ASPIRE REPERTORY THEATRE

by Jay Irwin - September 20, 2024

Dear Readers, it looks like we have a new show topic trend hitting us square in our CPU, artificial intelligence and how it’s becoming more and more a part of our world. There’s a new musical about robots falling in love about to start on Broadway. And in the last week I’ve seen two shows in this ve...

by Jay Irwin - September 15, 2024

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 “T...

by Jay Irwin - September 14, 2024

I’m happy to say that what I witnessed last night is what I like to refer to as theatrical alchemy, when all the parts of a show, cast, set, direction, costumes, etc., all come together to form gold....

by Jay Irwin - September 13, 2024

Dear Readers, there is nothing like live theater, especially when it all comes together. And even though Selina Fillinger’s hilarious play “POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive”, currently playing at ACT, cannot claim that it ALL came together (especially las...

by Jay Irwin - September 07, 2024

Dear Readers, if you’ve seen a show from Reboot Theatre Company, you know they like to tackle old gems and turn them on their heads with non-traditional casting and perspectives. And just like when companies attempt to transplant Shakespeare or other works into different locales or time periods, som...

by Shelley Dean - September 07, 2024

Digesting art that clearly portrays substantial and timely topics, such as the dynamics of power and its abuse, is paramount. From movies, books, and plays, this highly important topic has been in the news and conversation cycle lately. Cowboys With Questions, penned by local playwright Rebecca Tour...

by Jay Irwin - August 24, 2024

Star-crossed lovers, a doomed ship, an iceberg, a gem, and a big damn door. I am, of course, Dear Readers, talking about “Titanic” or rather in this case, the parody from The Habit and Seattle Public Theater, “Titanish”. It’s back for another summer run and once again a must see!...

by Jay Irwin - August 22, 2024

Dear Readers, I’m of two minds in reviewing this revised production of “Peter Pan” currently playing at the Paramount. First as a season ticket holder who came to the show with no kids and wants a quality musical, I question the inclusion of this in the season and find it not all that great, but fro...

by Shelley Dean - August 16, 2024

Quite a few factors contribute to a great show, and they vary for each audience member. Vietgone is one of those rare productions that caters to a diverse audience seeking comedy, romance, and thoughtful reflection. The second Seattle production of Vietgone, written by Qui Nguyen and directed with h...

by Erica Miner - August 12, 2024

The term has become familiar and beloved to opera lovers since the late 19th century. Seattle Opera offered Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, one of the most performed works of this genre, as its opening production of the 2024-25 season....