Quinn Franzen News

The family dramedy of a wedding in chaos is no new idea in fact it's been done to death. That's not to say there aren't good ones but it's certainly a subject that's been thoroughly mined. Or so I thought. Danai Gurira's fantastic play "Familiar", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, takes this old trope and reinvigorates it by infusing it with the story of a family choosing whether they stick with tradition or find their own way. Add to that the fact that it's just a touching and hilarious piece and Gurira proves that the old wedding play trope still has a few tricks left in her.

Seattle Repertory Theatre today announced complete casting for its production of Familiar by playwright and actor Danai Gurira, directed by Taibi Magar. A co-production with the Guthrie Theater, Familiar is set in the suburbs of Minneapolis and takes a fresh look at tradition, immigration, and assimilation as a Zimbabwean American family gathers together at their home before the rehearsal dinner for their elder daughter's wedding.

Gurira's family drama FAMILIAR has just opened in a lavishly designed and carefully calibrated production at the Guthrie. It's familiar in many ways, as a well-made play on a single set (the interior of an upscale household in Minnetonka, MN) unrolling in real time, that dives into the secrets and dreams of a family, whose distinctive characters are all drawn together now for the wedding of the elder daughter.

Diaspora opened this past Friday at the Gym at Judson. The show runs until December 23.

Diaspora, the new Off-Broadway show by playwright Nathaniel Sam Shapiro, which follows young Jews on a Birthright trip - a journey back to Israel to connect with their heritage - announced a series of talkbacks with the cast and prominent Jewish notables.

What is a Jew? And what is the true meaning of Israel and the Diaspora? A new Off-Broadway production tackles these enduring issues of Judaism. Directed by Saheem Ali and produced by Red Moon Theater Company, Diaspora opens tonight, November 17, and runs through Saturday, December 23, at the Gym at Judson theater. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

What is a Jew? And what is the true meaning of Israel and the Diaspora? A new Off-Broadway production tackles these enduring issues of Judaism.

What is a Jew? And what is the true meaning of Israel and the Diaspora? A new Off-Broadway production tackles these enduring issues of Judaism. Directed by Saheem Ali and produced by Red Moon Theater Company, Diaspora opens on Friday, November 17, and runs through Saturday, December 23, at the Gym at Judson theater. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Diaspora tells the story of a contemporary Birthright trip visiting Masada, a Roman-era fortress and tourist attraction in the desert of Israel. Now in Previews (Opening Night November 17), Diaspora is an unflinching examination of contemporary Jewish identities by way of juxtaposing the ancient and dire events at Masada with modern-day birthright tourism. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

What is a Jew? And what is the true meaning of Israel and the Diaspora? A new Off-Broadway production tackles these enduring issues of Judaism.

The ending of WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT, now playing in the Guthrie's Dowling Studio, is unlike anything I've ever seen in theater. It left me shocked, confused, and a little traumatized, but mostly it left me incredibly moved. It's such a powerful and important piece, forcing us to look at the long-lasting effects of colonialism around the world, its parallels with slavery in America, and how difficult it is to talk about racism. But even though the show leaves on a heavy and intense note, it's also really funny and innovative and theater-y too. It fools you into thinking it's a fun look at actors in rehearsal and then sneaks in some serious issues that soon become almost more than one can bear. Fortunately the Guthrie's Level Nine initiative includes what they call Community Engagement Activities, which often means a post-show discussion with the cast or creative team or experts on the subject. Take advantage of this - it's a wonderful opportunity to decompress and process what you've just seen, and begin a conversation.

Ibsen's simmering, shimmering tale of a woman too large for her destiny gets a fresh adaptation, streamlined into a gilded juggernaut of secrecy and manipulation. Wandering Bark creates a collision of past and present to build a Hedda where the story's the same, but the devil's in the details.

Ibsen's simmering, shimmering tale of a woman too large for her destiny gets a fresh adaptation, streamlined into a gilded juggernaut of secrecy and manipulation. Wandering Bark creates a collision of past and present to build a Hedda where the story's the same, but the devil's in the details.

Broadway-bound new musical, Come From Away, presented by Seattle Repertory Theatre, wins four Gypsys, tying with another new musical, Lizard Boy, also produced by Seattle Repertory Theatreand also with four Gypsys, a company that has been known for years as a powerhouse dramatic straight-play playhouse! 

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

If you want to ensure that people come to see your play then make sure you have well advertised nudity and sex in it. This is not a condemnation of "Threesome", the current play over at ACT, but a simple fact of the business of theater. But once you've lured those butts into the seats with the titillating title and promise of skin make sure you've got a story to keep the audience engaged once the actors put their clothes on. And while Yussef El Guindi's play does manage some interesting, hot button moments and topics the show feels somewhat forced at times and obscured by the gimmick that got the audience there.

Award-winning local playwright Yussef El Guindi (Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World; Ramayana) returns to ACT with a new play that weaves issues ripped from world headlines into an intimate and personal story. Co-Produced by Portland Center Stage and ACT, THREESOME is directed by Chris Coleman and will soon premiere Off-Broadway.

59E59 Theaters will the 2015/2016 5A Season with the New York premiere of THREESOME, written by Yussef El Guindi, and directed by Portland Center Stage Artistic Director Chris Coleman.

Award-winning local playwright Yussef El Guindi (Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World; Ramayana) returns to ACT with a new play that weaves issues ripped from world headlines into an intimate and personal story. Co-Produced by Portland Center Stage and ACT, THREESOME is directed by Chris Coleman and will soon premiere Off-Broadway.

Award-winning local playwright Yussef El Guindi (Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World; Ramayana) returns to ACT with a new play that weaves issues ripped from world headlines into an intimate and personal story. Co-Produced by Portland Center Stage and ACT, THREESOME is directed by Chris Coleman and will soon premiere Off-Broadway.