John Langs News

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.

On the heels of its critically acclaimed world premier new musical ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME by Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Millburn and Tony winner Joe DiPietro and directed by Obie Winner Lisa Peterson, Seattle's Balagan Theatre Company announces its 2014/15 season. Balagan's upcoming season reflects the past, present, and future of the new American musical and continues its mission in bringing exciting cutting edge theatre to a new generation of theatre goers.

There's a plot device that has annoyed me since I was a kid. Sitcoms use it a lot. It's where the main character keeps lying and/or making obviously poor decisions which keeps digging them deeper and deeper into a hole until you just want to scream at them, "Just tell the truth and do the right thing already!" In sitcoms it all gets resolved in a fun way in 22 minutes and everyone learns a valuable lesson. But when this plot device is combined with the nation's current economic woes as is the case with Laura Marks' play "Bethany", currently playing at ACT, that frustration with the characters never seems to end leading to a bleak evening which left me asking, "why?" Is this a journey we need to take or is it simply frustration for frustration's sake and shining a spotlight on the plight of some to make others without the plight feel better about their lives?

From squatting in a foreclosed home, to lying to the government, to taking desperate measures to make one last sale at work, Bethany takes on the economic crisis from the eyes of a middle class mom fighting to get her life back on track. This Helen Merrill Award-winning play tells the story of a young woman whose daughter has been taken away by State services when she loses her home. If she can just make one more sale before the car dealership closes for good, she might be able to salvage a life that's rapidly spiraling out of control.

American Players Theatre (APT) announces its 35th Season, June 7 to November 9, 2014, a diverse lineup spanning from Shakespeare to Mamet and helmed by recently appointed Artistic Director Brenda DeVita-the company's first new artistic director in over 20 years. DeVita's season includes the first David Mamet production of the company's history, American Buffalo, and her staging of Joan Didion's memoir The Year of Magical Thinking in APT's intimate 200-seat Touchstone Theatre, alongside such classics as Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet in APT's flagship 1148-seat outdoor amphitheater Up the Hill.

Seattle Shakespeare Company's Artistic Director George Mount announced the company's programming plans for 2014-2015 that include expanding to five plays for its indoor season, the return of directors Jon Kretzu and John Langs, and the mainstage directing debuts of Desdemona Chiang and Makaela Pollock.