Jay Irwin - Page 53

Showtunes Theatre Company presented their first concert production in their new home at Seattle's Moore Theatre with the seldom produced, "Follies" from Stephen Sondheim. But then, that's what Showtunes does and does well. Take musical theater gems that for one reason or another don't see as much action as they should, and put on wonderful staged concerts of them. And their outing with "Follies" was no exception.

Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre continues their love and celebration of Leonard Bernstein with his seldom produced "Candide". And while the show suffered from a few opening night pacing problems, it managed to take a very difficult to produce piece and turn it into an absolute gem!

Seattle's Paramount Theatre is currently presenting the tour of the Tony winning classic "Fiddler on the Roof" starring the unstoppable force of nature that is Harvey Fierstein. And while this show has never been one that I could get into, the cast infused it with enough heart and humor that even a non-fan like me had an enjoyable evening.

Seattle's Intiman Theatre presents a truly personal piece in their current production of "The Thin Place". Personal to those that conceived and wrote it and one could argue that maybe they should have kept it to themselves.

Right from the first few notes of "We're in the Money" from the overture or the first glimpses of those dancin' feet under the curtain, you know you should be in for a big flashy Broadway musical. And Village Theatre's final show of their season, "42nd Street" does not let you down. The show is a toe tappin', sequin clad throw back to the old style musicals and a big bright ball of fun!

Unexpected Productions over at the Market Theatre are currently presenting a little different theatrical fare in addition to their usual Theatresports line up in "Nietzsche! The Musical!" And while the show is filled with wonderful moments of cleverness and wit, it really needs some work.

Seattle's ACT is kicking off their 2010-2011 season with Horton Foote's classic tale, "A Trip to Bountiful". And while not the most stunning production I've seen, the show still manages to shine and yank at the heartstrings like no other. But then, it's Horton Foote!

Fledgling theater group New Century Theatre Company is presenting its current show at ACT's Falls Theatre with the world premiere of company member Stephanie Timm's new play, "On the Nature of Dust". And while a tad preachy at times, the show makes me wish that half of the new emerging voices in the theater community (both in Seattle and abroad) were as engaging and fresh as Timm.

Arts West in West Seattle is currently presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber's seldom produced one act, one woman musical "Tell Me On A Sunday". And while the show boasts one of the best singers in town, it ends up coming across as under directed and over produced.

I met up with Hans in between his Matinee and Evening shows of "An Iliad" on Saturday. In the short time since he arrived here in 1993 to go to school at Cornish College of the Arts (where he graduated in 1996) this 39 year old from Detroit, Michigan has become one of the hot tickets in the Seattle theater scene. But beyond that, he's also a really great guy.

Finishing up their 19th season, the Seattle Shakespeare Company is presenting one of William Shakespeare's most beloved histories (at least it's one of my personal favorites), "Henry V". But this time they have traded in their tunics and swords for uniforms and guns by transplanting it to 1962. And while the show is a solid one I question the decision to retell it in this era.

The 5th Avenue Theatre in conjunction with Spectrum Dance Theater is currently presenting the Leonard Bernstein classic "On the Town" as part of the Seattle Celebrates Bernstein event. With book and lyrics by the incomparable Betty Comden and Adolph Green (who by the way were also the original Ozzie and Claire in the show on Broadway in 1944), it's a superb throw back to the Golden Age of American Musicals. And while there are a few spots that need a little tightening, the show is goofy, whimsical, and just plain fun with a ton of heart!

The Seattle Rep has capped off what has already been a stellar season with yet another gem, the world premiere of a brand new work from Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson of their one man interpretation of "An Iliad".

The national tour of the hit musical "Dreamgirls" is currently at Seattle's Paramount Theatre. You may have seen a production of this before. Or maybe you've only seen the 2006 movie. Or maybe you're only familiar with that one song from the show. Whatever the case, the current tour of this outstanding show is a production not to be missed.

The Seattle Rep comes full circle in their relationship with the work of August Wilson by remounting the first Wilson play they produced back in 1986, "Fences". And the show, now celebrating it's 25th anniversary, shows no sign of age or waning relevance.

Seattle's Intiman Theatre continues it's hit and miss streak with a definite miss with Clifford Odets' depression era epic, "Paradise Lost". But after seeing this production I think it should have been titled "Two and a half hours Lost".

Seattle Shakes is currently presenting one of William Shakespeare's more lighthearted ventures, the fun and goofy "Two Gentlemen of Verona". And while Shakespeare's comedies don't always broaden one's horizons (culturally speaking) you're sure to have a totally awesome time with this one, dude.

Village Theatre is presenting the world premiere of the new musical "The Gypsy King" on their mainstage. And while the show could do with a little tightening, it's a charming, witty and above all FUN throwback to the musicals of the 40's and 50's.

The Parmount has once again brought Kander and Ebb's killer musical "Chicago" here to Seattle. So how many times do we really need to see this show? Apparently one more time if this is the production!

The 5th Avenue Theatre has brought Heather Hach, Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin's musical adaptation of the Reese Witherspoon movie, "Legally Blonde" to their stages. And while this is not the best production of the show I've seen, it certainly gets snaps for bringing the fun.