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Samip Raval
Latest News on Samip Raval:
ArtsWest to Present GUARDS AT THE TAJ by Rajiv Joseph (Aug 21, 2024)
ArtsWest Unveils 2024-2025 Season: The Family of Things (Jul 24, 2024)
BWW Review: ArtsWest's M BUTTERFLY - A Story of Passion and Intrigue Without the Passion or Intrigue (Jan 27, 2019)
ArtsWest to Present GUARDS AT THE TAJ by Rajiv Joseph (Aug 21, 2024)
ArtsWest Unveils 2024-2025 Season: The Family of Things (Jul 24, 2024)
BWW Review: ArtsWest's M BUTTERFLY - A Story of Passion and Intrigue Without the Passion or Intrigue (Jan 27, 2019)
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News
ArtsWest to Present GUARDS AT THE TAJ by Rajiv Joseph
ArtsWest and Pratidhwani will co-produce GUARDS AT THE TAJ by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph, directed by Samip Raval. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
ArtsWest and Pratidhwani will co-produce GUARDS AT THE TAJ by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph, directed by Samip Raval. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
ArtsWest Unveils 2024-2025 Season: The Family of Things
ArtsWest revealed its 2024-2025 season lineup featuring a diverse range of productions, including classics and contemporary works. Learn how to purchase tickets.
ArtsWest revealed its 2024-2025 season lineup featuring a diverse range of productions, including classics and contemporary works. Learn how to purchase tickets.
BWW Review: ArtsWest's M BUTTERFLY - A Story of Passion and Intrigue Without the Passion or Intrigue
In David Henry Hwang's play "M Butterfly" there's a few things you can take away. First there's the actual historical comparison to the real relationship between French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and Shi Pei Pu, a Peking opera singer. Second there's the cultural lesson of Westerners predilection to view Easterners in a certain, subservient light. And finally, there's the love story between a man trapped in a world and profession that used him and another man who claimed he didn't know his lover was also male. All those things should add up to a fascinating evening, unfortunately the current production at ArtsWest is told to us in such a bland and static way that the evening is just plain boring.
In David Henry Hwang's play "M Butterfly" there's a few things you can take away. First there's the actual historical comparison to the real relationship between French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and Shi Pei Pu, a Peking opera singer. Second there's the cultural lesson of Westerners predilection to view Easterners in a certain, subservient light. And finally, there's the love story between a man trapped in a world and profession that used him and another man who claimed he didn't know his lover was also male. All those things should add up to a fascinating evening, unfortunately the current production at ArtsWest is told to us in such a bland and static way that the evening is just plain boring.
ArtsWest To Stage M. BUTTERFLY Revival's West Coast Premiere
In a revival version never before staged on the West Coast, David Henry Hwang's audacious, Tony Award-winning M. BUTTERFLY - inspired by a bizarre true story of illusion, obsession and betrayal - will open at ArtsWest on January 24. Performances will run Today through Sunday until February 17.
In a revival version never before staged on the West Coast, David Henry Hwang's audacious, Tony Award-winning M. BUTTERFLY - inspired by a bizarre true story of illusion, obsession and betrayal - will open at ArtsWest on January 24. Performances will run Today through Sunday until February 17.
ArtsWest To Stage M. BUTTERFLY Revival's West Coast Premiere
In a revival version never before staged on the West Coast, David Henry Hwang's audacious, Tony Award-winning M. BUTTERFLY - inspired by a bizarre true story of illusion, obsession and betrayal - will open at ArtsWest on January 24. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday until February 17.
In a revival version never before staged on the West Coast, David Henry Hwang's audacious, Tony Award-winning M. BUTTERFLY - inspired by a bizarre true story of illusion, obsession and betrayal - will open at ArtsWest on January 24. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday until February 17.
BWW Review: Forward Flux and Pratidhwani's A SMALL HISTORY OF AMAL, AGE 7 Sweet but Doesn't Connect
Dear Readers, I know you've heard me talk before about taking the air out of a scene or earning your pauses or pauses you could drive a truck through. Well the latest offering from Forward Flux and Pratidhwani, Lindsay Joelle's "A Small History of Amal, Age 7", while being a sweet and sometimes touching story, suffers from a typhoon of air and a convoy of trucks driving through making the show feel forced and lacking connection.
Dear Readers, I know you've heard me talk before about taking the air out of a scene or earning your pauses or pauses you could drive a truck through. Well the latest offering from Forward Flux and Pratidhwani, Lindsay Joelle's "A Small History of Amal, Age 7", while being a sweet and sometimes touching story, suffers from a typhoon of air and a convoy of trucks driving through making the show feel forced and lacking connection.
Forward Flux Productions Presents A SMALL HISTORY OF AMAL, AGE 7
Forward Flux Productions, with presenting partner Pratidhwani, is thrilled to present A SMALL HISTORY OF AMAL, AGE 7 by Lindsay Joelle, playing at West of Lenin (203 N 36th St Seattle, WA 98103) from September 19th - October 6th. This new play is currently being developed with the playwright after it was presented as part of The Flux Salon series last year. Joelle will be visiting Seattle several times this summer to work with the cast and creative team as this immersive production comes to life, and the production this fall will be the first time audiences will see the play fully produced. It also marks the fourth Forward Flux production in four years that started in a Salon reading, was developed with the playwright, and then presented as a fully staged production. Lindsay's play TRAYF recently played at Theater J in Washington DC, where the Washington Post said "Joelle's comedy is easygoing and confident, and her people have soul."
Forward Flux Productions, with presenting partner Pratidhwani, is thrilled to present A SMALL HISTORY OF AMAL, AGE 7 by Lindsay Joelle, playing at West of Lenin (203 N 36th St Seattle, WA 98103) from September 19th - October 6th. This new play is currently being developed with the playwright after it was presented as part of The Flux Salon series last year. Joelle will be visiting Seattle several times this summer to work with the cast and creative team as this immersive production comes to life, and the production this fall will be the first time audiences will see the play fully produced. It also marks the fourth Forward Flux production in four years that started in a Salon reading, was developed with the playwright, and then presented as a fully staged production. Lindsay's play TRAYF recently played at Theater J in Washington DC, where the Washington Post said "Joelle's comedy is easygoing and confident, and her people have soul."
Pratidhwani Announces 2018 Season Of Three Co-Productions
Pratidhwani - a Seattle area based Gregory Awards winning organization for promoting South Asian performing arts and artists - will present three plays in 2018, each a co-production with a different company.
Pratidhwani - a Seattle area based Gregory Awards winning organization for promoting South Asian performing arts and artists - will present three plays in 2018, each a co-production with a different company.
Forward Flux Productions Announces 2018 & 19 Programming
Forward Flux Productions announces their 2018 programming which will feature three plays never before seen in Seattle, as well as their 2019 project: THREE NEW AMERICAN PLAYS. This ambitious lineup will be the company's fourth and fifth year of programming in Seattle. Forward Flux is your home for daring new plays. The company commissions, develops, workshops and premieres new plays by underrepresented voices on the American stage.
Forward Flux Productions announces their 2018 programming which will feature three plays never before seen in Seattle, as well as their 2019 project: THREE NEW AMERICAN PLAYS. This ambitious lineup will be the company's fourth and fifth year of programming in Seattle. Forward Flux is your home for daring new plays. The company commissions, develops, workshops and premieres new plays by underrepresented voices on the American stage.
BWW 2017 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks)
Dear Readers, it's been quite a year and, hopefully, we've come through it unscathed. God knows we've needed some shows to help us escape and others to make us think. But through it all we've had several shows that have proven to shine as some of the best of the year. Out of all the shows I was fortunate enough to see this year, I've selected a few that stood out. Here are those stand outs, a few honorable mentions and a few special mentions about which I just couldn't help myself but to mention in their own special way.
Dear Readers, it's been quite a year and, hopefully, we've come through it unscathed. God knows we've needed some shows to help us escape and others to make us think. But through it all we've had several shows that have proven to shine as some of the best of the year. Out of all the shows I was fortunate enough to see this year, I've selected a few that stood out. Here are those stand outs, a few honorable mentions and a few special mentions about which I just couldn't help myself but to mention in their own special way.
BWW Previews: DISGRACED at Center Stage Theater
Disgraced examines the American experience from a variety of viewpoints: a Jewish-American man, an African-American woman, a white woman, and Amir, the play's tragic lead, who is from an Islamic background the child of Middle-Eastern immigrants. Disgraced is an award-winning piece of literature that delivers an intense, intelligent discourse about race and privilege, and a jarring exploration of the stratifications and compartmentalization of American culture.
Disgraced examines the American experience from a variety of viewpoints: a Jewish-American man, an African-American woman, a white woman, and Amir, the play's tragic lead, who is from an Islamic background the child of Middle-Eastern immigrants. Disgraced is an award-winning piece of literature that delivers an intense, intelligent discourse about race and privilege, and a jarring exploration of the stratifications and compartmentalization of American culture.
BWW Review: ArtsWest's THE WHO AND THE WHAT Doesn't Connect with the Who or the What
Playwright Ayad Akhtar is one of the darlings of contemporary theater with his Pulitzer Prize winning play "Disgraced" as well as his acclaimed "The Invisible Hand" (my favorite of his) getting production after production around the world. He manages to take on seriously hot button topics and expose them with rich and engaging characters and his "The Who and the What", currently playing at ArtsWest and co-produced with Pratidhwani, is no exception. But his shows are by no means bulletproof. These characters need to be performed with engagement so they really connect with the issues and each other and as a result with the audience and that's where the ArtsWest production fails. They don't fail completely but enough that what could have been a searing social-political family drama comes across like a tepid sit-com.
Playwright Ayad Akhtar is one of the darlings of contemporary theater with his Pulitzer Prize winning play "Disgraced" as well as his acclaimed "The Invisible Hand" (my favorite of his) getting production after production around the world. He manages to take on seriously hot button topics and expose them with rich and engaging characters and his "The Who and the What", currently playing at ArtsWest and co-produced with Pratidhwani, is no exception. But his shows are by no means bulletproof. These characters need to be performed with engagement so they really connect with the issues and each other and as a result with the audience and that's where the ArtsWest production fails. They don't fail completely but enough that what could have been a searing social-political family drama comes across like a tepid sit-com.
ArtsWest Announces THE WHO & THE WHAT
ArtsWest will open the 2017-18 Season with THE WHO & THE WHAT, Ayad Akhtar's witty and whip-smart play about a young Muslim woman confronting her family and her faith, at the ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery on September 7. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday until October 1.
ArtsWest will open the 2017-18 Season with THE WHO & THE WHAT, Ayad Akhtar's witty and whip-smart play about a young Muslim woman confronting her family and her faith, at the ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery on September 7. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday until October 1.
ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery Announces Three Directors Joining the 2017-18 Season
ArtsWest has announced three young, celebrated Seattle directors who will bring their talent and vision to the 2017-2018 I AM Season - Samip Raval will direct Ayad Akhtar's THE WHO & THE WHAT, Sara Porkalob will direct Jiehae Park's PEERLESS, and Brandon J. Simmons will direct Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' AN OCTOROON.
ArtsWest has announced three young, celebrated Seattle directors who will bring their talent and vision to the 2017-2018 I AM Season - Samip Raval will direct Ayad Akhtar's THE WHO & THE WHAT, Sara Porkalob will direct Jiehae Park's PEERLESS, and Brandon J. Simmons will direct Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' AN OCTOROON.
Pulitzer-Winning Drama DISGRACED to Tour Universities, High Schools in China This Spring
The most produced play in America in 2015-16, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer-winning drama Disgraced will tour universities and high schools in China under the direction of Timothy Douglas from April 3 to 30, produced by Ping Pong Productions with grants from the Henry Luce Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in China as well as major support from Chinese hosts and other local partners.
The most produced play in America in 2015-16, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer-winning drama Disgraced will tour universities and high schools in China under the direction of Timothy Douglas from April 3 to 30, produced by Ping Pong Productions with grants from the Henry Luce Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in China as well as major support from Chinese hosts and other local partners.
BWW Review: Gripping Journey in GUARDS AT THE TAJ at ACT
I do love it, Dear Readers, when a show manages to thrill without the aid of elaborate sets or gimmicks. Where you can just immerse yourself in the words and performances. Such is the case with "Guards at the Taj" currently playing at ACT. That's not to say that the minimal set design from Brandon Estrella didn't work, it did. And there is one kind of unexpected prop that beautifully took over the stage at one point. But by then, we were so riveted by the stirring performances of the two actors in the show, even an elephant could have walked on stage I would have been focused on them.
I do love it, Dear Readers, when a show manages to thrill without the aid of elaborate sets or gimmicks. Where you can just immerse yourself in the words and performances. Such is the case with "Guards at the Taj" currently playing at ACT. That's not to say that the minimal set design from Brandon Estrella didn't work, it did. And there is one kind of unexpected prop that beautifully took over the stage at one point. But by then, we were so riveted by the stirring performances of the two actors in the show, even an elephant could have walked on stage I would have been focused on them.
Margo Seibert and More Star in O'Neill Center's National Playwrights Conference Readings, Starting Tonight
The eight new plays in development at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference will feature Broadway actress Ali Stroker (Spring Awakening the Deaf West Broadway revival, The GLEE Project), Drama Desk Award-nominee Margo Seibert (ROCKY on Broadway), television's Jeremy Bobb (The Knick, House of Cards, Hostages), Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters, Mercy Street), and Melanie Nicholls King (The Wire).
The eight new plays in development at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference will feature Broadway actress Ali Stroker (Spring Awakening the Deaf West Broadway revival, The GLEE Project), Drama Desk Award-nominee Margo Seibert (ROCKY on Broadway), television's Jeremy Bobb (The Knick, House of Cards, Hostages), Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters, Mercy Street), and Melanie Nicholls King (The Wire).
Margo Seibert and More to Star in O'Neill Center's National Playwrights Conference Readings
Casting and directors have been announced for the eight new plays in development at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference next month.
Casting and directors have been announced for the eight new plays in development at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference next month.
Photo Flash: Andre De Shields and More Celebrate DISGRACED Opening at Arena Stage
Arena Stage presents the final production of its 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DISGRACED. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. DISGRACED runs now through May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!
Arena Stage presents the final production of its 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DISGRACED. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. DISGRACED runs now through May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!
BWW Review: Explosive DISGRACED Makes Strong DC Regional Premiere at Arena Stage
Akhtar's script is so beautifully complex yet simple, and asks some hard questions. The performances and physical production elements are first-rate. This is one of the strongest productions I've seen all season, and perhaps in recent years in the Washington, DC area.
Akhtar's script is so beautifully complex yet simple, and asks some hard questions. The performances and physical production elements are first-rate. This is one of the strongest productions I've seen all season, and perhaps in recent years in the Washington, DC area.
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