BWW Review: Seagull Project's CHERRY ORCHARD Still Shines Amidst Some Confusion
Mounting something as complex as a Chekov play is not an easy undertaking and should only be handled by professionals. Luckily, in Seattle, we have the Seagull Project who has been tackling these works the last few years including the absolutely incredible "Three Sisters" they put up a few years back. But as crystal clear the intent of the characters in their current production of "The Cherry Orchard" at ACT is, thanks to the stellar performances and direction, I wonder if the translation they chose isn't doing them any favors as I was never quite certain who many of these people were.
BWW Review: Rep's SHERLOCK HOLMES Lacks Some Grace But It's Still Holmes
Back in 2013 the Seattle Rep gave us a lovely Christmas Present with R. Hamilton Wright and David Pichette's wonderful adaptation of "The Hound of the Baskervilles". So when they announced that they would be ending this season with more Holmes from Wright with "Sherlock Holmes and the American Problem", naturally there was a lot of excitement and anticipation for more from this team. And while the team is still on point and while it's still more Sherlock goodness, this original Holmes mystery from Wright doesn't quite have the elegance and grace of a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle piece.
BWW Review: Raw Examination of Social Work in LUNA GALE at Seattle Rep
Rebecca Gilman's play "Luna Gale" currently performing at the Seattle Rep has no good guys in it. But then it also has no bad guys in it. Instead of preaching morality or her own agenda what she's done is to present a raw and honest look at people. You may not agree with them, but are they wrong?
Pamela Reed to Star in Seattle's Rep LUNA GALE
Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Rebecca Gilman's critically acclaimed new play, Luna Gale, a powerful and arresting drama that follows the story of a social worker - played by veteran film, television, and theatre actor Pamela Reed - grappling with decisions that will forever change the course of a foster child's life. Directed by Seattle Repertory Theatre's Artistic Director Braden Abraham, Luna Gale runs March 4-27, 2016 in the Bagley Wright Theatre. Tickets are available now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at (206) 443-2222 and online at seattlerep.org.
BWW 2015 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks)
Dear Readers, I hope you've all fared well over the holidays and had a good time with your families. It's been a tumultuous year with lots of great theater for us to take in. And so I'm pleased to share with you some of the best things I saw this past year and the ones that I felt worthy of getting my Critic's Choice Awards for 2015. So settle in and allow me to expound on all the amazing I saw over the year. The envelope please.
BWW Reviews: Giddy Comedy Gold in Seattle Shakes' TARTUFFE
Moliere's "Tartuffe" is already a classic drink from the comedy well from which many have drawn. But what director Makaela Pollock and the folks at Seattle Shakespeare Company have done with their current production is to take that comedy and reinvigorated it with a kind of screwball comedy style making the already funny downright giddy hilarity.
The Satori Group to Present RETURNING TO ALBERT JOSEPH this Spring
The Satori Group announces Returning to Albert Joseph, a new play by company member Spike Friedman, as the spring production at theLAB@Inscape. This two-person piece, in development with the Satori Group since 2010, explores how language colonizes our brains, the difficulty of resisting the dominant paradigm, the opportunities that love provides, and the dangers of loss. Returning to Albert Joseph will be co-directed by company members Alex Matthews and Caitlin Sullivan.
Seattle Shakespeare Kicks Off New Year with RICHARD II, Now thru 2/2
With recent airings on PBS via the BBC's 'Hollow Crown' series and a screening of the RSC production with David Tenant, the Puget Sound region has seen a mini-renaissance of Shakespeare's Richard II. Seattle Shakespeare Company starts the New Year with its own production of Richard II directed by Rosa Joshi. Artistic Director George Mount will play the title role in a cast that features 16 actors.
Seattle Shakespeare to Kick Off New Year with RICHARD II, 1/8-2/2
With recent airings on PBS via the BBC's "Hollow Crown" series and a screening of the RSC production with David Tenant, the Puget Sound region has seen a mini-renaissance of Shakespeare's Richard II. Seattle Shakespeare Company starts the New Year with its own production of Richard II directed by Rosa Joshi. Artistic Director George Mount will play the title role in a cast that features 16 actors.
BWW Reviews: NCTC's THE TRIAL Brimming With Nightmarish Intensity
This is not a play. You are informed that as soon as you step into the oppressive world of New Century Theatre Company's current production of "Franz Kafka's The Trial" adapted by Kenneth Albers. And it's true; it's not so much a play as it is an existential experience as the bureaucracy of this world sorts even the audience as they enter (be sure to come in with the people you want to sit with). And what follows is a cool and finely crafted descent down the rabbit hole from one of Seattle's best theater companies.
The Satori Group Presents reWilding, Beginning 3/1
The Satori Group presents the world premiere of Martyna Majok's reWilding as the inaugural production in Satori's new home: the LAB@INScape. The production opens Friday, March 1 and runs through Sunday, March 17. reWilding has been in collaborative development for 18 months, with design and music as central elements of the process from the start. As a result, the production design is a full installation into the LAB, and the audience experience is an immersive one. With limited seating (30-40 seats per performance), this production invites our audience to join us in the world of reWilding.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Opens at Seattle Shakespeare Company, Now thru 11/18
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.
