Jeff Orton News

Jeff Thompson, Jordan Mann and Balagan Theatre should be ashamed of themselves as last night they opened Balagan's New Works Summer Series with Thompson and Mann's musical horror spoof "Thankskilling" based on the indie horror film of the same name. It was crude, lowbrow, crass, offensive … and one of the funniest things I've seen in awhile.

God has heard our prayers. He knew we were all longing for some hot guys to come and teach us all about his divine wisdom and make us laugh along the way. And so he has sent us the Seattle Musical Theatre production of 'Altar Boyz' to show us the path. Not only do they have some incredible voices, sexy gyrations and hilarious characters but these Boyz and director Troy Wageman managed to make the Boyz more personable and empathetic than I've seen in previous productions, making their story all the more meaningful.

There were just a few too many things stacked up against ArtsWest's production of "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" for me to completely get into it. With issues ranging from the technical to the presentation, I found it difficult to become immersed in this highly stylized tale. Yes, there were many fun and wonderful moments on opening night but they kept being overshadowed by a production that felt it could used a little more ripening.

For the ArtsWest 2012-2013 season, Artistic Director Christopher Zinovitch has announced a selection of plays, beginning in September with a fast-paced irreverent rock musical about the country we live in - a Broadway blockbuster, that received Tony Award© nominations, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and two Drama Desk nominations. The holiday season will include a mix of rockin' holiday hits in a fond salute to 1960's girl groups. Audiences will then travel from Liverpool to Greece with a middle-aged, working class housewife in a classic comic masterpiece. The season's fourth play, another recent Broadway blockbuster, exposes the fundamental truths that result when opposing views of family and friends collide. The season will close with a genius at work as Beethoven and a musicologist examine the creative process against a background of passion and parenthood.

Balagan Theatre has moved into its new home on Capitol Hill, presenting four productions in eight weeks, including the third installment of one-act comedy festival Death, Sex and the return engagement of Broadway (and Seattle) smash-hit musical Spring Awakening.

In June of 2002 I had an experience that would alter my perception on how good musical theater could be. That was when I saw "Hairspray" for the first time. It was the pre-Broadway run at the 5th Avenue Theatre. I had heard a bit of "Welcome to the 60's" on the radio commercial and thought to myself, "This sounds pretty good." Little did I know what I was in for the night I saw it. Little did I know that I would be introduced to one of my favorite shows of all time and to a character that I would long to play for years to come.

The Broadway smash musical adaptation of John Waters' 1988 film, "Hairspray," has settled in for a four-week run at Seattle Musical Theatre. With book by Mark O'Donnell and legendary comedy writer Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, it has all the ingredients to be a toe-tapping, finger-snapping success.

Oh my holy hell! The rehearsals are keeping me hopping. Sorry for the lack of blog entries but I have been crazy busy trying to learn all those dances and songs. And I don't even have the lion's share. Our poor Tracy (Kate Moyer) only has three numbers she's not in!

So it's been a short yet productive week for me. I only had two music rehearsals myself. But we got through the intricacies of "Timeless to Me", "Welcome to the 60's" and "Can't Stop the Beat" and I love them all! But I have my work in store for me. Gotta do 'em justice.

In June of 2002 I had an experience that would alter my perception on how good musical theater could be. That was when I saw "Hairspray" for the first time. It was the pre-Broadway run at the 5th Avenue Theatre. I had heard a bit of "Welcome to the 60's" on the radio commercial and thought to myself, "This sounds pretty good." Little did I know what I was in for the night I saw it. Little did I know that I would be introduced to one of my favorite shows of all time and to a character that I would long to play for years to come.

Seattle Musical Theatre is presenting the hilarious send up of old style musical theater with "The Drowsy Chaperone". And while the show was enjoyable and one of the better things I've seen with SMT, it left me a little wanting.

Seattle Musical Theatre is presenting the hilarious send up of old style musical theater with "The Drowsy Chaperone". And while the show was enjoyable and one of the better things I've seen with SMT, it left me a little wanting.