It's a tough thing to follow up such a widely acclaimed show as Azeotrope's offering of "Jesus Hopped the A Train" last season. Especially when you only put up one show a season. And while their current production of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" may not be as engaging of a script, the cast and crew still manage to show off what solid professionals can do.
Following the success of their critically acclaimed production of Jesus Hopped the A Train (2012 Gregory Award and Gypsy Lee Rose Award winners), Seattle theatre company Azeotrope has announced the Northwest premiere of Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Desdemona Chiang. Gruesome Playground Injuries opens tonight, July 19, 2013 at The Little Theatre in Capitol Hill and performs through Sunday, August 11, 2013. Scroll down for a first look at the lead actors!
Following the success of their critically acclaimed production of Jesus Hopped the A Train (2012 Gregory Award and Gypsy Lee Rose Award winners), Seattle theatre company Azeotrope has announced the Northwest premiere of Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Desdemona Chiang. Gruesome Playground Injuries opens Friday, July 19, 2013 at The Little Theatre in Capitol Hill and performs through Sunday, August 11, 2013. Scroll down for a first look at the lead actors!
Displaying an all too familiar circumstance Book-It Repertory Theatre is currently presenting their production of Jess Walter's book, 'The Financial Lives of the Poets', in which our hero must survive the pressures of our crumbling economy any way he can. And while the base story may not be the freshest, what it does have going for it is crisp, engaging and very funny dialog infused in a very clever story structure with a relatable protagonist at its core which amounts for a thoroughly enjoyable show.
They just don't make good door slammer farces like they used to. Perhaps we've lost the sensibilities to come up with new ideas that make these tales of mistaken identity, concealed trysts and ridiculous characters funny. But luckily we still have old chestnuts like "Boeing Boeing", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, and people like director Allison Narver who understand what it takes to bring these tales to life and make them gut-bustingly funny.
To think that a murder mystery that's been around for 60 years such as “The Mousetrap', currently playing at Village Theatre, could still be fresh. I mean, everyone knows who the killer is by now, right? Nope. I for one couldn't remember and from the gasps in the audience many others couldn't either. But then that's part of the enduring quality of this Agatha Christie classic, it still keeps you guessing. And the Village production is so full of fun, rich characters and, of course, red herrings that it amounts to a thoroughly enjoyable night out.
Seattle Theater Writers, a critics' circle of local theater writers and reviewers, today announces the 2012 slate of nominees of the second annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards, theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters.
It's been a helluva year for theater in the Seattle area. From the triumphant return of the Intiman with their summer festival to the hugely popular run of "Spring Awakening" from Balagan Theatre Seattle audiences were treated with some amazing shows and performances this past year. And so, allow me to shine the spotlight on some of my favorite outstanding moments from the past year with my 2012 BWW Seattle Critic's Choice Awards.
On the chance that you only read the first few sentences of my review of "Ramayana", currently playing at ACT, let me just say this right at the start. Go see this show! Hire the babysitter, arrive early (to catch the awesome Indian bazaar in the lobby), and prepare yourself for one of the most glorious and magical evenings I've had in the theater for quite awhile as ACT Theatre presents an exquisite and epic tale that mesmerizes from beginning to end.
If a play or the message of a play is important or affecting, as is the case with David Henry Hwang's "Yellow Face", currently playing at the Center House Theatre from React Theatre and Pork Filled Players, there is always the danger of the actors in the play to over intensify the work rather than letting it stand on its own. And while the current production at the Center House Theatre definitely has some wonderful moments and great laughs along for the ride, it unfortunately suffers from this problem as the message feels forced and long winded rather than meaningful.
What makes a "good" person? When is a horrific crime such as murder justified? Where does redemption come from and for whom? These questions and more are posed in the riveting second offering from fledgling theater company Azeotrope with their production of "Jesus Hopped the A Train" currently running at ACT. A heavy play to be sure but deftly delivered from a company that is quickly becoming one to watch.
What makes a "good" person? When is a horrific crime such as murder justified? Where does redemption come from and for whom? These questions and more are posed in the riveting second offering from fledgling theater company Azeotrope with their production of "Jesus Hopped the A Train" currently running at ACT. A heavy play to be sure but deftly delivered from a company that is quickly becoming one to watch.
After an impressive debut with their production of Red Light Winter in 2010, Seattle theatre company Azeotrope is proud to announce a second production with the Northwest premiere of Jesus Hopped the A Train by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Artistic Associate Desdemona Chiang. Jesus Hopped the A Train opens tonight, June 15, 2012 through June 30, 2012 and is produced in association with Central Heating Lab at A Contemporary Theatre.
As always, summers in the Seattle area are a crapshoot. Will we or won't we have nice weather? If the weather lately is any indication I think we're in for some lovely days and plenty of chances to play outside. But whether the weather forces us outdoors or indoors there's always plenty of theater going on around town to take in. Here are our top 5 picks for summer theater goings on around town this year.
After an impressive debut with their production of Red Light Winter in 2010, Seattle theatre company Azeotrope is proud to announce a second production with the Northwest premiere of Jesus Hopped the A Train by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Artistic Associate Desdemona Chiang. Jesus Hopped the A Train opens Friday, June 15, 2012 through June 30, 2012 and is produced in association with Central Heating Lab at A Contemporary Theatre.
On the surface, Seattle Public Theater's current production of David Mamet's "The Cryptogram" is a simple family drama. But then, this is Mamet and nothing is simple. Especially when you add in his glorious language and it goes from simple story to sublime dance of words. And while I enjoyed the language and the Mamet-ness of it all, I ultimately walked away more than a little confused.
On the surface, Seattle Public Theater's current production of David Mamet's "The Cryptogram" is a simple family drama. But then, this is Mamet and nothing is simple. Especially when you add in his glorious language and it goes from simple story to sublime dance of words. And while I enjoyed the language and the Mamet-ness of it all, I ultimately walked away more than a little confused.
Theatre Puget Sound (TPS) today announced the nominees for the 3rd Annual Gregory Awards. These nominations acknowledge high achievement in the theatre arts and the award recipients will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held at A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 7:30pm.
Two sets of long lost twins unknowingly cross paths, and set the stage for an evening of mistaken identity, mixed up confusion and mayhem! This comic master piece is full of slapstick and sight gags, puns and pratfalls. Keeping track of which twin is which is only half the fun, as Shakespeare also stacks the deck with some of his most outrageous characters, including a jealous wife, a seductive courtesan, a hapless old man seeking his sons, a zany conjurer attempting an exorcism, and even a nun who's not all she seems to be!
The company that brought you Last Summer at Bluefish Cove and Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, which played to sold-out houses, presents The Torch-Bearers by George Kelly. Opening December 3rd and running through December 18th, The Torch-Bearers has been called the grandfather to zany comedies Noises Off and Waiting for Guffman. This send-up of community theatre is a catharsis for anyone who has ever sat through a terrible play produced by people with delusions of grandeur. Featuring some of Seattle's most wicked talent, The Torch-Bearers will leave you weeping with delight.
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