Richard Ziman News

Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

I understand that opening night isn't always the glorious shining gem that it ought to be. Sometimes, no matter how good a show it may be, it's just not quite there yet. Such was the case with the Seattle Rep's opening night of Cheryl L. West's new play with music "Pullman Porter Blues". With a combination of opening night nerves, technical gaffs and a muffled sound system, it just wasn't the show I was so eagerly awaiting since I saw the workshop of the piece some years back. But even through its shortcomings the show still managed to shine through with history and heart and had some killer moments.

That old familiar chill is creeping closer. And the inevitable Fall looms palpably now, just down that darkening road. So why not join Sandbox Radio LIVE! as we greet the growing shadows with an eager offering of Something Wicked This Way, today, October 1st at 8:00pm at Fremont's newest theatre, West of Lenin.

That old familiar chill is creeping closer. And the inevitable Fall looms palpably now, just down that darkening road. So why not join Sandbox Radio LIVE! as we greet the growing shadows with an eager offering of Something Wicked This Way, Monday, October 1st at 8:00pm at Fremont's newest theatre, West of Lenin.

Endangered Species Project has announced a rare reading of a play that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1921 - the first play by a woman to do so - Miss Lulu Bett by Zola Gale.

Endangered Species Project has announced a rare reading of a play that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1921 - the first play by a woman to do so - Miss Lulu Bett by Zola Gale.

The Endangered Species Project's May reading will be Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey. The play was last performed professionally in Seattle at the Bathhouse Theatre in 1985, and through the kind auspices of the Seattle Public Theatre, Juno returns to the Bathhouse there via ESP's May 21 reading, tonight.

The Endangered Species Project's May reading will be Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey. The play was last performed professionally in Seattle at the Bathhouse Theatre in 1985, and through the kind auspices of the Seattle Public Theatre, Juno returns to the Bathhouse there via ESP's May 21 reading.

Damn Yankees is headed to The 5th Avenue Theatre! This musical comedy is the story of an aging baseball fan who makes a deal with the Devil so his beloved hometown team can beat the Yankees in the race for the pennant. From the songwriting team of The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees is filled with hit songs including "Two Lost Souls" and the sultry favorite, "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." The Paper Mill Playhouse production will slide into Seattle this April. The creative team includes direction by Mark S. Hoebee (Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director), music direction by Ben Whiteley, and choreography by Denis Michael Jones.

Damn Yankees is headed to The 5th Avenue Theatre! This musical comedy is the story of an aging baseball fan who makes a deal with the Devil so his beloved hometown team can beat the Yankees in the race for the pennant. From the songwriting team of The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees is filled with hit songs including "Two Lost Souls" and the sultry favorite, "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." The Paper Mill Playhouse production will slide into Seattle this April. The creative team includes direction by Mark S. Hoebee (Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director), music direction by Ben Whiteley, and choreography by Denis Michael Jones.

ESP is delighted to present for our Valentine offering the ebullient Neopolitan comedy Saturday Sunday Monday by Eduardo de Filippo, featuring Seattle's beloved Clayton Corzatte! (pictured at right)

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.

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.

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.

It's that time of year again. Time to make your voices heard for your favorite shows and performances from the 2011 Seattle Theater Season. Last year's inaugural Seattle awards were so much fun that we just had to bring them back.

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.