Jay Irwin - Page 51

The Seattle Rep is currently presenting Brian Friel's Irish familial saga, "Dancing at Lughnasa". And while the show has some lovely moments, the play as a whole seemed sluggish and uneven.

Seattle Shakespeare Company is currently coupling their powerhouse production of "Hamlet" with an amusing look into Hamlet's college days with "Wittenberg" by David Davalos. And while it may not pack the punch of the main event it is a smart and funny view into the formation of the attitudes of the young prince.

Village Theatre is presenting a new musical production of the classic Lucy Maud Montgomery novel, "Anne of Green Gables". This new production stemmed from a prior workshop of the show featured in Village Original's Festival of New Musicals from 2009. And the full staging of this show only leads me to the question, "Why?"

Well, Dear Readers, here it is. The long awaited Day 2. The first part of the day was just getting settled in and hanging out with a friend. And then I went and saw my only show of the day. So let's jump in.

Well, it's my last day here Dear Readers and I certainly sent it out with a bang. Let's get right to it shall we?

Well today, Dear Readers was one helluva day! A group of spectacular shows and aside from a few interesting conversations I had with true New Yorkers on the bus, not a lot of time for anything else but shows since I was seeing three of them. So let's dive right in shall we?

Greetings Dear Readers from New York. It's Day 3 here and I'm having a wonderful time. Now I know what you're thinking. "Day 3?! Whatever happened to Day 2?"No you haven't missed an installment. Day 2 is going to have to be delayed until next week but I assure you it will come. The show I saw on Day 2 has not officially opened yet and out of respect, we cannot publish reviews of shows still in previews. The play is "After the Revolution" and it opens next week. I apologize for the confusion on that one. But on to Day 3.

So, dear readers, I know you're used to me writing about all things Seattle Theater related but I'm currently out on my pilgrimage to Mecca (as it were) visiting New York to see some of the new shows (both on and off Broadway) they have to offer.

Seattle's Intiman Theatre is closing out their main stage season with the adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic morality tale, "The Scarlet Letter". In "The Scarlet Letter" the letter in question is an "A" but with this production I can really only give it a C-.

Seattle Shakespeare Company launches their 20th anniversary season with the uber-Shakespeare classic, "Hamlet". I'll admit I was hesitant to go see it. "Yet another production of 'Hamlet'." But, this production with its "less is more" mentality is a near note perfect production and one to be remembered for years to come.

The Seattle Rep continues their season with Edward Albee's gorgeous study of one woman's life with "Three Tall Women". And while the production definitely had some shortcomings, there were some powerhouse performances that went a long way in making up for them.

Emerging theater company Azeotrope is presenting their debut production with Adam Rapp's Pulitzer nominated play, "Red Light Winter". And while I'm not sure how I feel about the play itself, I know how I feel about the production, excited by the engaging performances and thrilled that there's another new company out there willing to take on new and different works.

Seattle's ACT is presenting Martin McDonagh's bloody Tony Award nominated play, "The Lieutenant of Inishmore". And if you're looking for a darkly (and I mean DARK) hysterical little story about IRA rejects torturing prisoners, assassination attempts and the murder of beloved pet cats, then this could be the show for you.

ArtsWest continues its streak of Seattle premieres with their current production of "Evil Dead: The Musical". And while the show can use a little tightening up, it's still a bloody good time … literally!

The Seattle Rep is off to a great start to follow up their previous can't miss season by opening this season with their local production of the Broadway smash, "God of Carnage". The Rep has once again shown they know what the goods are and how to deliver them.

The 5th Avenue Theatre continues its celebration and love of the American Musical with the National Tour of one of the freshest new shows to come along in awhile, "In the Heights". And while the tour of this fresh show seemed to come across a bit stale, the show still demonstrates that good new musical theater is out there and doesn't need to be based on a movie.

Theater Schmeater is currently presenting the fledgling yet classic work of Tennessee Williams, "The Glass Menagerie". And while a little over produced, there are solid and heartbreaking performances that will stay with you.

Book-It Repertory Theatre is presenting the second half of their outstanding rendition of John Irving's classic novel with "The Cider House Rules, Part Two: In Other Parts of the World". And it's no surprise that this production is just as stellar as its predecessor and perhaps even more so.

ACT is presenting an intimate look at one of America's favorite columnists, Ann Landers with the one woman show, "The Lady With All the Answers". Charming, funny and touching all at the same time, the show manages to give an inside peek at Ms. Landers' work and attitudes while never becoming preachy.

Village Theatre launches its 2010-2011 season with the beefcake musical comedy, "The Full Monty". And while the performers in the show have wonderful and rich voices, the show lacked any kind of energy, pace and heart.