda Mason), Matt Owen (Ted Hanover), Eric Ankrim (Jim Hardy) and company perform 'Easter Parade' from the show below!

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.

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.

This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn is running now through December 31st, and BroadwayWorld has highlights from the show below!

This winter The 5th Avenue Theatre will warm hearts with the West Coast premiere of the Broadway smash hit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn kicked off rehearsals last week, and BroadwayWorld has footage of the talented cast performing in the recent read/sing rehearsal below!

This holiday season Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, which began rehearsals this week. Go behind the scenes with the cast and creative team in the video below!

The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting an evocative new production of Ragtime, now through November 5, 2017. A tale of family, heart and perseverance at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime is a vital story about the headstrong and determined individuals and their families who helped make the United States a diverse and thriving nation. Below, watch Joshua Carter (Tateh) perform 'Gliding' from the show!

This holiday season Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, which began rehearsals this week.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting an evocative new production of Ragtime, now through November 5, 2017. A tale of family, heart and perseverance at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime is a vital story about the headstrong and determined individuals and their families who helped make the United States a diverse and thriving nation. Below, watch Douglas Lyons (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) and Danyel Fulton (Sarah) perform 'Wheels of a Dream' from the show!

RAGTIME runs at 5th Avenue Theatre through November 5, and the critics are weighing in!

RAGTIME runs at 5th Avenue theatre through November 5! With scintillating music and an intensely compelling story of love at its core, RAGTIME is a musical theater masterpiece that will inspire and touch your soul. It's the turn of the century; everything is changing. Set in the volatile melting pot of New York City, three distinct American stories are woven together: an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician, all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.

Back in 1997 a somewhat younger Broadway Geek became obsessed with the musical Ragtime . I even travelled to other cities to see it as many times as I could and basically became obsessed. I tell you this so you'll understand, Dear Readers, my deep love for this show which is firmly one of my top ten desert island shows and how amazingly picky I am with any production of it. With that in mind you'll understand, after reading this review, why you MUST go and get tickets to the current production at the 5th Avenue Theatre. A production that brought up almost all the feels from my initial viewing of this sublime show and even a few new ones.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting an evocative new production of Ragtime, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting an evocative new production of Ragtime, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!