Julie Briskman

Review: THE ADDING MACHINE from The Feast

The machines are coming for our livelihoods, Dear Readers. That was the fear a century ago with the 1923 play “The Adding Machine” by Elmer Rice. And that sentiment still holds true today with many terrified of the advancements of Artificial Intelligence or AI. And that’s what this new production “The Adding Machine: A Cyborg Morality Play” from The Feast (formerly The Williams Project) capitalizes on, creating a thoughtful and timely bent on a classic.

Review: THE LOWER DEPTHS at the Erickson Theater

This weekend, Intiman Theatre and The Seagull Project opened their outstanding, heart-wrenching, and purposefully uncomfortable production of Maxim Gorky’s The Lower Depths. Housed at the Erickson Theater, the extremely cohesive 14-person cast takes the audience on a journey that is intertwined with effective social commentary and award-worthy performances.

Intiman and The Seagull Project Announce Cast For THE LOWER DEPTHS 

Intiman Theatre and The Seagull Project have announced the cast for their upcoming co-production of Maxim Gorky's masterpiece, The Lower Depths.

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: MR. DICKENS AND HIS CAROL at The Seattle Rep

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is an enduring classic. We all know this. It’s never been out of publication since its first publishing in 1843. It has spawned numerous movie, TV, and stage adaptations from the serious to the Muppets. Now the Seattle Rep has come along with a World Premiere of Samantha Silva’s “Mr. Dickens and His Carol”, based on her book of the same name. Taking a supposed look at the creation of this classic tale, this historical fiction is heavy on the fiction and light on the history, cutting a wide swath with its poetic license about the author and turning him into a pompous buffoon in a story and a production in desperate need of an editor.

First Stats Released For The BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards; Reboot Theater's CABARET Leads Best Musical

The first live standings have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Cast Announced For MR. DICKENS AND HIS CAROL At Seattle Rep

Seattle Rep has announced the complete cast and creative team for the upcoming world-premiere holiday production, Mr. Dickens and His Carol to be directed by Braden Abraham, who recently announced that this will be his last production as the theater's Artistic Director.

BWW Review: THE THIN PLACE at ACT

Do you like a good ghost story, Dear Readers? I do. I love it when a creepy tale can make my flesh crawl and jump out of my seat. But there are so few creepy tales on stage. Well, enter Lucas Hnath’s “The Thin Place” currently performing at ACT. Not only is this a truly terrifying tale but it’s from one of the hottest new playwrights around today, author of “Dana H” and “A Dolls House, Part 2”. Add into that a stellar cast and you have a frightfully fun evening on your hands.

ACT's Production Of Lucas Hnath's THE THIN PLACE Opens March 18

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre today announced complete casting for its highly-anticipated production of The Thin Place by Obie award-winning playwright Lucas Hnath. 

BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at ACT

Dear Readers, let’s set the way-back machine to 1976, when a fledgling theater, ACT, put up their inaugural production of “A Christmas Carol”. Now I don’t know if I was at that one, but I very clearly remember being taken to the theater at around 7 or 8 years old to see “A Christmas Carol” at ACT when they were still down in Queen Anne. I remember being awe struck by the wizardry they could create on stage. Leaning over to my mom and asking, “How did that ghost just walk through the wall?” and my mom, being a good theater Mom saying, “Shhh, I’ll tell you after.” And thus began my love for theater. Now, several decades and one hiatus due to the pandemic later and ACT is back with that staple of holiday fare. And it’s just as magical as it ever was with a few updates to keep it up to the times.

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?

The Seagull Project Releases Third Episode in Their GREAT SOULS: GREAT STORIES Podcast

For the past 10 years The Seagull Project has been producing Great Souls: An Evening of Short Stories and Performance at ACT Theatre and Hugo House in Seattle, WA. Under the current pandemic, the company decided to pivot the program into a podcast format to continue to provide high quality short stories to the public for free.

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.

BWW Review: Not much Sticks in Seattle Shakespeare Company's THE RIVALS

While viewing the opening night of Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's a?oeThe Rivalsa??, one old adage kept springing to mind. a?oeThrow it against the wall and see if it sticks.a?? Well, aside from a few standout performances, not much stuck. But that wasn't from lack of trying as director George Mount seemed to throw everything but the kitchen sink at that wall whether it fit within the play or not.

Photo Flash: THE RIVALS At Seattle Shakespeare Company

Duels, dandies, deceptions, and dudes with daddy issues stir up a comic frenzy in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's witty gem The Rivals at Seattle Shakespeare Company. George Mount directs the production which begins previews on Jan. 7, opens Jan. 10 and runs through Feb. 2 at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center.

THE RIVALS Announced At Seattle Shakespeare Company

Duels, dandies, deceptions, and dudes with daddy issues stir up a comic frenzy in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's witty gem The Rivals at Seattle Shakespeare Company. George Mount directs the production which begins previews on Jan. 7, opens Jan. 10 and runs through Feb. 2 at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center.

BWW Review: You Should Know Seattle Rep's INDECENT

When the Seattle Rep announced their season and I saw they were taking on Paula Vogel's incredible play a?oeIndecenta?? I was thrilled. But even more so I was surprised as to how many of my friends hadn't heard of it. I mean, it was nominated for a Tony, and even had the entire thing shown on PBS at one point. But still it was only the major theater geeks that had this one on their radar. Well, now that it's here I'm pleased to state that the Rep's production completely met and exceeded my expectations and now I can share my thoughts on this stunning play with you, Dear Readers, and explain why you need to catch it.

Photo Flash: First Look at Seattle Rep's INDECENT

Seattle Rep presents Indecent, a powerful drama from Pulitzer Prize-winning Jewish playwright Paula Vogel.

Seattle Rep Announces Cast for INDECENT

Seattle Rep today announced complete casting for its production of the Tony Award-winning play Indecent, a powerful drama from Pulitzer Prize-winning Jewish playwright Paula Vogel.