Taryn Darr News

The 5th Avenue Theatre welcomes audiences to the first Spotlight Night of the 2014/15 season with a free exclusive preview of the show where hopes and dreams take center stage, A Chorus Line. This Spotlight Night is an evening of story and song exploring what makes A Chorus Line one of the most enduring musicals of all time and the life of creative genius that crafted it. Hosted by Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, Spotlight Night gives the exclusive backstage access and a sneak preview of this groundbreaking hit show.

Seattle / Mainstreet Festival of New Musicals will take over Fremont's West of Lenin Theatre, presenting three brand new musicals, three late-night trivia cabarets, an evening of pitch sessions for fresh, up-and-coming musicals; and a final concert featuring all-Seattle talent performing pieces written by all-Seattle composers!

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are storming The 5th Avenue Theatre in Monty Python's Spamalot, the perfect musical to fight the winter blues. Based on the blockbuster 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this hilarious musical comedy lays siege to Seattle featuring a stellar lineup of local talent including Joshua Carter, Allen Fitzpatrick, Richard Gray, Laura Griffith, Louis Hobson, Greg McCormick Allen, Matt Owen, and Dane Stokinger. Called "Fantastic! Gorgeously silly!" by The New York Post, Spamalot blends cerebral audacity with slapstick absurdity in this wacky version of King Arthur's mythical search for the Holy Grail. Bringing to the stage such classic Monty Python shticks as the Knights Who Say Ni, the killer rabbit, flying cows, and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Your Life," Spamalot is side-splitting fun.

Holy Crap! That's really the most emphatic sentiment I can use to describe the internal battles I had when trying to pick my top picks for this past year. There were so many amazing performances and achievements that to pick just one was almost an impossibility (and as you'll see, WAS an impossibility for one category). But the battle is over and it's my distinct pleasure to announce my picks for the 2013 Broadway World Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (or Jay's Picks, if you prefer).

Little Women - The Broadway Musical, featuring Book by Allan Knee, Music by Jason Howland and Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott and directed by Mathew Wright, will run tonight, November 29th - December 29th, 2013, at ArtsWest. With music direction by Josh Zimmerman and choreography by Taryn Darr.

Little Women - The Broadway Musical, featuring Book by Allan Knee, Music by Jason Howland and Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott and directed by Mathew Wright, will run November 29th - December 29th, 2013, at ArtsWest. With music direction by Josh Zimmerman and choreography by Taryn Darr.

It's one of my favorite weekends of the year. The weekend I get to spend three days listening to exciting new works as presented by some of the best performers Seattle has to offer. And this year Village Theatre did not disappoint as they invited members, performers, staff and press to partake of their Village Originals 13th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Some good, some maybe not so, some needing a little more work than others but all showing a deep love for the art and presented by some of the best voices in town. Now, I can't review them as they're still works in progress but I can tell you about the shows presented over the weekend and let you know about the one show that while still in development is still running one more weekend and can have tickets purchased to by non-members (that would be you, Dear Readers).

It's that time of year again. Time to bust out those shorts and bathing suits and catch the few rays of sunshine we get here in Seattle. But it's also time to catch what Seattle has to offer theatrically this summer. From Shakespeare to big hair to singing nuns and pirates, there's something for everyone. And here are a few top bets for the Seattle Summer.

I've seen it more times than I care to count. Between the movie version, the still running Broadway revival, the touring productions and copious local productions most people have. And why not? 'Chicago' is one of Kander and Ebb's best and most enduring. So when Village Theatre announced it would be closing their season I thought, 'Oh goodie I get to see it AGAIN!' But Director Steve Tomkins has not only assembled one kick-ass cast but they've put their own little twist on it. No, they haven't set it in space or anything but they have returned the glitz, flash and humor to a show that has become known for seductively brooding in the dark. Oh the sex is still there but it's accompanied by a sense of whimsy that makes this production stand apart.

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is tickled pink to present LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL. Having won over audiences across the nation, Elle, Bruiser and friends will make their NSMT debut for a two week limited engagement, opening Tuesday, November 1 -and playing through Sunday, November 13. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is tickled pink to present LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL. Having won over audiences across the nation, Elle, Bruiser and friends will make their NSMT debut for a two week limited engagement, opening Tuesday, November 1 -and playing through Sunday, November 13.

Stephen Buntrock (A Little Night Music) and Kathy Voytko (Next to Normal) will star in The Brain That Wouldn't Die! In 3-D!!! at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show features book and lyrics by T. Sivak and E. Gelman, with music by Sivak. Check out a sneak peek of the show below!

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is tickled pink to present LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL. Having won over audiences across the nation, Elle, Bruiser and friends will make their NSMT debut for a two week limited engagement, opening Tuesday, November 1 -and playing through Sunday, November 13.

Stephen Buntrock (A Little Night Music) and Kathy Voytko (Next to Normal) will star in The Brain That Wouldn't Die! In 3-D!!! at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show features book and lyrics by T. Sivak and E. Gelman, with music by Sivak.

Stephen Buntrock (A Little Night Music) and Kathy Voytko (Next to Normal) will star in The Brain That Wouldn't Die! In 3-D!!! at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show features book and lyrics by T. Sivak and E. Gelman, with music by Sivak. Performances are scheduled for tonight - Oct. 16 at TBG Theater. Tim Drucker (Spidermusical) will direct.

Stephen Buntrock (A Little Night Music) and Kathy Voytko (Next to Normal) will star in The Brain That Wouldn't Die! In 3-D!!! at the 2011 New York Musical Theatre Festival. The show features book and lyrics by T. Sivak and E. Gelman, with music by Sivak. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 6 - Oct. 16 at TBG Theater. Tim Drucker (Spidermusical) will direct.

BROADWAY BARES XX: 'STRIP-OPOLY' featured over 200 of New York's sexiest dancers at Broadway's hottest night in an event produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. BROADWAY BARES was held Sunday, June 20 with two performances only (9:30 PM & Midnight) at Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd Street). BROADWAY BARES XX: 'STRIP-OPOLY' is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

Once again Irving Berlin's holiday classic "White Christmas" comes off the silver screen and to life on stage. But there's no need to go see the New York production when you can see the 5th Avenue's wonderful production right here in Seattle.

The Toronto Star is reporting that Catch Me if You Can, the highly anticipated new Terrence McNally/Marc Shaiman musical, may be having it's out of town try out in Toronto before heading to Broadway.

Once again Irving Berlin's holiday classic "White Christmas" comes off the silver screen and to life on stage. But there's no need to go see the New York production when you can see the 5th Avenue's wonderful production right here in Seattle.