ArtsWest Extends ANGRY HOUSEWIVES
ArtsWest has announced an extension of Angry Housewives, the longest-running musical in Seattle theater history. Premiering in 1983, Angry Housewives went on to play for nearly seven years in Pioneer Square Theatre spaces, burning its songs and cut-loose attitude into Seattle's history. With an Off-Broadway stint in 1986, the production has had a healthy run in regional theatre, including most major cities in America.
BWW Reviews: ArtsWest's ANGRY HOUSEWIVES a Bit Shaky but Still Fun
It's been quite some time since everyone's favorite Mom-laden punk band has graced a Seattle stage, but those "Angry Housewives" are back at ArtsWest. And while appearing to need a little more rehearsal and settling in time and still with a script that feels a bit hackneyed at times, the show with its ridiculous and infectious personalities still makes for a very fun night.
Set the way back machine to the mid 80's as we find four suburban women looking to break free from their hum drum lives. Bev (Heather Hawkins) is newly widowed and broke. Carol (Ann Cornelius) is divorced, almost just as broke and desperate for love. Jetta (Chelsea LeValley) is a new Mom with an uptight and controlling husband (Mark Tyler Miller). And Wendi (Janet McWilliams) is a bit of a dreamer who's just looking for her next big thing. So when Bev's money problems become too much, the four band together to do the only thing they can do to make some money, enter a contest for the best punk rock band at a local club, of course.
The show with book by A.M. Collins and music and lyrics by Chad Henry has a few script problems. The dialog can get a bit cliche and the story is about as predictable as a sit-com. And the production itself looked to need a bit more rehearsal time as its musical numbers were killer but its scene work and transitions were rocky at best. But I'm sure that will settle in time. But beyond all its problems the show is still fun and it's clear to see why it continued to run for so long back in the 80's and 90's.
The ensemble is terrific and obviously having a blast up there. The four male counterparts to the ladies are superb. Miller is delightfully out of touch and chauvinistic. So much so that I felt the audience turning on him at one point but he managed to get them back during his song of redemption. Jeff Orton as Wendi's sailboat obsessed boyfriend and Brian Lange as the club owner Lewd Fingers each nailed their characters and their duet reminiscing on their past love was a real crowd pleaser. And Trent Moury as Bev's teenage son and his lamenting doo wop number about his too cool Mom practically stopped the show. But it's the ladies who completely kill in the show with their hilarious Mom-centric punk style. Especially LeValley's amazing lead vocals and dimwitted character and Cornelius' sultry ode to her lacking love life.
Sure, the show wasn't rock solid the night I saw it but I have faith it'll get better with time and it still managed to be a sublimely silly rockin' good time. And so with my three letter rating system I'm giving "Angry housewives" a YAY on credit (which I'm sure they will live up to with all that potential). So go "eat your f***ing Cornflakes" and get out to catch the Angry Housewives before we lose them for another decade.
"Angry Housewives" performs at ArtsWest through May 24th. For tickets or information contact the ArtsWest box office at 206-938-0339 or visit them online at www.artswest.org.
ArtsWest's ANGRY HOUSEWIVES to Run 4/23-5/24
ArtsWest has announced the return of the longest running production in Seattle theatre history, as four angry housewives take the stage on April 23rd. Premiering in 1983, this musical went on to play for nearly seven years in Pioneer Square Theatre spaces, burning it's songs and cut-loose attitude into Seattle's history. With an Off-Broadway stint in 1986, the production has had a healthy run in regional theatre, including most major cities in America.
ArtsWest to Present THIRD, March 5-22
Opening March 5, 2014, ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery presents the last play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein.
Taproot Theatre to Stage LE CLUB NOEL, 11/29-12/28
Taproot Theatre presents Le Club Noel, an original Christmas play by Seattle playwrights and performers Candace and Sam Vance. Step into a 1930's Parisian Cabaret and fall under the spell of Le Club Noel, where the band is hot and the songs sung by a beautiful chanteuse. Together they create music to awaken love in the coldest of hearts. With money scarce, and WWII on the horizon, this close-knit band of musicians reminds us that Christmas has always been a time for miracles. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Le Club Noel which opens on November 29 and runs through December 28 with low-price previews on November 22 and 23 and a pay-what-you-can performance on November 27. Early bird pricing is available for performances on December 4 and 5.
Photo Flash: First Look at Taproot Theatre's ILLYRIA
Shakespeare is available in Seattle outdoors this summer, but for those wary of a sunburn or being caught outside in rain, there's an indoor opportunity as Taproot Theatre presents Illyria. This musical adaptation of Twelfth Night has all the hilarious hijinks and unrequited love of Shakespeare's famous comedy. A mistaken identity sets off a chain of events that has everything topsy-turvy. As these classic characters sing of romance and shenanigans, you'll be transported to a mythical land of love. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Illyria, which runs through August 10. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of ILLYRIA at Taproot Theatre
Shakespeare is available in Seattle outdoors this summer, but for those wary of a sunburn or being caught outside in rain, there's an indoor opportunity as Taproot Theatre presents Illyria. This musical adaptation of Twelfth Night has all the hilarious hijinks and unrequited love of Shakespeare's famous comedy. A mistaken identity sets off a chain of events that has everything topsy-turvy. As these classic characters sing of romance and shenanigans, you'll be transported to a mythical land of love. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Illyria, which runs through August 10, with previews on July 10 and 11. There is a Pay What You Can performance on July 17. Scroll down for a first look at the cast!
Taproot Theatre to Present Musical Adaptation of Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT, Begin. 7/12
Shakespeare is available in Seattle outdoors this summer, but for those wary of a sunburn or being caught outside in rain, there's an indoor opportunity as Taproot Theatre presents Illyria. This musical adaptation of Twelfth Night has all the hilarious hijinks and unrequited love of Shakespeare's famous comedy. A mistaken identity sets off a chain of events that has everything topsy-turvy. As these classic characters sing of romance and shenanigans, you'll be transported to a mythical land of love. Associate Artistic Director Karen Lund directs Illyria, which runs through August 10, with previews on July 10 and 11. There is a Pay What You Can performance on July 17.
33 VARIATIONS Makes Northwest Premiere at ArtsWest, Now thru 5/25
A mother coming to terms with her daughter. A composer coming to terms with his genius. And, even though they're separated by 200 years, these two people share an obsession that might, even just for a moment, make time stand still. Drama, memory and music combine to transport you from present-day New York to nineteenth-century Austria in this extraordinary American play about passion, parenthood and the moment of beauty that can transform a life. Nominated for five Tony awards, 33 Variations runs from today, May 1 - 25, 2013 at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery in West Seattle.
33 VARIATIONS to Make Northwest Premiere at ArtsWest, 5/1-25
A mother coming to terms with her daughter. A composer coming to terms with his genius. And, even though they're separated by 200 years, these two people share an obsession that might, even just for a moment, make time stand still. Drama, memory and music combine to transport you from present-day New York to nineteenth-century Austria in this extraordinary American play about passion, parenthood and the moment of beauty that can transform a life. Nominated for five Tony awards, 33 Variations runs from May 1 - 25, 2013 at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery in West Seattle.
BWW Reviews: ALTAR BOYZ at Seattle Musical Theatre - Filled With Humor, Heart and Hips
God has heard our prayers. He knew we were all longing for some hot guys to come and teach us all about his divine wisdom and make us laugh along the way. And so he has sent us the Seattle Musical Theatre production of 'Altar Boyz' to show us the path. Not only do they have some incredible voices, sexy gyrations and hilarious characters but these Boyz and director Troy Wageman managed to make the Boyz more personable and empathetic than I've seen in previous productions, making their story all the more meaningful.
BWW Reviews: Omigod You Guys, SMT's LEGALLY BLONDE is Totally Great!
The movie should not have been very good but Reese Witherspoon sold it. The musical is very good and the original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy took an insanely difficult part and nailed it. This is why I was tentative when I heard Seattle Musical Theatre was starting off their season with "Legally Blonde" as you need a hell of a cast including a major triple threat in the lead, a killer band and a very gifted director to keep it all going. Well, check, check and check as SMT's "Legally Blonde" manages all three and provides one fun, frothy and fabulous show.
BWW Reviews: YELLOW FACE at Center House Theatre Suffers Too Much Message
If a play or the message of a play is important or affecting, as is the case with David Henry Hwang's "Yellow Face", currently playing at the Center House Theatre from React Theatre and Pork Filled Players, there is always the danger of the actors in the play to over intensify the work rather than letting it stand on its own. And while the current production at the Center House Theatre definitely has some wonderful moments and great laughs along for the ride, it unfortunately suffers from this problem as the message feels forced and long winded rather than meaningful.
