Seattle Theatre + Broadway News

BWW Reviews: ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE at Theater Schmeater

(5/19/2012) England in the 1960’s may not have been able to get away with overt displays as we can today but that doesn’t mean they were any less randy. And that’s half the fun with Joe Orton’s play, “Entertaining Mr. Sloane” currently playing at Theater Schmeater. They can’t come right out and say what they all want from Mr. Sloane but the double and sometime triple entendres and skirting of the real issue makes for a naughtily fun evening.

Mirror Stage Presents Reading of Mia McCullough's THE ANATOMY OF PAIN, May 19-20

(5/19/2012) Mirror Stage presents the West Coast premiere reading of Mia McCullough's The Anatomy of Pain tonight, May 19 at 8pm and tomorrow, May 20 at 2pm at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in Seattle. Feed Your Mind: The Anatomy of Pain will be directed by Suzanne M. Cohen and feature McKenzie Clifford (Maty), Ryan Dominguez (Detective Gutierrez), Macall Gordon (Grace), TRoy Johnson (Lt. Burch/Bruce), Eleanor Moseley (Nancy) and John Wray(Fredrik).

The Service Board Presents the Youth Developed 'tSBack to the Future Arts Showcase' Today, 5/19

(5/19/2012) The youth of The Service Board (tSB) invites the community to their annual youth arts showcase a at the EMP's level 3 venue today, May 19th from 1-4pm.

Kirkland Arts Center Presents LOCAVORE Today, 5/19

(5/19/2012) LOCAVORE celebrates local creativity in art, fashion, food and wine today, May 19th, 2012 at the Kirkland Arts Center, Gallery Wine and Art and Kirkland Masonic Lodge (all locations share the corner of Market Street and 7th Ave). Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with a 1:30 p.m. fashion show.

Win Tickets to See IL DIVO in Concert!

(5/18/2012) The world's foremost classical crossover quartet IL DIVO is set to embark on its 2012 world tour, the group's fourth, which follows the release of the quartet's latest album, Wicked Game (on Syco/Columbia Records) and provides a new mark of achievement for the signature vocal blend and unique operatic arrangements which have captivated millions and launched a classical-crossover sensation. To celebrate the kick-off of this much-anticipated world tour, BroadwayWorld invites you to enter for a chance to WIN ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to see IL DIVO live in concert!

Azeotrope Presents JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN, 6/15-30

(5/18/2012) After an impressive debut with their production of Red Light Winter in 2010, Seattle theatre company Azeotrope is proud to announce a second production with the Northwest premiere of Jesus Hopped the A Train by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Artistic Associate Desdemona Chiang. Jesus Hopped the A Train opens Friday, June 15, 2012 through June 30, 2012 and is produced in association with Central Heating Lab at A Contemporary Theatre.

STG Announces Upcoming Events: The Gaslight Anthem and More

(5/18/2012) Seattle Theatre Group (STG) announces the following concerts going on sale this week.

Captain Smartypants' A PANTY LINE Plays Erickson Theatre, Now thru 5/26

(5/18/2012) For over a hundred years, Broadway has been delighting, inspiring, and irritating people all over the world. No subset of humanity has been more attuned to the songs, stars, hits and flops than gay men. Beginning tonight, May 18, for four performances only, Captain Smartypants (CSP) a small ensemble of Seattle Men’s Chorus, will take this premise to task with A Panty Line: their twisted take on some of the best, worst, and funniest moments from The Great White Way.

eSe Teatro Joins Seattle Center in 'Next 50' with Mask Workshop Today, 5/18

(5/18/2012) eSe Teatro: Seattle Latinos Take Stage, Seattle's Latino Theatre Collective, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World Fair by participating in The Next Fifty Celebration. One of the few (and only Latino) artistic and cultural organizations chosen by the Seattle Center Foundation for funding, eSe Teatro has created a series of inclusive artistic programs.

Photo Flash: Promo Shots from Taproot Theatre's LEAVING IOWA, Opening Tonight, 5/18

(5/18/2012) Taproot Theatre presents the regional premiere of Leaving Iowa. Written by Tim Clue and Spike Manton and directed by Karen Lund, Leaving Iowa opens tonight, May 18 and runs through June 16. See promo shots of the cast below!

WICA Presents THE RURAL CHARACTERS Concert Benefit, 5/18-19

(5/18/2012) The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Theater Series presents The Rural Characters, in concert to benefit the WICA Local Artist Series, May 18-19, 2012, shows areat 7:30 pm.

Marc Bamuthi Joseph Presents red, black & GREEN: a blues, 5/30-6/2

(5/16/2012) A multi-disciplinary performance piece created by Marc Bamuthi Joseph provokes audiences to re-envision the green movement and what it means to live green by considering critical social and environmental factors. red, black & GREEN: a blues (rbGb), part of The Living Word Project, take place May 30 – Jun 2 at the Intiman Playhouse as part of The Next Fifty in partnership with Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas and Seattle Art Museum.

Studio East to Present THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, 7/27-29

(5/16/2012) Due to high demand from a wider age range of Eastside teens, Studio East will change its summer musical offering from Legally Blonde the Musical to the Tony award-winning Thoroughly Modern Millie.

BWW Reviews: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at The Paramount

(5/16/2012) When will they learn that simply putting the music of some notable singers on stage without a decent script to back it up does not a good musical make? It’s didn’t work for “Good Vibrations” it didn’t work for “Lennon” and it doesn’t work for “Million Dollar Quartet” currently playing at the Paramount Theatre. The only things saving this show are the fact that the incredible performers are playing their own instruments and that there’s enough nostalgia on stage to choke a horse. But is that enough?

10th Annual 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theater Announces Nominees - Ceremony June 4

(5/16/2012) 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.

Kirkland Arts Center Presents LOCAVORE, 5/19

(5/15/2012) LOCAVORE celebrates local creativity in art, fashion, food and wine Saturday, May 19th, 2012 at the Kirkland Arts Center, Gallery Wine and Art and Kirkland Masonic Lodge (all locations share the corner of Market Street and 7th Ave). Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with a 1:30 p.m. fashion show.

WICA Presents THE RURAL CHARACTERS Concert Benefit, 5/18-19

(5/15/2012) The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Theater Series presents The Rural Characters, in concert to benefit the WICA Local Artist Series, May 18-19, 2012, shows areat 7:30 pm.

XANADU and GODSPELL Set for ArtsWest Musical Theater Academy

(5/15/2012) Spots are still available for the Musical Theater Academy. Designed for kids ages 8-12, this year’s performance will be Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. August 1-5. This rock musical revue is based on the Emmy Award winning 1970s TV series Schoolhouse Rock, featuring the songs "Conjunction Junction," "Just a Bill," and "A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing." Directed by Kate Jaeger, Kody Bringman, Becca Orts and Lindsey Larsen. Call 206-938-0963 x102 to apply.

The Service Board Presents the Youth Developed tSBack to the Future Arts Showcase, 5/19

(5/15/2012) The youth of The Service Board (tSB) invites the community to their annual youth arts showcase a at the EMP's level 3 venue on Saturday, May 19th from 1-4pm.

Hard Rock Cafe - Seattle Presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Live Performance Today, 5/15

(5/15/2012) Live at Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, the cast of “Million Dollar Quartet” will perform an exciting preview performance of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

Photo Flash: Promo Shots from Taproot Theatre's LEAVING IOWA

(5/14/2012) Taproot Theatre presents the regional premiere of Leaving Iowa. Written by Tim Clue and Spike Manton and directed by Karen Lund, Leaving Iowa opens on May 18 and runs through June 16, with previews on May 16 and 17. See promo shots of the cast below!

STG Announces Upcoming Events: Alberta Cross and More

(5/14/2012) Seattle Theatre Group (STG) announces the following concerts going on sale this week.

Cornish College of the Arts Awards 2012 Honorary Degrees to Mike Daisey, et al. Today, 5/13

(5/13/2012) Monologist Mike Daisey has been selected to receive an honorary degree from Cornish College of the Arts and will also deliver the commencement address to the class of 2012. In addition to Mr. Daisey, artist, designer, and technologist Chris Csikszentmihályi; pianist Christopher O’Riley; and renowned artist Betye Saar will also receive honorary degrees. They will be presented by President Nancy J. Uscher at the Cornish Commencement Ceremony today, May 13, 2012 at 2 pm

BWW Reviews: I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Oozes Simple Charm at Seattle Musical Theatre

(5/12/2012) Sometimes we just don’t need those big flashy musicals. Sometimes it’s just nice to have a simple little show that you can sit back and let wash over you. Such is the case with the current show out at Seattle Musical Theatre, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”. The perfect little date night show and a production that just oozes with charm.

STAGE TUBE: 'Six Months Out of Every Year' From 5th Avenue's DAMN YANKEES!

(5/11/2012) Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre presents Paper Mill Playhouse's production of Damn Yankees- the story of an aging baseball fan who makes a deal with the Devil so his beloved hometown team can beat the Yankees in the race for the pennant. From the songwriting team of The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees is filled with hit songs including "Two Lost Souls" and the sultry favorite, "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." The creative team includes direction by Mark S. Hoebee (Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director), music direction by Ben Whiteley, and choreography by Denis Michael Jones. Check out 'Six Months Out of Every Year' below!

BWW Reviews: THE PRODUCERS at Village Theatre

(5/11/2012) It’s difficult when you have an iconic show to work with such as “The Producers” currently playing at Village Theatre. The Mel Brooks classic movie turned Mel Brooks mega hit stage musical turned Mel Brooks movie musical is definitely a big piece of musical theater history. Add in huge stars like Gene Wilder, Zero Mostel, Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane to that history and the result of subsequent productions can vary from bland imitation to just plain not in the same league to the other end of the spectrum with spot on awesome, but you’ll always kind of compare with the original. Well, luckily the Village production is on that latter end of the spectrum. With their couldn’t-be-better-if-they-tried cast they manage an amazing show and even a few departures along the way that only made it stronger.

BWW TV Seattle Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of Kristin Chenoweth on Tour!

(5/11/2012) BroadwayWorld Seattle was granted EXCLUSIVE access to Kristin Chenoweth's debut performance of her new (and first ever) tour, which opened in Seattle on Wednesday night ... and received a whopping NINE standing ovations for a show unlike we had ever seen.

Cornish College of the Arts Opens 2012 Art and Design BFA Show Today, 5/11

(5/11/2012) Cornish College of the Arts presents the 2012 Art and Design BFA Show. This annual exhibition showcases the undergraduate thesis work of 30 Art and 39 Design students.

Wrecking Crew Presents Seattle Premiere of PUGILIST SPECIALIST, Now thru 5/19

(5/11/2012) Seattle-based theater ensemble The Wrecking Crew presents Pugilist Specialist, an award winning political theatre piece by Adriano Shaplin, starting tonight, Friday, May 11th. The production will run through Saturday, May 19th, 2012 at Stone Soup Theatre’s DownStage on 4029 Stone Way North (between Fremont and Wallingford).

SecondStory Rep Presents THE INVERSE OPERA This Weekend, 5/11-12

(5/11/2012) SecondStory Repertory presents The Inverse Opera (two-night engagement) tonight, May 11, 2012 at 9pm and Saturday May 12, 2012 at 9pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here or by calling the box office at 425-881-6777.

Review: Kristin Chenoweth in Concert at the Paramount Theatre

(5/10/2012) From “Steel Pier”, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Wicked” to “Four Christmases”, “Glee”, “Pushing Daisies” and her new hit series “GCB” (just to name a few) Kristin Chenoweth has proven herself to be a superstar. And now that super stardom is solidified in stone as she embarks on her nationwide concert tour that rocked Seattle’s Paramount Theater with its premiere.

ACT Announces June Events

(5/10/2012) ACT - A Contemporary Theatre’s Mainstage brings Lewis Black’s comedy to the stage just in time for wedding season.

Seattle Center's Next 50 Food & Waste Day Activities Announced

(5/10/2012) Food & Waste Day, May 12, celebrates local efforts to sustain safe and healthy food and minimize waste far into the future. The day, part of Next 50 Sustainable Futures month, offers a series of fun-filled activities through which Next 50 visitors may explore the local food movement and how we can better grow, prepare and preserve our food resources.

Pony World Theatre to Present BIG STORY SMALL Series, 5/10-12

(5/10/2012) With Big Story Small, Pony World Theatre distills a collection of classic plays into potent, short works. In the company’s second installment of Big Story Small, eight “new” plays have been adapted by local writers and will perform three nights only, tonight May 10 and May 11, and 12 at 8pm at Theatre Off Jackson. The collection is staged with the assistance of puppets, shadows, a tiny orchard, animation, and more. Big Story Small is produced in association with Theatre Off Jackson.

Village Theatre Opens THE PRODUCERS Tonight, 5/10

(5/10/2012) Village Theatre presents Mel Brooks’ multi-Tony award-winning musical production of The Producers. This is the final production in Village Theatre’s 2011-2012 Mainstage Season. Opening night is tonight, May 10 at 8PM.

STG Concerts Presents Kristin Chenowith Tonight, 5/9

(5/9/2012) Seattle Theatre Group presents Kristin Chenoweth in concert tonight, May 9.

Hard Rock Cafe - Seattle Presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Live Performance, 5/15

(5/8/2012) Live at Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, the cast of “Million Dollar Quartet” will perform an exciting preview performance of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

SecondStory Rep Presents THE INVERSE OPERA This Weekend, 5/11-12

(5/8/2012) SecondStory Repertory presents The Inverse Opera (two-night engagement) Friday May 11, 2012 at 9pm and Saturday May 12, 2012 at 9pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here or by calling the box office at 425-881-6777.

Seattle Center Announces 'A Glimpse of China' Festival, 5/19

(5/8/2012) Seattle Center Festál: A Glimpse of China - Chinese Culture and Arts Festival, Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., in Seattle Center Armory/Center House, explores the cultural roots and contemporary influences of China through live performances, cultural displays, hands-on activities, foods, children’s activities, and a lively marketplace.

BWW Reviews: TITLE OF SHOW from Curly Stache and Balagan

(5/8/2012) A show about two nobodies writing a musical about themselves writing the musical they are in. Sounds a bit self-serving and pandering. They even note that in the course of the play and that’s the impression I’ve always had of it from the cast recording. And while I still have that impression to an extent, the current production of “title of show” from Curly Stache Productions and Balagan Theatre showed me a new side of it. A side that’s funny and sweet and for the most part keeps itself from being mired in an endless series of in-jokes.