Seattle Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 31

BWW Review: Strawberry Theatre Workshop's THE BIRDS Creeps in Good and Bad Ways
by Jay Irwin - January 23, 2016

First off if you're expecting to see a Tippi Hedren lookalike being chased by animatronic birds in Strawberry Theatre Workshop's current production of "The Birds" then you'll be quite disappointed. This is not an adaptation of Hitchcock's film but of Daphne du Maurier's book. But even though we ne...

BWW Review: Theatrical CRIMES OF THE HEART-less at Village Theatre
by Jay Irwin - January 23, 2016

In Beth Henley's play "Crimes of the Heart", currently playing at Village Theatre, the character of Meg says, "To talk about our lives. It's an important human need." Well an important theatrical need is for the characters in a play to listen to each other and not just wait for their next bit but ...

BWW Review: Seattle Shakes' TITUS ANDRONICUS More Than Just Bloody
by Jay Irwin - January 18, 2016

Power shifts, betrayal, adultery, rape, murder and lots and lots of blood. No it's not the latest Tarantino film but it might as well be as Seattle Shakespeare Company puts up their latest effort, "Titus Andronicus" but with a dark and edgy grindhouse feel. But beyond all the blood there's still s...

BWW Review: Edgily Funny and Heartfelt MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT from WET
by Jay Irwin - January 17, 2016

As you may know, Dear Readers, I recently criticized another currently running show for having shock for shock sake with not enough narrative. So when I see a title like "The Motherf**ker with the Hat", the current offering from Washington Ensemble Theatre, I get a little worried that I may be in f...

BWW Review: Shocking and Powerful DISGRACED at Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - January 14, 2016

In theater, as with any art form, playwrights can walk a fine line between telling a riveting and honest story and saying things simply for shock value. Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize winning play "Disgraced", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, walks that line. And while on the whole this extreme...

BWW Review: ReAct's PRELUDE TO A KISS Lacks Spark
by Amelia Reynolds - January 12, 2016

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, ReAct performs 'Prelude to a Kiss' in this updated, ethnically diverse adaptation directed by David Hsieh.. Twenty-somethings Peter and Rita fall in love and decide to get married after six weeks. Their basking in the honeymoon phase of their relationship takes a tu...

BWW Review: Say 'Hello' to the New Year with THE BOOK OF MORMON at The Paramount
by Jay Irwin - January 01, 2016

That unstoppable juggernaut that is 'The Book or Mormon' is back in Seattle and just as deliciously fun as ever. We all know how good the show is. We all know we're going to laugh our butts off at the crass humor while falling in love with the wonderful characters and infectious musical theater go...

BWW Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Paramount a Tale as Old as Time
by Amelia Reynolds - December 12, 2015

First off, it feels superfluous for me to be reviewing this production, for the show is only running for two more days, so before you continue reading, buy your tickets to see it first.*...

BWW Review: Forced RUTH AND THE SEA from Pacific Play Company Offers No Resolution
by Jay Irwin - December 12, 2015

In Horton Foote's beautiful play "A Trip to Bountiful" we care about the journey because we care about Carrie and the characters around her. Unfortunately in Morgan Ludlow's new play "Ruth and the Sea", currently playing at Annex Theatre from Pacific Play Company, we have few chances to get to know...

BWW Review: Christ and Santa Humanized in FOR CHRISTMAS at West of Lenin
by Amelia Reynolds - December 11, 2015

I stepped into the West of Lenin Studio, glancing around the room to try and find a place to sit. Unfortunately, all of the cardboard boxes were taken, but I did snag an antique chair not unlike the one my mom brought up from our old basement anytime we had more than ten dinner guests. I was one of ...

BWW Review: SNOWGLOBED at West of Lenin is Bad Kitsch
by Amelia Reynolds - December 10, 2015

Full disclosure: I had to emotionally prepare myself for 'SnowGlobed' because, admittedly, I find most holiday pieces saccharine and disingenuous. Although collectively 'SnowGlobed's five short plays were irreverent and dark-which resonates with me much more, being the Grinch that I am-unfortunately...

BWW Review: Seattle Rep's JINKX MONSOON & MAJOR SCALES: UNWRAPPED a Smashed Hit
by Amelia Reynolds - December 08, 2015

Cynical tributes to the holidays can easily fall into cliches, feeling as stale as the fruitcake they mock, but Seattle Repertory Theatre's Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: Unwrapped was a bejeweled middle finger to Christmas that, ultimately, was touchingly sincere. Back by popular demand, the drag du...

BWW Review: Static but Still Fun EMMA at Book-It Repertory
by Jay Irwin - December 07, 2015

It's been 200 years since Jane Austen's incorrigible matchmaker "Emma" first came on the scene in print and since has spawned film versions, adaptations and has never been out of print since its release. And while the current adaptation from Book-It Repertory Theatre keeps the mischievousness and a...

BWW Review: Holiday-ish Hilarity in HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS at ACT
by Jay Irwin - December 07, 2015

Everyone has their own personal hallmarks that the holiday season has arrived. For some it's catching that favorite movie on TV such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Sound of Music", for others it might be heading downtown to see the lights and carolers. But for me in my own warped and twisted w...

BWW Review: The Hills Are Alive with Character in 5th Ave's SOUND OF MUSIC
by Jay Irwin - December 04, 2015

Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The Sound of Music' is one of those mainstays of the American Musical Theater canon that has endured over the years. Pretty much anyone with a passing interest in musical theater has seen it in some form whether the Julie Andrews film, countless stage productions or even ...

BWW Review: Emotionally Transcendent COME FROM AWAY at Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - November 19, 2015

Dear Readers, for those that may only read the beginnings of my reviews, I must start off this by telling you to stop reading this right now and go get tickets to the new musical "Come From Away" currently at the Seattle Rep. After you have done that you can come back and read the rest of this. I'...

BWW Review: SCT's CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Soars
by Jay Irwin - November 16, 2015

As a kid I remember being absolutely thrilled when the stars would align and something wonderful would come on to the afternoon movie like "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" or "The Wizard of Oz" or the magical "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Well that fantasmagorical, fuel burning oracle is back a...

BWW Review: Geeky SHOGGOTHS ON THE VELDT From Rogues Gallery Suffers Pacing Issues
by Jay Irwin - November 16, 2015

Attention nerds! There's now a theater company in town for us! And I don't mean musical theater nerds or drama nerds but good old fashioned Sci-Fi/Fantasy nerds. Fledgling company The Rogues Gallery has come onto the scene and promises Geek Theater. And their inaugural production, "Shoggoths on ...

BWW Review: Copious Love's CODENAME: KANSAS, WITCH HUNTER a Knockout
by Amelia Reynolds - November 10, 2015

When I was young, my father told me about when his father saw The Wizard of Oz for the first time on the big screen, and how, for the first time, he, as a young boy, saw a cinematic world unfold before his eyes in technicolor. That awe, that feeling of being completely dazzled and hypnotized by some...

BWW Reviews: Village's MY FAIR LADY Is Just Loverly
by Jay Irwin - November 09, 2015

Lerner and Loewe's "My Fair Lady" is one of those enduring classics that when done correctly can amount to a magical evening. But to do it correctly there's a shopping list of elements you must have such as a terrific and upbeat pace, lively and fun choreography, breathtaking costumes and of course...

BWW Review: Reality Is Served in ArtsWest's MY MANANA COMES
by Amelia Reynolds - November 06, 2015

I do not enjoy watching scary movies because I cannot remove myself from the horror that is being screened before my eyes. I can, however, appreciate a well done scary movie when thrilling realism draws me in to a point of no return. That is how I felt when I saw ArtsWest's My Mañana Comes....

BWW Review: Somewhat Flat and Unengaging MOTHER COURAGE from Seattle Shakes
by Jay Irwin - November 05, 2015

The works and style of Bertolt Brecht, such as "Mother Courage and Her Children" currently being offered from Seattle Shakespeare Company, is not for everyone nor is it always easy for the audience. With his distanced and jarring style and bleak narratives, Brecht is not what you would call a fun n...

BWW Review: Life Choices that Require a Diva in IF/THEN at the Paramount
by Jay Irwin - November 04, 2015

When I first saw "If/Then" in New York I thought the same thing I think now, "Cute show but it'll never make it without Idina Menzel since the show is basically a vehicle for her." Well, I guess the producers of the tour agreed with me since more than half of the original leads including Menzel are...

BWW Review: The Annex Theatre's MY DEAR MISS CHANCELLOR Slays with Rapier Wit
by Amelia Reynolds - November 04, 2015

When I heard that The Annex Theatre was putting on a play about a 19th century club of fencing lesbians, I figured I was in for a night of camp and euphemisms. Although that direction would have surely been entertaining, Elizabeth Hershly's world premiere of My Dear Miss Chancellor by Caitlin Gilman...

BWW Review: Gripping Family Drama in New Century's FESTEN
by Jay Irwin - November 01, 2015

New Century Theatre Company, hot off their Gregory Award win for Theatre of the Year, has once again shown why they're one of the best in town with their truly affecting production of "Festen". Where other companies might have put on a passable show, New Century Theatre Company gives a gripping and...