The Broadway Hour Seattle: November 2007

Friday, November 30, 2007

Weekly Update - 11/29/2007

KSUB Seattle
Listen In Online Here
The Broadway Hour >Sunday 10AM - Noon

Seattle Shakespeare
Tickets and Information
Julius Caesar >January 3-27, 2008

Intiman
Tickets and Information
Black Nativity >November 28 - December 28, 2007

Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets and Information
The Cook >November 1 - December 1, 2007
Birdie Blue >November 15 - December 16, 2007

ACT Theatre
Tickets and Information
The Women >October 5 - December 2, 2007
Late Night Catechism >Through December 30, 2007
Christmas Carol >November 23 - December 24, 2007

Seattle Opera
Tickets and Information
Pagliacci >January 12 - 26, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
Tickets and Information
Whistle Down the Wind >November 13 - December 2, 2007
Jersey Boys >December 5, 2007 - January 12, 2008

Theater Schmeater
Tickets and Information
Mamet Schmamet >November 2 - December 1, 2007
American Buffalo >October 26 - December 1, 2007

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Awesome Happening at the REP

Humanities Forum at Seattle Repertory Theatre

Saturday, December 1 at 4:30 p.m., immediately following matinee performance of The Cook in Seattle Rep's lobby (155 Mercer St).

Humanities Forum is a panel discussion which focuses on themes and ideas relating to the play. The theme of this panel will be "Connecting with Cuba: A Discussion of The Cook and By the Waters of Babylon at Seattle Repertory Theatre" Panelists include author Flor Fernandez Barrios, By the Waters of Babylon playwright Robert Schenkkan and cast members of The Cook, moderated by Education Director Andrea Allen.

Humanities Forum is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Two Updates from the Intiman!

INTIMAN THEATRE HONORS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AT OPENING NIGHT BENEFIT PERFORMANCE OF BLACK NATIVITY: A GOSPEL SONG PLAY ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

Tickets are on sale at www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900 for the 10th anniversary production, featuring Pastor Patrinell Wright and the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, running November 28-December 28

SEATTLE— Intiman Theatre announces the three nonprofit programs that will be honored on the opening night performance of the holiday classic Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play on Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 pm. Through this annual tradition, Intiman dedicates funds to grassroots, community-based organizations in Puget Sound that share a commitment to social change and address the needs of underserved communities, particularly youth and families. This season’s 10^th anniversary production is sponsored in part by Safeco Insurance, with additional support from The Boeing Company, Starbucks Coffee Company and U.S. Bank.

The beneficiaries of the opening night performance are:

Storyteller/educator Delbert Richardson takes visitors on a journey through the “American History” Exhibit, a collection that displays symbol of slavery, including slave shackles and branding irons; “Jim Crow” era signs and documents; and authentic artifacts and relics from the continent of Africa . Mr. Richardson also honors and recognizes the many contributions of African Americans by displaying an extensive collection of inventors and inventions.

The Latino Community Fund of Washington State, a new organization that seeks to improve the well being of Latinos in Washington state, especially those most in need, by supporting local organizations that improve the health, education, community and economic development of Latinos. www.latinocommunityfund.org

The Somali Community Services of Seattle, which works for the success of Somali and Oromo refugees to undergo a smooth transitional process and attain a self-sustainable status in their new country. It provides case management and referrals, race and social justice leadership development, education programs for youth and adults, nutrition programs and job-readiness classes, among other services. www.somalicss.org.

The opening night beneficiaries are selected by the Black Nativity Community Committee, co-chaired by Charles Rolland and Louise J. McKinney. The performance also benefits Intiman’s ongoing Mary Helen Moore Scholarship Ticket Fund. Members of the Black Nativity Community Committee are Marie Brooks, Dr. James Gore, Soya Jung Harris, Dorothy H. Mann, Georgia S. McDade, Paul Mitchell, Chris Nishiwaki, Steve Sneed and Paul Toliver.

Directed by Jacqueline Moscou and choreographed by Kabby Mitchell III, Black Nativity is a celebration of faith, expressed through exuberant performances of song, story and dance, and reaching audiences of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs. Black Nativity will run November 28-December 28 at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center . Tickets, ranging in price from $10 to $42, are available for purchase from www.intiman.org or over the phone from the Ticket Office at 206.269.1900.

The first act of Black Nativity retells the Christmas story through the words of the great American poet, Langston Hughes. In the second act, Intiman is transformed into a joyous “nondenominational church” presided over by Pastor Patrinell Wright and the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney. The production features gospel performances by the Total Experience Gospel Choir and the Black Nativity Choir, modern and traditional choreography performed by an ensemble of dancers, and an on-stage band.

INTIMAN THEATRE HOSTS PERFORMERS FROM ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ AT BLACK NATIVITY

Karma Johnson, Sanjaya Malakar and Leah Vladowski, all alumni of the Total Experience Gospel Choir, to join the cast for 2 pm and 7:30 pm shows on Sunday, December 2

SEATTLE— Intiman Theatre announces that three former contestants from American Idol will join the Black Nativity cast as special guests for the 2 pm and the 7:30 pm performances on Sunday, December 2. Karma Johnson (from American Idol’s first season in 2002), Leah Vladowski (who competed as Leah LaBelle in the 2004 season) and Sanjaya Malakar (a fan favorite in the 2007 season) will each sing a solo during the two performances of Intiman’s annual holiday production.

All three singers are alumni of the Total Experience Gospel Choir, founded and directed by Pastor Patrinell Wright. Pastor Wright has performed in Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play, as well as created the musical direction and arrangements, since its first production in 1998. Karma Johnson performed in Black Nativity in 2001; Leah Vladowski performed in the production for its first five years, from 1998-2002, making her debut appearance at age 12.

Television crews are welcome at both performances; a limited number of press tickets are available.

The 10^th anniversary production of Black Nativity is sponsored in part by Safeco Insurance, with additional support from The Boeing Company, Starbucks Coffee Company and U.S. Bank.

Intiman Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following for their institutional support: The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Ameriprise Financial, Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation, ArtsFund, The Boeing Company, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Fales Foundation Trust, Humanities Washington, Intiman Theatre Foundation, Kreielsheimer Remainder Trust, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, Nesholm Family Foundation, The Norcliffe Foundation, PONCHO, Pride Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Seattle Foundation, Theatre Communications Group, U.S. Bancorp Foundation, WaMu and Wells Fargo Bank. Additional funding is received from Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, City of Seattle ; 4Culture; Metropolitan King County Council and Washington State Arts Commission.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Weekly Update - 11/25/2007

Friday, November 16, 2007

Whistle Down the Wind - 5th Avenue Theatre

Whistle Down the Wind by Andrew Lloyd Webber

5th Avenue Theatre

Ticket Office: 206.625.1900

Online Tickets Office

5th Avenue Website

1308 5th Avenue Seattle, WA 98101

Whistle Down the Wind is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “new” dramatic musical. New to America, that is; I’m going to assume that the number of Seattle residents who went to the West end of London for its premier in 1998 and revival in 2006 are few enough to ignore. This touring company gave the show its American premier at the 5th Avenue Theater on November 16 and will be running through December 2nd. It’s the story of a sixteen year old girl, Swallow (Andrea Ross) who finds a man hiding in her father’s barn. She and the other children of the town become convinced that the man is Jesus Christ come down to earth to wash away their sins and usher in a new age of joy and light. Set that against the backdrop of a small town obsessed with sin and searching for an escaped convict, and you’ve got a premise that is sure to impress. There will be moments of tear jerking intimacy, personal revelation, the powers of sin and redemption. It’s all here. So what else are you expecting out of such a big name production? Are you yearning for a Cats inspired spectacle of costume and dance? The touching and introspective depth of Jesus Christ Superstar? Or maybe just some catchy tunes to stick in your head and hum on the way out of the theatre... at Whistle Down the Wind on 5th you’ll get a touch of the first two and a heaping helping of the third.

The first thing an audience member might notice is a loose handout detailing the 15 member strong “children’s ensemble” cast from local sources. This might make alarm bells go off in any theatre-goers head. If there is anything that can ruin a show, it’s poor acting on the children’s parts, and unfortunately, their acting doesn’t astonish. However, they are great singers, and hearing the pure tones of a child layered against the complex and throaty sounds of adults makes for a stunning contrast, particularly important to this show where innocence and evil clash. Continuing the theme of innocent and evil, the two leads, Andrea Ross and Eric Kunze (The Man), carry the show with their voices. Eric plays the tortured and generally sexy escaped convict, and really brings all of the emotion one could hope for to songs like “So Many Cries” and anything he sings with Andrea Ross. The title song “Whistle Down the Wind” is excessively catchy and eminently whistleable, but there are some forgettable numbers caught up between the stand outs. Matt Skrincosky gives us an admirable performance of Amos, the love struck leather jacket-wearing motorcycle riding teenager. He sings a powerful duet with Candy, his girlfriend (Carol Denise Jones) about halfway through the show in “Tire Tracks”, one of the few stand out pieces not starring either of the two leads. One of the few concerns I have about the story and characters, besides the two main leads, is that it seems to be undeveloped and you had better not be looking for any resolution in regards to their little side stories; this is all about Swallow and the unnamed Man, unabashedly so.

Technically the play is a bit of a letdown. The fanciest thing you will see on stage is the large and impressive “curtain” made of wooden boards and shaped and slatted to look like the side of a barn. Simple sets might be acceptable at a small limited run show, but from a nationally touring company the audience should expect better. There are really only four sets used for the performance: the house, the barn, the town, and the bar. And there isn’t much else to be said about them. If you imagine a house or a barn, you have probably imagined something more interesting to look at than the set designer of Whistle Down the Wind has (Paul Farnsworth). Also, costumes are hit and miss. The Man looks great in his bloodstained white t-shirt, but one has to wonder who chose to put Andrea Ross in a full body smock for the entire play. Because she is not very tall to begin with, and surrounded by an ensemble cast of 6-11 year olds, sometimes it can be hard to remember that she is supposed to be sixteen years old. One might concede, however, that perhaps it was a conscious choice on the part of the costumer (Paul Farnsworth), to remind us that she is just on the cusp of womanhood, not quite a woman and not quite a girl. Finally, the lighting was the last sub-par piece of the play. The action takes place during the Christmas season; could we have a clue that it is cold out? Or snow? Or anything that hints at the show’s Americana roots? The association between mood lighting and southern Americana should be so strong that I am taken out of the moment when a pure white spotlight glaringly points out who is talking.

To sum it all up, Whistle Down the Wind is a blast. Ignore that nit-picky third paragraph, because this play could be done in a black box with no set lights or costume and I would still recommend going to see it. The orchestra is superb, the songs stick in your mind, and that central premise which explores redemption and innocence and the power of belief is moving to the point of tears. I know I cried, even while admonishing the sets and costumes and lights in my mind. The story moved me to tears. And when actors can do that with all the technical handicaps, I know it’s a play worth seeing.

Guest Writer: George White

Edited and posted by: Jack Jarden

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Seattle Repertory Theatre presents:

Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday Concert

by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman

Directed by Randal Myler

Musical direction by Dan Wheetman

December 5 - 24, 2007

(Opening Night: Wednesday, December 5)

Seattle, WA - Come celebrate the holidays with Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday Concert by the creators of Fire on the Mountain and Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, Dan Wheetman and Randal Myler. Back Home Again plays in the Bagley Wright Theatre from December 5 through December 24 (opening night December 5). Tickets are available through the Seattle Repertory Theatre box office seven days a week at (206) 443-2222, toll-free at (877) 900-9285, as well as online at www.seattlerep.org.

The Show: From the creators of It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues and Fire on the Mountain comes a holiday concert special featuring the music of John Denver, one of our most beloved singer/songwriters. Back Home Again features modern and traditional Christmas carols, as well as some of John Denver's most memorable hits, including "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," "Grandma's Feather Bed," and, of course, "Back Home Again." A perfect entertainment for family and friends, Back Home Again will take you to a place where life is sweet and full of promise. Seattle's own Dan Wheetman brings a winning authenticity to the concert-for seven years, he was a member of Denver's band.

The Creators: Randal Myler was nominated for an Outer Critic's Circle Award in the Outstanding Director category for the New York production of Hank Williams: Lost Highway and was a Tony® Award nominee (Best Book of a Musical) for It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues. He has directed at theatres throughout the country. His other projects also include co-adapting, with Dan Wheetman, and directing Fire on the Mountain, and directing Union City (with Rosie Perez). Dan Wheetman recently received an Ovation Award in Los Angeles for Musical Director in Back Home Again. He also received a Drama-Logue Award for Musical Direction for Hank Williams: Lost Highway at Mark Taper Forum, and an Los Angeles Critics Award for It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues at the Geffen Playhouse. He is a co-author of It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues. He was the composer and musical director for the stage version of John Irving's Cider House Rules at the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. and the Atlantic Theater Company in New York. He toured and recorded with John Denver, wrote a Christmas song for Kermit the Frog, recorded a 78rpm with R. Crumb and the Good Tone Banjo Boys, played a fiddle duet with Itzack Perlman, and worked as the opening act for Steve Martin.

Performance Details: Performances of Back Home Again are at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sundays.

Seattle Rep's Bagley Wright season sponsors are ArtsFund and The Boeing Company; John Denver Producing Partners are Alaska Airlines and Puget Sound Energy; Producing Associates are Carincross and Hempelman, P.S.

Seattle Repertory Theatre, founded in 1963, is led by Artistic Director David Esbjornson and Managing Director Benjamin Moore. One of America's premier nonprofit resident theatres, Seattle Repertory Theatre has achieved international renown for its consistently high production and artistic standards, and was awarded the 1990 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. With an emphasis on entertaining plays of true dramatic and literary worth, Seattle Rep produces a subscription season of plays along with educational programs, new play workshops and special presentations.

INTIMAN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THE FIRST PHASE OF A CRITICAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN; TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ENDS ITS RUN AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLAY IN THE THEATRE’S 35-YEAR HISTORY

SEATTLE— Intiman Theatre announces that it has successfully completed the first phase of a critical fundraising initiative. The first target, $1.3 million in cash gifts, was reached ahead of schedule and has allowed the Theatre to stabilize its financial position and plan for its 2008 season. Led by Managing Director Laura Penn , the campaign secured gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.

The Theatre is currently is in the second phase of the campaign, with a goal of raising $2 million by the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2008. Fulfilling this goal will allow Intiman to meet its year-end goals and complete its Dramatically Different fundraising campaign on an accelerated schedule.

In addition to meeting the $1.3 million cash goal, other recent fundraising successes at Intiman including the fulfillment of its Leading National Theatres Program endowment grant match for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; exceeding its 2007 subscription goal with 9,500 subscribers; and To Kill a Mockingbird, directed by Fracaswell Hyman, ending its run as the most successful play in Intiman’s history.

The fourth play of Intiman’s American Cycle series, To Kill a Mockingbird closed on November 10, after two extensions. It sold 19,340 single and student tickets; including subscribers, 31,000 people attended the production during its run.

Intiman is currently offering 2008 season subscription renewal packages for its subscribers. Tickets for new subscribers will go on sale January 2, 2008. For information about the season, please visit www.intiman.org.

SEATTLE THEATRE GROUP GROWS WITH FOUR NEW HIRES:

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, SENIOR TALENT BUYER, MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGERS

Kate Becker, Adam Zacks, Timie Dolan and Amanda Bedell Join Paramount and Moore

SEATTLE— Seattle Theatre Group, (STG), the not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to operating two of Seattle’s historic landmark theatres, The Paramount and The Moore, recently hired four new people: Kate Becker, Director of Development; Adam Zacks, Senior Talent Buyer; Timie Dolan, Concerts Marketing Manager; and Amanda Bedell, Public Relations Manager.

“It’s an exciting time of growth at STG,” says Josh LaBelle, STG Executive Director. “We’ve brought on four talented individuals considered the best in their fields who will help grow our current business model of keeping our theatres alive and vibrant while strengthening our diverse programming and reaching more audiences.”

Kate Becker was hired as Director of Development. Her duties will include developing and communicating a vision and plan for effective fund development and further promote and uphold the mission of STG. She will work closely with current donors, partners, and supporters of the theatres as well as cultivate and build relationships with new and potential patrons.

“It is not every day that we find someone with the experience and qualifications Kate brings to the table,” said Josh LaBelle, Executive Director of STG. “Her leadership and work with non-profit arts organizations and commitment to community art, youth, and educational development programs fits right on par with STG’s vision and core values.”

With over 15 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, Becker has worked diligently to promote and sustain programs to keep the arts accessible to all. She joins STG after serving as Executive Director for Art Share LA; a Los Angeles based non-profit providing theater, gallery, and loft space for low-income artists as well as educational arts programs for youth in the greater LA area. In 1999, Becker co-founded and served as Artistic Director for The Vera Project, the Seattle based non-profit music and arts center run by and for youth. She recently led the $1.8 million capital campaign to build the new Vera Project at Seattle Center.

Adam Zacks was hired as Senior Talent Buyer, a new position at STG. He is responsible for booking concerts at STG’s theatres as well as other venues. Zacks was most recently a talent buyer at Live Nation, and previously at House of Blues Concerts.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Adam on our team,” says LaBelle. “His strong relationships with artists and stellar reputation in the music industry will help grow our concert business and reinforce our ability to serve our mission to the people in this community.”

Zacks has booked thousands of concerts, comedians, and live events at venues

as large as The Gorge and as small as his living room. He has more than 15

years experience presenting shows of all sizes at various clubs, theaters,

arenas and amphitheatres throughout the Pacific Northwest. Zacks is the

creator and booker of the Sasquatch! Music Festival at The Gorge.

Timie Dolan was hired as Concerts Marketing Manager, a new position at STG. Dolan provides marketing management for the STG’s concert business, including advertising, public relations, promotions and art direction. She most recently served as Assistant Marketing Manager at KEXP 90.3, and prior to that was in marketing at Universal Music and Video Distribution and Easy Street Records.

Amanda Bedell was hired as Public Relations Manager. She will be responsible for planning and executing public relations campaigns for STG and its fine arts engagements. Formerly, Bedell was Account Executive Publicity and Promotions at the film publicity agency, Terry Hines and Associates, and prior to that was publicist at Seattle International Film Festival.

Seattle Repertory Theatre Presents:

Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday Concert

by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman
Directed by Randal Myler
Musical direction by Dan Wheetman

December 5 - 24, 2007

(Opening Night: Friday, December 7)

Seattle, WA - Come celebrate the holidays with Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday Concert by the creators of Fire on the Mountain and Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, Dan Wheetman and Randal Myler. Back Home Again plays in the Bagley Wright Theatre from December 5 through December 24. Previews begin December 5, with opening night set for December 7. Tickets are available through the Seattle Repertory Theatre box office seven days a week at (206) 443-2222, toll-free at (877) 900-9285, as well as online at www.seattlerep.org.

Performance Details: Performances of Back Home Again are at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sundays.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

ACT – A Contemporary Theatre 2008 Season

44^th Season Delivers High Impact, Innovative Works

Seattle, WA – November 13, 2007 – ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie announces six Mainstage plays for ACT – A Contemporary Theatre’s 2008 Season, to start March, 14 2008.

“Our 2008 season explores the incredibly rich and varied cultural influences inspiring contemporary theatre artists,” said ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie. “The theatrical imagination gets sparked in so many thrilling and deliciously unpredictable ways, and often through the marvelous collision of cultural perspectives and sensibilities. We’re honored to open with a special engagement by the Ilkhom Theatre Company of Uzbekistan, a first for Seattle, presenting two socially and politically relevant plays. We’ll also see a work by young American playwright Sarah Ruhl that’s inspired by classical Greek myth; fiery clashes between generations in a world premiere by Michael Bradford; comic collisions between individuals and the random moment in ingenious pieces by Alan Ayckbourn and Steven Dietz; and a fusion between the 21st century energy of ebullient young American performers and the 1920s wit of the very English Noel Coward. I think audiences are going to be really excited by the depth and variety of next season’s plays.”

ACT will utilize both the Allen Theatre , an arena theatre with seating in-the-round, and the thrust-style Falls Theatre during the 2008 season.

Subscriptions, from $66 (for students and people 25 and under) to $300, are available at the Ticket Office, 700 Union Street in downtown Seattle, by phone at (206) 292-7676 or online at acttheatre.org. Single ticket prices range $10/$15 (for students/people 25 and under) to $55.

ACT’s 2008 Mainstage Season

The Ilkhom Theatre Festival – A First for Seattle!

White White Black Stork by Elkin Tuichiev, Mark Weil

Ecstasy With The Pomegranate by M.Weil, D.Tikhomirov

Previews: March 14-19, 2008. Opens: March 20, 2008. Closes: April 13, 2008.
The internationally lauded Ilkhom Theatre Company from Tashkent, Uzbekistan has thrilled audiences in Europe, Israel, Japan, and the U.S. with its brilliant actors and the remarkable genius of its late artistic director, Mark Weil. Renowned for both its classical and innovative stagings, this astonishing theatre company from Central Asia will open ACT's season with a mini-festival of plays that delves into the culture of the Silk Road and its historical connection to Russia and the West. The work addresses the cultural, religious, and political interactions and conflicts between East and West, between Christian and Muslim traditions, between free and repressive governments, and represents the most exciting international theatrical event to come to Seattle in many years.

Fathers and Sons by Michael Bradford – A World Premiere!

Directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton

Previews: April 25-30, 2008. Opens: May 1, 2008. Closes: May 25, 2008.

What is it to be a ‘father', a ‘son,' a ‘husband,' a ‘man'? Fathers and Sons is a thoughtful, rich, and poignant mediation on these eternal questions. Marcus, his father Leon, and grandfather Bernard confront a history of absence, mistakes, mistrust, and broken promises as they strive to redefine themselves as fathers and sons. Initially wary of each other, they come together in the midst of a family crisis and ultimately discover that “ain't nothing a good love can't heal.” Fathers and Sons represents the third project to be produced at ACT from the Hansberry Project, a professional Black theatre company dedicated to the artistic exploration of African American life, history, and culture.

A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Celebration

Words and Music by Noel Coward

Devised by David Ira Goldstein, Carl Danielsen, Mark Anders and Patricia Wilcox

Directed by David Ira Goldstein

Previews: June 13-18, 2008. Opens: June 19, 2008. Closes: July 13, 2008.

A Marvelous Party pays tribute to the extraordinary career of Noel Coward, one of the wittiest and most elegant performers of the 20th Century. This delightful two-hour romp of music, dance, and devilry brings to the stage the most delicious songs and sayings of Coward's oeuvre. Classics like “Mrs. Worthington”, “Why Do The Wrong People Travel”, and “I'll See You Again” are combined with lesser know gems and performed by a three-person ensemble of top Seattle-based musical talent. This glorious revue brings the elegance, éclat, and sheer fun of the inimitable Mr. Coward alive once more.

Intimate Exchanges by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Kurt Beattie

Previews: August 15-20, 2008. Opens: August 21, 2008. Closes: September 14, 2008.

The brilliantly observed social comedy of Alan Ayckbourn returns to ACT in this tour de force for two actors playing six characters. Trapped in a crushing marriage to the alcoholic headmaster of a suburban English prep school, Celia Teasdale makes the momentous decision to assert her independence by catering the school sports day in partnership with a very peculiar gardener. Will her leap of faith pay off? Will she find adventure or misadventure? A wise and witty consideration of the relationship between our desire for change and the capricious ways that life interprets it for us.

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl

Directed by Allison Narver

Previews: September 5-10, 2008. Opens: September 11, 2008. Closes: October 5, 2008.

From the award-winning author of last season's delicious comedy The Clean House and one of America's most original and exciting young playwrights, comes a lyrical meditation on love and loss that puts a contemporary spin on the classic Orpheus myth. Shifting the focus to the bride Eurydice, carried off to the Underworld on the very day of her wedding, Ruhl follows her on her journey through multiple realms of love and memory in search of something that will transcend even the inevitability of death. Whimsical, mystical, and deeply moving, Eurydice is a unique and haunting look at the power of love and the ties that bind.

Becky's New Car by Steven Dietz – A World Premiere!

Directed by Kurt Beattie

Previews: October 17-22, 2008. Opens: October 23, 2008. Closes: November 16, 2008.

Fortyish Becky Foster has a decent job at an auto dealership, a solid husband named Joe, and a freeloading psych-major son living in her basement. Her life is…okay, if not sublime. But when she crosses paths with billionaire widower Walter Flood, she's offered the chance to test drive a very different kind of existence – if she can just keep him in the dark about the one she already has! Playful and painful, wacky and wistful, this world premiere comedy by longtime Seattle playwright Steven Dietz reminds us that the road not taken can be full of hairpin turns.

Following the 2008 season, ACT will once again stage its 33^rd annual production of the heartwarming holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Gregory A. Falls, November 28, 2008-December 28, 2008.

JERSEY BOYS COMES TO THE 5TH AVE!

Broadway’s smash hit JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, makes its exclusive Northwest premiere at The 5th Avenue Theatre December 5, 2007 – January 12, 2008. Directed by two-time TonyAward-winner Des McAnuff, JERSEY BOYS won four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical and remains one of the top-grossing shows in New York since opening in November 2005. Now playing to sold-out houses in Chicago , JERSEY BOYS completed a sold-out, record-breaking four month engagement in Los Angeles last summer. Productions have been announced for Las Vegas , London and Toronto . On October 1, when tickets went on sale for the Seattle premiere, all 5th Avenue Theatre box office records were broken.

JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were thirty. It features their hit songs including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don't Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh, What a Night” and “Can't Take My Eyes Off You.”

JERSEY BOYS is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

The cast for the Seattle engagement is lead by Erich Bergen (Bob Gaudio), Steve Gouveia (Nick Massi), Christopher Kale Jones (Frankie Valli) and Deven May (Tommy DeVito) as The Four Seasons, with John Altieri and Joseph Siravo. The ensemble includes Miles Aubrey, Erik Bates, Holly Ann Butler, Sarah Darling, Christopher DeAngelis, Jennifer Evans, Eric Gutman, Jamie Karen, Nathan Klau, Brandon Matthieus, Michael Pearce, Zachary Prince, Courter Simmons, Taylor Sternberg and Josh Weinstein.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Weekly Update - 11/9/2007

KSUB Seattle
Listen In Online Here
The Broadway Hour >Sunday 10AM - Noon

Seattle Shakespeare
Tickets and Information
Pericles >October 25 - 18, 2007

Seattle University w/ Strawberry Theater Workshop
Tickets and Information
The Life of Galileo >October 25 - November 18, 2007
**RICK SKYLER aka ANDY SWANSON and NIGEL ANDREWS aka ANDREW PEREZ both credited in this production**

Intiman
Tickets and Information
To Kill a Mockingbird >September 28 - November 11, 2007
Black Nativity >November 28, 2007

Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets and Information
The Cook >November 1 - 4, 2007
Birdie Blue >November 15 - December 16, 2007

ACT Theatre
Tickets and Information
The Women >October 5 - December 2, 2007
Late Night Catechism >Through December 30, 2007
One Night Stand with Cancer >October 11 - November 11, 2007
Christmas Carol >November 23 - December 24, 2007

Seattle Opera
Tickets and Information
Pagliacci >January 12 - 26, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
Tickets and Information
Into the Woods >October 19 - November 10, 2007
Whistle Down the Wind >November 13 - December 2, 2007

Theater Schmeater
Tickets and Information
Mamet Schmamet >November 2 - December 1, 2007
American Buffalo >October 26 - December 1, 2007

Thursday, November 08, 2007

15 Local Kids in Whistle Down the Wind!

SEATTLE – The 5th Avenue Theatre has cast 15 Puget Sound area children in the U.S. premiere touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND. Twenty-three children are featured in this inspirational musical about the innocence of children and the transformative power of love. Eight young actors travel with the touring production, and 15 local kids have been cast for the run at Seattle ’s 5th Avenue Theatre November 13 – December 2.

Hundreds of local students responded to the Theatre’s open casting call for the children’s ensemble. The following talented kids landed the roles: Lauren Carlos, Brayden Daher, Natalie Dungey, Drea Gordon, Alexandria Gray, Mariah Lotz, Elijah Ostrow, Mary Rising, Aaron Smith, Isabella Stachurski, Kaija Stern, Sam Tacher, Keaton Whittaker, Elijah Williams and Paris Williams. The children range in age from 6 to 12, live in Seattle, Mukilteo, Shoreline, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Bothell and Burien, and hail from area schools such as Washington Middle School, Grand Ridge Elementary and St. Monica Catholic School. Many of the kids are making their 5th Avenue stage debut. Keaton Whittaker, 11, starred in The 5th Avenue ’s production of White Christmas last season, and Elijah Williams, 11, appeared in The Wizard of Oz in 2003.

WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND is an uplifting musical about a young Louisiana girl who finds a mysterious stranger and hides him from the townspeople, who are determined to find the escaped felon. The U.S. premiere production partners renowned rock lyricist Jim Steinman (Meatloaf's classic album Bat Out of Hell) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) to create a score inspired by the sounds of the American South – blues, gospel, country and rock 'n' roll. Directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND features award-winning songs including the Boyzone smash hit “No Matter What.”

Tickets to WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND are priced from $20 - $77. Tickets are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 (toll free 888-5TH-4TIX), online at www.5thavenue.org or in person at the box office in downtown Seattle . There is no service charge when purchasing tickets in person at The 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office.

The Cook -- By Eduardo Machado

The Cook, By Eduardo Machado

Seattle Repertory Theatre

Ticket Office: (206) 443-2222

http://www.seattlerep.org/

155 Mercer St. Seattle, WA 98109

The Cook
By Eduardo Machado
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
November 7 – December 1, 2007

The Cook is a touching and heartbreaking tale of a woman set on a mission to protect the beautiful house of her mistress during the Cuban revolution. Eduardo Machado’s beautiful script is powerful and pithy, and captures the soul of Cuba in three breathtaking acts.

The Rep’s production is an amazing display of color and character. The set alone makes one yearn for Cuba and her tamales, with its vibrant colors and perfect design. The lighting was likewise as exact and emitted the hot equator sun and the musical selection went perfectly with the times and convinced the audience of a glimpse into the past.

L-R) Al Espinosa as Carlos and Zabryna Guevara as Gladys, the cook, in Eduardo Machado’s The Cook, directed by Juliette Carrillo. The Cook plays in the Bagley Wright Theatre until December 1. Photos copyright Chris Bennion, 2007.

The production stars Zabryna Guevara who originated the part of Gladys in New York in 2003. She and her fellow actors produced a very good show with very little grievances, but when the deep conflict of the story reared its head this ensemble shined. As the story progressed so did the actor’s chemistry and ability.

Two intermissions interrupt the story but do more to pass the time quickly and make the show seem shorter rather than interfere with the verisimilitude. The direction and staging was effective and engaging, the script was emotionally wrenching with a firm political message, and the overall production was terrific to experience, appropriate for all adults of all backgrounds.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Extended - Now On Sale Through December 16!

The Women by Clare Boothe Luce

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre

Ticket Office: (206) 292-7676

700 Union Street, Seattle WA 98101

www.acttheatre.org

The Women

By Clare Boothe Luce

Directed by Warner Shook

Tickets currently on sale through December 16, 2007

Seattle, WA – November 6, 2007 – Due to popular demand, performances for Clare Boothe Luce’s The Women, directed by Warner Shook, are now on sale through December 16. To date, more than 11,000 single tickets have been sold—more than double than any previous mainstage production at ACT.

“We’re thrilled at the tremendous response for The Women,” said ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie . “It’s turning into one of our most successful productions ever, and that’s very gratifying. It took us three years to bring this show to the stage – physically it’s one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever taken on – and for us it’s a celebration not only of the 16 wonderful actresses on stage, but also of the extraordinary work of our set, costume, and properties shops, and of course the unmatchably stylish vision of our director Warner Shook. It’s truly wonderful to share all that with the audience and have them embrace it with such enthusiasm and delight.”

Tickets for performances of The Women through the 2:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, December 16, 2007, including a special set of post-Thanksgiving matinee performances on Friday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 24 at 2:00 p.m., are now on sale online at www.acttheatre.org, by phone at (206) 292-7676, or in person at ACT’s ticket office, located at 700 Union Street in downtown Seattle. Discounts for groups of 12 or more are available by calling (253) 839-4204. For more information, including opening night responses to The Women and audience blog, visit www.acttheatre.org.

Orkestar Zirkonium w/ Vagabond Opera - Columbia City Theater

Orkestar Zirkonium
Columbia City Theater

November 8, 2007
Tickets
Information

Orkestar Zirkonium is a Balkan-inspired mobile brass-and-drum band cast through an American lens. Our repertoire includes songs on loan from Eastern Europe’s phenomenal brass band tradition, as well as a number of original compositions.

Evolution
Orkestar Zirkonium was founded by a core group of Seattle musicians in 2003, and has over the years accumulated fourteen members, hailing from diverse projects including Circus Contraption, the Infernal Noise Brigade, the Degenerate Art Ensemble, the Freemont Philharmonic, the MTKJ Quartet, and the Anti-Fascist Marching Band. The band plays in a variety of incarnations and lineups; the versatile percussion section includes bass drum, snare, dumbek, and percussion instruments such as cymbals, tambourine, and qarqabats.

Influences
The raucous, celebratory Balkan music that inspires us originated among the working-class factory towns and Roma encampments of southeastern Europe, including countries comprising the former Yugoslavia. Orkestar means “band” in several Slavic and Romance languages, and “Zirkonium” (the low-cost diamond substitute) is in reference to our fundamental fakery: Sadly, no one in the group actually hails from the Balkans.

We borrow from the greats of the current Balkan music scene, including Serbia’s Boban Markovic Orkestar, Romania’s Fanfare Ciocarlia, Hungary’s Besho Drom, and Macedonia’s Kocani Orkestar. We are also influenced by Bollywood, Middle Eastern, and klezmer traditions.

Escapades
As a marching band, our desire is to facilitate joyous musical spectacles in unexpected locales. Our performances range from the completely unsanctioned to the civically sponsored: We maraud through grocery stores, throw dance parties in fountains and parks, and take over parties as surprise (and, sometimes, invited) guests; we burst uninvited into taverns, play for families at city festivals, provide the soundtrack for underground casinos, and entertain wedding-goers.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Weekly Update - 11/5/2007

KSUB Seattle
Listen In Online Here
The Broadway Hour >Sunday 10AM - Noon

Seattle Shakespeare
Tickets and Information
Pericles >October 25 - 18, 2007

Seattle University w/ Strawberry Theater Workshop
Tickets and Information
The Life of Galileo >October 25 - November 18, 2007
**RICK SKYLER aka ANDY SWANSON and NIGEL ANDREWS aka ANDREW PEREZ both credited in this production**

Intiman
Tickets and Information
To Kill a Mockingbird >September 28 - November 11, 2007

Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets and Information
The Cook >November 1 - 4, 2007
Birdie Blue >November 15 - December 16, 2007

ACT Theatre
Tickets and Information
The Women >October 5 - December 2, 2007
Late Night Catechism >Through December 30, 2007
One Night Stand with Cancer >October 11 - November 11, 2007
Christmas Carol >November 23 - December 24, 2007

Seattle Opera
Tickets and Information
Pagliacci >January 12 - 26, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
Tickets and Information
Into the Woods >October 19 - November 10, 2007
Whistle Down the Wind >November 13 - December 2, 2007

Theater Schmeater
Tickets and Information
Mamet Schmamet >November 2 - December 1, 2007
American Buffalo >October 26 - December 1, 2007

The Broadway Hour Seattle