Jason Kappus

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Village Theatre

First off, Dear Readers, I need to put it out there that “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” is one of the few bio-musicals that gets it right. Sure, it’s got killer music from an icon but the book from Douglas McGrath is, in a word, beautiful. But beyond my affinity for this show, I also need to put it out there that the current production from Village Theatre is also a thing of beauty in the efforts from both the cast and crew, and amounts to one of my favorite things, theatrical alchemy. All the parts come together to form magic.

Village Theatre Presents BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

Village Theatre has announced the cast and creative team of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the inspiring real-life story of chart-topping musical legend Carole King's remarkable rise to stardom. 

The Ensemblist Podcast Series COVID-19 IN THE THEATRE Releases New Episode With Jessica Rush

Earlier this week, The Ensemblist launched a new podcast mini-series a?oeCOVID-19 in the Theatre.a?? 

The Ensemblist Podcast Launches Series COVID-19 IN THE THEATRE; Episodes to Feature Jason Kappus & Adam Jepsen

The Ensemblist has launched a new podcast mini-series 'COVID-19 in the Theatre.'

VIDEO: Get a Peek Inside Rehearsal For SISTER ACT at 5th Avenue Theatre, Starring Natalie Toro!

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents Sister Act, March 14 - April 5, 2020.

Natalie Toro to Star in The 5th Avenue Theatre's SISTER ACT; Complete Casting Announced

Complete casting has been announced for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Sister Act, which begins rehearsals today.

2019 Gypsy Rose Lee Award Winners Announced

Seattle Theater Writers Seattle's theater reviewers circle announces the Winners of Excellence in Seattle theatrical productions. Spanning dozens of theater companies and productions, from large and prominent to small and humble, the Gypsy Rose Lee Awards honor the excellence found across the area.

Nominees Announced for The 2020 GYPSY ROSE LEE AWARDS

Seattle's critics' circle announces nominees for the 2020 Gypsy Rose Lee awards celebrating excellence in Seattle theatrical productions.

An Evening With Mark Petty And Friends Announced At The Union Theatre

Mark Petty of the transatlantic writing team of Anderson & Petty will be presenting an evening of his collaborations as part of Kieran Brown's 'Sunday Night Socials' at The Union Theatre this Sunday 10th November at 8pm.

Casting Announced For Village Theatre's FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS

With The 19th Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place this upcoming weekend, Village Theatre is excited to announce the casting for XY, an uplifting musical about identity and coming to terms with your past; Cold Turkey, a wild and funny satire; Modern, an inspiring tale about a group of Amish teenagers; Eastbound, an poignant story about Chinese brothers in search of a home they've never known; and Cowboy Bob, an adventurous rock musical about a bank-robbing woman. The Festival will take place in Issaquah August 9-11, 2019 and provides an essential platform for writers to develop new works. Past Festival shows include Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning shows such as Next to Normal and Million Dollar Quartet, as well as Broadway and Off-Broadway hits: It Shoulda Been You, Desperate Measures, Lizzie, and many more.

BWW Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Village Will Have You Rockin' in Your Seat

'Million Dollar Quartet', that Rock and Roll spectacular, has long held a special place in the hearts of Village Theatre patrons owing to it being one of those shows that made a name on Broadway after having its beginnings in the Village Originals workshops. Well, those prodigal sons (and daughter) have returned to Village's stage and this new cast, while still paying homage to the iconic characters, are definitely putting their own spin on the roles. And it amounts to a rockin' good time!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Makes Its Return To The Stage

After hosting the World Premiere in 2007, Village Theatre is ecstatic to mount an all-new production of Million Dollar Quartet complete with a rock star team of professionals from around the country. The blockbuster hit story of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins is set to run in Issaquah May 9 - June 23, 2019 before moving to Everett June 28 - July 28, 2019.

Mickey Thomas Of Starship To Star In New Production Of ROCK OF AGES At The 5th Avenue Theatre; Full Casting Announced

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced that Mickey Thomas, the lead singer of Starship (formerly Jefferson Starship), will star as Dennis in its sensational new production of Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages is the '80s rock ballad blast that features the music of Styx, Joan Jett, Twisted Sister, and more. With Mickey Thomas as lead vocalist, Starship produced hits including "We Built This City" (which appears in the production), "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and "Sara."

X-MAS: A MERRY MUTANT HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Takes Seattle By Storm

Christian Duhamel, recipient of the 2018 Kleban Award for most promising musical librettist, debuts a new musical at The Pocket Theater December 7-10.

BWW Review: Showtunes Gives Us the LEGALLY BLONDE We Didn't Know We Needed

Showtunes is doing "Legally Blonde"? Don't they do obscure musicals that never get done? Yes, that's them, Dear Readers. Putting up for a few weekends, concert stagings with books in hand shows that usually don't see the spotlight. And now here they come with "Legally Blonde" that mega-hit. So why? Because they focus on rare voices and that could mean titles of shows or that could mean casting someone in a role for which they may never be considered. Enter an off-hand remark made at one of the 5th Avenue Theatre spotlight nights when Alexandria Henderson said she didn't have a dream role, just to be able to be cast without limitation and another actor on-stage shouted that she should be Elle in "Legally Blonde" and the crowd went wild. So, an African American Elle with the titular blonde locks. Why not? And that Dear Readers, is the last time we need focus on the fact that Ms. Henderson isn't your traditional Elle. For the rest of this article we'll only focus on the fact that she killed it!

BWW Review: Village's HAIRSPRAY is a Triple Threat of a Show

Once again, Dear Readers, we've ventured into the realm of one of my favorites. We recently had my all-time number one in town, but I'd have to say Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's "Hairspray", is certainly in the top five with its infectious and rousing score and incredible book from Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. I've seen countless productions including the original cast and even had the honor of being in the show. And now Village Theatre has thrown their wig in the ring with their own production and I have to say in some ways it surpasses all those others. With its Beat, Power, and Humor it's a true show triple threat.

You Can't Stop The Beat With HAIRSPRAY At Village Theatre

Village Theatre is closing out their season with an all-new stage production of the Broadway hit musical, Hairspray. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger dream: to dance her way onto national TV, dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affections of the local heartthrob, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her 'do! The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Best Musical teach us to look past skin color and size in the fight for equal rights. "What excites me about this show," says co-director Timothy McCuen Piggee, "is that we get to tell stories that humanize in a world that constantly works to dehumanize. This play is really clever because it offers the opportunity to examine issues like racism, sizeism, homophobia, and bias. This show is thoughtful and courageous and I'm excited to bring it to life with such a strong team of individuals."

You Can't Stop The Beat With HAIRSPRAY At Village Theatre

Village Theatre is closing out their season with an all-new stage production of the Broadway hit musical, Hairspray. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger dream: to dance her way onto national TV, dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affections of the local heartthrob, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her 'do! The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Best Musical teach us to look past skin color and size in the fight for equal rights. "What excites me about this show," says co-director Timothy McCuen Piggee, "is that we get to tell stories that humanize in a world that constantly works to dehumanize. This play is really clever because it offers the opportunity to examine issues like racism, sizeism, homophobia, and bias. This show is thoughtful and courageous and I'm excited to bring it to life with such a strong team of individuals."

Drew Seeley and Keith Hines Join Cast of JERSEY BOYS on Tour Tonight in San Diego

The National Tour of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will welcome Drew Seeley (Bob Gaudio) and Keith Hines (Nick Massi) beginning tonight, October 21 in San Diego, CA.

Drew Seeley & Keith Hines to Join Cast of JERSEY BOYS National Tour

The National Tour of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will welcome Drew Seeley (Bob Gaudio) and Keith Hines (Nick Massi) beginning October 21 in San Diego, CA.