Sarah Rose News

Dear Reader (It only seems appropriate to start this review off with that), sometimes a show comes along that feels like a no brainer. A show that's fairly bulletproof and if a theater does it well enough with enough pieces in place then it'll be a crowd pleaser. 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' is one of those shows. You're bound to walk away from it with something you enjoyed. Which brings me to the current production at the 5th Avenue Theatre. They've managed to take this pleaser of a show so far beyond the bare minimum making this gem shine with so much brilliance that you may need sunglasses.

The uproariously funny satire on corporate ladder-climbing, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, starts rehearsals this week at The 5th Avenue Theatre. This Pulitzer Prize and multi-Tony Award-winning musical takes place in TV's Mad Men era, following window washer J. Pierrepont Finch's journey from mail room to the top of the World Wide Wicket Company, all with the help of a cunning guide book. A sharp-witted send-up of the corporate rat race that will keep audiences rolling in the aisles, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is gracing The 5th Avenue stage for the first time. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!

Rehearsals started this week at The 5th Avenue Theatre for the exultant classic musical, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, the iconic show sweeping Seattle for the holidays. Boasting such beloved songs as 'Do Re Mi,' 'My Favorite Things,' 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen,' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain,' this production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music will be presented as only The 5th can do, complete with a sensational live orchestra, stunning costumes, and incredible sets. Under the direction of David Bennett and with choreography by Trina Mills and music direction by Kat Sherrell, this musical will feature an exuberant all-local cast of fresh faces and favorite performers that includes Anne Allgood as the Mother Abbess, joining the previously announced David Pichette as Max Detweiler and Jessica Skerritt as the Baroness Elsa Schraeder, with Hans Altwies as Captain Georg von Trapp and Kirsten deLohr Helland as Maria.

Pride Films and Plays has announced the results of our LezPlay contest. The judges have named five finalists, including a teleplay and four stage plays. and these writers will have their scripts presented as staged readings during LezPlay Weekend, which runs September 11-13 at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre of Center on Halsted.

Center Stage announces the cast and creative team of Pride and Prejudice, the first show of its 2015/16 Season. The play begins performances Sept. 11, with opening night set for Sept. 18.

The American musical sensation, Grease, will send audiences cruisin' through the days of pajama parties, sock hops, and drive-ins with an exuberant cast of Seattle's freshest faces and favorite performers at The 5th Avenue Theatre this summer.

The American musical sensation, Grease, will send audiences cruisin' through the days of pajama parties, sock hops, and drive-ins with an exuberant cast of Seattle's freshest faces and favorite performers at The 5th Avenue Theatre this summer.

As they head into their fourth season, Broken Nose Theatre (BNT) is establishing itself as one of the city's first exclusively Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) storefront theatre companies. Beginning in September, all performances of any BNT MainStage production will fall under their new "We Set the Stage, You Set the Price" initiative, placing the reins in the hands of their audience members.

ArtsWest is pleased to announce the launch of After Hours with Mathew Wright, its new summer cabaret series. Hosted by Artistic Director Mathew Wright, these one-night only events feature five of the fiercest leading ladies in Seattle theater, Sarah Rose Davis (7/20), Laura Griffith (8/10), Cayman Ilika (8/3), Jessica Skerritt (7/27), and Katherine Strohmaier (8/17). Each will dish on their lives and careers through provocative, freewheeling interviews and sing everything from Broadway standards to pop songs, backed by Mathew Wright on piano.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is pleased to announce the nominees for its 13th annual 5th Avenue Awards: Honoring High School Musical Theater.

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) has announced the world premiere of Worthy, April 17 -May 16, created by Dani Bryant and directed by Sarah Rose Graber at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. Preview performances are Friday, April 17 and 24 and Today, April 18. Opening night is Today, April 25 at 4p.m. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Todays at 4 p.m. (There is no performance Today, May 9. Student matinees available select weekdays.) Tickets are $10 for preview performances and $17 for adults and $12 for youth aged 14 years and younger for the regular run. Tickets may be purchased at adventurestage.org or by calling 773.342.4141.

The American musical sensation, Grease, will send audiences cruisin' through the days of pajama parties, sock hops, and drive-ins with an exuberant cast of Seattle's freshest faces and favorite performers at The 5th Avenue Theatre this summer.

This month Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes four exceptional new hires: General Manager Theresa Von Klug; Director of Marketing, Communications, and Patron Engagement Polly Winograd Ikonen; Associate Managing Director Sarah Williams; and Artistic Associate Sarah Rose Leonard. Together they bring to the award-winning Theatre a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience working in the arts and not-for-profit performing arts sectors.

Berkeley Rep is proud to announce that its annual OVATION Gala raised $675,000 for the Theatre's new play development, arts education, and community engagement programs. Held at the glitzy Ritz-Carlton hotel in San Francisco, the event swept guests up in a masquerade fete filled with theatrical spectacle and surprise entertainment. The Gala was one of the most successful in Berkeley Rep's history, welcoming 330 attendees.

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) is proud to announce the world premiere of Worthy, April 17 -May 16, created by Dani Bryant and directed by Sarah Rose Graber at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. (The Saturday, May 9 performance is sold out. Student matinees available select weekdays.) Tickets are $10 for preview performances and $17 for adults and $12 for youth aged 14 years and younger. Tickets may be purchased at adventurestage.org or by calling 773.342.4141. 

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the sensational new musical Jasper in Deadland under the direction of the giftedBrandon Ivie. Starring as Jasper and his guide to the Underworld, Gretchen are The Book of Mormon's Matt Doyleand New York-based actress and musician Sydney Shepherd. Joining them on this mystical journey are Andi Alhadeff, Kyle Bernbach, Jared Michael Brown, Kyle Robert Carter, Taryn Darr, Sarah Rose Davis, Frederick Hagreen, Louis Hobson,Diana Huey, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Caety Sagoian andEvan Woltz. Check out a sneak peek below!

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the sensational new musical Jasper in Deadland under the direction of the gifted Brandon Ivie. Starring as Jasper and his guide to the Underworld, Gretchen are The Book of Mormon's Matt Doyleand New York-based actress and musician Sydney Shepherd. Joining them on this mystical journey are Andi Alhadeff, Kyle Bernbach, Jared Michael Brown, Kyle Robert Carter, Taryn Darr, Sarah Rose Davis, Frederick Hagreen, Louis Hobson,Diana Huey, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Caety Sagoian andEvan Woltz.

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) has announced the world premiere of Worthy, tonight, April 17 -May 16, created by Dani Bryant and directed by Sarah Rose Graber at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. Preview performances are Today, April 17 and 24 and Saturday, April 18. Opening night is Saturday, April 25 at 4p.m. Performances are Todays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. (There is no performance Saturday, May 9. Student matinees available select weekdays.) Tickets are $10 for preview performances and $17 for adults and $12 for youth aged 14 years and younger for the regular run. Tickets may be purchased at adventurestage.org or by calling 773.342.4141.

A fiercely talented cast of Broadway and Seattle stars start rehearsal this week for The 5th Avenue Theatre's sensational new musical Jasper in Deadland under the direction of the gifted Brandon Ivie. Starring as Jasper and his guide to the Underworld, Gretchen are The Book of Mormon's Matt Doyle and New York-based actress and musician Sydney Shepherd. Joining them on this mystical journey are Andi Alhadeff, Kyle Bernbach, Jared Michael Brown, Kyle Robert Carter, Taryn Darr, Sarah Rose Davis, Frederick Hagreen, Louis Hobson, Diana Huey, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Caety Sagoian and Evan Woltz.

The online world of social media began long before the internet exploded with email services and today's outlandish graphics and photo capabilities. Local BBS online systems allowed its members to log on, visit various chat rooms on lots of topics and create a world unto themselves by just typing away and watching plain text conversations fly by at rapid speed. No graphics - no photos - just words from however many users were in that particular chat room. It was a heady time when anyone could pretend to be whoever they wanted to be and create worlds where each of us could be a star - or the controller of everyone and everything going on in that imaginary room. Have avatar, will travel.