Jay Irwin - Page 52

Judy Ann Moulton presented her one woman celebration of all things Garland last night with "Judy Sings Judy" at Bellevue's Meydenbauer Center. And let me tell you, Judy Garland would have been thrilled with the tribute Moulton gave her and considering Moulton's incredible belt, Garland could probably hear her from heaven. But then, we were all in heaven last night watching the show.

Seattle's Paramount Theatre is currently presenting the national tour of the hot, steamy and sexy dance show, "Burn the Floor" and if you're a fan of dance, or just of really pretty people, you're bound to have a good time.

Seattle's Intiman Theatre continues its 2010 season with a bawdy and hilarious adaptation of Moliere's "A Doctor in Spite of Himself". And I have to say, it's silly, clever, fast paced and the best time I've had in a theater in quite some time.

Balagan Theatre finishes up their 2010 season as well as their run in their current performing space with the brand new play with music by Eric Lane Barnes, "Rapture of the Deep". And while their previous shows this season really hit home runs, "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog", "Trout Stanley", and "Greetings From Styx" to name a few, this final show really misses the mark and left me wondering, "What's the point?"

ArtsWest Playhouse begins their 2010-2011 season of mostly Seattle premieres with Neil LaBute's Tony nominated play, "Reasons to be Pretty". And while not the most groundbreaking play I've seen, with a powerhouse cast, they show just how good the Seattle Theater scene can be.

Judy Ann Moulton has been thrilling Seattle audiences with her beautiful, booming voice since she moved her in 1986 from Anchorage, Alaska. I recently got to sit down with Judy Ann to talk to her about her life, her career, her recent attendance at the International Cabaret Conference at Yale University and her upcoming show, "Judy sings Judy", spotlighting the songs of Judy Garland where she'll be backed up by a 12 piece orchestra.

Balagan Theatre is currently presenting the stage version of the internet sensation "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Zack Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. And while the show had some technical issues, it is anything but horrible.

Village Theater presented their "Village Originals 10th Annual Festival of New Musicals" over the weekend presenting 6 new musicals from up and coming writers and composers. Fostering the advancement of new works, the festival boasts the early stages of shows that have gone on for full mainstage runs ("The Gypsy King", "Chasing Nicolette", "Stunt Girl", "Iron Curtain") as well as a few which have recently gone on to Broadway runs ("Million Dollar Quartet" and the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning "Next to Normal"). So getting in at these early stages is a real treat and you never know what future hit smash you might see.

ACT is hosting a special two night only presentation of new works from the Fourth Annual Icicle Creek Theatre Festival on August 23rd and 24th with "An Uncorked Conversation: New Play Festival and Wine Tasting". And not only will you be able to be a part of the development process of two new plays but the festival is prepared to ply you with wine as well.

Seattle's ACT is currently presenting the Seattle Premiere of Steven Dietz's "Yankee Tavern" And although they are billing this as a political thriller, I kept wondering when the thrills were going to come.

Contemporary Classics comes out swinging with their first foray into the development of a new work with "The Yellow Wood". A risky venture for any company let alone a fledgling one, "The Yellow Wood" is as promising a new show as I've seen in some time.

Renton's Summer Teen Musical program, which has been providing the teens of the south end an outlet and education in theater for the past 25 years was about to be the latest victim of the economy. And so Renton Civic Theatre in collaboration with the City of Renton, stepped up to make sure that didn't happen.

Settle Stageright, a brand new theater company to Seattle, is presenting their 2nd show, "BJ: A Musical Romp" (yes the show is exactly what you think it's about). And while the show is not the best written piece of theater, the cast are certainly having fun with it and selling it for all they're worth, which translates into tons of fun for the audience.

The Wet Spots in association with the Seattle Erotic Art Festival and Theatre Off Jackson are presenting their brand new musical, "Shine: A Burlesque Musical". And while the show needs a little fine tuning, it's certainly a naughty-licious good time.

Contemporary Classics and RK Productions have collaborated to put up the Seattle Premiere of William Finn's hilarious musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at the Ballard Underground. And while the show is missing some of the deeper moments, on the surface it's a fun frolicking good time.

The Intiman Theatre scores a hit with their third show of the season, Lynn Nottage's "Ruined". But then with a Pulitzer Prize winning play with many of the original cast returning how could you go wrong?

Greenstage presented Seattle's Outdoor Theater Festival in Capitol Hill's Volunteer Park over the weekend of July 10th and 11th to kick off the many Summer park shows around the Puget Sound area. The festival encompassed 11 shows from eight different companies and while they mostly followed a Shakespearean bent there were also a few decidedly non-Shakespearean shows but all good fun for all ages and it's all FREE.

Renton's Summer Teen Musical program, which has been providing the teens of the south end an outlet and education in theater for the past 25 years was about to be the latest victim of the economy. And so Renton Civic Theatre in collaboration with the City of Renton, stepped up to make sure that didn't happen.

ACT Theatre is currently presenting the Seattle premiere of Joanna Murray-Smith's hilarious new play, "The Female of the Species". And while the show loses its way a bit in its message, it still remains a wonderfully funny farce with a superb ensemble.

Book-It Repertory Theatre finishes off their 20th anniversary season by revisiting one of their earlier works, "The Cider House Rules, Part One: Here in St. Clouds" based on the novel by John Irving. And while only half of the story is represented here, the show is a fully realized and wondrous piece of theater.