Kurt Beattie News

Art and class collide, as a group of Northern English miners unexpectedly ascend to the top of the art world in The Pitmen Painters at ACT - A Contemporary Theatre. Penned by playwright Lee Hall, author of the celebrated Billy Elliot, this critically acclaimed play from London and Broadway will receive its regional premiere in ACT's dynamic in-the-round Allen Theatre directed by ACT's Artistic Director Kurt Beattie this Friday, April 20. The official opening night is April 26, and the show is scheduled to run until May 20. Check out photos of Frank Lawler and Jason Marr in the production below!

Art and class collide, as a group of Northern English miners unexpectedly ascend to the top of the art world in The Pitmen Painters at ACT - A Contemporary Theatre. Penned by playwright Lee Hall, author of the celebrated Billy Elliot, this critically acclaimed play from London and Broadway will receive its regional premiere in ACT's dynamic in-the-round Allen Theatre directed by ACT's Artistic Director Kurt Beattie this Friday, April 20. The official opening night is April 26, and the show is scheduled to run until May 20.

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) have announced their mainstage season productions are now on sale to the general public for individual ticket purchases. The first two major productions of the season are First Date, a new musical co-produced with The 5th Avenue Theatre, followed by The Pitmen Painters, a regional premiere of the acclaimed London and Broadway play.

Art and class collide, as a group of Northern English miners unexpectedly ascend to the top of the art world in THE PITMEN PAINTERS at ACT - A Contemporary Theatre. Penned by playwright Lee Hall, author of the celebrated BILLY ELLIOT, this critically acclaimed play from London and Broadway will receive its regional premiere in ACT's dynamic in-the-round Allen Theatre directed by ACT's Artistic Director Kurt Beattie.

A Contemporary Theatre's Executive Director Gian-Carlo Scandiuzzi and President of the Board of Trustees, Chuck Sitkin, are appointing a new Director of Advancement. Sergei Tschernisch, President of Cornish College of the Arts from 1994 through 2011, will begin his new post on April 1, 2012. Tschernisch will oversee the expansion of fundraising efforts and work with senior management and the Board of Trustees to guide ACT to the next level of sustainability. ACT Development Associate Jennessa West has been promoted to Director of Development and will oversee the daily operations of the multifaceted fundraising efforts.

Eric Ankrim and Kelly Karbacz will go looking for love in First Date, a co-production between ACT - A Contemporary Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theatre. This new musical about one date, two people, and all the voices in their heads, also features Seattle stars Benjamin Harris, Vicki Noon, Brandon O'Neill, Rich Gray, Greg McCormick Allen, and Sonya Meyer, in roles including old boyfriends, ex-fiancees, best friends, and pushy relatives, not to mention fellow diners who intrude on the couple's blind date. The 5th Avenue's Producing Director Bill Berry directs this clever and quirky world premiere romantic comedy with musical staging by Broadway's Josh Prince. With a book by screenwriter Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by the dynamic writing team of Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, this comedy chronicles the perils and pitfalls of blind dating and the journey from "tragic mistake" to "true love." Or at least to a second date.

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) have announced their mainstage season productions are now on sale to the general public for individual ticket purchases. The first two major productions of the season are First Date, a new musical co-produced with The 5th Avenue Theatre, followed by The Pitmen Painters, a regional premiere of the acclaimed London and Broadway play.

From the dark and treacherous streets of 1930s LA comes a tale of betrayal, lust, and murder as the San Jose Rep stages the world premiere of the noir classic Double Indemnity.

A veteran cast brings its acclaimed performance of the noir classic Double Indemnity to San Jose, in a world premiere co-produced by the San Jose Repertory Theatre and Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre (ACT). The ensemble of five actors from Seattle and the Bay Area brought the story to stage during a successful run of Double Indemnity in Seattle in October 2011.

From the dark and treacherous streets of 1930s LA comes a tale of betrayal, lust, and murder as the San Jose Rep stages the world premiere of the noir classic Double Indemnity.

From the dark and treacherous streets of 1930s LA comes a tale of betrayal, lust, and murder as the San Jose Rep stages the world premiere of the noir classic Double Indemnity.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre launches 2012 with returning favorites, multi-disciplinary artistic collaborations and initiatives including a new play reading series called The Construction Zone.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre launches 2012 with returning favorites, multi-disciplinary artistic collaborations and initiatives including a new play reading series called The Construction Zone.

Being a fan of film-noir, I was delighted to have the opportunity to review "Double Indemnity," the final show of A Contemporary Theatre's 2011 season. Adapted from James M. Cain's 1936 novella, it's basically the same framework as his 1934 novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice." If you're unfamiliar with the storyline, I shan't spoil the fun.

The first professional gig on Bill Forrester's resume is Assistant Scenic Designer for a 1959 NY summer stock production starring Gloria Swanson & Groucho Marx. Not a bad start. Fifty two years later, Theatre Puget Sound is thrilled to announce that Bill Forrester will become the 14th individual to receive the illustrious Gregory A. Falls Sustained Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the 3rd Annual Gregory Awards Ceremony being held at ACT Theatre on October 17, 2011 as part of ARTS CRUSH month.

Being a fan of film-noir, I was delighted to have the opportunity to review "Double Indemnity," the final show of A Contemporary Theatre's 2011 season. Adapted from James M. Cain's 1936 novella, it's basically the same framework as his 1934 novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice." If you're unfamiliar with the storyline, I shan't spoil the fun.

ACT Theatre concludes its 2011 Season with the noir thriller, Double Indemnity, by James M. Cain and adapted for the stage in this world premiere by Seattle favorites, David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre wraps up 2012 with performances that both celebrate the holidays and provide an artful array of seasonal alternatives. With offerings that range from a crime thriller to a Christmas tradition, teen angst to a nativity parody, tell-all shorts to Pinter treasures and more, the year-end promises another unforgettable series of live events at the corner of 7th and Union.

Theatre Puget Sound is thrilled to announce that Bill Forrester will become the 14th individual to receive the illustrious Gregory A. Falls Sustained Achievement Award