Seattle Rep News

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again since it keeps coming up, I personally cannot stand other people's therapy on stage. And if you must put up some theatrical therapy, at least frame it in an interesting story. And while the Seattle Rep's current production of "Circle Mirror Transformation" isn't necessarily author Annie Baker's therapy, it is the therapy for her five characters and no, they're not that interesting.

An all-star cast of Seattle celebrities will waltz onto the stage of The 5th Avenue Theatre in a holiday ball audiences will never forget: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Under the direction of Seattle's own Brandon Ivie, this enchanting fairy tale features Jennifer Paz of Miss Saigon as Cinderella and Wicked star Kendra Kassebaum as the Fairy Godmother, as well as local luminaries Suzanne Bouchard, Nick Garrison, Sarah Rudinoff, Brandon O'Neill, Cynthia Jones, Allen Fitzpatrick, and Greg McCormick Allen.

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.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has just announced the full company of You, Nero by American Voices New Play Institute resident playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed. This is the second project of a resident playwright to be produced at Arena Stage as part of the three-year residencies through the Institute. Making his Arena Stage debut is director Nicholas Martin (Broadway's Present Laughter, Butley). You, Nero runs November 25, 2011-January 1, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company of You, Nero by American Voices New Play Institute resident playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed.

Rehearsals begin this week for 'The Night Watcher,' Charlayne Woodard's newest play, which will be produced at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre, November 17 through December 18, 2011. The opening is set for November 20. 'The Night Watcher,' written and performed by Woodard, will be directed by her frequent collaborator, Daniel Sullivan.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR, announce the first night of TCG Playwrights in Conversation: Discussions and Readings. In celebration of TCG's 50th anniversary, four events featuring conversations with TCG authors and featured artists will be presented at The Greene Space, WNYC and WQXR's innovative broadcast studio and performance venue.

Many of us think of our families as a big circus but Lorenzo Pisoni has special insight on the real thing as he had to run away from home in order to NOT be in the circus. Drawing from his memories growing up in the Pickle Family Circus, Pisoni and director Erica Schmidt have concocted a show that is part memoir, part clowning and all simply wonderful in "Humor Abuse", currently playing at the Seattle Rep.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of HORSEDREAMS, a new play written by and featuring award-winning and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Dael Orlandersmith. The third production of the company's 17th season, performances of HORSEDREAMS will begin Wednesday, November 9th at Rattlestick Theater (224 Waverly Place - off Seventh Avenue South, between Perry & West 11th Streets). The official opening night is set for Thursday, November 17th. The production is scheduled to run through December 11th. Gordon Edelstein directs.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of HORSEDREAMS, a new play written by and featuring award-winning and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Dael Orlandersmith.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced the line-up of performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Dirty Laundry on Monday evening, October 17.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR, announce the first night of TCG Playwrights in Conversation: Discussions and Readings. In celebration of TCG's 50th anniversary, four events featuring conversations with TCG authors and featured artists will be presented at The Greene Space, WNYC and WQXR's innovative broadcast studio and performance venue.

This October, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre once again introduces a new script for the American theatre with the world premiere of How to Write a New Book for the Bible.

According to the Chinese Almanac, Tuesday, October 11th is a good day for starting a business. So the producers of CHINGLISH, the new comedy about an American businessman doing business in China by Tony Award-winning and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), have decided to start performances today. Find out how well you know Chinglish below!

According to the Chinese Almanac, Tuesday, October 11th is a good day for starting a business. So the producers of CHINGLISH, the new comedy about an American businessman doing business in China by Tony Award-winning and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), have decided to start performances today.

THE PEARL THEATRE COMPANY (J.R. Sullivan, Artistic Director) has announced the company for Shakespeare's drama, RICHARD II. The production, beginning November 8 at New York City Center Stage II, will be directed by J.R. Sullivan and features Sean McNall as Richard II. The twelve member cast features both members of The Resident Acting Company and guest artists who will portray over 30 characters.

Many of us think of our families as a big circus but Lorenzo Pisoni has special insight on the real thing as he had to run away from home in order to NOT be in the circus. Drawing from his memories growing up in the Pickle Family Circus, Pisoni and director Erica Schmidt have concocted a show that is part memoir, part clowning and all simply wonderful in "Humor Abuse", currently playing at the Seattle Rep.

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.

Jeff McCarthy, who most recently appeared on Broadway in CHICAGO, visited the David Letterman show this week. He joked with the late night host that he'll be running for President of the United States in 2012 - check out the announcement of his aspirations below!

Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) announces a special FREE reading of Safe Home, a play by New York City (NYC) playwright/actor and Buffalo native Sean Cullen. The reading will be presented at 7:30 PM on Friday, November 4 th , 2011 at the Road Less Traveled Theater in Downtown Buffalo.