The Blue Men March and Paint to Their Own Drums. Bring the Kids.
In a symphony of percussion and paint, the Blue Man Group performs at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre through 11/27.
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Seattle
The Thrust: Updating the Untouchable
Sacrosanct or sacrilege, two companies reboot theatrical classics with a variety-show feel. Reboot Theatre Company’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ runs through 11/19, and Pony World Theatre’s ‘Not / Our Town’ runs through 12/3.
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‘Jagged Little Pill’ Is an Unlikely Coming-of-Age Story
The mostly-enjoyable jukebox musical of Alanis Morissette songs and “suburban despair” runs through 11/13 at The Paramount Theatre.
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‘This Is Halloween’ Is a Glammed Up and Hammed Up Delight
The super fun ‘This Is Halloween’, produced by the Can Can and performed at The Triple Door (through 10/31), is a delightful tradition for annual goers and first-timers alike. But The Triple Door’s inconsistent food is a definite downside.
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‘Mockingbird’ and the Familiar Haunt of White Supremacy
Now through 10/16 at The Paramount, the national tour of Broadway’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a strong production of a mighty familiar relic. Plus, a new work at MAP Theatre, on through 10/22, casts White Supremacy as a horror villain.
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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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Storytelling and Theatre Pack the Weekends at This New Festival
The first-ever Portable Performance Festival at 18th & Union is in full swing, with 20 or so shows in two weeks.
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On an Underground Stage, Stories of Pioneer Square Through the Ages
An underground musical examines an old neighborhood’s storied past and vibrant present. People in the Square runs through 7/27 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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On Tour: Tony-Winning Traveling Tale ‘Hadestown’ Pulls Into the Paramount
In its first national tour, the blockbuster Broadway musical performs in Seattle on July 12-17. If you want tickets, you’d better get them now.
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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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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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Book Revue: In ‘Fearlessly Different’, an Autistic Actor Finds His Light
In his debut book, released today, Seattle-raised actor Mickey Rowe shares how autism guides, not stifles, his stage performance. ‘Fearlessly Different’ offers behind-the-scenes perspective on disability, acting, and difference as strength.
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Patiently Waiting: Contemporary Dance Works Take Shape to Premiere
On March 8, dance company The Gray premieres new work by Beth Terwilleger. Meanwhile, new works take shape to premiere this spring, part of the James Ray Residency Project at Seattle International Dance Festival.
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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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Priced Out? These Seattle-Area Theatres Set Out to Price You In.
As the pandemic pause put production activity on hold, theatres took the opportunity to reassess their commitments. For some, that means making theatre more accessible than ever, including how much it costs to get in the door.
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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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Humanizing Mental Illness: The High Art of Lowbrow Opera
With ‘Diary of a Madman,’ Lowbrow Opera Collective humanizes society’s scorn for mental illness in a compelling 45-minute opera. It runs through November 21 at 18th & Union.
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Always Naked Finally Get Their Big Release
Earlier this year, the rock band Always Naked released an album called “Sex Sells,” along with a music video starring two Seattle-area theatre artists. With next week’s arrival of their third full-length album, the band finally gets to throw a release party. They play the High Dive on November 27.
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In Two ‘80s Theatrical Creations, Strong Women and Big Hair
‘Steel Magnolias’ at Taproot Theatre (thru 2/29) and Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s ‘Beehive’ (thru 2/16) center strong female characters, from an ’80s small-town salon to world-class stages of the ’60s.
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‘Drama Tops’ Explores the Switchy Territory of Gendered Experience
The new work by dancer/choreographer Elby Brosch looks at trans experience alongside binary and non-binary identities. It runs through 1/30.
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Two ‘Social Justice Scrooges’ Stay Up Past Christmas
Two versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ — one new and one classic — seek to highlight the social-justice message at the heart of the original. ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol’ plays at Harlequin in Olympia through 12/31; and ‘A Christmas Carol’ plays at ACT Theatre in Seattle through 12/28.
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Sugar Plum Gary Is Coming to Town. Look Busy.
Once upon a time, Santa Claus came to visit. The only survivor would like to tell you about it.
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Balanchine, Morris, and Byrd: A Delight in Three Nutcrackers
Three interpretations of ‘The Nutcracker’ on Seattle stages demonstrate its adaptability for the tastes — and moods — of new audiences. The invigorated classic epic (at Pacific Northwest Ballet, through 12/28), a sassy spin-off and an elegant workshop (at the Paramount Theatre and On the Boards, both through 12/15) are all delightful, and distinct.
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