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Yussef El Guindi's THREESOME World Premiere to Run 6/5-28 at ACT

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.

BWW Reviews: Seattle Shakes' OTHELLO Thrives on Multiple Levels

When going to see a show you hope for at least one aspect of the show be something good that you can hold onto. The acting, directing, sets, lights, something to make the night worthwhile. Lucky for all of us the current production of Shakespeare's tragic tale of betrayal and lies "Othello", currently playing from Seattle Shakespeare Company, is firing on so many levels that you're just not sure where to focus your attentions. But then, this should be no big surprise as it's from director John Langs whose name attached to a piece is usually the harbinger of "this one's gonna be good!"

BWW Reviews: A Very Tangled THREESOME at Portland Center Stage

It's a thoughtful script about Arab-American relations, a wacky comedy about a couple who invite another man into their sex life, and a dry look at how men and women view each other. And while each of these things is interesting, they make for very strange bedfellows...as do the three characters in the play.

BWW Reviews: Intiman's ANGELS IN AMERICA PT. 2 Lacks Punch

If you remember, Dear Readers, three weeks ago I said that Intiman's production of Part 1 of Tony Kushner's masterpiece, "Angels in America" still resonated through Kushner's script but the show felt under done and lacked focus. But I hoped it would settle into itself over time. I also hoped that the settling in to the characters would affect the power of the second part, "Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika". Alas, it did not. While it's still, again, Kushner's beautiful script, the show lacks the heart, punch and commitment to the piece to make it truly great. And while you may think that now this one needs to settle in, I think it stems from a larger issue.

BWW Reviews: ANGELS IN AMERICA, PT. 1 from Intiman Still Resonates

20 Years ago a bright eyed theater nerd (as opposed to the bitter, jaded wretch I am today) was over the moon that the Intiman Theatre was able to get the rights to do one of the most exciting and talked about plays of the day, "Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches" so close on the heels of it's wowing Broadway and winning the Tony and Pulitzer. That fresh faced 25 year old was blown away by the artistry, language and sheer incredible storytelling prowess of author Tony Kushner and that amazing production solidified my love for this work. But can anything compare to your first time? Well the bloom may be a little off the rose and my cynical sensibilities of today may have missed some of the focus and wow factor of that original production in this current one being presented by Intiman Theatre, but the play still shows itself to be a masterwork and still deserves attention.

Intiman Theatre Presents ANGELS IN AMERICA, Now thru 9/21

As the cornerstone of its annual theatre festival, Intiman Theatre presents Angels in America, Tony Kushner's epic masterpiece about finding hope in the face of crisis. One of the great plays of the 20th century, this two-play blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

Intiman Theatre to Present ANGELS IN AMERICA, 8/12-9/21

As the cornerstone of its annual theatre festival, Intiman Theatre presents Angels in America, Tony Kushner's epic masterpiece about finding hope in the face of crisis. One of the great plays of the 20th century, this two-play blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

BWW Reviews: Seattle Shakes' IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Is Thoroughly Delightful

When Seattle Shakespeare Company hits one out of the park they do it with gusto. Such is the case with their current production of Oscar Wilde's battle of witty banter, "The Importance of Being Earnest". They've managed to take Wilde's delightful romp and made it even more delightful by executing it with magnificent precision in all aspects. If I had to find one drawback with the production it's that it ended as I, for one, was having entirely too good a time.

BWW Reviews: Rep's HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Filled with Thrills, Humor and Epic Staging

I love it when a production manages to actually make me giddy with its technical aspects whether that be the gorgeous set, the intricate staging or the storytelling lights and sound. It appeals to the theater geek in me. So, Dear Readers, you can imagine how much I was in geek heaven at the Seattle Rep's current production of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" which managed all four of those elements. And when coupled with a fresh fun new script and equally fun cast, this new production makes for a chilling romp through the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Velocity Hosts Fall Kick-Off and BIG BANG! Performance Party Tonight

Celebrate the kick-off to the vibrant Seattle Dance Season. The annual Fall Kick-Off is one of Velocity's most high-energy weekends of dance and performance. Each night Seattle's most gifted and charismatic artists come together to benefit Velocity and celebrate the talent and imagination of Seattle's dance scene. Each night is one-of-a-kind and not to be missed.

Velocity to Host Fall Kick-Off and BIG BANG! Performance Party, 9/26

Celebrate the kick-off to the vibrant Seattle Dance Season. The annual Fall Kick-Off is one of Velocity's most high-energy weekends of dance and performance. Each night Seattle's most gifted and charismatic artists come together to benefit Velocity and celebrate the talent and imagination of Seattle's dance scene. Each night is one-of-a-kind and not to be missed.

The Satori Group Presents reWilding, Beginning 3/1

The Satori Group presents the world premiere of Martyna Majok's reWilding as the inaugural production in Satori's new home: the LAB@INScape. The production opens Friday, March 1 and runs through Sunday, March 17. reWilding has been in collaborative development for 18 months, with design and music as central elements of the process from the start. As a result, the production design is a full installation into the LAB, and the audience experience is an immersive one. With limited seating (30-40 seats per performance), this production invites our audience to join us in the world of reWilding.

BWW Reviews: ROMEO AND JULIET at Intiman Lacks Love From Lovers

One of the biggest pitfalls of casting "Romeo and Juliet" is that you need to find younger actors (the lovers are supposed to be 14 years old) who can handle these characters and this play without devolving them into petulant teens. And this was the major issue I had with the current production at the Intiman as neither of the two eponymous lovers seemed to connect with each other or the flowery speeches and therefore didn't connect with the audience. Luckily many of the other members of the cast turned in some stellar performances making the more interesting play, "Romeo and Juliet's Family and Friends".

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