BWW 2016 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks)
It's been a crazy year, Dear Readers. Lots of ups, lots of downs, and LOTS of emotions. And I'm not just talking about on stage. But let's not dwell on the bad things that may have happened in the world and focus on some of the amazing things Seattle theater companies gave us this past year, and let me tell you there were quite a few. So many in fact that in some categories I simply had to call out more than the usual Honorable Mentions as some performances just needed to be noted. You'll see what I mean especially when you get to the female categories as the ladies were certainly bringing it this year.
But let's get started shall we? Out of the myriad shows I saw this year in Seattle, here are the shows and performances that truly stood out to me.
BWW Review: Theatre22's Elaborate THE PRIDE Pulsates and Plods
In the opening scene of 'The Pride,' we immediately understand two things about the men on stage: they are British, and they are uncomfortable. It's 1958. Oliver says hello to Philip. The conversation is taught, small, and as light-hearted as two people 'with nothing in common' can muster. In this middle-class London home, it is not what these polite people say to one another, but what they don't say--or, perhaps, can't say--that drives Alexi Kaye Campbell's sentimental split-period piece. When Philip's wife says she feels something in the room, the light bulb in your head goes off, and the tension makes sense.
BWW Review: Seattle Shakes' Gimmicky ROMEO AND JULIET Lacks Passion
A few months back another group in Seattle put up an immersive production of "Romeo and Juliet" that blew me away and finally gave me the chance to see a completely solid production that I liked. But even while watching that I knew that Seattle Shakespeare Company would be closing out their season with their own intimate production of the show and I worried that the chances of getting another great production might be tempting fate or the theater Gods or the odds or whatever. Well unfortunately my fears were well founded as this new staging, while having a few stand out supporting performances, ultimately falls flat with a severe lack of passion or love (crucial for a love story) and an overarching theme that at best feels confusing and tacked on and at worst, pretentious.
Seattle Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET Begins Tonight
It's a story so familiar that it is practically part of our DNA. A boy, a girl, and a love that tries to beat the odds. For Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of ROMEO AND JULIET, director Vanessa Miller will use the play and stage space as a portal for a group of players trapped in a game that races to its final conclusion.
Seattle Shakespeare to Stage ROMEO AND JULIET This May
It's a story so familiar that it is practically part of our DNA. A boy, a girl, and a love that tries to beat the odds. For Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of ROMEO AND JULIET, director Vanessa Miller will use the play and stage space as a portal for a group of players trapped in a game that races to its final conclusion.
BWW Review: An Underdone Gem Shines with Seattle Shake's MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION
When people think of George Bernard Shaw plays they inevitably go to "Pygmalion" or "Arms and the Man" or something like that. But there's one of his out there that does not see enough of the light of day, "Mrs. Warren's Profession". Maybe it's due to the subject matter or maybe not enough people know about it. Who knows? But it's long been one of my personal favorites so when I saw that Seattle Shakespeare Company was putting it up; you can imagine how excited I was. But of course the cynic in me quickly turned that excitement to trepidation with the thoughts of "Oh please don't screw up one of the few times this show will be done around here." Well lucky for me and for all you Dear Readers, who should rush out and catch this before it's gone, the Seattle Shakespeare Company does absolute honor to this fantastic work with some tight direction from Victor Pappas and performances to rival any production out there (yes, including the one I saw in New York a few years back).
Photo Flash: First Look at MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION at Seattle Shakespeare Company
Confronting the truth locks two unconventional women in a battle of wits and wills when Seattle Shakespeare Company presents MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION by GeorgeBernard Shaw. Directed by Victor Pappas, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION will play at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center now through April 10, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Shaw's Comedy MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION to Play Seattle Shakespeare
Confronting the truth locks two unconventional women in a battle of wits and wills when Seattle Shakespeare Company presents MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Victor Pappas, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION will play at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center March 15 through April 10, 2016.
Shaw's Comedy MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION to Play Seattle Shakespeare
Confronting the truth locks two unconventional women in a battle of wits and wills when Seattle Shakespeare Company presents MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Victor Pappas, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION will play at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center March 15 through April 10, 2016.
BWW Review: Seattle Shakes' TITUS ANDRONICUS More Than Just Bloody
Power shifts, betrayal, adultery, rape, murder and lots and lots of blood. No it's not the latest Tarantino film but it might as well be as Seattle Shakespeare Company puts up their latest effort, "Titus Andronicus" but with a dark and edgy grindhouse feel. But beyond all the blood there's still some wonderful Shakespeare behind it and some stirring moments from the cast.
BWW Review: Christ and Santa Humanized in FOR CHRISTMAS at West of Lenin
I stepped into the West of Lenin Studio, glancing around the room to try and find a place to sit. Unfortunately, all of the cardboard boxes were taken, but I did snag an antique chair not unlike the one my mom brought up from our old basement anytime we had more than ten dinner guests. I was one of fifteen audience members, some of whom were seated on the floor, sipping wine out of opaque cups; others glancing around, trying to, like me, figure out how this production would unfold in such a tiny room. The two loud men outside the doors who I thought were being rude, clunking about doing something laborious and inconsiderate, where in fact the two main characters of 'For Christmas,' trying to get a couch up the stairs and into, what I soon realized was Jesus Christ's studio apartment. The show simply began.
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