Jay Irwin - Page 45

Currently up to bat at Seattle Public Theater we have a spotlight on one of the most recent scandals to rock America's pastime, steroids, with "Back Back Back" by Itamar Moses. And while not one of the most scintillating looks into the inner workings of Baseball, director Kelly Kitchens has assembled a fine team of players who turn in some wonderful performances.

A show that is largely monologue narration is difficult to pull off at best. They have a tendency to fall into static rhythms rather than engaging stories. Such was the pitfall of ReAct Theatre's current show "A Language of Their Own" by Chay Yew. And while the show did have a tendency towards that rhythm I mentioned, it also manages some lovely moments and tells a heartwarming tale of what happens when love is denied.

Religion vs. Science. Psychology vs. Faith. Such is the debate of the ages and specifically of two of the greatest minds of the 20th century, C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud with almost polar opposite attitudes. And such is the topic of the west coast premiere of the Off-Broadway hit "Freud's Last Session" currently playing at Taproot Theatre. An interesting discussion of two iconic figures but unfortunately not really enough variety to sustain for an evening.

I am the wrong audience for the current show at Seattle Children's Theatre, "Help". I am not an avid fan of The Beatles (blasphemy, I know), I think I'm the wrong age group for some of the choices and I'm not sure I completely understand the choice to bring a biographical play about The Beatles to a children's theatre. So yeah, wrong audience. But, even as the wrong audience I was able to appreciate the incredibly talented performers up on that stage.

What constitutes a Broadway Diva? A Broadway star who's endured the test of time with iconic roles that remain in the minds of fans forever. Well then dear readers, we had a Broadway Diva in town last night as Lea Salonga brought her incredible talent to the Moore Theatre for a one night only concert. But beyond the Diva, Salonga kept such a simple and fun air to the evening that it was more like spending time with an old friend telling stories and enjoying their company.

It's hard to tell from the outset if David Hare's play, "The Blue Room", adapted from Arthur Schnitzler's "La Ronde", dislikes women more or men as the men all seem to be pricks and women all seem to be playthings for the men. But after reflection overnight on this string of distasteful sexual encounters I think I settled on it. The play (and possibly Hare himself) dislikes the audience as he gives us nothing and no one to empathize with and no real journey to follow.

There are certain givens in Seattle. It rains a lot. You can pretty much find a Starbucks on every block. And Theater Schmeater's presentations of "The Twilight Zone: Live!" are always a blast. And their current incarnation being presented at ACT Theatre's Bullitt Cabaret is no exception as they once again transport us into the 60's and into another dimension. A dimension of sight, a dimension of sound, a dimension of … well, you get the idea.

Currently up to bat at Seattle Public Theater we have a spotlight on one of the most recent scandals to rock America's pastime, steroids, with "Back Back Back" by Itamar Moses. And while not one of the most scintillating looks into the inner workings of Baseball, director Kelly Kitchens has assembled a fine team of players who turn in some wonderful performances.

Saturday night I went to a party. I wasn't sure what to expect at this party but when I got there I saw that two old friends were there. These are the kind of friends everyone wants to have as they are the coolest people you know. And when they come to a party you know you'll have a good time as Kevin will always tell the best stories and Simone will always sing the most wonderful songs. OK, so it wasn't a party I went to it was the Seattle Rep's extremely limited run (only two performances) of Kevin Kling and Simone Perrin in "A Fool's Paradise". But from the moment they stepped on stage, it felt like we were at a party with old friends and that there was nowhere on Earth we would rather be.

If you choose to take a date (first or otherwise) to the new World Premiere musical "First Date" currently being presented at ACT and co-produced through ACT and the 5th Avenue Theatre, you may end up getting quite sentimental and mushy towards your date as the evening wears on. Or you may end up breaking up as you laugh a little too hard at some of the baggage of these characters that hits a little too close to home. Either way, you're bound to have a good time (at least until the fighting begins) at this fun and funny bit of cotton candy.

Right from the moment we first meet Aphra (Kirsten Potter) at the top of the Seattle Rep's current production of "Or," by Liz Duffy Adams, we know we are in for one hell of a ride. And what a ride it is! This deliciously naughty look into one of the first female playwrights will keep you rolling with laughter while still managing an undercurrent of sweetness.

Religion vs. Science. Psychology vs. Faith. Such is the debate of the ages and specifically of two of the greatest minds of the 20th century, C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud with almost polar opposite attitudes. And such is the topic of the west coast premiere of the Off-Broadway hit "Freud's Last Session" currently playing at Taproot Theatre. An interesting discussion of two iconic figures but unfortunately not really enough variety to sustain for an evening.

A play is only as strong as its weakest link and when that link is the structure of the play then the rest will suffer immensely. Unfortunately Theater Schmeater's current show, "Lark Eden" suffers from that link and a few others. And while it has its moments, ultimately it's weighed down by some forced and cliche plot points and a structure that keeps betraying itself.

I don't mean to be cruel, dear readers, but I'm about to tell you about one of the most gloriously simple and quietly profound shows that you'll probably not get to see. "Holy Days" by Sally Nemeth from New Century Theatre Company stars some of the finest performers in the Seattle area at the top of their game in a play that's silent grace will stay with you long after it's over. Currently playing at Raisbeck Performance Hall, it unfortunately is only up for this weekend and if their ticketing website is any indication those shows are already close to sold out.

Village Theatre has a tradition of bringing up new musicals (often ones showcased in their Village Originals Festival) onto the Mainstage. Sometimes it works ("Next To Normal" or "Iron Curtain") and sometimes it doesn't ("Take Me America" from earlier this season) and sometimes you have a really promising show that just needs a little more time to cook. Such is the case with "It Shoulda Been You" currently playing at Village. An incredibly strong cast in a show that doesn't always hit the mark or flow the way it could.

OK, so I'll admit I was hesitant to start reviewing at the Children's Theatre. But then at the urging of others and the insistence that they are putting up some of the better shows in town, I relented. And if their current offering, "A Single Shard", is any indication, then I seriously need to rethink my attitude. Yes, it's children's theater in that it's theater that's OK for children to see, but it's so much more and better than you may expect.

Theatrically the questions of "What is art?" and "Can art be commercialized" are not new ones. But that is precisely what John Logan's Tony Award winning play "Red", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, is putting out there. And while not a new issue, the play still results in an interesting look into the mind of two artists, one established and one fledgling, and above all turns in some stellar performances from the actors involved.

There are some authors who just have a complete mastery of storytelling and the English language so that their works live on forever. No, oddly enough considering the source of the production, I am not talking about William Shakespeare but George Bernard Shaw. This is never more evident than in his master work, "Pygmalion" which is currently being presented by the Seattle Shakespeare Company. And as wonderful as the play itself is, Seattle Shakes current production is equally as rich and vibrant and pays full homage to the work and the man.

Anyone who knows me knows of my love for Howard Ashman. I consider the time he, Alan Menken and Tim Rice worked on Disney movies to be the Golden Age of Disney Musicals with "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin". Unfortunately, try as they may, Disney's attempts at making stage musicals out of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" have been less than stellar. Thank God we have the gem that is "Beauty and the Beast" to keep Howard's legacy alive. And while over the years the stage version has been toned down for touring, the majority of the magic is still there and they even managed a few surprises for me in the current production at the Paramount Theatre.

It's not easy coming up with a new twist on a beloved classic especially a beloved children's classic such as E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web", but that's just what writer and director Brendan Mack and the folks at STAGEright have done with their current production of "Web". And while I felt the play could do with some editing and the production lacked a bit of focus at times, ultimately the show comes across as a fascinating reimagining and expansion of a tale of unconditional love.