Seattle Theater Reviews Page 2

Review: THE DINA MARTINA CHRISTMAS SHOW at ACT
by Jay Irwin - December 09, 2023

Dear Readers, I am loathed to admit that I’ve never seen one of Dina Martina’s Christmas shows. Hey, I’ve only had 25 years to catch one. I have seen her perform before, way back when at Thumpers on Capitol Hill (back when that existed). Well, she’s back at ACT this year with “The Dina Martina Chris...

Review: MJ at The Paramount Theatre
by Jay Irwin - December 08, 2023

Dear Readers, you know I’m not a fan of the bio musical. Very few get it right with jamming too many songs in or a bad book. Unfortunately, “MJ” the Michael Jackson bio musical currently playing at the Paramount suffers from both of those things, and more....

Review: FELLOW PASSENGERS from Strawberry Theatre Workshop
by Jay Irwin - December 04, 2023

It’s the holiday season, Dear Readers, and you know what that means. Myriad productions of “A Christmas Carol” in the area. Just to name a few, there’s the old, trusty standby production out at ACT. And last week I saw an amazing one man “Christmas Carol” performed by the incredible Allen Fitzpatric...

Review: IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by Jay Irwin - December 02, 2023

Dear Readers, you know I love a good rousing tap number as much as the rest of you. So those old musicals on stage such as “Singing in the Rain”, or “Holiday Inn” are right up my alley. ...

Review: SIBELIUS SYMPHONY NO. 5 at Benaroya Hall
by Erica Miner - December 01, 2023

Two contemporary compositions provided the framework for the haunting, ebullient Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82 by iconic Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in a recent program, performed live in Benaroya Hall on Nov. 16, 2023, and streamed on the innovative Seattle Symphony+ service. Helmed by ...

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Village Theatre
by Jay Irwin - November 18, 2023

First off, Dear Readers, I need to put it out there that “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” is one of the few bio-musicals that gets it right. Sure, it’s got killer music from an icon but the book from Douglas McGrath is, in a word, beautiful. But beyond my affinity for this show, I also need to put...

Review: LITTLE WOMEN at The Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - November 16, 2023

First off, Dear Readers, I want to wish the Seattle Rep a Happy 60th Birthday this week. They’ve had an impressive run. Having said that I wish I had a better Birthday gift for them as their current production of Louisa May Alcott’s classic “Little Women”, as adapted by Kate Hamill, was not all I ho...

Review: HADESTOWN at The Paramount Theatre
by Jay Irwin - November 01, 2023

I know what you’re thinking, Dear Readers. “Didn’t you just review this one?” Yes, it’s only been a little over a year since “Hadestown” came through town. But with the number of people I know personally alone who just could not get tickets last time, I’m not surprised it’s back playing at the Param...

Review: ISLANDER at The Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - October 26, 2023

The Seattle Rep is certainly known for bringing in some rare gems over the years. I still geek out over shows like “The Brothers Size”, “An Iliad”, and of course “Come From Away”. And this season is kicking off brilliantly, in no small part to the shimmering, magical jewel currently playing, “Island...

Review: MISS YOU LIKE HELL from Strawberry Theatre Workshop
by Jay Irwin - October 20, 2023

Dear Readers, I firmly believe that the smaller theaters in the area can accomplish anything that the bigger budget theaters can. Strawberry Theatre Workshop is a prime example of this as I’ve seen some stellar things from them over the years. Unfortunately, their current production of the musical “...

Review: ALCINA at McCaw Hall
by Erica Miner - October 15, 2023

What did our critic think of ALCINA It’s worth going to see for the glorious music and courageous, proficient singing...

Review: CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND from ACT Theatre And The 5th Avenue Theatre
by Jay Irwin - October 06, 2023

Dear Readers, last night I discovered at “Cambodian Rock Band”, the latest collaboration of ACT and the 5th Avenue Theatre, that I am officially a cranky old man. This is an astounding play from an astounding playwright but infused with a rock concert vibe. Now, I’ve never been a concert guy and whi...

Review: THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL at The Can Can
by Jay Irwin - October 05, 2023

Dear Readers, it struck me last night, while watching The Can Can’s current production of “The Hitchcock Hotel” of the intersection of horror, humor and sex. Any horror movie fan knows that a good laugh is the perfect way to release that tension after a good scare. And sex certainly plays a part in ...

Review: PASSENGERS at The Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - September 28, 2023

While watching the opening routine in “Passengers”, currently playing at the Seattle Rep, I found myself seeing a move I knew. We referred to it as a “coffee grinder” in my tap-dancing days and I was totally able to pull it off … when I was nine. Also, that was the only time I watched this incredibl...

Review: SHERWOOD: THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD at Village Theatre
by Jay Irwin - September 22, 2023

Author Ken Ludwig has certainly had a prolific career filled with some wonderful gems, “Crazy for You”, “Lend Me a Tenor”, and “Moon Over Buffalo” to name just a few. So, Village Theatre’s new production of his 2017 work, “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” sounds like a rollicking good time. U...

Review: DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at The 5th Avenue Theatre
by Jay Irwin - September 16, 2023

In these tumultuous theatrical times, it’s of little surprise that The 5th Avenue Theatre would head back under the sea with a remount of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”. I mean, they just did it back in 2016. But it’s a crowd pleaser and I suspect a bit of a cash sea cow so here we are. But I still c...

Review: TINA, THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at The Paramount
by Jay Irwin - September 13, 2023

Dear Readers, I’m thrilled to say that my opinion of “Tina, The Tina Turner Musical”, currently playing at the Paramount, has changed. I saw it way back in 2018 in London and was not impressed. The show, while having tons of talent, also had tons of problems. Fast forward to now and it seems like so...

Review: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at SecondStory Repertory
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - August 15, 2023

DANCING AT LUGHNASA at SecondStory Repertory is a glimpse into the past and a way of life that has disappeared. It is not an idyllic revelry but rather an examination of a time when people who were caught between two wars struggled to find balance amidst many opposing forces. It is a show where the ...

Review: DAS RHEINGOLD at McCaw Hall
by Erica Miner - August 13, 2023

The outstanding cast and provocative production, merged with Wagner’s indisputably monumental music and drama, made this Rheingold a de rigueur happening...

Review: ROMEO & JULIET at GreenStage
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - July 25, 2023

GreenStage brings the classic tale of ROMEO & JULIET to life with wit and charm and heaps of teenage angst. Beneath the canopy of trees, the denizens of Old Verona weave their magic. Whether you are Team Capulet or Team Montague, you’ll enjoy the battle. The timeless tale of love is full of laughs, ...

Review: CRIMSON AND CLOVER at The Can Can
by Jay Irwin - July 21, 2023

The Can Can has never been one to shy away from sexual boundaries. Hell, emcee Jonathan Betchtel will flirt with anyone he lays his eyes on. But now with their new show, “Crimson and Clover”, they’ve ventured into their first unabashedly queer storyline, still with their usual sparkle and humor. And...

Review: THE HELLO GIRLS at Taproot Theatre
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - July 16, 2023

How do you know when a show is really, really good? Often it is something beyond the story, the performance, and the staging that takes you to a place that can only be described as magic. Less than twenty minutes into the show, I leaned over to my theater companion and quietly whispered, “I’m alread...

Review: SIX at The Paramount Theatre
by Jay Irwin - July 13, 2023

Dear Readers, The Queens have arrived at the Paramount with the North American Tour of “Six” and attention must be paid to these divas. Maybe you’ve seen bits on late night shows or performances on the Tonys but there’s nothing like catching this Tony winning show live....

Review: SOLARIS at Book-It Repertory Theatre
by Jay Irwin - June 20, 2023

One thing that can be said about Book-It Repertory Theatre, Dear Readers, is that they know how to surprise and thrill. Their 2016 productions of “The Brothers K” still live rent free in my head. So, when I heard they were tackling a novel such as Stanislaw Lem’s “Solaris”, currently playing at the ...

Review: MORLOT, SEATTLE SYMPHONY CAPTIVATE IN ALL-FRENCH PROGRAM at Benaroya Hall
by Erica Miner - June 05, 2023

This was a hugely demanding program, and Morlot and his musicians together produced an awe-inspiring accomplishment....