Hans Altwies News

I don't mean to be cruel, dear readers, but I'm about to tell you about one of the most gloriously simple and quietly profound shows that you'll probably not get to see. "Holy Days" by Sally Nemeth from New Century Theatre Company stars some of the finest performers in the Seattle area at the top of their game in a play that's silent grace will stay with you long after it's over. Currently playing at Raisbeck Performance Hall, it unfortunately is only up for this weekend and if their ticketing website is any indication those shows are already close to sold out.

Seattle Shakespeare Company's new Artistic Director George Mount announced the company's programming plans for 2012-2013 that includes an indoor revival of a popular Wooden O production and the return of some favorite artists both on and offstage.

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) have announced their mainstage season productions are now on sale to the general public for individual ticket purchases. The first two major productions of the season are First Date, a new musical co-produced with The 5th Avenue Theatre, followed by The Pitmen Painters, a regional premiere of the acclaimed London and Broadway play.

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.

In Melissa James Gibson's play "This", currently having its west coast premiere at the Seattle Rep, the central conceit is that this is an inside look at four witty average urban thirty-somethings, a group that seems to be the go-to for new playwrights. But the problem is that these people are average only in that they end up as stereotypes to the way we see this "type" and possibly how we would like to see ourselves. And those stereotypes, while funny and engaging, sometimes come across as forced.

In Melissa James Gibson's play "This", currently having its west coast premiere at the Seattle Rep, the central conceit is that this is an inside look at four witty average urban thirty-somethings, a group that seems to be the go-to for new playwrights. But the problem is that these people are average only in that they end up as stereotypes to the way we see this "type" and possibly how we would like to see ourselves. And those stereotypes, while funny and engaging, sometimes come across as forced.

The votes are in, the ballots tallied and the people have spoken. Yes, the 2010 BroadwayWorld Seattle Theater awards results are in and my oh my was it a nail biter. There was some fierce competition out there but the voters have spoken. But since the results were so close, we're going to put in not only the winners but also the 1st and 2nd runners up as well. And I'm also going to throw in my own Critic's Choice for the hell of it. So without further ado, the envelopes please...

The first show of 2011 on the Hubbard Stage is Yasmina Reza's Tony Award- winning God of Carnage, directed by Wilson Milam.

The first show of 2011 on the Hubbard Stage is Yasmina Reza's Tony Award- winning God of Carnage, directed by Wilson Milam.

The Seattle Rep is off to a great start to follow up their previous can't miss season by opening this season with their local production of the Broadway smash, "God of Carnage". The Rep has once again shown they know what the goods are and how to deliver them.

Former Ashland Associate Artistic Director Penny Metropulos and veteran performer Joseph Graves will pick up the gauntlet thrown by adaptors Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson and spin the western world's oldest yarn into a freshly riveting tale in An Iliad, launching a thousand ships this Fall in the Ellyn Bye Studio. An Iliad previews on Tuesday September 28th, opens on Friday, October 1st, and runs Tuesday through Sunday through November 21st. Tickets start at $32, with student and under 30 discounts available. Rush tickets are $20. Show times are 7:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday, with a 2:00 pm Sunday matinee and alternating Saturday 2:00 pm and Sunday 7:30 pm performances. See the show calendar http://www.pcs.org/iliad/ for the complete performance schedule.

Former Ashland Associate Artistic Director Penny Metropulos and veteran performer Joseph Graves will pick up the gauntlet thrown by adaptors Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson and spin the western world's oldest yarn into a freshly riveting tale in An Iliad, launching a thousand ships this Fall in the Ellyn Bye Studio. An Iliad previews on Tuesday September 28th, opens on Friday, October 1st, and runs Tuesday through Sunday through November 21st.

Former Ashland Associate Artistic Director Penny Metropulos and veteran performer Joseph Graves will pick up the gauntlet thrown by adaptors Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson and spin the western world's oldest yarn into a freshly riveting tale in An Iliad, launching a thousand ships this Fall in the Ellyn Bye Studio. An Iliad previews on Tuesday September 28th, opens on Friday, October 1st, and runs Tuesday through Sunday through November 21st. Tickets start at $32, with student and under 30 discounts available. Rush tickets are $20. Show times are 7:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday, with a 2:00 pm Sunday matinee and alternating Saturday 2:00 pm and Sunday 7:30 pm performances. See the show calendar http://www.pcs.org/iliad/ for the complete performance schedule.

The nominees for the 2010 GREGORY AWARDS have been announced, and tickets are now on sale for the 2010 Gregory Awards Ceremony at ACT on Monday, October 25, 2010.

The Seattle Repertory Theatre has announced casting for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. Of the 23 roles cast so far, 21 have been filled by Seattle performers, ranging from up-and-comers like Troy Fischnaller and Alexandra Tavares to long-time staples like Charles Leggett, Sea?n G. Griffin, Todd Jefferson Moore and Suzanne Bouchard. Additionally, five of the eight directors are local, as are many of the designers.

Seattle Shakespeare Company's summer of Shakespeare with its Wooden O free, outdoor plays - Much Ado About Nothing and Othello - ends run August 1.

New Century Theatre Company (NCTC), under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Hans Altwies and Paul Morgan Stetler, with Executive Director Michael Patten, launches its second season with company playwright Stephanie Timm's world premiere play On the Nature of Dust, directed by Kathleen Collins.

New Century Theatre Company (NCTC), under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Hans Altwies and Paul Morgan Stetler, with Executive Director Michael Patten, launches its second season with company playwright Stephanie Timm's world premiere play On the Nature of Dust, directed by Kathleen Collins.

I met up with Hans in between his Matinee and Evening shows of "An Iliad" on Saturday. In the short time since he arrived here in 1993 to go to school at Cornish College of the Arts (where he graduated in 1996) this 39 year old from Detroit, Michigan has become one of the hot tickets in the Seattle theater scene. But beyond that, he's also a really great guy.