John Langs News

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is pleased to announce that single tickets for the 2015 season have now officially gone on sale.

Every season productions come along that are so good that they remind me why us theater folk perform, produce and see theater. Personally, these are the shows that recharge my theatrical batteries so I can sit through the not so great ones (I'm looking at you "Flashdance: The Musical"). Such a show is the latest installment from The Seagull Project, Chekhov's "The Three Sisters" which manages such clarity of story, intent and meaning that you can practically feel the pain and frustration in the character's lives along with them.

With nearly 2000 subscribers in attendance, The 5th Avenue Theatre Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong revealed the season line-up for this celebrated theater's 8-show 2015/16 season.

Seattle media have honored ACT's ambitious 2014-15 season with a number of awards. Details below!

Seattle Theater Writers critics' circle just announced the nomination slate of the fourth annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards,theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters in the prior calendar year.

Oh my! It's been a hell of a year for the Seattle Theatre scene and I can say we've been quite fortunate to see the incredible shows we have. So many amazing shows in fact that picking just a few stand outs (let alone a "best") is a near impossibility. But I have searched the deep dark recesses of my memory to find the shows and performances that really stood out and stuck with me beyond the evening and throughout the year. And so, without further ado, I'm thrilled to present the BWW 2014 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (or Jay's Picks). Let the awesomeness flow!

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Milwaukee, WI Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

The funny and touching story of how a young fisherman was so inspired by the works of William Shakespeare, that he left behind his life on the boats to pursue a career on stage

Oakland's beloved Christmas Revels tackles an intriguing American theme this year for the first time in decades with a musical exploration of the Depression set in Appalachia, which then travels westward through the bayous of Louisiana toward the Pacific Coast. Performances run from today, December 12 - 14 and December 19 - 21 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland.

ACT and Director John Langs completely nailed it again and then some. I saw the production last year of ACT's Seattle tradition of "A Christmas Carol" and found myself struck by how well they conveyed this classic tale. And as much as I enjoyed it last year there was something even more magical and special in the air for this year's production (or they spiked my eggnog) as I completely found myself swept away by this incredible show and, yes, crying my eyes out.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 39th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with award-winning actor R. Hamilton Wright returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with Seattle's critically acclaimed Peter Crook returning for his second run in the role of Scrooge.

Oakland's beloved Christmas Revels tackles an intriguing American theme this year for the first time in decades with a musical exploration of the Depression set in Appalachia, which then travels westward through the bayous of Louisiana toward the Pacific Coast. Performances run from December 12 - 14 and 19 - 21 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 39th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with award-winning actor R. Hamilton Wright returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with Seattle's critically acclaimed Peter Crook returning for his second run in the role of Scrooge.

A Contemporary Theatre Board President Colin Chapman announces that Artistic Director Kurt Beattie will retire at the end of ACT's 2015 50th Anniversary Season and will be succeeded by John Langs, a nationally recognized theatre artist who has served as ACT's Associate Artistic Director since 2013. Beattie, ACT's Artistic Director since 2003, will assume the role of Artistic Director Emeritus upon his retirement, stewarding long-term projects already in development as well as acting and directing in upcoming seasons.

I'm quite pleased to announce that Seattle, at this moment in time, has an abundance of incredible shows to choose from. OK, well, two of them but they're both stunners. You've already heard me droning on about the other 'can't miss' show recently and now comes along a very different but equally impressive show with New Century Theatre Company's 'Mary's Wedding' by Stephen Massicotte. I can honestly say I haven't sobbed (yes sobbed, not cried) this much in a show since Showtunes' amazing 'Falsettos' a few years back. Bring some tissues. Hell, bring the whole box but catch this incredible love story!

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre under the Artistic Direction of Kurt Beattie is proud to announce the Mainstage productions taking place in the 50th Anniversary Season in 2015. The mid-century mark will reflect ACT's contribution to the field throughout history and looking to the future with the theme, What Was, What is, and What Will Be. 2015 brings cause to celebrate two other milestone anniversaries: ACT will celebrate the 40th year of producing founder Gregory A. Falls' adaptation of A Christmas Carol, as well as the 90th anniversary of the 1925 Fraternal Order of Eagles building, ACT's historic landmark home since 1996. Commemorative celebrations and engagement opportunities will occur throughout the year. A brief history of ACT's founding is included following the season titles.

'Without the theatre, nothing is possible.' Words penned by one of the greatest playwrights in theatrical history. And for Anton Chekov's play The Seagull, a show filled with characters deigning to exist as the people they've become, that pinnacle phrase means the world.

The Ensemble will be presenting two mainstage productions, an exciting co-production with ACT Theatre, and the fourth annual installment of Jonah Von Spreecken and Ali Mohamed el-Gasseir's all-ages weekend morning theatre series.