Kevin Vortmann News

A wickedly funny new sequel on the classic Grimms' fairy tale, Hansel & Gretl & Heidi & Günter will make its World Premiere at Village Theatre this spring. The smart and riotous new musical features a book by Hannah Kohl, lyrics by Daniel Maté, and music by Will Aronson, and will be directed by Village Theatre's Artistic Director, Jerry Dixon (If/Then). Hansel & Gretl & Heidi & Günter will run at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah March 12 a?" April 19, 2020 before moving to the Everett Performing Arts Center April 24 a?" May 17, 2020.

With one week left until The 18th Annual Festival of New Musicals, Village Theatre is excited to announce this summer's casting and creative teams! Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza) will direct Hansel & Gretl & Heidi & Gu?nter, a hilarious family adventure of what happens after Hansel and Gretl escape. Village Theatre's new artistic director Jerry Dixon (If/Then, Once on this Island) will direct the kick-off show Elysium: An American Fable, the moving story of a family dying under the weight of their own secrets; and associate artistic director Brandon Ivie (Jasper in Deadland) will direct The Passage, a coming-of-age mystery about a boy battling a monster holding his father captive. Joining them will be music directors Jason Hart (American Psycho), Rona Siddiqui (Bella: An American Tall Tale), R.J. Tancioco (Here Lies Love), and resident music director Tim Symons (Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion), among others.

The Cincinnati May Festival announces the program details for the 2018 Festival to take place in the newly renovated Music Hall, May 18-26, 2018.

I'll admit, Dear Readers, that when I saw the cast list for Village Theatre's current production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's classic Into the Woods I was quite excited. It was (and is) quite a list of powerhouse talent and not the usual suspects for a Village show. But Sondheim's show, as much as it's done by every professional house, community theater, or school is by no means a bulletproof show and something egregious must have happened (or didn't happen) between then and now as the production I saw last night, while technically good with well sung songs lacked any kind of emotional resonance, heart, stakes, or even connection between the characters. And for a show like this, pretty singing is not enough.

Kicking off Village Theatre's 2017-2018 Season is the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning musical, Into the Woods. "Happily ever after" will be just the beginning in this musical collision of the original Grimm fairytales. When Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, Little Red, and more venture into the woods after their heart's desire, they get a lot more than they bargained for. As princes seduce and giants roam the land, stories get intertwined and the plot thickens. With a jaw-dropping design team and a stellar cast of Village Theatre favorites, Into the Woods is sure to take you "into the woods, to get the thing, that makes it worth the journeying."

String takes the stage as the final production in the 2016-2017 season of Village Theatre's brand new program, The Beta Series, which is a one-of-a-kind expansion to the theatre's renowned Village Originals program that supports the development of new works.

There's the old adage in any kind of entertainment that if you have a strong finish, the audience can forgive some pitfalls that may have come before. Unfortunately the new work currently playing at Village Theatre has many of those pitfalls (and some good moments too) but they're followed by one of the most egregiously bad, anti-climactic and lackluster endings I think I've ever seen.

This winter, The 5th Avenue Theatre will have Seattle adjusting its radiators with a steaming hot new production of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical theater hit, The Pajama Game. With direction by 5th Avenue Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this sultry stunner features Bob Fosse-inspired choreography by Bob Richard and music direction by Joel Fram.

This winter, The 5th Avenue Theatre will have Seattle adjusting its radiators with a steaming hot new production of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical theater hit, The Pajama Game. With direction by 5th Avenue Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this sultry stunner features Bob Fosse-inspired choreography by Bob Richard and music direction by Joel Fram.

This winter, The 5th Avenue Theatre will have Seattle adjusting its radiators with a steaming hot new production of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical theater hit, The Pajama Game. With direction by 5th Avenue Theatre Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this sultry stunner features Bob Fosse-inspired choreography by Bob Richard and music direction by Joel Fram.

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine starred in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON, which closed last night, March 22, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp. Check out photos from the closing night reception below!

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine starred in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON, which closed last night, March 22, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp. Check out photos from the closing night below!

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine stars in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON, which opened last night, March 18, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp.

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine stars in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON, opening tonight, March 18, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast on stage below!

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine stars in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON, opening tonight, March 18, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp. BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you highlights below!

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine stars in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON, opening tonight, March 18, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini.

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine will star in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON this month, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp. The company just met the press and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on hand for the special event. Check out interviews with the full gang and a performance sneak peek below!

Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine will star in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON this month, alongside Alexandra Socha and Justin Guarini. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp. Meet the cast below!

This just in! Two-time Tony nominee Keith Carradine will star in the Encores! production of PAINT YOUR WAGON this March. The show, set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, is the story of a dreaming gold miner and his daughter whose world is changed when the daughter finds gold-and love-near their camp.

A reception at 6:30 precedes the ceremony, which will begin at 7:30. All are welcome to attend the free event, which is fast becoming the theater-networking event in the state.