NEWS 5/8/2009

Tilting Towards Some Tonys!

After premiering at the 5th Avenue, “Shrek” gathers eight Tony nominations

 

SEATTLE, WA –This year’s Tony nominations include a healthy showing for a production brought to life at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, Shrek: the Musical. The fractured fairy tale about a big green ogre who saves a princess garnered eight nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book (by David Lindsay-Abaire), Best Original Score (Jeanine Tesori, music, Lindsay-Abaire, lyrics), Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Brian d’Arcy James), Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Christopher Sieber), Best Orchestrations (Danny Troob and John Clancy), and Best Costume Design (Tim Hatley).

This strong showing for another musical premiered on the stage of The 5th Avenue helps bolster the Theatre’s reputation as one of the preeminent companies in the country for developing new musicals.

In addition to Shrek: The Musical, Seattle was well-represented in the Tony nominations, with a nod to Intiman’s Bartlett Sher for his direction of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and 11 nominations for Next To Normal, with book and lyrics by Northwest artist Brian Yorkey. Next to Normal stars Aaron Tveit, next seen at The 5th Avenue in the world premiere of Catch Me If You Can, as well as Louis Hobson, a regular on our stage. In addition, Larry Blank (who is up for a Tony for Best Orchestrations for his work on White Christmas) will be back in Seattle working as co-orchestrator for Catch Me If You Can.

Catch Me If You Can, which premieres at The 5th Avenue July 23, also brings back to our stage the powerhouse team behind Hairspray, including five-time Tony Awardwinning director Jack O’Brien, Tony Award winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell and Tony Award winning composing team Marc Shaiman (music & lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics). (Four time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally provides the book.) Hairspray, which also received its world premiere at The Fifth Avenue Theatre, went on to win eight Tony Awards (out of thirteen nominations) including Best Musical, and enjoyed a hugely successful six and a half year run on Broadway.

Mayday Turns to Musical Mayhem.

Captain Smartypants Goes “Native” in Air Smarty

 

With Guest Performers Sensible Shoes, Bobbi Kotula, and Waxie Moon

 

Captain Smartypants goes “native” when a luxury airliner nosedives into the Pacific, the shipwrecked Air Smarty crew takes to the airwaves. It’s a unique taste of homo-comedy at its talented and flagitious best. “Mayday” turns to musical mayhem as their increasingly creative distress signals attract all sorts of characters. Part Tempest, partGilligan’s Island, part Lost, part American Idol, this show demonstrates just how creative, and desperate, a group of nine survivors can get. Air Smarty features songs byAnnie Lennox, a tribute to gay and straight composers, and a medley of songs shown to drive people clinically insane. Peppered with commercials for new and cryptic products, the evening is all done up by a parade of undaunted, unbalanced, and unearthly characters who will definitely keep you laughing.

 

Joining Captain Smartypants on May 29, 30 and 31^st is Waxie Moon, Seattle’s own gender-bending boylesque sensation. Intoxicating, sublime and ridiculous; s/he has to be seen to be believed. On June 5,6 and 7  bubbly, bawdy and brilliant local singing legend Bobbi Kotula will join the Pants. Saturday and Sunday performances will also feature Sensible Shoes, the small ensemble of Seattle Women’s Chorus, in a 10 to 15 minute curtain warmer. For more information on guest artists visit:http://www.flyinghouse.org/sensibleshoes/,  www.bobbikotula.com or www.myspace.com/waxiemoon. Air Smarty is directed by Eric Lane Barnes and the cast includes the nine members of Captain Smartypants; Eric Ranelletti, Tim Clements, Jeff Erickson, Josh Herrington, Rad Milosavljevic, David Nilsson, Don Riling, Paul Rosenberg, and Steve Watson.