Showtunes Theatre Company produced its first musical in concert on January 22, 2000 at Town Hall in Seattle. That first show was Anyone Can Whistle, a Stephen Sondheim/Arthur Laurents cult favorite that showcased 30+ local performers and musicians and enjoyed a sold-out-one-night-only performance. Now, 20 years and one month to the day, Showtunes has produced 40 musicals in concert, multiple cabarets and special events produced in and around Seattle since January of 2000 on the very stage it all began - Town Hall Seattle.
Oh my! What a year! We've seen bad-ass gospel singers, lost Jewish plays, mythical towns of excretion and even an octopus wrestler or two. No, those aren't allusions to the crazy theater going on in Washington D.C. but the crazy wonderful theater going on right here in the Seattle area. It was tough coming up with just one winner (or even just a few Honorable Mentions) but I managed to do it a?? for the most part. Plus, some shows that more of you should have seen. (Yes, that's me nagging you all, Dear Readers, to check out more of the smaller or obscure theaters around here.) But what it all comes down to is, we're blessed here in the Northwest with an over-abundance of theatrical riches and I'm so fortunate to be able to share some of my favorites of the year with you with the BWW 2019 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks). So, let's get started, shall we?
This winter, Village Theatre will warm the cold and dreary Seattle days with the brassy and colorful iconic crowd pleaser, Guys & Dolls. The second show in their celebratory 40th Anniversary Season, Guys & Dolls will run at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah November 7 a?' December 29, 2019 before moving to the Everett Performing Arts Center January 3 a?' February 2, 2020.
Dear Readers, you may have never heard of the 1996 indie film "The Spitfire Grill". If so then it stands to reason you've never heard of the musical of the same name. Well, Showtunes Theatre Company is here to rectify one of those gaps in your knowledge as they've resurrected the not often done musical and are giving it their usual amazing concert treatment. And with this lovely story and the incredible talent they bring together, the result is a stirring show filled with heart, laughter, and tears and a wonderful little musical that begs to be seen.
Showtunes Theatre Company will continue its new partnership this season with The Cornish Playhouse as they feature a concert production of The Spitfire Grill, with music by James Valcq, lyrics by Fred Alley, and a book by both artists. The Spitfire Grill continues Showtunes' theme for its 19th season, "Underestimated - Stories about Redefining the Rules," and will feature some of Seattle's amazing actresses in this powerful, intimate story of healing and hope. Directed by Jessica Spencer and with music direction by RJ Tancioco, the show will have four performances only: Saturday, May 4 at 8pm, Sunday, May 5 at 2pm, Saturday, May 11 at 8pm, and Sunday, May 12 at 2pm.
Village Theatre is elated to bring Roald Dahl's magical misfit Matilda to the stage in the hit musical that swept up five Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards, and was named TIME's #1 Show of the Year in 2013. The production features an incredible cast of 15 local youth who have been training for their roles in music, acting, and CrossFit since June. They will be joined by some of the Puget Sound's best performers.
Once again, Dear Readers, we've ventured into the realm of one of my favorites. We recently had my all-time number one in town, but I'd have to say Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's "Hairspray", is certainly in the top five with its infectious and rousing score and incredible book from Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. I've seen countless productions including the original cast and even had the honor of being in the show. And now Village Theatre has thrown their wig in the ring with their own production and I have to say in some ways it surpasses all those others. With its Beat, Power, and Humor it's a true show triple threat.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is a vibrant hive of musical theater activity as the projects of NextFest: A Festival of New Musicals have started rehearsals this week. A three-week musical theater intensive development cycle, NextFest has played a role in the creation of musicals ranging from Persuasion by Harold Taw and Chris Jeffries (Taproot Theatre, 2017) to Come From Away by Irene Carl Sankoff and David Hein (Broadway). Nationally recognized for its contribution to the contemporary musical theater cannon, The 5th Avenue Theatre is a celebrated incubator for new musicals. Each year, the nationally renowned theater company connects writers at all stages of development with some of the region's most brilliant performers, giving life to the words on the page and allowing book writers, composers and lyricists to see their work in action. This year's various works are brought to life by Alexandria Henderson, Justin Huertas, Matthew Kacergis, Shaunyce Omar, Brandon O'Neill, Timothy Piggee, Hannah Schuerman, Billie Wildrick and many more.
Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) presents the Broadway classic West Side Story with book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics byStephen Sondheim, and based on a concept ofJerome Robbins. West Side Story will be directed and choreographed by Cassie Abate (CRT's Peter Pan, A Chorus Line, The Music Man) is the final show of the 2016 Nutmeg Sumer Series. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
?Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) announces the casting for their production of the Broadway classic West Side Story with book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and based on a concept of Jerome Robbins. West Side Story will be directed and choreographed by Cassie Abate (CRT's Peter Pan, A Chorus Line, The Music Man) is the final show of the 2016 Nutmeg Sumer Series. Single tickets are currently sale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.
The 5th Avenue Theatre presents Hairspray in Concert, featuring some of Seattle's favorite musical theatre stars and the powerful voices of the 250-member Seattle Men's Chorus.
High school students from across Washington state packed The 5th Avenue Theatre tonight for The 11th Annual 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theater, a high school version of the Tony Awards proudly presented by Wells Fargo. The house was packed with 2,200 teenagers, dressed in costume representing their schools' musical theater productions, who cheered for their peers as they performed musical excerpts and accepted awards honoring top student achievements in musical theater. The acclaimed event, directed this year by Kat Rambsurg, handed out awards in 21 categories ranging from Outstanding Overall Musical Production to Outstanding Lobby Display.
The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced complete casting for Hairspray in Concert, featuring some of Seattle's favorite musical theatre stars and the powerful voices of the 250-member Seattle Men's Chorus. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hairspray's 2002 Broadway debut, this unique concert event will play for six very special performances of glorious and irreverent John Waters-inspired wackiness (Friday-Sunday, June 20-23). In 2002, Hairspray was The 5th Avenue Theatre's first world premiere musical to head for Broadway where it won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Musical and launched The 5th's unprecedented track record for sending new works to New York. Now the smash hit musical comes home, as audiences have never seen it before.
The 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theatre celebrates its tenth anniversary by bringing previous recipients back to the stage to present the next generation of musical theater stars with awards and accolades. The acclaimed program, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is a high school version of the Tony Awards, and allows theater students from across Washington to meet, celebrate, and honor the exceptional musical Theater Productions presented during the 2011-12 school year. The 5th Avenue Awards will be held at 7:00 PM, tonight, June 4, at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
The 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theatre will celebrates its tenth anniversary by bringing previous recipients back to the stage to present the next generation of musical theater stars with awards and accolades. The acclaimed program, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is a high school version of the Tony Awards, and allows theater students from across Washington to meet, celebrate, and honor the exceptional musical theater productions presented during the 2011-12 school year. The 5th Avenue Awards will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday, June 4, at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
After receiving positives reviews from critics and audiences alike - and selling out every performance of its January run - Balagan Theatre brings the coming-of-age rock musical, Spring Awakening, back to Seattle in April, plus a weekend tour to Mount Vernon in May.
After selling out every performance of its January run, the Balagan Theatre will bring the coming-of-age rock musical, Spring Awakening, back to Seattle in April, with a weekend tour to Mount Vernon in May. Check out the production photographs below.
After receiving positives reviews from critics and audiences alike - and selling out every performance of its January run - Balagan Theatre brings the coming-of-age rock musical, Spring Awakening, back to Seattle in April, plus a weekend tour to Mount Vernon in May.
Balagan Theatre has moved into its new home on Capitol Hill, presenting four productions in eight weeks, including the third installment of one-act comedy festival Death, Sex and the return engagement of Broadway (and Seattle) smash-hit musical Spring Awakening.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is pleased to announce the nominees for its ninth annual 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theater, the acclaimed program sponsored by Wells Fargo and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
