Sarah Russell News

The University of Washington Musical Theater program will present two events in May, a devised work of musical theater called This Moment and a panel discussion called Double Threats: Actors Who Sing, Singers Who Act.

URINETOWN is running at the 5th Avenue Theatre through June 2, 2019.

Since the joint production between the 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT of "Urinetown" was announced I heard far too often from people that they wouldn't want to see that. A stupid musical about pee? "I don't care for shows that are all bathroom humor," I would hear. And I'd have to defend this wonderful show explaining that it's a super funny, well written show, yes with peeing as the basic setting, but that it was so much more as it pokes fun at government corruption and is an homage to famous musicals who came before. I guess Little Sally from "Urinetown" was right that nothing can kill a show faster than bad subject matter or a bad title. But then her stating that is why this self-referential, meta show works so well. It knows it's ridiculous and it embraces it. And the same could be said for this wonderful production that went for every bad joke with brilliant comic timing and then some.

BroadwayWorld has a first look Urinetown, this season's co-production between The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre!

Dr. Diarra Blue, Dr. Aubrey Ross and Dr. Michael Lavigne are back and busier than ever in an all new season of THE VET LIFE which premieres on Saturday, April 6th at 9 PM ET/PT.. This season, audiences continue to follow the daily lives of the passionate, lovable vets at their Cy-Fair animal hospital in Houston as they encounter fascinating animal cases each and every day. And the adventures grow this season as the doctors open a second animal clinic in the Houston area.

The cast for Urinetown, this season's co-production between The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT - A Contemporary Theatre, has been announced.

National wildlife refuges are areas set aside to conserve the nation's last wild areas and the majestic wildlife that inhabits them. For the men and women of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), it's a never-ending challenge to protect the beautiful lands, natural resources, and amazing creatures across the country. Animal Planet audiences will get an intimate glimpse into two of Alaska's national wildlife refuges and the brave and humble service members who take on the enormous task of keeping the balance between man and these spectacular natural resources. Get ready for this cinematically stunning new series that spotlights the wonder and beauty of these regions like you've never seen before, and lets you walk in the shoes of the people who go to great lengths to keep Alaska in its beautiful, natural state, and most importantly - wild. INTO ALASKA premieres Monday, October 15 at 9pm ET/ PT

Lace up your boots because you're about to embark on the journey of a lifetime with the family that's bringing khaki back! The Irwins - Terri, Bindi and Robert - return to Animal Planet in a new series that gives audiences an all-access, front row seat to experience the sights and sounds of their thrilling wildlife adventures around the globe and the amazing animals that continue to inspire their conservation efforts. From running Australia's largest family-owned zoo, Australia Zoo in Queensland, to crisscrossing the world protecting and celebrating the most wondrous animals on the planet, The Irwins work thoughtfully and tirelessly to carry on Steve's mission to bring people closer to animals and ignite the connection that will ensure an abundance of wildlife for generations to come. CRIKEY! IT'S THE IRWINS launches as a global series premiere beginning Sunday, October 28 at 8pm ET/PT and will be seen in Animal Planet's 360 million homes around the world.

Village Theatre is thrilled to kick off the 2018-2019 Season with the World Premiere of The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes by Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond (Romantics Annonymous at the Old Globe in London, Disney Channel's Vampirina). This production will be directed by Village Theatre associate artistic director,Brandon Ivie (Lizard Boy, Jasper in Deadland) and choreographer Al Blackstone, who was recently nominated for an Emmy for his work on the popular television show So You Think You Can Dance

Several years ago, I remember watching the Tony Awards and seeing Broadway power couple Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker presenting the award for Best Score and getting all giddy and nerdy over it because "NEW SONGS!" Well that's how I feel every summer at Village Theatre's Festival of New Musicals. I get to see what's out there up and coming and maybe get to walk away seeing a new gem. And this year was no exception with a couple of shows blowing me away. Now, of course, these are workshops and staged readings of shows, so we cannot really review them, but I can at least tell you what they offered us.

Few other animals inspire such passion, excitement and fear as the Wolf. They're mysterious, intelligent, protective and loyal, and Animal Planet's all-new series spotlights one group's unique mission to rescue and care for these creatures. WOLVES AND WARRIORS follows U.S. Navy veteran Matt Simmons and Dr. Lorin Lindner, the husband and wife team behind Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC), a private sanctuary that rescues wolves and wolf-dog hybrids whose lives are threatened by poachers, illegal breeders and other perils. Episodes document high risk rescues and rehabilitation efforts undertaken by Matt and Lorin, who are joined by combat veterans working to overcome the traumas of war. WOLVES AND WARRIORS premieres Sat., Sept. 1 at 10PM ET/PT.

With one week left until The 18th Annual Festival of New Musicals, Village Theatre is excited to announce this summer's casting and creative teams! Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza) will direct Hansel & Gretl & Heidi & Gu?nter, a hilarious family adventure of what happens after Hansel and Gretl escape. Village Theatre's new artistic director Jerry Dixon (If/Then, Once on this Island) will direct the kick-off show Elysium: An American Fable, the moving story of a family dying under the weight of their own secrets; and associate artistic director Brandon Ivie (Jasper in Deadland) will direct The Passage, a coming-of-age mystery about a boy battling a monster holding his father captive. Joining them will be music directors Jason Hart (American Psycho), Rona Siddiqui (Bella: An American Tall Tale), R.J. Tancioco (Here Lies Love), and resident music director Tim Symons (Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion), among others.

EXTINCT OR ALIVE Premieres on Animal Planet on 6/10

What if extinct animals weren't really extinct? The methods used to declare a species extinct are not as fool proof as people might assume. From eyewitness accounts to last known photographs, there is evidence that suggests some of these creatures are still very much alive in the wild. The search is on for wildlife adventurer and biologist Forrest Galante, as he explores the real stories behind animals thought to be gone forever and tries to prove their existence so he can protect them and help them thrive again. EXTINCT OR ALIVE premieres on Animal Planet on Saturday, June 10 at 9PM ET/PT but you can catch a sneak peek episode during Monster Week on June 3 at 10PM ET/PT.

DODO HEROES will feature inspiring stories of animals in need from around the world, and the compassionate humans who go to unimaginable lengths to give them hope. With each episode focusing on one inspiring and moving story of people who go to any lengths to help animals, the series will explore the personalities and emotions of both humans and animals, while highlighting their unique connection. DODO HEROES marks Animal Planet's first-ever global series launch which will premiere on Saturday, June 9 at 9PM ET/PT in the U.S. and in over 220 countries and territories worldwide.

See brand new footage from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatre favorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul and Richard Ziman as First Man.

See brand new footage of the number 'Too Darn Hot' from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatre favorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul and Richard Ziman as First Man.

When you think the classic era of Broadway Musicals, many lean toward Rodgers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Loewe but for my money I always go right to Cole Porter. Maybe not as prolific when it comes to hit shows as the others but you can't dismiss the undeniable genius of "Anything Goes" and of course "Kiss Me, Kate" (my personal favorite), currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre. And the folks at the 5th have not only done right by this classic tuner by packing it to the brim with the best singers, dancers and comedians they could find but the production is a love letter to the predecessors of the production, most notably the visual style which is so reminiscent of the 1953 film version, making this far more than a killer show, but an homage.

Check out photos from the 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca.

See brand new footage of the number 'Wundebar' from 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Kiss Me, Kate. Kiss Me, Kate, a significant work in the canon of great musical theater, features a dynamic cast including the previously announced Cayman Ilika as Lilli Vanessi/Kate,Ben Davis as Fred Graham/Petruchio, Clyde Alves as Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Robyn Hurder as Lois Lane/Bianca. Joining them is an acclaimed local lineup of 5th Avenue Theatre favorites including Allen Fitzpatrick as General Howell, Allen Galli as Second Man, Sarah Russell as Hattie, Jeff Steitzer as Harry/Batista, Ty Willis as Paul and Richard Ziman as First Man.