Sydney Andrews News

In our jaded and cynical world sometimes our inner cup of hope and romance can get a little low and we can use something to refill it. Well never fear romance seekers as ACT's World Premiere production of Steven Dietz's "Bloomsday" is here. This sweet little charmer is bound to fill up the romance cup of even the most jaded among us, at least a little bit.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of Bloomsday by Steven Dietz. Set against the backdrop of James Joyce's masterwork, Ulysses, an American man searches for the Irish woman who first captured his heart 30 years earlier while leading a "Bloomsday" walking tour in Dublin. We meet the couple at different points of their lives, as their younger and present selves. Told with humor, wit and heartache, this buoyant and moving new play commissioned by ACT brings the power and importance of living in the present to the light.

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini AM and leading theatre producer John Frost AM will present a brand new production of Lerner and Loewe's masterpiece My Fair Lady at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House in 2016, celebrating the iconic musical's 60th anniversary. My Fair Lady will be directed by world-renowned actor and director Dame Julie Andrews with choreography by Tony Award-winning Christopher Gattelli (Newsies, The King and I, South Pacific).

Sometimes not even Batman can save you from the atrocities of the world. Such is the case in Book-It Repertory Theatre's current production of Chris Cleave's "Little Bee". With a brutal and visceral tone at times the show manages to show off how the innocent lives of those trod upon in foreign countries can affect the lives of those in Western Civilization.

Every season productions come along that are so good that they remind me why us theater folk perform, produce and see theater. Personally, these are the shows that recharge my theatrical batteries so I can sit through the not so great ones (I'm looking at you "Flashdance: The Musical"). Such a show is the latest installment from The Seagull Project, Chekhov's "The Three Sisters" which manages such clarity of story, intent and meaning that you can practically feel the pain and frustration in the character's lives along with them.

ACT and Director John Langs completely nailed it again and then some. I saw the production last year of ACT's Seattle tradition of "A Christmas Carol" and found myself struck by how well they conveyed this classic tale. And as much as I enjoyed it last year there was something even more magical and special in the air for this year's production (or they spiked my eggnog) as I completely found myself swept away by this incredible show and, yes, crying my eyes out.

Sometimes a fun night is just a dead lock. Such is the case when you take three of Seattle's most gifted and seasoned actors and put them in the off kilter world of a Christopher Durang play as has happed over at ACT with their current production of "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike". I have to admit going in I had very little doubt that I would have a good time with all those elements combined and I was not disappointed. But beyond the sure thing of comedy that resulted what also emerged was a truly thoughtful and resonant look at some ways society has been brought down as it's built up.

Seattle Theater Writers critics' circle presents the winners' slate of the 2013 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards, theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters.

This winter, Mirror Stage continues exploring one of our country's most inflammatory questions: what does it mean to be black (or white) in America? From the early days of the civil rights movement to the racial profiling of today, the question of color remains ablaze in controversy and contentiousness. The popular Feed Your Mind staged reading series presents the West Coast premiere of Honky by Greg Kalleres on February 8 and 9, 2014. Directed by Suzanne M. Cohen, Feed Your Mind: Honky features Sydney Andrews, Elena Flory-Barnes, Tim Gouran, Carl Kennedy, James Lapan, Andrew Litzky, Corey Spruill and Tyler Trerise. All performances will be presented at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in Seattle's University District.

Seattle Theater Writers, a critics' circle of local theater writers and reviewers, today announces the 2013 slate of nominees of the third annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards, theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 38th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with first timer Peter Crook making his first appearance in the role. Also new to the cast, G. Valmont Thomas, who's performance in 'Master Harold and the Boys,' just earned him the 2013 Gregory Award for Outstanding Actor. Mr. Thomas recently returned to Seattle after a long stint at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and will take on the charismatic role of Spirit 2 (Ghost of Christmas Present).

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 38th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with first timer Peter Crook making his first appearance in the role. Also new to the cast, G. Valmont Thomas, who's performance in "Master Harold and the Boys," just earned him the 2013 Gregory Award for Outstanding Actor. Mr. Thomas recently returned to Seattle after a long stint at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and will take on the charismatic role of Spirit 2 (Ghost of Christmas Present).

Undo, the first full-length play from local playwright, actor and dramaturg Holly Arsenault, opens Annex Theatre's 26th season, running tonight, January 18th-February 16th.

Undo, the first full-length play from local playwright, actor and dramaturg Holly Arsenault, opens Annex Theatre's 26th season, running January 18th-February 16th.

New Century Theatre Company (NCTC) has announced that Darragh Kennan will assume the full position of Artistic Director for the company. He will continue to share leadership duties with Managing Director, Jamie Herlich. Former Co-Artistic Director, Hans Altwies, remains an active company member and now serves as Secretary on their Board of Directors. While he has stepped down as co-Artistic Director, a post which he has had since the company's inception in 2008, he is still very much a part of the company and will continue to be present in everything related to NCTC in the coming years.

A Shakespearean tale of one of the most famous couples in all of history performed by some of the best actors in town and directed by one of Seattle's best directors. You'd think it'd be a slam dunk success wouldn't you? Well, you'd be right. And even with a few moments that missed the mark for me and a show that could still use a little tightening, this almost three and a half hour production of "Antony and Cleopatra" from Seattle Shakespeare Company grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go.

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA by William Shakespeare is directed by John Langs at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street, Seattle, Wash. The show opened last night, Friday, November 2, 2012 and will close on Sunday, November 18, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Seattle Shakespeare Company opens its new season at the Playhouse at Seattle Center with the epic romance Antony and Cleopatra. Director John Langs, who staged the company's block-buster production of Hamlet, helms the legendary and tragic affair of two charismatic world leaders caught between their own desires and the duty they owe their country.