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Jay Irwin - Page 18

Jay Irwin

         Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Jay has been a theater geek for years.  He attends as many shows as he can around the country and loves taking in new exciting works.  

Three-letter rating system on each review is as follows.  They range from best to worst as WOW (A can’t miss), YAY (Too damn good), MEH+ (Good, with some great things going for it), MEH (Just OK), NAH (You can miss this one) and WTF (I think you can figure out my complex code there).

Jay is also an actor in the local Seattle scene.  Follow me on Twitter @SeattleBdwyGeek or on Threads @jdirwin14 or BlueSky Social at @seattlebdwygeek.bsky.social.  You can also check me out in my web series "The Gamers: The Shadow Menace" available on Amazon Prime.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Jay Irwin

First Show:

First big show I saw here in Seattle was either 42nd Street or Hello Dolly with Carol Channing. Not sure which one was first. First Broadway show on Broadway was the original cast of Spamalot. Great way to start off my Broadway experiences especially since I hung by theb stage door (back when we could do that) and meet the entire cast.

Favorite Show:

Little Shop of Horrors

Favorite Stories:



BWW Review: BOHEMIA Delights All the Senses
BWW Review: BOHEMIA Delights All the Senses
January 21, 2018

Whether or not you actually drink the absinthe (and there is plenty of it flowing) the green fairies are out in full force at the latest venture from Opal Peachey and Mark Siano, Bohemia , currently playing at The Triple Door. Should you catch this eye-popping extravaganza (and you should) be prepared for an evening of decadence for your eyes, ears, and taste buds. I'm sure Siano and Peachey would have liked to have included the other two senses as well but that might have landed us back in the territory of their previous hit show, Seattle Vice although some of the numbers came pretty close to that territory.

BWW Review: Strawberry Theatre Workshop's Riveting FROST/NIXON a Must See
BWW Review: Strawberry Theatre Workshop's Riveting FROST/NIXON a Must See
January 19, 2018

Peter Morgan's brilliant look at the dissection of one of the most powerful men in the country by one whom many considered a joke, 'Frost/Nixon', is enough of an enticement to want to see Strawberry Theatre Workshop's current production. But then when you hear that director Greg Carter has cast the predominantly male show with all women you could find yourself of two minds. Either, 'cool, this will be interesting' or, 'oh, another gimmick casting'. But I want you to put the idea that it's an all-female cast out of your mind as that's not the point. Sure, it's great that these actresses get to play these meaty, traditionally male roles but what you should focus on is how each of them, especially Alexandra Tavares and Amy Thone as the titular David Frost and Richard Nixon, are simply the best people for the roles. And what they create for us is a thrilling game of cat and mouse where the role of the cat keeps changing.

BWW Review: Seattle Rep's TWO TRAINS RUNNING Undercut with Quiet Strength
BWW Review: Seattle Rep's TWO TRAINS RUNNING Undercut with Quiet Strength
January 18, 2018

The Seattle Rep, fortunately for all of us, has long held a special relationship with the works of August Wilson. They're one of the few theaters in the country to have done his entire Century Cycle sometimes premiering those plays as was the case with 'Two Trains Running' which they produced back in 1991 and have brought back to us this season. And as always, Wilson's plays still resonate and the Rep, this time in conjunction with Arena Stage, continues to present them with tons of honesty and heart.

BWW Review: WET's STRAIGHT WHITE MEN Examines Privilege but Takes the Long Way Around
BWW Review: WET's STRAIGHT WHITE MEN Examines Privilege but Takes the Long Way Around
January 14, 2018

As you enter the theater for Washington Ensemble Theatre's Straight White Men , currently playing at 12th Ave Arts, you are greeted with Hip Hop music with questionable lyrics amped up to the point that you can feel the bass in your filings. You're told at the outset of the show that the reason for this is to take away the privilege of being comfortable from most in the audience who wouldn't care for that. What follows is Young Jean Lee's overly stereotypical and clich examination of four straight white men and their privilege. So, I can only assume seeing an interesting play with a point was also a privilege we were denied.

BWW Review: Cross Gender TIMON OF ATHENS from Seattle Shakes' Drags with Little Stakes
BWW Review: Cross Gender TIMON OF ATHENS from Seattle Shakes' Drags with Little Stakes
January 13, 2018

If you're going to put up Shakespeare (or any play really) with a different time or locale or, as is the case with the current Seattle Shakespeare Company production of Timon of Athens , with cross gender casting then have a reason for it. Have the shakeup mean something. With cross gender stuff, it can be as simple as wanting to give the female actors of the area a chance to play the meatier parts since Shakespeare is traditionally light on those for women. But if that is your reasoning, and I suspect it was in this case no matter what the program says (but we'll get to that in a minute) then be well sure that you put up an engaging production especially with a seldom done play (and for good reason) such as Timon of Athens . Unfortunately, the minor cross casting here lent nothing to this production and the production itself suffered from a dreadful droning pace in a play that already has the tendency to drone.

BWW Review: I Believe! THE BOOK OF MORMON at the Paramount Still Shines
BWW Review: I Believe! THE BOOK OF MORMON at the Paramount Still Shines
January 4, 2018

God's favorite musical is back! This is, I believe, the fourth time the tour of The Book of Mormon , that juggernaut musical from 2011 (the Hamilton of its day) from the warped minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame and Robert Lopez who co-wrote Avenue Q (as well as that little animated film Frozen ), has come through town. And the appeal of its crass humor, repeated gay jokes, and borderline sacrilege shows no signs of waning. I know I left the theater smiling and laughing and still humming the songs all the way home because underneath it all, it's still just a damn good musical.

BWW 2017 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks)
BWW 2017 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks)
January 4, 2018

Dear Readers, it's been quite a year and, hopefully, we've come through it unscathed. God knows we've needed some shows to help us escape and others to make us think. But through it all we've had several shows that have proven to shine as some of the best of the year. Out of all the shows I was fortunate enough to see this year, I've selected a few that stood out. Here are those stand outs, a few honorable mentions and a few special mentions about which I just couldn't help myself but to mention in their own special way.

BWW Review: Wacky, Whimsical, Fun with Nordo's THE VIEW FROM SANTA'S LAP
BWW Review: Wacky, Whimsical, Fun with Nordo's THE VIEW FROM SANTA'S LAP
December 9, 2017

And I thought last year's offering from Caf Nordo and Scot Sgt. Rigsby Auguston was crazy. But Auguston has amped the wacky fun up to 12 now with their latest incarnation The View from Santa's Lap complete with delicious food, shadow puppet mermaids, and (dum dum dum) MURDER!

BWW Review: 5th Ave's HOLIDAY INN Hits All the Right Notes but Misses the Spark
BWW Review: 5th Ave's HOLIDAY INN Hits All the Right Notes but Misses the Spark
December 4, 2017

I should start, Dear Readers, by saying that I've been spoiled where the stage musical of Holiday Inn is concerned. Spoiled by the filmed version of the recent Broadway incarnation which captured every single ounce of Broadway magic you'd want. So, while the current production of this wonderful Irving Berlin classic at the 5th Avenue is a lot of fun and looks quite like the Broadway (not surprising since the sets and costumes were based on the Broadway designs) it just didn't quite live up to that spark of the Broadway for a few key reasons that we'll get to in a bit.

BWW Review: A Few Qualms but HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE from Book-It is a Delight
BWW Review: A Few Qualms but HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE from Book-It is a Delight
December 3, 2017

Book-It Repertory Theatre already routinely manages the difficult task of presenting literature in the Book-It style and making it flow and engage in a theatrical way, but apparently they felt this challenge wasn't enough for them as now they've attempted to add in music to that mix with their new adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle , currently playing at the Center Theatre. And while the result is still quite delightful, the insertion of music and lyrics into an already dense story in the Book-It style may have made the story a bit over complicated at times.

BWW Review: More Raucous Holiday Hilarity with HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS: THE HAMCHURIAN CANDIDATE at ACT
BWW Review: More Raucous Holiday Hilarity with HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS: THE HAMCHURIAN CANDIDATE at ACT
December 2, 2017

Most people have that thing every year that signals the beginning of the Holiday season; seeing the lights downtown, that first pumpkin spice whatever, or braving the crowds on Black Friday. For me, the Holidays don't really begin until I get to enjoy my favorite annual show from Seattle treasures Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch, Ham for the Holidays . And their current incarnation, The Hamchurian Candidate currently playing at ACT certainly rang in the holiday season with a bang and a chainsaw and some aerobicize videos that I can never un-see.

BWW Review: Azeotrope's Brilliantly Horrifying BUILDING THE WALL is a Must See!
BWW Review: Azeotrope's Brilliantly Horrifying BUILDING THE WALL is a Must See!
December 1, 2017

Lately friends have been asking me what shows I'm most looking forward to this holiday season. And while it's not a happy Christmas show I keep answering Building the Wall currently being offered from Azeotrope at 12th Avenue Arts. Then those friends look as me quizzically, I assume expecting some frothy musical or holiday classic at which point I say, the new play from Robert Schenkkan, who wrote All the Way and The Great Society about LBJ at which point those quizzical looks, rightfully, turn to ones of excitement and intrigue over another dose from a genius playwright. And now, Dear Readers, that I've virtually had the same conversation with you, you can understand why I tell you this is a play NOT TO MISS and how you MUST go get your tickets now. I'll wait. Did you do it yet? OK. Now on with the review.

BWW Review: THE HUMANS at Seattle Rep is a Searing Slice of Life but in a Hurry to Leave
BWW Review: THE HUMANS at Seattle Rep is a Searing Slice of Life but in a Hurry to Leave
November 30, 2017

Thanksgiving dinner is a tumultuous time for many of us as we attempt to spend an evening with our loved ones. Sure, we love our families but we don't always see eye to eye and as the wine flows and the turkey and yams fill our bellies, maybe our inhibitions and filters lower. That's the kind of dinner currently being served at the Seattle Rep as they host the beginning of the national tour of Stephen Karam's Tony Award winning play, The Humans . And while I love the tight dialog and raw honesty, the ending of the play does come across as a bit abrupt.

BWW Review: Decent Voices in Paramount's THE BODYGUARD but Not the Queen of the Night
BWW Review: Decent Voices in Paramount's THE BODYGUARD but Not the Queen of the Night
November 15, 2017

In the latest in the spate of movies turned musicals with no new music to speak of to turn up in Seattle, following in the trend of Dirty Dancing or the egregious Flashdance , we've now been offered up The Bodyguard . And while the current offering didn't live up, or should I say down, to the aforementioned maniac , this romance shoe-horned into a Whitney Houston cover band didn't live up to the Queen of the Night either with its lackluster and stiff performances.

BWW Review: Village's NEWSIES Brings Intimacy to the Big Splashy Musical
BWW Review: Village's NEWSIES Brings Intimacy to the Big Splashy Musical
November 10, 2017

Dear Readers, I won't bore you with the rehash of how I feel about the stage adaptation of Disney's Newsies from my disappointment of the restructuring of the story and songs from the movie, to the required suspension of disbelief that any of these dancers are young newsBOYS, to the fact that Jack and Katherine's relationship is just a little creepy if you think about what their ages should be. If you want that you can read my previous review of the touring show. Instead what we will and should be talking about is how the current production at Village theater not only matched the fun, talent and power that existed in the big, splashy Broadway tour but in some ways surpassed it.

BWW Review: ArtsWest's THE NANCE Spotlights a Shame in our History with Tragic Beauty and Humor
BWW Review: ArtsWest's THE NANCE Spotlights a Shame in our History with Tragic Beauty and Humor
October 31, 2017

Did you know, Dear Readers, that as recently as the 1930's, gay men could be arrested for meeting in public? Maybe? But did you also know that in New York it became just as unthinkable to portray a gay character on stage? Just one of those shameful points in our history that's beautifully illuminated by Douglas Carter Beane's moving play, The Nance , currently playing at ArtsWest. And as stunning as the show itself is, this cast makes it shine even more.

BWW Review: Showtunes' BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Wows with Voices but Not Much Else
BWW Review: Showtunes' BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Wows with Voices but Not Much Else
October 31, 2017

I'm usually a sucker for a good sappy romance but I'll admit I missed the bandwagon where The Bridges of Madison County was concerned. I never saw the movie or read the book so any kind of name recognition or nostalgic feelings for a musical of this are lost on me and the show would have to exist solely on, does it tell a good story musically? . The answer to that would be, no. And while the current concert staging of it from Showtunes includes some outstanding voices, it still doesn't fix a flawed show.

BWW Review: Seattle Shakes' THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Bribes Us with Delicious Cartoon Farce
BWW Review: Seattle Shakes' THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Bribes Us with Delicious Cartoon Farce
October 28, 2017

There's a certain hilarious show leaving Seattle and leaving a void in the comedy that we all desperately need in these tumultuous times. But luckily for us Seattle Shakespeare Company has just the thing to fill that void with their uproarious Russian farce The Government Inspector . A production with some very over-the-top and almost cartoonish sensibilities that truly earns the moniker farce .

BWW Review: Seattle Immersive Theatre's AMERICAN BUFFALO Amps Up the Danger
BWW Review: Seattle Immersive Theatre's AMERICAN BUFFALO Amps Up the Danger
October 23, 2017

David Mamet's American Buffalo has never been what you might call a comfortable play laced as it is with profanity, crime, and violence. If done well the tension in Don's 2ns Hand Store should continue to build and build until it predictably results in chaos. But what Seattle Immersive Theatre has done with their current production is to not only give the audience some top-notch performances of the show but also put us all right there in the shop so the danger is not only palpable but at arm's reach.

BWW Review: 5th Ave's RAGTIME Strikes to the Heart of its Own Story and Beyond
BWW Review: 5th Ave's RAGTIME Strikes to the Heart of its Own Story and Beyond
October 21, 2017

Back in 1997 a somewhat younger Broadway Geek became obsessed with the musical Ragtime . I even travelled to other cities to see it as many times as I could and basically became obsessed. I tell you this so you'll understand, Dear Readers, my deep love for this show which is firmly one of my top ten desert island shows and how amazingly picky I am with any production of it. With that in mind you'll understand, after reading this review, why you MUST go and get tickets to the current production at the 5th Avenue Theatre. A production that brought up almost all the feels from my initial viewing of this sublime show and even a few new ones.



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