Seattle Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 11

BWW Review: Magic Abounds in San Fran's Curran with HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
by Jay Irwin - December 10, 2019

First off, Dear Readers, let me emphasize that the Harry Potter Plays, a?oeHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2a?? are NOT here in Seattle. And, personally I doubt they ever will be considering the amount of technical wizardry needed to pull it off. They'd have to practically remodel the...

BWW Review: STOMP at the Moore Still Thrills ... For a Bit
by Jay Irwin - December 04, 2019

Back in the late 80's and early 90's we witnessed the rise of theatrical shows that were all about making music and dance with everyday items and not so much about story. There was a?oeThe Blue Man Groupa??, a?oeTap Dogsa?? and of course the mega-hit a?oeStompa??. I will admit that in my youth, as...

BWW Review: A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS at Seattle Public Theater Will Have You Dying of Laughter
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - December 04, 2019

A VERY DIE HARD CHRISTMAS at Seattle Public Theatre will have you dying from laughter. With gags, antics, witty remarks, and tomfoolery, the cast manages to tell a fairly accurate story. While the gunfire and explosions may be downgraded to squirt guns and Nerf guns, there is nothing downgraded abou...

BWW Review: THE BISHOP'S WIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Taproot Theatre Is a Perfect Blend of Freshness and Nostalgia
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - December 02, 2019

Taproot Theatre breathes some fresh air into the holiday season with their production of THE BISHOP'S WIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY. While other theater leans on the old standards, Taproot is rolling the dice and presents a new adaptation of a lesser-known work. Their gamble is already paying off with smi...

BWW Review: Book-It's Remount of HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE Brings Clarity to the Charming Show
by Jay Irwin - December 02, 2019

Back in 2017, Dear Readers, Book-It Repertory Theatre brought us the highly anticipated musical adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones beloved book, 'Howl's Moving Castle', adapted by Myra Platt with music and lyrics from Justin Huertas. The show was certainly a charmer but, personally, I found the storyt...

BWW Review: ArtsWest's HEAD OVER HEELS Certainly 'Got the Beat'!
by Jay Irwin - November 25, 2019

Back in 2018, a little show came along to Broadway called a?oeHead Over Heelsa??. All I knew was that it was the story of Sir Philip Sydney's a?oeArcadiaa?? with the songs of the 80's pop group, The Go-Go's. OK, another jukebox musical, we'll see. Then I went to NY and it didn't quite make the li...

BWW Review: Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan's CABARET Lacks Grit, Pace, and Meaning
by Jay Irwin - November 22, 2019

John Kander and Fred Ebb's a?oeCabareta?? is a bit of a perplexing show for me. Perplexing in that it's done quite often, and it shouldn't be. It should only be done if you can do justice to the story. With a book by Joe Masteroff and based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christophe...

BWW Review: Get Ready to Raise the Roof with Seattle Rep's SHOUT SISTER SHOUT!
by Jay Irwin - November 14, 2019

Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Have you heard of her? Maybe not (I know I hadn't before last night). But even if you're unfamiliar with her, you're more than likely familiar with one of the many artists she's influenced. Artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Little Richard to name just a few. ...

BWW Review: Village Theatre's GUYS & DOLLS Has the 'Numbers' but Not the 'Story'
by Jay Irwin - November 10, 2019

There's a reason that Frank Loesser's a?oeGuys & Dollsa?? has endured all these years and keeps coming back, it's a near perfect musical. It's fun and frothy with that rare breed of songs that all move the story along and tell a story of their own. But with these songs, and because of them, you ne...

BWW Review: MISS SAIGON at the Paramount - The Heat is On, but Not All the Way
by Jay Irwin - October 30, 2019

Dear Readers, I've been a fan of a?oeMiss Saigona?? for years now, ever since it first came out back in 1991. I've seen tours, local productions, revivals on Broadway, and even a one-man interpretation that needs to find new life somewhere. So, I know what I'm looking for in any production; amazin...

BWW Review: ACT's DRACULA a Chilling, Bloody Good Time
by Jay Irwin - October 25, 2019

The Granddaddy of horror icons has descended upon Seattle and he's just as romantically malevolent as you might want him to be. ACT has brought us Steven Dietz's retooled adaptation of Bram Stoker's a?oeDraculaa?? and this classic tale of the original bloodlust is just what you need for your Spooky...

BWW Review: THE TEMPEST at Seattle Shakespeare Is A Tempting Concoction Of Magic And Pure Human Emotions.
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - October 22, 2019

Seattle Shakespeare Theater gives THE TEMPEST a new edge and makes it sharper than ever. Filled with intrigue, love, revenge, plots, ploys, and magic, this show has something for everyone. With a fresh look and clever casting, Seattle Shakespeare makes this show its own....

BWW Review: Seattle Public Theater's THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Brings the 'Woke' Laughs
by Jay Irwin - October 20, 2019

We all know that person, be it friend or co-worker or maybe you ARE that person, who's just a little too PC and a bit too a?oewokea??. They're the first one's to jump on your when you're being culturally insensitive as they see it as their duty to make the world as a?oewokea?? as them. Well now wi...

BWW Review: AUSTEN'S PRIDE at the 5th Avenue Manages a Triple Threat
by Jay Irwin - October 19, 2019

Most people are familiar with Jane Austen's a?oePride and Prejudicea??. Whether it's from the book, the mini-series, the movies (even the zombie one), or just from general pop culture, most people know the story. So, turning this into a musical is a bit risky especially with so many Austen-philes ...

BWW Review: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, LIVE! A Bit Too Dead
by Jay Irwin - October 18, 2019

'They're coming to get you, Barbara!' Yes, you'll definitely hear the iconic line in Weasel Productions inaugural show, 'Night of the Living Dead, LIVE!' Based on George A. Romero's classic zombie film, this parody has everything you'd expect including a delightfully monochrome feel. Unfortunatel...

BWW Review: Seattle Rep's THE GREAT MOMENT is a Moment but Not So Great
by Jay Irwin - October 17, 2019

If you're going to put up an autobiographical play, then you need at least one of two things. You either need a life, or a moment in your life, in which something extraordinary happened, or you need to have moments that amount to a message or meaning that is not widely known by your audience. The ...

BWW Review: Lovers Reunite in Strawberry Theatre Workshop's THE PAVILION
by Jay Irwin - October 15, 2019

On the surface, Craig Wright's a?oeThe Paviliona??, currently being offered from Strawberry Theatre Workshop, doesn't have all that much going for it. It's not a particularly enticing or thought provoking subject, a couple reconnecting at a reunion. But what it does have going for it is a cast of ...

BWW Review: BON APPETIT! Serves up the Charm and Cake of Julia Child
by Jay Irwin - October 08, 2019

There are so many wonderful things going on in a?oeBon Appetit! The Julia Child Operettaa??, the show about one of the world's most recognizable cooking personalities, Julia Child, that it's unbelievable it all happens in under an hour. But then Julia always did make magic happen in such a short ti...

BWW Review: Terrifying and Titillating ZOMBIE CHEERLEADERS FROM HELL at Can Can
by Jay Irwin - October 07, 2019

As we enter the Halloween season, we'll be seeing more and more theater with a spooky or creepy vibe. So, it makes sense that the Can Can would bring back their spooktacular a?oeZombie Cheerleaders from Hella??. The problem is, these zombies are not so terrifying as they are hilarious and titillat...

BWW Review: SUNSET BABY at Arts West Presents a Slice of Life
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 29, 2019

SUNSET BABY at Arts West presents a slice of life with all its complexities, troubles, and truths. Troubled pasts, hard choices, and conflicting emotions rule the day in this show. No one has it easy, and no one escapes unscarred. Everyone has baggage, but must own their choices. They must all decid...

BWW Review: Seattle Children's Theatre's BLACK BEAUTY Lacks an Arc
by Jay Irwin - September 28, 2019

When putting up a show for Children's Theatre, one of the main things you need to concern yourself with is how are the adults doing watching your show. The kids may be having a great time but if there's nothing for the adults who brought the kids to latch onto, then they might not bring the kids ba...

BWW Review: You Should Know Seattle Rep's INDECENT
by Jay Irwin - September 26, 2019

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 ...

BWW Review: NECESSARY SACRIFICES at Taproot Theatre
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - September 22, 2019

NECESSARY SACRIFICES at Taproot Theater is both necessary and a gift to audiences. In a time of great division, this show reaches deep into the psyche of our nation and reminds us how even those with great differences can work together. With compelling dialogue, witty and heartfelt performances, and...

BWW Review: YEN at ACT Grabs You and Doesn't Let Go
by Jay Irwin - September 22, 2019

Dear Readers, a few years back I was fortunate enough to see a production made possible by ACT and the Kenan Fellowship in Directing, a?oeGuards at the Taja??. A show that still sticks with me to this day. And I say a?oefortunate enougha?? as it was only on stage at ACT for a few performances. No...

BWW Review: Café Nordo's VIOLET'S ATTIC Creepy Fun but a Bit Undercooked
by Jay Irwin - September 22, 2019

A really good Café Nordo show needs more than a good premise and good food. It needs a good script that really tells the story, complimenting the food, and a good pace. Their current incarnation, a?oeViolet's Attica??, has a wonderfully creepy premise which leads us into a fabulously whimsical mea...