Jay Irwin - Page 39

Balagan Theatre continued its Summer New Works program the other night with their reading of the Anton Chekov and Kurt Cobain inspired, 'Nirvanov'. And Broadway World was given exclusive access to bring you photos from the reading of this fascinating look into one of Seattle's biggest and most tragic citizens.

When melodrama is done right, it can be a ton of fun. Maniacal cackling villains, stalwart heroes, and everyone gets what they deserve. And while the current steampunk production from Pork Filled Productions, "The Clockwork Professor", playing at Theatre Off Jackson has much of that melodramatic style going for it, they could use a bit more of a focused over the top tone to make it sing. But what they do have going for them is an original story by Maggie Lee that is at the same time funny and fascinating.

This is not your Grandfather's "Lysistrata". It's not even your Great great great great (you get the idea) Grandfather's version. The Intiman has taken this classic Anti-War story and amped it up to 11 making it resonate with modern sensibilities and given it a hard hitting ending that you won't soon forget.

As part of their Start Up Stagings Initiative, The Intiman Theatre is currently presenting a brand new musical in progress, "Stu For Silverton" included in the Intiman Theatre Festival running through this summer. And while it's a little too soon to give a critical review of the piece as it's still being developed, I can share with you some images from the show and a bit of a synopsis (and maybe a quick opinion or two).

It's a tough thing to follow up such a widely acclaimed show as Azeotrope's offering of "Jesus Hopped the A Train" last season. Especially when you only put up one show a season. And while their current production of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" may not be as engaging of a script, the cast and crew still manage to show off what solid professionals can do.

Even from childhood we've always wanted what the other kid has. You never wanted to play with a toy so much as when someone else is playing with it. Such is the way sometimes with relationships, specifically the ones in "Rapture, Blister, Burn" currently playing at ACT. But even the relationship issues are only a small part of the show as it also takes a witty look at how far feminism has come and how far we still have to go.

You know how you've always said, "I could've gotten that one" when watching those games shows on TV? Well, now's your time to put up or shut up as Theater Schmeater gives you a chance to immerse yourself into the inner workings of a TV quiz show complete with all the drama, backstabbing and, yes, prizes for a lucky few who can ring in with the correct answer before time runs out. The script may be a bit thin and predictable (although there were a few surprises I didn't see coming) but the antics of the cast and the interactivity with playing the game makes up for it and amounts to a good time.

I hope you will indulge me, Dear Reader, as I will not be reviewing the current production of "The Pirates of Penzance" at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Instead let's call this what it is, a thank you letter to the remarkable cast and crew at the 5th Avenue for infusing a musical theater classic with such heart, fun, humor, talent and beauty that even a diehard fan of the show found himself leaving the theater with a huge grin on his face and a renewed love for the piece. (I'm referring to myself, of course.)

Art and integrity or money and success? Which do you strive for or can you have both? That's the underlying issue at hand in Intiman's current production of Alice Childress' "Trouble In Mind". And what begins as a wry little comedy eventually becomes a seething indictment of racial inequality in the arts and beyond. And much of that delicious intensity is due to the stirring performances from the cast and brilliant storytelling from director Valerie Curtis-Newton.

John Patrick Shanley's Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play "Doubt" is and intense and stunning piece of work to be sure but it's far from bullet proof. In order to fully realize the power of the play you need four amazing actors willing to dive into the conviction and vulnerabilities of the characters. And while I've seen better (how can you compete with Cherry Jones on Broadway?), Theatre 9/12's current production may start off to an uneven start but it ultimately amounts to a solid and engaging piece of theater and is completely worthy of the script.

Jeff Thompson, Jordan Mann and Balagan Theatre should be ashamed of themselves as last night they opened Balagan's New Works Summer Series with Thompson and Mann's musical horror spoof "Thankskilling" based on the indie horror film of the same name. It was crude, lowbrow, crass, offensive … and one of the funniest things I've seen in awhile.

It's a very easy trap to fall into when dealing with a small town period piece, taking that wholesome and naive mentality and over infusing it into the show. Such is the issue with ReAct's current production of William Inge's 50's era tale of forbidden love, 'Picnic'. And with that over-stylization the situation becomes more comical and less passionate.

Let me start out, Dear Readers, by saying there is no way for me to not be biased about this show. I have loved it since I saw the original preview at the 5th way back when (twice) and all productions since then have never failed to make me happy. Hell, I've even done the show before (hence the bias). So please take that into account as I talk about the current concert version of "Hairspray" being presented at the 5th Avenue in conjunction with the Seattle Men's Chorus. While the talent and fun energy was definitely up there on the 5th Avenue stage, some keys roles seemed to be missing that spark of camp that is so crucial for the show.

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.

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.

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.

Balagan Theatre made three major announcements during a packed Season Preview Party at the Moore Theatre on Monday, June 10: 'Nirvanov' as the fifth show in the 2013-2014 mainstage season, a star-studded trio of leading ladies in Carrie: The Musical, and a newly created New Works Program, whose Summer Series debuts July 6.

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.

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.

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.