Jay Woods

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Seattle Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Seattle Awards; THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL, AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre & More Lead!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards December 5th Standings; THE HITCHCOCK HOTEL Leads Best Musical!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards; AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS Leads Best Play!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards; HELLO, DOLLY! Leads Best Musical!

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

National Alliance for Musical Theatre Unveils Lineup for 2023 Fall Conference at Pershing Square Signature Center

Get all the details about the lineup of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 2023 Fall Conference, featuring 'New Musicals on the Horizon' at Pershing Square Signature Center in NYC. Find out the dates and be prepared for an exciting event in the world of musical theatre.

Review: SOLARIS at Book-It Repertory Theatre

One thing that can be said about Book-It Repertory Theatre, Dear Readers, is that they know how to surprise and thrill. Their 2016 productions of “The Brothers K” still live rent free in my head. So, when I heard they were tackling a novel such as Stanislaw Lem’s “Solaris”, currently playing at the Center Theater, I was dubious but excited. Taking on this Sci-Fi/thriller/love story is not an easy thing to do. It’s been attempted many times including a few movies, the most recent in 2002 with George Clooney, but to put the Solaris Space Station up on stage sounded like a stretch. But then, I did say they always surprise, and they did this time, as well as thrill.

Review: SWEENEY TODD at The 5th Avenue Theatre

Dear Readers, I’m baaack! It’s been months since we’ve spoken or even since I’ve been in a theater due to a medical issue that’s kept me homebound. So, one of my favorite shows, Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s bloody masterpiece “Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre, felt like a great choice to dip my toes back in the theatrical waters. And I’m happy to report it was a mostly fantastic return. I say, “mostly” as while it was a super solid production, especially from a tight and gifted ensemble, there was one element, and a rather large one at that, that kept me from being truly immersed in this macabre world. But we’ll come to that in a bit.

VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals for 5th Avenue's SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

A deliciously thrilling story of revenge and retribution, The 5th Avenue Theatre is elated to bring Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the stage in Seattle April 21 - May 14, 2023. Get a first look at the cast in rehearsal!

CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND, SPRING AWAKENING & More Set for The 5th Avenue Theatre 2023/24 Season

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced its 2023/24 season, which features an eclectic collection of shows that will combine for an alluring year of theater that explores the power of dreams.

Tickets For 5th Avenue's SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street Are On Sale Now

A deliciously thrilling story of revenge and retribution, The 5th Avenue Theatre is elated to bring Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the stage in Seattle April 21 - May 14, 2023.

SEATTLE CRITIC'S CHOICE AWARDS (JAY'S PICKS) 2022

Dear Readers, I don’t need to tell you, it’s been a crazy year. Many theaters just coming back to life or ramping up again post pandemic. But even with all the chaos, Seattle still comes up with some amazing shows from theaters large and small. Here’s a list of my personal picks for outstanding shows and performers from the past year, 2022.

Shermona Mitchell Named Sound Theatre Co-Artistic Director

Beginning January 1, Shermona Mitchell will ascend to Sound Theatre's co-artistic director position, serving alongside founding artistic director Teresa Thuman. Effective immediately by unanimous board vote, Mitchell will also step down as Board President - where, in a historic first for the organization, in 2021 she became the first Black womxn to lead the board. 

Brittani Samuel Wins Inaugural Edward Medina Prize

The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has named critic and journalist Brittani Samuel to receive the inaugural Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism at its November 2022 conference in New York. 

Review: CLOUD TECTONICS from Sound Theatre Company And Earthseed

Dear Readers, I am a sucker for both a sweet love story and even more so when we mix in a little magical realism. Movies like “Amelie” or plays like “O Lovely Glowworm, or Scenes of Great Beauty” are some of my favorites. So, something like Jose Rivera’s “Cloud Tectonics”, currently playing at 12th Avenue Arts from Sound Theatre Company and Earthseed, should be right up my alley. And while I find it a sweet little love story, I have to emphasize the “little”. There’s not a whole lot to it. But then, that works well since it's only an intermissionless 90 minutes.

Entries Now Open for the Inaugural Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism

Entries are open for The American Theatre Critics Association's inaugural Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism. The deadline for applications is August 31, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Cast Announced For Sound Theatre's CLOUD TECTONICS

A celestial and timeless love story enters Seattle's orbit on September 24. Sound Theatre has announced that tickets are now live for CLOUD TECTONICS, its latest season offering in co-production with Earthseed. Jéhan Òsanyìn will direct.

The 5th Avenue Theatre Announces 2022/23 Season

The 5th Avenue Theatre announced its 2022/23 Season. The 2022/23 Season features a dynamic lineup of musical theater magic that includes a world premiere, a co-production with ACT – A Contemporary Theatre, and more. Check out the fill season

VIDEO: Watch 'A Change in Me' From BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at The 5th Avenue Theatre

5th Avenue Theatre is presenting Disney's Beauty and the Beast through February 6, 2022. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is The 5th's first fully-mounted musical created for an in-person audience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first production in its spectacular 2021/21 Season.

VIDEO: Watch 'Gaston' From 5th Avenue Theater's BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Get a first look at 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, playing January 12 to February 6, 2022. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is The 5th's first fully-mounted musical created for an in-person audience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first production in its spectacular 2021/21 Season.