Jennifer Sue Johnson

Displaying an all too familiar circumstance Book-It Repertory Theatre is currently presenting their production of Jess Walter's book, 'The Financial Lives of the Poets', in which our hero must survive the pressures of our crumbling economy any way he can. And while the base story may not be the freshest, what it does have going for it is crisp, engaging and very funny dialog infused in a very clever story structure with a relatable protagonist at its core which amounts for a thoroughly enjoyable show.

I have to say that I was already a fan of the storytelling prowess of local director Russ Banham especially since his recent production of "Superior Donuts". Which is why I was all the more optimistic when I heard he was taking on Seattle Shakespeare Company's new translation of Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House". And I'm happy to report, dear readers, that I was not in the slightest disappointed by Banham's crisp and engaging production. Once again he has assembled a stellar cast and crew and molded the story into a rock solid evening of theater.

If for some reason you weren't indoctrinated with "The Cat in the Hat" or any other Dr. Seuss as a child then you have my sympathies. And I mean the original stories and cartoons and not the recent film knock-offs. But for the other 99% of us, we gleefully remember the gripping tales of The Cat, The Lorax, The Grinch and Horton (to name just a few) and have those stories and images burned into our brains. And now Seattle Children's Theatre has come along with their production of this tale of two bored children and a crazy cat with "The Cat in the Hat" and while it may be lacking a bit of spark for this jaded adult, the stunning visuals are all there and the kids ate up the slapsticky staging of it all.

Seattle Shakespeare Company's new Artistic Director George Mount announced the company's programming plans for 2012-2013 that includes an indoor revival of a popular Wooden O production and the return of some favorite artists both on and offstage.

A Contemporary Theatre prepares to stage another scintillating Sarah Ruhl modern masterpiece, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play (July 29-August 28) , a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Play.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre offers up something for everyone! Sarah Ruhl's tender, electric new comedy hit, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play lights up the Mainstage, while the Central Heating Lab keeps things cooking with steamy performances all month long!

Right off the bat let's just get out there what Sarah Ruhl's "In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play" is about. It's in the title for Pete's sake. Yes, the show is about vibrators and their use in the 1880's. Yes, THOSE kinds of devices and activities that usually are not discussed in polite society. So I'll try and be as delicate as I can for my more sensitive readers. But beyond the obvious, the show deals with a small group of people as they come to grips with … er … I mean … get in touch with their … um … DAMN, this is harder than I … uh … well, they discover more about their true feelings. Yes the show is slightly naughty but in a delightful way with depth and humor and ACT's production is presented with beauty and skill.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre offers up something for everyone! Sarah Ruhl's tender, electric new comedy hit, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play lights up the Mainstage, while the Central Heating Lab keeps things cooking with steamy performances all month long!

A Contemporary Theatre prepares to stage another scintillating Sarah Ruhl modern masterpiece, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play (July 29-August 28) , a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Play.

A Contemporary Theatre serves up plenty of new works in the month of July, starting with the continuation of the very sexy, 'very now' World Premiere of Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World by acclaimed local playwright Yussef El Guindi, followed by scorching performances produced from The Central Heating Lab: Pinter Fortnightly, featuring a first for Seattle audiences - a reading of Grace by Doug Lucie; the return of The Love Markets with Summer Nacht; and the debut of REPRESENT!

ACT in conjunction with the 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the Northwest Premiere of "Vanities: A New Musical". Featuring three gorgeous and talented Seattle women, I found it difficult to find anything more to make this show stand out.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, closing at ACT on May 1, 2011.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT -AContemporary Theatre announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011.

ACT in conjunction with the 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting the Northwest Premiere of "Vanities: A New Musical". Featuring three gorgeous and talented Seattle women, I found it difficult to find anything more to make this show stand out.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre are proud to announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011. With a book by Jack Heifner (who wrote the original play on which the musical is based) and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, Vanities: A New Musical focuses on the friendship of three women who journey from high school innocence in the early '60s of the Kennedy era to maturity in the 'me-centered' ‘80s. As the story moves across the decades, their relationship is tested both by the world and each other.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre are proud to announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011. With a book by Jack Heifner (who wrote the original play on which the musical is based) and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, Vanities: A New Musical focuses on the friendship of three women who journey from high school innocence in the early '60s of the Kennedy era to maturity in the 'me-centered' ‘80s. As the story moves across the decades, their relationship is tested both by the world and each other.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre are proud to announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011. With a book by Jack Heifner (who wrote the original play on which the musical is based) and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, Vanities: A New Musical focuses on the friendship of three women who journey from high school innocence in the early '60s of the Kennedy era to maturity in the 'me-centered' ‘80s. As the story moves across the decades, their relationship is tested both by the world and each other.

The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre are proud to announce the Northwest premiere of Vanities: A New Musical, running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011. With a book by Jack Heifner (who wrote the original play on which the musical is based) and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, Vanities: A New Musical focuses on the friendship of three women who journey from high school innocence in the early '60s of the Kennedy era to maturity in the 'me-centered' ‘80s. As the story moves across the decades, their relationship is tested both by the world and each other.

The casting of Vanities: A New Musical, a co-production between The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT Theatre running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011, was announced today.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of Leonard Bernstein's madcap musical On The Town continues performances through May 2, 2010.