Seattle Theater Reviews

BWW Reviews: Clever Confusion in DOGG'S HAMLET AND CAHOOT'S MACBETH from Sound Theatre Company

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, you practically have to take a masters class in whatever Tom Stoppard is writing about in order to fully get his plays. Whether is be Shakespeare, Czech History or Mathematics it helps to have some kind of advance knowledge before you sit down. Having said that, while "Dogg's Hamlet and Cahoot's Macbeth" definitely had me saying "Huh?" a few times, what it amounts to is a clever, funny and engaging look at language and power. (more...)

BWW Reviews: STAGEright's ALL IN THE TIMING Filled with Quirky Laughs

The great thing about a show with a series of short plays is that if the current short play just isn't working for you, wait ten minutes and you'll be on to the next one. The greater thing about David Ives' "All in the Timing" is that most of his short plays included are gems. And the greaterer thing about STAGEright's current production of "All in the Timing" is that, for the most part (there was really only one that left me saying "Huh?"), the cast and directors have woven together such a tight and well paced show that there's bound to be something for everyone and plenty of laughs for all. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Clever and Funny Dialog in Book-It's FINANCIAL LIVES OF THE POETS

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. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Vicious Beauty in ACT's OTHER DESERT CITIES

It's a fine line between a biting familial dramedy and diving head first into the realm of back biting reality TV. One lends itself to insightful views on the nature of parent/child dynamics and the other has an overweight little girl spewing forth "Oh no she di'in't" like a circus act to make the viewers feel better and superior about themselves. Luckily Jon Robin Baitz searing play "Other Desert Cities", currently playing at ACT, falls into the category of the former. Yes, the family can get pretty vicious at times but you can also see the heart and compassion through the barbs bringing out the power of the piece. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Classic Vegas Thrills at Teatro ZinZanni's LUCKY IN LOVE

From the sumptuous meal to the hilarious antics to the high flying thrills, you always know you're going to have a stellar time at a Teatro ZinZanni show and their current show "Lucky in Love" is no exception. The story and theme may have been a bit unfocused at times (and that could have just been opening night settling in) but as anyone who's been to a ZinZanni show knows, even an unfocused Teatro ZinZanni show is better than many things out there. (more...)

BWW Reviews: FELA at the Paramount – High Energy Message But Not Enough Story

Musical Theater is a strange animal. It's trying to tell an engaging and evocative story through music. And when you frame that storytelling in the guise of a concert it gets even more difficult as the lyrics of the songs really need to drive that story but it can work ('Passing Strange', 'Hedwig' and 'Altar Boyz' to name a few). Unfortunately 'Fela', currently playing at the Paramount Theatre, does not work in that respect. It's more concert with a little story peppered in and while the cast is certainly talented and the energy is there, much of it felt self indulgent and just too long. (more...)

BWW Reviews: SPT's THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE Explores Love Beyond Words

For a show that is all about words and how to express them correctly, it sometimes feels that Julia Cho's "The Language Archive" could have done a little better expressing them efficiently. Occasionally the show tends to drone on and could have ended a few times. Fortunately the cast in Seattle Public Theater's production is so engaging that those droning moments dissipate quickly and what's left is an intriguingly sweet love story. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Schmeater's TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE! Offers Up The Creepy Mixed With The Sweet

Theatrically speaking, there are few things in this town that are a sure lock of enjoyment. Anything from New Century? Sure. Putting Bobbi Kotula on stage? Hell yes. And any of the 'Twilight Zone: Live!' productions from Theater Schmeater? Damn Skippy! The tall, dark and brooding master of the bizarre, Rod Serling is back to take us into another dimension. A dimension of sight, a dimension of sound and a dimension of a kick ass night of eerie 60's fun that definitely qualifies as one of those sure locks I spoke of. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Arouet's THE TEMPERAMENTALS - Important History Told with Care

In these exciting times where state after state are ratifying same sex marriage laws and teens are taking their same sex boyfriends and girlfriends to school dances, we can sometimes lose sight of the people that fought to break down those barriers to get us where we are today. This is why stories such as the ones presented in the play "The Temperamentals" are so important. And the importance of this production and its stirring slice of history, currently being presented at the Ballard Underground, is not lost on the folks at Arouet as they tell the story with care and compassion. (more...)

BWW Reviews: CHICAGO at Village Has a Cast of Killers!

I've seen it more times than I care to count. Between the movie version, the still running Broadway revival, the touring productions and copious local productions most people have. And why not? 'Chicago' is one of Kander and Ebb's best and most enduring. So when Village Theatre announced it would be closing their season I thought, 'Oh goodie I get to see it AGAIN!' But Director Steve Tomkins has not only assembled one kick-ass cast but they've put their own little twist on it. No, they haven't set it in space or anything but they have returned the glitz, flash and humor to a show that has become known for seductively brooding in the dark. Oh the sex is still there but it's accompanied by a sense of whimsy that makes this production stand apart. (more...)

BWW Reviews: TEAM OF HEROES 3 at Annex Suffers Lack of Pace and Plot

The conclusion of the "Team of Heroes" Trilogy, "Team of Heroes: No More Heroes" currently playing at Annex Theatre has swooped in to save us all, but it could use some saving of its own. Yes, all of your favorite damaged superheroes and super villains are there as well as little gimmicks and tricks to make the audience squeal, but unfortunately the show slowly plods along with no direction or purpose and ultimately fizzles. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Seattle Shake's TAMING OF THE SHREW - A Rip Snortin' Good Time

I've always been leery of transplanting locales and time periods of classic plays just because we can. Naked 'Macbeth', 'Romeo and Juliet' in a high school, cartoon lions in Africa doing 'Hamlet'. Often times it's just to shake things up and lends nothing to the story. But the current production of 'The Taming of the Shrew' from Seattle Shakespeare Company setting those battling lovers in a Trailer Park not only works but is also completely inspired. In an era of reality TV showing rednecks right and left, a story of feuding siblings, ball busting women and swaggering men is a perfect fit. And while I usually hate reality TV for it's mocking of people it feels are inferior, this production shows no hate or contempt for the trailer park set but revels in their joy and boisterousness and invites you to laugh right along WITH them. And laugh you do! (more...)

BWW Reviews: ASSISTED LIVING at ACT Lives Only From Assistance

A few days ago I posted a review for another comedy in town where I commented on the fact that they just don't write farces like they used to. And last night the current production at ACT, "Assisted Living" only served to support that statement. That's assuming this World Premiere play from local playwright Katie Forgette was even trying to be a farce. The show, aside from containing a very thin plot and some highly cliche jokes, suffers from an identity crisis as it's not sure what kind of show it wants to be; farce, political commentary, nostalgia piece, etc. But the show does manage some decent moments largely due to the superb cast not to mention borrowing scenes from good plays. (more...)

BWW Reviews: An Enchanting Evening With THE BOYS NEXT DOOR

Tom Griffin's 'THE BOYS NEXT DOOR' is a tricky script…its subject matter is a group home in the Boston area housing four mentally-challenged adult men; Arnold, Norman, Lucien and Barry. They have a caretaker, Jack, who lives offsite, and the play progresses through a series of vignettes illustrating the challenges of their everyday lives. As depressing as that may sound, the script has many comic moments, and it's a tightrope to balance the humor with the pathos. It was made into a mildly effective television movie in 1996 featuring Nathan Lane, Courtney B. Vance and Mare Winningham. I say 'mildly effective' because the play has an extra layer of difficulty in that the humor is generated by the plight of its characters…the audience laughs at the behavior and reactions of these damaged men, and without careful direction and acting skill, there could be guilt and self-loathing in the laughter rather than charm and warmth. The TV version fell victim to this, but STAGEright Theatre Company presents a beautiful rendering of the show under the direction of Jay D. Irwin. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BLACK WATCH at the Paramount is a Visceral Experience Not To Be Missed

More often than not when you go to see a play you do just that, see it. You attend, enjoy, let it wash over you, but still manage to stay safely detached from any unsettling things that happen during the narrative. But sometimes a play comes along that goes beyond a simple storytelling and takes its audience by the hand and propels them into the story almost allowing them to become a part of it. Sounds pretty cool right? Now imagine that story is the most vicious elements of war. And that will give you an indication of what the current show at the Paramount, "Black Watch" has to offer, a gut wrenchingly intense experience that goes beyond simple theater and leaves its audience shaken in more ways than one. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BOEING BOEING at Seattle Rep - Nicely Naughty Hilarity

They just don't make good door slammer farces like they used to. Perhaps we've lost the sensibilities to come up with new ideas that make these tales of mistaken identity, concealed trysts and ridiculous characters funny. But luckily we still have old chestnuts like "Boeing Boeing", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, and people like director Allison Narver who understand what it takes to bring these tales to life and make them gut-bustingly funny. (more...)

BWW Reviews: FLASHDANCE at the Paramount - What? A Feeling? Nope.

Not since the epic failure that was 'Princesses' at the 5th Avenue have I seen such an abysmal big stage musical with aspirations to Broadway as 'Flashdance - The Musical' currently playing at the Paramount Theatre. There are so many things wrong with this show that I'm not even certain where to begin, but I'll give it a shot. (more...)

BWW Reviews: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Balagan – Stunningly Powerful

If you've seen it you know you love it. "August: Osage County" has got to be one of the most powerful stories to grace the stage in quite some time. And soon everyone will love it as it's about to be turned into a movie due out next November with a powerhouse cast. But until that time you can still visit with the Westons right here in Seattle with the regional premiere of this stunning work brilliantly put up by Balagan Theatre. (more...)

BWW Reviews: EDITH CAN SHOOT THINGS … at SPT a Bit Cliché But Still Touching

Remember those cheesy After School Specials that were on TV when we were young? No? Just me? (Man, I'm old!) Anyway, for those not old enough to remember, they were hour-long specials back in the 80's and 90's that dealt with teen issues such as pregnancy, abuse, and even homosexuality (Ah, "The Truth About Alex"). Well, the current production from Seattle Public Theater, "Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them", has a similar feel to it. And while not as cheesy as those specials of my youth I did find a few moments where I felt like I was 14 again being taught a lesson by the fine folks at ABC. But cheesy or not, the production manages to tell the story with heart and depth. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Theater Schmeater's THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE Shines with Dark Intensity

To say that the current production from Theater Schmeater, "The Gingerbread House" by Mark Schultz, is intense is somewhat of an understatement. In fact this modern day fable doesn't just tell its story so much as it beats you over the head with it. A little long winded at times, this gripping tale will leave you shaken to say the least. In fact I think as I was leaving I said to my theater companion, "I'm a little messed up after that", although I used a more colorful epithet. (more...)

BWW Reviews: GREY GARDENS at ACT Not Quite Up To Expectations

You know when you go on vacation and come across that amazing restaurant that serves one of the most surprising dishes you've ever had that you pine over for years and then you find a restaurant back home that makes the same recipe? And maybe they don't have all the best ingredients or maybe the chef isn't quite as good but it just doesn't live up to the original? Well, unfortunately that's the equivalent of what I witnessed last night at "Grey Gardens" currently at ACT. It's still the same amazing show by Doug Wright, Scott Frankel, and Michael Korie and definitely had some outstanding moments but the whole just didn't quite compare to when I saw it on Broadway with the incredible Christine Ebersole. (more...)

BWW Reviews: TRAILS at Village – A Slow Starter But Worth the Hike

A new musical about two old friends hiking the Appalachian Trail doesn't sound like a dead lock winner does it? I mean, how much can we sing about hiking? And while it does take a bit to really hook into you and at times isn't so sure of its footing, the new musical 'Trails' currently playing at Village Theatre manages to walk off with your heart through some very fine performances. (more...)

BWW Review: Seattle Shakes' LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST - A RomCom That Needs Focus

Sometimes Shakespeare is all about murder and revenge and history and import and sometimes it's just a goofy romp through the ins and outs of the heart. And "Love's Labour's Lost" from the Seattle Shakespeare Company currently playing at the Center Theatre is definitely part of the latter group. Probably the biggest example of Shakespeare at his most frivolous, the production definitely had its shining moments but tended to betray its own story near the end and whether that's the script or the direction, it left me a little wanting. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Powerful Class Warfare in Seattle Rep's GOOD PEOPLE

Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire has made a name for himself as an author who takes those uncomfortable situations and artfully puts them up on stage with heart and humor. Whether dealing with the loss of a child or the loss of memory his crisp dialogue always conveys sincere emotion and a discomfort that's riveting. His recent "Good People" currently playing at the Seattle Rep is no exception. And in addition to Lindsay-Abaire's fantastic script, Director David Saint and the Rep have assembled a superb cast and crafted a truly engaging power struggle between two old friends. (more...)

BWW Reviews: ALTAR BOYZ at Seattle Musical Theatre - Filled With Humor, Heart and Hips

God has heard our prayers. He knew we were all longing for some hot guys to come and teach us all about his divine wisdom and make us laugh along the way. And so he has sent us the Seattle Musical Theatre production of 'Altar Boyz' to show us the path. Not only do they have some incredible voices, sexy gyrations and hilarious characters but these Boyz and director Troy Wageman managed to make the Boyz more personable and empathetic than I've seen in previous productions, making their story all the more meaningful. (more...)