Sylvester Foday Kamara

Finish strong and they'll forgive a multitude of sins. This old adage of the theater rings truer than ever in this TV-binging, short attention span world in which we live. Unfortunately, the folks at Book-It Repertory Theatre didn't take that into account with their current production of "Behold the Dreamers" which started off slow, then picked up and really engaged in the middle and then ended with a whimper.

To close out their 29th season, Book-It Repertory Theatre (Book-It) presents Imbolo Mbue's Behold the Dreamers. Adapted and directed by Myra Platt, Mbue masterfully weaves a story of class divide, immigration and marriage in her remarkable debut novel. Jende and Neni Jonga have recently emigrated from Cameroon to America to try to make a new life for themselves and their young son. When the Great Recession starts to upend the economy, the Jongas begin to grasp the fragility of the American dream. Behold the Dreamers plays June 6-30, 2019 (Opening/Press Night on Saturday, June 8) at The Center Theatre.

OK, so putting up a dark and moody production of Anton Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya' may sound redundant but remember, this is The Seagull Project. They've spent the last eight years killing it with all things Chekhov and now with the completion of the main plays, the dark and moody tone isn't so much the story but the way it's presented that thrilled.

Euripides' tragic title character in 'Medea' is one of those parts that actresses give their eye teeth (or even sacrifice their children) to play. She's a strong and committed woman with a wildly emotional arc. So with a role such as this where it's really all up to the lead, for the rest of the production I find it best to follow the rule of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Unfortunately director Kelly Kitchens and the folks at Seattle Shakespeare Company had other ideas with their current production as it was so laden down with their storytelling gimmicks that the story and the stunning lead performance became diluted.

Wife. Mother. Exile. Medea abandons her home and country for Jason, the man she loves. When he discards her and their children for a new bride, the blow strikes deep into Medea's heart.

Power shifts, betrayal, adultery, rape, murder and lots and lots of blood. No it's not the latest Tarantino film but it might as well be as Seattle Shakespeare Company puts up their latest effort, "Titus Andronicus" but with a dark and edgy grindhouse feel. But beyond all the blood there's still some wonderful Shakespeare behind it and some stirring moments from the cast.

It's been 200 years since Jane Austen's incorrigible matchmaker "Emma" first came on the scene in print and since has spawned film versions, adaptations and has never been out of print since its release. And while the current adaptation from Book-It Repertory Theatre keeps the mischievousness and attitudes alive, at times if feels a little too static making this romp drone on a bit.

There are very few new and original stories in the world today. Most things are just a rehash or new take on the familiar formula. Boy meets girl and complications arise. This is the standard romantic comedy premise that's been around since Tarzan met Jane or Tracy met Hepburn. Such is the case with the culture clash romantic comedy from Yussef El Guindi, "Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World" currently at Seattle's ACT. With crisp and engaging dialog, El Guindi has taken an interesting new spin on the same old formula.

A Contemporary Theatre serves up plenty of new works in the month of July, starting with the continuation of the very sexy, 'very now' World Premiere of Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World by acclaimed local playwright Yussef El Guindi, followed by scorching performances produced from The Central Heating Lab: Pinter Fortnightly, featuring a first for Seattle audiences - a reading of Grace by Doug Lucie; the return of The Love Markets with Summer Nacht; and the debut of REPRESENT!