Seattle Theater Reviews

BWW Reviews: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM from Seattle Shakespeare Company

There are many words I can use to describe Seattle Shakespeare Company's current production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". But the one word that kept popping up so many times while watching it was "HOT!" This production is just plain hot as director Sheila Daniels has put together a fearless production that puts in all the love, lust and sex you could ask for while also throwing in a bit of a twist and still keeping Shakespeare's ethereal comedy true to itself and fun as hell. (more...)

BWW Reviews: SAVING AIMEE at the 5th Avenue Theatre

Saint or Sinner? That's the question that the latest new musical tryout at the 5th Avenue Theatre is wanting us to answer with the bio-musical, "Saving Aimee". Problem is, as charismatic and engaging as the lead is, the book and songs don't engage enough to care for the answer. (more...)

BWW Reviews: DOG SEES GOD from Balagan Theatre

I guess it's just human nature to wonder what became of our beloved childhood icons when they grow up. Owe it to some sense of fictional closure if you must. And such is the subject of Balagan Theatre's season opener "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" by Bert V. Royal and directed by M. Elizabeth Eller as we look at the Peanuts gang as they are allowed to progress beyond their childlike state into angst ridden young adulthood. Unfortunately the current production tends to focus on the angst and not so much on the adulthood. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BLUE MAN GROUP at the Paramount

OK, so I find it an interesting coincidence that there are two (kinda) clowning shows in town right now. "Humor Abuse" over at the Rep (which I reviewed a few days ago) and now the tour of "Blue Man Group" over at the Paramount. And really the two couldn't be more different from each other. While "Humor Abuse" is subtle and sweet, "Blue Man Group" is loud and in your face. And while the latter is definitely fun, I think I prefer the former. (more...)

BWW Reviews: HUMOR ABUSE at the Seattle Rep

Many of us think of our families as a big circus but Lorenzo Pisoni has special insight on the real thing as he had to run away from home in order to NOT be in the circus. Drawing from his memories growing up in the Pickle Family Circus, Pisoni and director Erica Schmidt have concocted a show that is part memoir, part clowning and all simply wonderful in "Humor Abuse", currently playing at the Seattle Rep. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE CRYPTOGRAM at Seattle Public Theater

On the surface, Seattle Public Theater's current production of David Mamet's "The Cryptogram" is a simple family drama. But then, this is Mamet and nothing is simple. Especially when you add in his glorious language and it goes from simple story to sublime dance of words. And while I enjoyed the language and the Mamet-ness of it all, I ultimately walked away more than a little confused. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BONSOIR LILIANE! At Teatro ZinZanni

One part circus, one part play, one part performance art and a dash of improv for good measure, put all that together and you have Teatro ZinZanni. And for those that have never seen a Teatro ZinZanni show before (as I was before the other night) you may be a little put off by the price tag. But remember this is a show AND dinner. And if their current show "Bonsoir Liliane!" is any indication, then it's well worth it. A magical evening from beginning to end filled with hilarity, breath taking feats, and a sumptuous meal. What more could you ask for? (more...)

BWW Reviews: TAKE ME AMERICA at Village Theatre

Not since "Contact: The Musical" have I seen such an ill conceived new musical roll into town. But the latest new musical to get a mainstage run at Village Theatre brought up from their "Village Originals Festival"; "Take Me America" is just that. (more...)

BWW Reviews: MARY STUART at ACT

Political intrigue, shifting loyalties and two powerhouses vying for victory over the other while advisors whisper their own agendas in their ears. No, it's not the upcoming Presidential campaign although one does resonate with the other. No, this is ACT's production of "Mary Stuart" directed by Victor Pappas and starring two grande dames of local theater, Anne Allgood and Suzanne Bouchard. And with this much history and pedigree on stage, what you end up with is a cutting machination woven together with humor, heart and venom. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE PAJAMA GAME at Seattle Musical Theatre

Seattle Musical Theatre is starting off their new season of musicals through the decades with the 50's tuner, "The Pajama Game" by George Abbott, Richard Bissell, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and direction from local theater veteran David Edward Hughes. With an evening full of fun and frothy numbers the watchword for the evening could really only be described as "hot" but in both good and bad ways. (more...)

BWW Reviews: NEW VOICES 11 from Contemporary Classics

Last night the incredible talent from Contemporary Classics stepped up to the mic once more for the 11th installment of their wildly popular "New Voices" series, spotlighting new works from composers around the country. Some local composers and some abroad, some new-ish pieces and some brand spankin' new for this show, Host Brandon Ivie and Music director R.J. Tancioco gathered together some of the most obscenely talented performers in the area to blow the doors off ACT Theatre and there was not a door standing when they were done. (more...)

BWW Reviews: LES MISERABLES at the 5th Avenue Theatre

There's really nothing like the first time you see one of your favorite shows. The first time I saw "Hairspray" I leapt to my feet on the final note. The first time I saw "West Side Story" I was on the edge of my seat for these tragic lovers. And the first time I saw "Les Miserables" I wept through the entire thing. There really is nothing like the first time. And the 5th Avenue's current touring production of "Les Miserables" is really nothing like my first time. With its complete lack of subtlety and heart, the only thing it has going for it is the amazing voices singing these wonderful songs. (more...)

BWW Reviews: IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY at ACT

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. (more...)

BWW Reviews: PORGY AND BESS at the Seattle Opera

Right from the first few notes of the overture, whether you're familiar with the show or not, a musical theater lover's ears will register the familiar lilt of a Gershwin melody reminiscent of "Rhapsody in Blue" and cause you to settle in your seat a little more with a contended sigh. At least that's what happened to this musical theater lover as he ventured just a little outside his normal realm and into the world of opera to catch Seattle Opera's breathtaking production of "Porgy and Bess". (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE STRANGE MISADVENTURES OF PATTY … at Annex Theatre

If there's one thing that irritates me more than anything else it's someone else's therapy on stage. If it's wrapped up in an engaging story then I'm willing to overlook a lot but when it's just an author working out their issues for all to see, then don't waste my time. And while Annex Theatre's current show "The Strange Misadventures of Patty, Patty's Dad, Patty's Friend Jen, and a Whole Bunch of Other People" isn't completely camped out on the psychologists couch and has some really wonderful performances and moments, at times it felt a little forced and self indulgent. (more...)

BWW Reviews: ADVENTURES IN MATING at Theater Schmeater

Do you remember those Choose Your Own Adventure books like "The Cave of Time" from when you were a kid? The kind that would give you choices on how the story would continue like, "If you continue toward the ranch, turn to page 8. If you go back into the cave, turn to page 10." Well, Theater Schmeater's current production of "Adventures in Mating" by Joseph Scrimshaw has taken that formula and amped it up into a hilarious and rollicking evening where the audience decides the fate of two lonely people on a blind date. (more...)

BWW Reviews: ALADDIN at the 5th Avenue Theatre - Very Disney Park

Take a much beloved Disney hit animated musical written by the incomparable Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and turn it into a big flashy Broadway musical directed by recent Tony award winner Casey Nicholaw fresh off 'The Book of Mormon'. Sounds like a no brainer, right? What can go wrong? Well, plenty as is evidenced by the 5th Avenue Theatre's most recent pre-Broadway tryout, 'Aladdin' which more resembles a Disney park show than a legit stage musical. (more...)

BWW Reviews: MELANCHOLY PLAY from STAGEright

One of Seattle's younger theater companies is really starting to show its maturity. At only two years old STAGEright Theatre has shown it can consistently put on quirky, engaging and underdone pieces, with a minimal production budget and do them well. And their latest endeavor, "Melancholy Play" by Sarah Ruhl, is no exception. (more...)

BWW Reviews: PROJECT: B-MOVIE from Wing-It Productions

Look out! The aliens are coming! … or the monsters … or the mysterious virus … or the woodchucks? Well which is it? That's one of the questions Wing-It productions is attempting to answer with their latest improv show "Project: B-Movie". And while it seemed to be a bit of an off night for the gifted performers the night I attended, there were still some hilarious touches, innovative staging and lots of laughs. (more...)

BWW Reviews: PILGRIMS MUSA AND SHERI IN THE NEW WORLD at ACT

There are very few new and original stories in the world today. Most things are just a rehash or new take on the familiar formula. Boy meets girl and complications arise. This is the standard romantic comedy premise that's been around since Tarzan met Jane or Tracy met Hepburn. Such is the case with the culture clash romantic comedy from Yussef El Guindi, "Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World" currently at Seattle's ACT. With crisp and engaging dialog, El Guindi has taken an interesting new spin on the same old formula. (more...)

BWW Reviews: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Boxcar Theatre

In this world that we call theater, there are three main things devotees look for. First, you need a good script. Well, as anyone familiar with the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken knows, this show has one of the best scripts around. Plus you want a good cast and the performers at the Boxcar have shown they are beyond simply good. And finally you want a director that can take that script and those performers and guide and stage them in such a way that it makes the whole thing come alive and if they can do that in a way that no one has done before and still stay true to the piece, then all the better. So with those elements you at least want one of them. If you have two, you're in for a good night. But when you have all three, as is the case with Boxcar's production, all you can do is hold on and brace yourself for an experience that will stay with you for years to come. (more...)

BWW Reviews: TALES OF THE CITY: A NEW MUSICAL at American Conservatory Theater

It's very hard to stay objective when a favorite story of yours is taken to a new medium and not used to its fullest potential. Unfortunately, dear readers, such was the case of my latest journey outside of Seattle to see some things that the rest of the country has to offer theatrically. But I'll try to remain objective while discussing American Conservatory Theater's production of "Tales of the City: A New Musical" that I witnessed in San Francisco. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE ALL-NEW ANITA GOODMAN EXPERIENCE: SEASON FINALE at the Jewel Box Theater

I love a good drag show. There, I've said it. When all the elements of good music, glitzy costumes and performers with well thought out characters and storylines hit the stage, you cannot ask for a better evening. This is why bad drag shows are all the more painful to me. Unfortunately my attendance at the Season Finale of "The All-New Anita Goodman Experience" fell more into the latter category. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE GENE POOL at Annex Theatre

In these ever changing days of what it is to be a family, we are seeing more and more portrayals in entertainment of same sex couples raising children. Such is the case with the latest endeavor from fledgling theater company Arouet with Christi Stewart-Brown's "The Gene Pool". And while the play itself doesn't really have anything groundbreaking or even new to say about families, same sex or otherwise, the production here infuses it with an engaging pace and contains some truly natural and honest performances. (more...)

BWW Reviews: RESERVOIR DOLLS at Theater Schmeater

Guns, blood, torture and all the f-bombs you'd expect from a Quentin Tarantino film. But this heist isn't on screen; it's on the stages of Theater Schmeater as they present the Seattle premiere of Erika Anne Soerensen's gender bending parody of Tarantino's first film with "Reservoir Dolls". Beyond being an interesting take on juxtaposed gender roles, it's also an opportunity to see some local Seattle actresses sink their teeth into some iconic male roles and inhabit themselves with these violent characters. (more...)