Eric Ankrim

Review: MARY POPPINS at The 5th Avenue Theatre

Dear Readers, the magical stage musical of the beloved “Mary Poppins”, currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre, may not have been referring to live theater as a whole with their song “Anything Can Happen”, but that sentiment certainly applied to why we love live theater. With its inherent feel of spontaneity and risk, the energy of a live show is like nothing else. But with that spark of immediacy, also comes potential issues. Hell, just at another Broadway show recently, I saw a descending panel get caught on something for a moment on the way down, only to free itself and come down with a loud thud. The human factor can certainly affect live theater as well with illnesses and that human factor reared its ugly head last night. Not to worry, the folks at the 5th Ave handled it with grace. But we’ll get to that in a minute.

Video: Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's MARY POPPINS at The 5th Avenue Theatre Trailer

Grab your umbrellas and get ready for a spoonful of sugar - the timeless classic Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins flies onto The 5th Avenue Theatre stage. Watch a trailer for the production in the video here!

MARY POPPINS Announced At The 5th Avenue Theatre

Grab your umbrellas and get ready for a spoonful of sugar - the timeless classic Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins flies onto The 5th Avenue Theatre stage from November 22 - December 26, 2024.

Video: First Look at INTO THE WOODS at 5th Avenue Theatre

Get a first look at footage form 5th Avenue Theatre's Into the Woods!

Video: Watch the Trailer for INTO THE WOODS at The 5th Avenue Theatre

Watch the trailer for The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, now playing through March 5, 2023. 

Review: INTO THE WOODS at 5th Avenue Theatre

INTO THE WOODS at 5th Avenue Theatre is loaded with surprises and modern flair. From floor to ceiling and head to toe, this production gives a new look to this timeless fairytale. With humor and heart leading the way, INTO THE WOODS provides a night of intricate storytelling. Whether it is your first or fiftieth time to see this Sondheim masterpiece, you will leave knowing that wishes do come true, and even when they don’t, you are not alone.What did our critic think of INTO THE WOODS at 5th Avenue Theatre?

Cast Announced For Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS At 5th Avenue Theatre

The 5th Avenue Theatre announced casting for its upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, playing this winter from February 10 to March 5, 2023.

Photo/Video: First Look At BRUCE At Seattle Rep

Bruce, the new musical based on Carl Gottlieb's The Jaws Log, a novel about the making of the iconic film, officially opened on June 8 at Seattle Rep,and played its final performance June 26th. Get a first look at photos and video from the production.

BWW Review: BRUCE at The Seattle Rep

Dear Readers, I need to ask you a question. Have you seen the movie “Jaws”? The original and first big summer blockbuster from 1975. Read our review. 

Preston Truman Boyd, David Benoit & More Announced for World Premiere of BRUCE at Seattle Rep

Seattle Rep today announced complete casting of its world-premiere production of Bruce, the new musical is based on Carl Gottlieb’s The Jaws Log, a novel about the making of the iconic film. Bruce will perform on the Bagley Wright stage from May 27-June 26, 2022, and will celebrate its official opening night on June 8.

Seattle Rep Announces Select Casting For Its 2021/22 Season of Live Theater

Seattle Rep today announced select cast members in its 2021/22 season of live theater productions, including Academy Award-nominated actor David Strathairn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Thom Sesma in an exciting new translation of Ibsen’s classic play, Ghosts, previously part of Seattle Rep’s Plays in Process series.

BWW Review: HOW CAN I LOVE YOU at Ancient Lakes Theatre Festival

Dear Readers, as we inch back into the world of live theatrical experiences, the excitement to put out incredible art is palpable. And when you have a stunning outdoor venue such as the Cave B Winery Estates in George, WA, not to mention some of the A-listers of Seattle theater talent involved, that excitement can be overwhelming. But don’t let that excitement blind you to when a show just is not there, as was the case with “How Can I Love You” from Composer Rand Bellar and Playwright, Librettist, and Lyricist Vince Bryan.

HERE LIES LOVE Cast Reunites in Fundraiser To Support Seattle Rep

 Do you miss live theater? Did you miss Seattle Rep’s 2017 megahit show Here Lies Love, a revolutionary rock musical from music icon David Byrne?

VIDEO: Eric Ankrim Sings 'Will I'​ from RENT for 5th Avenue Theatre 'Moments of Joy'

5th Avenue Theatre has released a new video of Carol Swarbrick singing 'Let Me Sing and I'm Happy' a??from White Christmas. 

BWW Review: SHE LOVES ME at Village Theatre - The RomCom that Wouldn't (and Shouldn't) Quit

Everyone loves a good Romantic Comedy, and when people find a good one, they latch onto it. Such a RomCom was the 1937 play a?oeParfumeriea?? by Miklos Laszlo. Now, if you're not familiar with that one maybe you're more familiar with some of the films that were based on it. There was the 1940 James Stewart-Margaret Sullavan film a?oeThe Shop Around the Cornera??, or how about the 1949 Judy Garland-Van Johnson musical version a?oeIn the Good Old Summertimea??. No? Well I'm sure you remember the 1998 Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan feature a?oeYou've Got Maila??. And beyond those, the play also spawned one of the most underrated and underappreciated shows in American Musical Theatre, a?oeShe Loves Mea?? by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with a book by Joe Masteroff, currently playing at Village Theatre. a?oeShe Loves Mea?? has been revived on Broadway since it's 1963 beginnings twice, plus a concert version in 1977, but still there are too many people who don't know the glory of this show. Well, Dear Readers, let's try and change that.

Musical That Inspired 'You've Got Mail' Kicks Off The New Year At Village Theatre

Called a?oethe most romantic of all Broadway musicalsa?? by The Wall Street Journal, Village Theatre is delighted to bring She Loves Me to the stage beginning this January. The charming musical, which inspired the hit film You've Got Mail, has been revered by critics and audiences alike since it first debuted on Broadway in 1963 a?' going on to be nominated for over 50 awards including the Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier Awards. She Loves Me will run at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah January 16 a?' February 23, 2020 before moving to the Everett Performing Arts Center February 28 a?' March 22, 2020. 

The Premiere Cast Recording of YANKEE DOODLE DANDY is Available Now

The life and times of legendary showman George M. Cohan explode into the 21st century in a sensational musical, Yankee Doodle Dandy! For the first time, the complete recording of this remarkable new musical is available on CD, digital and streaming formats. The Seattle Times called the show, 'Irresistible!' It features a book by David Armstrong (Artistic Director Emeritus of The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle) and new songs inspired by unfinished Cohan melodies, including the heartbreaking ballad, Pick Up Your Dreams, by Albert Evans (Nite Club Confidential, Pageant).

BWW Review: AUSTEN'S PRIDE at the 5th Avenue Manages a Triple Threat

Most people are familiar with Jane Austen's a?oePride and Prejudicea??. Whether it's from the book, the mini-series, the movies (even the zombie one), or just from general pop culture, most people know the story. So, turning this into a musical is a bit risky especially with so many Austen-philes out there. But writers Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, have pulled it off (to an extent) with their new musical a?oeAusten's Pridea??, currently at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and have even tripled the daunting task by making the melodies soar while fitting in the period, combining it with a story of Austen herself, and still retaining the charm and heart of a?oePride and Prejudicea?? along the way.

Full Cast Announced for AUSTEN'S PRIDE; Steven Good, Olivia Hernandez, and More

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced the full cast for its new production of Austen's Pride: A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice, which is now in rehearsals and begins performances in Seattle on October 4, 2019.

Photo Flash: Public Works' AS YOU LIKE IT at the Seattle Rep

Equity. Joy. Imagination. These were the words conveyed to us by Angie Kamel, the Director of Public Works at the Seattle Rep, before the opening performance of Public Works' production of “As You Like It”. And as with their inaugural production of “The Odyssey” back in 2017, those words say it all. Bringing together people from all walks of life across Seattle, professionals and non-professionals alike, to tell a story in such a positive way brings joy and imagination to life in the most equitable way possible.