R.J. Tancioco

First off, Dear Readers, I need to put it out there that “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” is one of the few bio-musicals that gets it right. Sure, it’s got killer music from an icon but the book from Douglas McGrath is, in a word, beautiful. But beyond my affinity for this show, I also need to put it out there that the current production from Village Theatre is also a thing of beauty in the efforts from both the cast and crew, and amounts to one of my favorite things, theatrical alchemy. All the parts come together to form magic.

ACT Contemporary Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for their 48th production of the beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. Originally adapted for the stage in 1976 by ACT founder Gregory Falls, this season's production will see Seattle actor Darragh Kennan in the infamous role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Yowza indeed! JEEVES TAKES A BOW at Taproot Theatre launched into opening night full throttle on the comedy pedal. The beloved characters of PG Wodehouse take the audience on a delightful romp across the New York stage, through the seedy underbelly of the big city, and even a ramble into the wild, wild west, all without leaving the posh apartment of Bertram Wooster. From clever lines and word play, to the wryest eyebrow raise, to rolling physical comedy, this show finds a million ways to make you laugh.

TWELFTH NIGHT at Seattle Shakespeare is loaded with music, mischief, and magic. With the Bard’s trusty plot devices of mistaken identity and a prank gone awry, the show traipses its way through the lives of the Illyrians on the way to their happy endings. Clever lyrics embellish the story, touch the heart, and even drop a few truth bombs about identity. The fun and frivolity are full force in this stellar production of a classic in musical form.What did our critic think of TWELFTH NIGHT at Seattle Shakespeare?

Village Theatre has announced R.J. Tancioco is joining the artistic staff of the theatre as an Artistic Associate. Tancioco is an award-winning, Northwest-based Music Director who has done much of his work at Village Theatre, as well as in numerous theatres throughout the Puget Sound region.

Village Theatre today announced that tickets are on sale now for the Village Originals Beta Production of Eastbound, a new bilingual musical about the unexpected meeting of two brothers from opposite sides of the world. Directed by Desdemona Chiang (Seattle Rep: The Winter’s Tale) and Music Directed by R.J. Tancioco (Village Theatre: Hairspray,  Newsies), this is a fully-produced developmental production with scenic design by Timothy Mackabee, costume design by Johanna Pan, and lighting design by Robert J. Aguilar.

Village Theatre's 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown' opened on Friday last week. It will run through May 22 in Issaquah before moving the Everett, May 27-June 19. 

Dear Readers, if you’re going to do a show, any show, you need to have confidence in what you’re putting up on that stage. And while the current production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Village Theatre has a bunch of fun moments, the show as a whole seemed to lack the confidence to go for it, just like its title character.

Linus, Lucy, Schroder, and the whole Peanuts gang are making their way to the Village Theatre stage this spring for a fresh take on the hit musical comedy, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. In his Village Theatre directorial debut, Jimmy Shields (Seattle Rep, 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre) helms this production with musical direction by R.J. Tancioco and choreography by Cy Paolantonio.

5th Avenue Theatre is presenting Disney's Beauty and the Beast through February 6, 2022. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is The 5th's first fully-mounted musical created for an in-person audience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first production in its spectacular 2021/21 Season.

Get a first look at 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, playing January 12 to February 6, 2022. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is The 5th's first fully-mounted musical created for an in-person audience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first production in its spectacular 2021/21 Season.

There are two words that explain why “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” worked so well as the stunning animated film it is and why it was able to be transferred so well to the stage, Howard Ashman.

Get a first look at 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, playing January 12 to February 6, 2022. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is The 5th's first fully-mounted musical created for an in-person audience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first production in its spectacular 2021/21 Season.

What has been in motion all year in the form of free community workshops and classes will culminate in a truly special hybrid film and live theatrical experience of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale for the public to enjoy December 16-19, 2021.

The 5th Avenue Theatre announced today the cast for its new production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, playing January 12 to February 6, 2022. Disney's Beauty and the Beast is The 5th's first fully-mounted musical created for an in-person audience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first production in its spectacular 2021/21 Season.

Dear Readers, as we inch back into the world of live theatrical experiences, the excitement to put out incredible art is palpable. And when you have a stunning outdoor venue such as the Cave B Winery Estates in George, WA, not to mention some of the A-listers of Seattle theater talent involved, that excitement can be overwhelming. But don’t let that excitement blind you to when a show just is not there, as was the case with “How Can I Love You” from Composer Rand Bellar and Playwright, Librettist, and Lyricist Vince Bryan.

Seattle Theater Writers Seattle's theater reviewers circle announces the Winners of Excellence in Seattle theatrical productions. Spanning dozens of theater companies and productions, from large and prominent to small and humble, the Gypsy Rose Lee Awards honor the excellence found across the area.

Seattle's critics' circle announces nominees for the 2020 Gypsy Rose Lee awards celebrating excellence in Seattle theatrical productions.

Everyone loves a good Romantic Comedy, and when people find a good one, they latch onto it. Such a RomCom was the 1937 play a?oeParfumeriea?? by Miklos Laszlo. Now, if you're not familiar with that one maybe you're more familiar with some of the films that were based on it. There was the 1940 James Stewart-Margaret Sullavan film a?oeThe Shop Around the Cornera??, or how about the 1949 Judy Garland-Van Johnson musical version a?oeIn the Good Old Summertimea??. No? Well I'm sure you remember the 1998 Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan feature a?oeYou've Got Maila??. And beyond those, the play also spawned one of the most underrated and underappreciated shows in American Musical Theatre, a?oeShe Loves Mea?? by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with a book by Joe Masteroff, currently playing at Village Theatre. a?oeShe Loves Mea?? has been revived on Broadway since it's 1963 beginnings twice, plus a concert version in 1977, but still there are too many people who don't know the glory of this show. Well, Dear Readers, let's try and change that.

Oh my! What a year! We've seen bad-ass gospel singers, lost Jewish plays, mythical towns of excretion and even an octopus wrestler or two. No, those aren't allusions to the crazy theater going on in Washington D.C. but the crazy wonderful theater going on right here in the Seattle area. It was tough coming up with just one winner (or even just a few Honorable Mentions) but I managed to do it a?? for the most part. Plus, some shows that more of you should have seen. (Yes, that's me nagging you all, Dear Readers, to check out more of the smaller or obscure theaters around here.) But what it all comes down to is, we're blessed here in the Northwest with an over-abundance of theatrical riches and I'm so fortunate to be able to share some of my favorites of the year with you with the BWW 2019 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (Jay's Picks). So, let's get started, shall we?