Peter Crook News

Seattle Theater Writers, a critics' circle of local theater writers and reviewers, today announces the 2012 slate of nominees of the second annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards, theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters.

It's tough taking on an icon, especially an iconic movie and trying to translate that onto stage. But that's exactly what Seattle Children's Theatre is attempting with their current stage production of the iconic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 book. And while the technical artistry of the show is top notch and completely conveyed the magic of the film, a few of the performances left me wanting.

No tricks, no flash, no exploding video walls or gaudy production numbers. Just an ensemble of some of Seattle's most gifted actors brilliantly savoring the meaty dialogue of Harold Pinter. That's how ACT started off their Pinter Festival last night with their productions of "The Dumb Waiter" and "Celebration". Just outstanding storytelling and plain great theater.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents a full-scale theatrical celebration of the works of modern master and Nobel Prize Laureate Harold Pinter. Famous for his biting humor and a favorite of professionals, scholars, and people who like their humor on the darker side, ACT looks to introduce the city of Seattle to many of Pinter's lesser known and rarely produced works in its Pinter Festival, running today, July 20 - August 26, 2012.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre announces a full-scale theatrical celebration of the works of modern master and Nobel Prize Laureate Harold Pinter. Famous for his biting humor and a favorite of professionals, scholars, and people who like their humor on the darker side, ACT looks to introduce the city of Seattle to many of Pinter's lesser known and rarely produced works in its Pinter Festival, running July 20 - August 26, 2012.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre's Mainstage switches from the farcical marriage comedy of Lewis Black's One Slight Hitch to the dark and haunting humor of Harold Pinter. The Hansberry Project also brings to the stage Seattle's second Multicultural Playwrights Festival. The Seagull Project presents their first in a series of Russian readings with The Great Soul of Russia, and in The Construction Zone, ACT will feature Steven Dietz and his new play, A Year Without Summer.

Sometimes I don't think we in Seattle know how culturally lucky we are. We have amazing theaters that give us new and exciting works sometimes even as tryouts on their way to Broadway. But now the Seattle Rep has pulled off a new one as we are getting Bruce Norris' thrilling new work "Clybourne Park" here even though it just opened on Broadway last week. And if that weren't enough for us to thank our lucky stars, add into that the all around stunning production of this new work with its sublime cast and we may come to realize just how much the theater Gods are smiling down upon us.

Seattle's ACT - A Contemporary Theatre announces that the casting and directors for the summer of 2012 Pinter Festival have been finalized. Performances begin in July when eleven actors perform a double-bill of The Dumb Waiter and Celebration, then adding Old Times and No Man's Land to the schedule in August. Distinguished British director Penny Cherns will direct No Man's Land and nationally renowned actors Peter Crook and Frank Corrado appear in multiple productions alongside such Seattle favorites as Anne Allgood, Julie Briskman, Darragh Kennan, Charles Leggett, and more.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre wraps up 2012 with performances that both celebrate the holidays and provide an artful array of seasonal alternatives. With offerings that range from a crime thriller to a Christmas tradition, teen angst to a nativity parody, tell-all shorts to Pinter treasures and more, the year-end promises another unforgettable series of live events at the corner of 7th and Union.

Political intrigue, shifting loyalties and two powerhouses vying for victory over the other while advisors whisper their own agendas in their ears. No, it's not the upcoming Presidential campaign although one does resonate with the other. No, this is ACT's production of "Mary Stuart" directed by Victor Pappas and starring two grande dames of local theater, Anne Allgood and Suzanne Bouchard. And with this much history and pedigree on stage, what you end up with is a cutting machination woven together with humor, heart and venom.

Political intrigue, shifting loyalties and two powerhouses vying for victory over the other while advisors whisper their own agendas in their ears. No, it's not the upcoming Presidential campaign although one does resonate with the other. No, this is ACT's production of "Mary Stuart" directed by Victor Pappas and starring two grande dames of local theater, Anne Allgood and Suzanne Bouchard. And with this much history and pedigree on stage, what you end up with is a cutting machination woven together with humor, heart and venom.

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.

Broadway's Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn) will be leading a workshop presentation of the new musical, LOULOU THE ACROBAT, on July 17 and July 18 at the The Banff Centre's Kinnear Centre for Innovation and Creativity in Canada. Directed by Kelly Robinson, ACROBAT has music by Steve Mackinnon, Marc Jordan and Amy Sky and a book by Quincy Long. Ian Eisendrath musical directs. Presentations on both days will take place at 2:00pm.

Broadway's Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn) will be leading a workshop presentation of the new musical, LOULOU THE ACROBAT, on July 17 and July 18 at the The Banff Centre's Kinnear Centre for Innovation and Creativity in Canada. Directed by Kelly Robinson, ACROBAT has music by Steve Mackinnon, Marc Jordan and Amy Sky and a book by Quincy Long. Ian Eisendrath musical directs. Presentations on both days will take place at 2:00pm.

Broadway's Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn) will be leading a workshop presentation of the new musical, LOULOU THE ACROBAT, on July 17 and July 18 at the The Banff Centre's Kinnear Centre for Innovation and Creativity in Canada. Directed by Kelly Robinson, ACROBAT has music by Steve Mackinnon, Marc Jordan and Amy Sky and a book by Quincy Long. Ian Eisendrath musical directs. Presentations on both days will take place at 2:00pm.

In June the Rose Theatre (24-26 High Street, Kingston) will present a variety of entertainment for all ages, from talks on the arts and political scandals to an orchestral and poetic collaboration full of nonsense.

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.

In June the Rose Theatre (24-26 High Street, Kingston) will present a variety of entertainment for all ages, from talks on the arts and political scandals to an orchestral and poetic collaboration full of nonsense.

The Cider House Rules has a special place in Book-It's history as the first full-length novel adapted in the Book-It StyleTM, and as a turning-point undertaking that helped the once fledgling company establish itself firmly in the Seattle theatre community. The company is thrilled to celebrate its 20th Anniversary season with both Parts One and Two of The Cider House Rules. The Cider House Rules, Part One: Here in St. Clouds plays on Book-It Repertory Theatre's stage at the Center House Theatre June 9 to July 11, 2010. Part Two will take the stage to open the company's 2010-11 season next September.