Review: DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at The 5th Avenue Theatre
In these tumultuous theatrical times, it’s of little surprise that The 5th Avenue Theatre would head back under the sea with a remount of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”. I mean, they just did it back in 2016. But it’s a crowd pleaser and I suspect a bit of a cash sea cow so here we are.
Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Village Theatre
In the musical theater world, there are classics and then there are Classics (with the big “C”). Jerry Herman’s “Hello, Dolly!” is certainly a big “C” Classic and I’m here to fight anyone who says different. It’s a delicious throwback to the Golden Age of musicals and certainly a star vehicle for the right star. And speaking of the right star, the current production of “Dolly”, currently playing at Village Theatre, shows just how good this Classic can be with the incredible Bobbi Kotula in the title role who proves that she’s not a star, but a Star!
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.
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Village Theatre
Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s “Little Shop of Horrors” is arguably one of those near perfect musicals. I will argue with you on this from now until the plants take over the earth as it remains my absolute favorite. But it needs to be done right. That’s not to say it needs to be done the same way every time. One of the best productions I saw was a modern retelling set in a real skid row. But this B-movie sci-fi adaptation needs to have that humor, that crispness, and that bite to make it work. And while the current production from Village Theatre has some wonderful performances and voices, it suffers from a lack of pace and that crispness and bite to take it from a fun show to a killer one.
Cast & Creative Team Announced For LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Village Theatre
Village Theatre has announced cast and creative team for Little Shop of Horrors. With local actors Kyle Nicholas Anderson as Seymour and Shanelle Nicole Leonard playing the role of Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors will run in Issaquah from September 14-October 23, 2022 and in Everett from October 28-November 20, 2022.
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.