Trip With the Griswolds: Farcical Fun or Musical Dud?
A new musical comedy, inspired by the family of decades-old ‘National Lampoon’ films, premiered this month at The 5th Avenue Theatre. It runs through 10/2.
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REVIEW
Forage Into Fall with Nordo’s Wonderland Feasts
In a long-running cabaret and a game set for home play, Cafe Nordo delivers a happy and delicious Alice in Wonderland-themed feasts. Plus, more news in dinner theatre this year.
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The Thrust: These Shows Thrive on Carnal Instincts. And Nerds.
Delightfully campy, nerdy, sexy, and musical, new shows at the Can Can Culinary Cabaret and Village Theatre are likely to attract different audiences. Combined, they might be the most fun duo of the season.
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Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Journey Across Classic and Brand-New Is an Epic Yes
The triple-bill combines a lesser-known classic with a timely world premiere, then finishes with a mighty flourish. ‘Carmina Burana’ runs live through 10/2, then streams 10/6-10.
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The Thrust: ‘Almost, Maine’ and Spirited, Northshore
From a relative theatre desert to abuzz with stories, As If Theatre Company and HEART Repertory Theatre have enlivened a Kenmore stage.
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The Thrust: The Kids Aren’t Alright. But They’re Working on It.
Two plays on now in the South Sound explore death, life, and teenagehood. ‘This Flat Earth’ runs through 9/17 at Harlequin in Olympia; and ‘The Oregon Trail’ plays through 9/11 at Centerstage in Federal Way.
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On an Underground Stage, Stories of Pioneer Square Through the Ages
An underground new musical examines an old neighborhood’s storied past and vibrant present. People in the Square runs through 8/27 at The New Skid Road Theatre.
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Make America Cool Again: Hamilton’s Hype & Head-Scratching
Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster, quintessentially American musical, runs through September 11 at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle.
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‘Come From Away’ Finds Joy When the Journey Goes Nowhere
The sweet, standout touring musical performs at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre through 8/7.
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Harlequin’s ‘Hedwig’ Is One Hell of a Love Song
Harlequin’s latest brings great music, chemistry between actors, and transformations with a feeling that anything’s possible. Hedwig and the Angry
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The Thrust: Sex Through the Ages on Local Stages
The rock musical ‘Hair’ (at Renton Civic Theatre) and Lowbrow Opera Collective’s ‘#adulting2: here we go again’ (at 18th & Union) have some common themes. Both run through June 25.
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The Thrust: Someone’s Pulling Our Leg With These Shows
Three comedies hit the right notes. The original musical ‘And So That Happened …’ and the farce ‘The Nerd’ close this weekend; the lightly risque ‘Skin Flick’ runs through the following week.
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Out in the Foothills, a Tempest Roars
In North Bend, Valley Center Stage’s ‘The Tempest’ helps clear up Shakespeare’s convoluted storm play with a strong production set among the Vikings. It runs through 6/19.
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In ‘Riverwood’ at Langston Hughes, Lofty Ceilings and Lofty Dreams
A new play in and for Seattle looks at the networks and ambitions of those being pushed out. ‘Riverwood’ runs through 6/5 at Langston Hughes, then performs 6/17-26 at Seattle Public Theater.
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Old-Soul Boys and Take-Charge Girls Are Unmistakably ‘Charlie Brown’ in Village Theatre’s Joyful Staging
The comic strip’s classic characters take to musical theatre to convince us — with a whole lot of humor and charm — that there’s always an upside. It runs through 6/19 at Village Theatre in Everett.
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Sweat Now. Process Afterwords.
Two big productions on now, paint two American portraits, intimate and recognizable, in details both banal and destabilizing. Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama runs through 5/22 at ACT Theatre; and a world-premiere musical at The 5th runs through 5/21.
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The Herons and the Swans
A viewing of Mark Morris’ contemporary short works and Kent Stowell’s classic ‘Swan Lake’, at Pacific Northwest Ballet, finds surprising connections among them. Digital access to ‘Swan Lake’ is available through 5/16.
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Dance-Variety Show ‘Space 50’ Warms the Soul (And the 9th Planet)
A futuristic new show from ‘Buttcracker’ series creators Diana Cardiff and Sara Jinks brings dance into outer space. ‘Space 50’ ran through May 1.
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Women Run the Show in ‘9 to 5’
Mega-talented cast and musicians shine in this Showtunes short run, a musical workplace comedy of sexism, revenge, and fresh thinking. It runs through April 16.
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The Thrust: With This Week’s Shows, It’s All in the Family
Diverse in form, these shows feature family at the heart of them.
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Plotting New Paths: Four Contemporary Works
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Rep 4, ‘Plot Points’, highlights a new generation of dance. It performs through March 27, and streams online through April 4.
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The Thrust: Quick Takes on 5 Shows This Week
Having trouble choosing what to see among the rush of shows this weekend? Here are my takeaways from five of them to help you decide.
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The Thrust: In This Week’s Shows, the Rules Are What You Make Them
In two shows this week, strong female leads see their safe, comfortable social orders challenged. ‘The Cake’ from As If Theatre Company runs through 3/20 in Kenmore; and Village Theatre’s ‘The Book Club Play’ runs through 4/3 (in Issaquah) and 5/1 (in Everett).
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Red, Black, and Blue: An American Portrait at Seattle Opera
The gorgeous new opera ‘Blue’ presents a portrait of a middle-class Black family and their chosen families, galvanized by a joy and a tragedy. The West Coast premiere runs through March 12.
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The Thrust: Love Sets the Tone in These Shows
From an all-too-honest advice columnist to audience requests on the mic and a gambling bail-out, the love shown here covers pretty much everything but the romantic kind. Here are my takeaways from each.
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Dragon Lady Just Keeps Getting Stronger
It’s vulnerability, not her battle-ready exterior, that’s deepened this much-performed original of the “matriarchal musical tramedies” over the years. Sara Porkalob dazzles in one final Seattle run before heading east.
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Macha’s ‘Fifth Wave’ Is Ready for Battle – But Which One?
A world premiere play from two local playwrights has a somewhat muddled message. But its captivating production and ample discussion fodder make it worth your time. ‘The Fifth Wave’ runs through February 27 at Macha Theatre Works.
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The Thrust: The Houses Hold Secrets in This Week’s Funny Shows
In two shows on now, creaking estates teem with family secrets, uncertain deaths, and bloodthirsty beasts. They’re also very funny. ‘The Mystery of Irma Vep’ (Intiman Theatre) and ’37 Postcards’ (The Phoenix Theatre, in Edmonds) both run for two more weekends.
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The Thrust: In This Weekend’s Shows, Be Careful What You Wish For
Three shows this weekend explore the deepest desires of their characters. Not all goes according to plan.
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Voting Rights Warrior’s Light Shines Bright in ‘Fannie’
A powerful staging of one woman’s force in a civil rights movement performs at Seattle Rep through February 13. Leading performer E. Faye Butler and understudy Shaunyce Omar both shine, with different takes on the role.
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