Island Shakespeare Festival

by Amelia Divine - June 13, 2026

One-person productions are typically autobiographical: the performer teaches the audience about themself, as themself. But this seemingly “direct” approach is often not actually revealing, where an artist performs a ritualized series of autobiographical anecdotes that fit into the form’s genre...

by Shelley Dean - June 02, 2026

There’s a reason Blue Man Group has been beloved for nearly 40 years: their show is pure fun. Packed with electrifying percussion performances, inventive visual storytelling, and laugh-out-loud-worthy comedy, the group's North American tour continues to delight audiences, and their stop at The Par...

by Jay Irwin - May 23, 2026

Dear Readers, the bio-musical is a tricky thing. Some love them, some hate them. For me, it all depends on if you have an affinity for the music of the subjects, plus it needs a strong book. And then there’s the current show from Village Theatre, “We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Pa...

by Shelley Dean - May 18, 2026

It’s almost unbelievable for me to admit that this was my first time seeing The Phantom of the Opera. Of course, I knew the iconic songs and had seen countless clips over the years, but experiencing the production live on stage for the first time was entirely different, haunting, and spine-chillin...

by Erica Miner - May 03, 2026

The production, with its flamboyantly portrayed characters and colorful background, fulfilled the most crowd-pleasing elements of the work...

by Jay Irwin - April 16, 2026

Dear Readers, why do we like shows about dysfunctional families? I posit that it’s one of two reasons. Either we are reveling in knowing that your family isn’t that bad or watching as more of a catharsis of seeing a family like yours get through their dysfunction. Playwright Branden Jacobs-Je...

by Shelley Dean - April 09, 2026

Few shows carry the legacy and emotional weight of Les Misérables. With sweeping, unforgettable melodies and a story that has resonated across generations, the 2026 National Tour delivers a theatrical experience that leaves audiences deeply impacted. The Paramount Theatre is fortunate to host one o...

by Jay Irwin - March 28, 2026

Dear Readers, “Grease” may be the word at Village Theatre right now, but don’t expect to hear that song from the movie, as the movie does stray from the original stage show from Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. But we’ll get into that in a bit....

by Jay Irwin - March 26, 2026

Dear Readers, we’ve all had to, or will have to, deal with an ailing loved one. But with luck that span where we devote extra time and care or even time in the hospital will be temporary and brief. A broken bone or a minor surgery, if the gods are kind. But what happens when that medical malady be...

by Shelley Dean - March 07, 2026

To no one's surprise, Patti LuPone delivers an extraordinary performance. With her undeniable stage presence, powerful voice, and a heartfelt program, her one-woman show, Matters of the Heart, captivated the audience at Benaroya Hall in Seattle on February 27. From the moment she stepped onto the st...