Russ Banham News

Seattle Theater Writers, a critics' circle of local theater writers and reviewers, today announces the 2012 slate of nominees of the second annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards, theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters.

Votes are cast, polls are closed, and results have been tabulated! This was our BIGGEST year yet! After a record number of voters in over 30 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is VERY excited to announce the 2012 Seattle Winners! Thanks to all who voted and HUGE congrats to all the winners!

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.

Voting is now underway for the Seattle Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January.

It's been a helluva year for theater in the Seattle area. From the triumphant return of the Intiman with their summer festival to the hugely popular run of "Spring Awakening" from Balagan Theatre Seattle audiences were treated with some amazing shows and performances this past year. And so, allow me to shine the spotlight on some of my favorite outstanding moments from the past year with my 2012 BWW Seattle Critic's Choice Awards.

Every once in awhile a production comes along that completely surprises you. A production that manages to transcend the ordinary and create something special. A production that concocts the perfect alchemist recipe of script, cast and crew to create theatrical gold. Seattle Public Theater's current production of Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" is just such a production.

Seattle Public Theater (SPT) opens its 2012-2013 season with the Seattle Premiere of Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Tracy Letts' urban comedy-drama Superior Donuts running September 28-October 21, 2012 at the historic Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake.

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.

Theater Schmeater kicks off their 2011 season with the West Coast Premiere of "Crooked" by Catherine Trieschmann, a show filled with teen angst, sexual awakenings, revealed secrets and invisible stigmata. With some powerhouse performances the show is a fresh look at the trials of the American teenager, I only wish it had a more definite ending.

Theater Schmeater kicks off their 2011 season with the West Coast Premiere of "Crooked" by Catherine Trieschmann, a show filled with teen angst, sexual awakenings, revealed secrets and invisible stigmata. With some powerhouse performances the show is a fresh look at the trials of the American teenager, I only wish it had a more definite ending.

The political chicaneries of war get a satirical send up in Seattle Shakespeare Company's 1960s-themed production of Henry V. Directed by Russ Banham, Henry V begins previews on April 15 and opens on Friday April 16 at the Center House Theatre. Henry V will run through May 9, 2010.

I met up with Hans in between his Matinee and Evening shows of "An Iliad" on Saturday. In the short time since he arrived here in 1993 to go to school at Cornish College of the Arts (where he graduated in 1996) this 39 year old from Detroit, Michigan has become one of the hot tickets in the Seattle theater scene. But beyond that, he's also a really great guy.

Finishing up their 19th season, the Seattle Shakespeare Company is presenting one of William Shakespeare's most beloved histories (at least it's one of my personal favorites), "Henry V". But this time they have traded in their tunics and swords for uniforms and guns by transplanting it to 1962. And while the show is a solid one I question the decision to retell it in this era.

The political chicaneries of war get a satirical send up in Seattle Shakespeare Company's 1960s-themed production of Henry V. Directed by Russ Banham, Henry V begins previews on April 15 and opens on Friday April 16 at the Center House Theatre. Henry V will run through May 9, 2010.

The political chicaneries of war get a satirical send up in Seattle Shakespeare Company's 1960s-themed production of Henry V. Directed by Russ Banham, Henry V begins previews on April 15 and opens on Friday April 16 at the Center House Theatre. Henry V will run through May 9, 2010.

The political chicaneries of war get a satirical send up in Seattle Shakespeare Company's 1960s-themed production of Henry V. Directed by Russ Banham, Henry V begins previews on April 15 and opens on Friday April 16 at the Center House Theatre. Henry V will run through May 9, 2010.

Seattle Shakespeare Company announced that it has added Sophocles' Electra to the 2009-2010 indoor season. Sheila Daniels, who staged the company's production of Pericles and is Artistic Associate at Intiman, will direct Frank McGuinness' adaptation. Electra replaces the previously announced production of Hamlet.

Seattle Shakespeare Company announced plans for the theatre's 2009-2010 indoor season of plays as well as for a state-wide tour to schools and performing arts centers. The theatre's indoor season at the Center House Theatre at Seattle Center begins in December with a holiday-themed production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.