Richard Nguyen Sloniker News

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.

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.

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.

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.

Emerging theater company Azeotrope is presenting their debut production with Adam Rapp's Pulitzer nominated play, "Red Light Winter". And while I'm not sure how I feel about the play itself, I know how I feel about the production, excited by the engaging performances and thrilled that there's another new company out there willing to take on new and different works.

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.

Emerging theater company Azeotrope is presenting their debut production with Adam Rapp's Pulitzer nominated play, "Red Light Winter". And while I'm not sure how I feel about the play itself, I know how I feel about the production, excited by the engaging performances and thrilled that there's another new company out there willing to take on new and different works.

AZEOTROPE, a new Seattle?based theatre artist consortium, announces its company debut with the Northwest premiere production of Red Light Winter by Adam Rapp, directed by Azeotrope artistic associate Desdemona Chiang.