As Broadway continues to adapt classic films into musical sensations, too many films are being overlooked: movies that are not already musicals. Before Broadway catches on, Jet City Improv will be offering audiences the chance to get in on the ground floor of the next great movie-turned-musical at the world premier of the original comedy Every Movie Is A Musical.
The year was 1996, it was the second time "Les Miserables" was coming through town and I was finally going to see it live. I sat there in the dark and let that incredible score and story flow through me and was such a weepy mess that my friends questioned if I was going to be alright. That experience cemented "Les Mis" as one of my favorites and although I've seen it several times since, no production has come close to that one. How could it, right? That is until now as the current production playing at Village Theatre stunned me by turning me into that weepy mess from 17 years ago all over again and reminded me just how good this show can be.
Village Theatre's Artistic Director Steve Tomkins 'dreamed a dream' many years ago when he first saw actor Greg Stone perform in Les Miserables. After directing Stone in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1993 Tomkins wondered, "Could I put together my 'dream cast,' that included Stone, and present this monstrous legendary mega-hit musical Les Miserables at Village Theatre?" Scheduling conflicts, rights issues and budget constraints stood in his way, but much like the character Jean Valjean, Tomkins persisted. Over a decade later the stage production rights became available for a short window of time (that window closes when the Broadway revival of Les Miserables opens in March of 2014) and Tomkins got to work putting the many pieces together for a Village Theatre production.
ISSAQUAH, WA –Village Theatre's Artistic Director Steve Tomkins 'dreamed a dream' many years ago when he first saw actor Greg Stone perform in Les Misérables. After directing Stone in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1993 Tomkins wondered, “Could I put together my 'dream cast,' that included Stone, and present this monstrous legendary mega-hit musical Les Misérables at Village Theatre?” Scheduling conflicts, rights issues and budget constraints stood in his way, but much like the character Jean Valjean, Tomkins persisted. Over a decade later the stage production rights became available for a short window of time (that window closes when the Broadway revival of Les Misérables opens in March of 2014) and Tomkins got to work putting the many pieces together for a Village Theatre production.
Join Macha Monkey tonight, September 21st at Seattle Repertory Theatre to celebrate their upcoming season, see excerpts from two, world premiere productions, drink lots of wine, and join them in a paddle raise to keep Macha Monkey strong for the next 12 years.
Join Macha Monkey on September 21st at Seattle Repertory Theatre to celebrate their upcoming season, see excerpts from two, world premiere productions, drink lots of wine, and join them in a paddle raise to keep Macha Monkey strong for the next 12 years.
Balagan Theatre made three major announcements during a packed Season Preview Party at the Moore Theatre on Monday, June 10: 'Nirvanov' as the fifth show in the 2013-2014 mainstage season, a star-studded trio of leading ladies in Carrie: The Musical, and a newly created New Works Program, whose Summer Series debuts July 6.
Balagan Theatre will introduce the 2013-2014 mainstage season with a free community celebration, tonight, June 10, 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre, featuring America's Next Drag Superstar, Jinkx Monsoon (also known in Seattle as musical actor Jerick Hoffer), and Broadway star and Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, best known for creating the role of Diana Goodman in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal.
Balagan Theatre will introduce the 2013-2014 mainstage season with a free community celebration, Monday, June 10, 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre, featuring America's Next Drag Superstar, Jinkx Monsoon (also known in Seattle as musical actor Jerick Hoffer), and Broadway star and Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, best known for creating the role of Diana Goodman in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal.
If you've seen it you know you love it. "August: Osage County" has got to be one of the most powerful stories to grace the stage in quite some time. And soon everyone will love it as it's about to be turned into a movie due out next November with a powerhouse cast. But until that time you can still visit with the Westons right here in Seattle with the regional premiere of this stunning work brilliantly put up by Balagan Theatre.
Start the New Year off elegantly -with improv? Really? Austen Translation is an extraordinary unscripted play based on the works of Jane Austen -the grande dame of English romantic fiction. With hits like Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Pride and Prejudice, Austen's books have turned mortal women (and men) into slobbering mounds of tearful flesh. Jet City Improv has partnered with Book-It Repertory Theatre to help turn those tearful mounds into giant balls of laughter and joy. In this brand new feature-length improvised comedy, audience suggestions are translated into Jane Austen's very dignified, and very proper, world of landed gentry, grand ballrooms, English manor houses, love, valor, sense and… sensibility.
Voting is now underway for the Seattle Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.
Voting is now underway for the Seattle Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.
Voting is now underway for the Seattle Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.
Voting is now underway for the Seattle Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!
Voting is now underway for the Seattle Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!
There's a certain amount of pressure when a theater company becomes the first in the area to produce a big name show locally. Yes, it's a coup to be the first to get the rights (and Balagan seems to be cornering the market on that this season) but they also need to do the show justice or else, why bother? This is why what Balagan is pulling off with their current production of "Avenue Q" is all the more spectacular. Not only have they put up one of the new hot shows but they've done it in a way that rivals any tour of the show and created an outstandingly fun time that will leave you grinning all the way home.
SketchFest Seattle is the world's original sketch comedy festival and has established a reputation for presenting the best and most original comedy from around the globe. Currently in its 14th year, SketchFest has announced its 2012 line-up and festival dates to share with the city of Seattle.
SketchFest Seattle is the world's original sketch comedy festival and has established a reputation for presenting the best and most original comedy from around the globe. Currently in its 14th year, SketchFest has announced its 2012 line-up and festival dates to share with the city of Seattle.
Spots are still available for the Musical Theater Academy. Designed for kids ages 8-12, this year's performance will be Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. August 1-5. This rock musical revue is based on the Emmy Award winning 1970s TV series Schoolhouse Rock, featuring the songs 'Conjunction Junction,' 'Just a Bill,' and 'A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing.' Directed by Kate Jaeger, Kody Bringman, Becca Orts and Lindsey Larsen. Call 206-938-0963 x102 to apply.
Videos
