Mike Spee

Edie Brickell and Steve Martin's 'Bight Star', currently playing at Taproot Theatre, has a lovely and heartbreaking story, but is a musical that suffers from two things. First, it can never quite come to terms with which era it's in, and second (and most importantly) it's a musical that doesn't have very good songs.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is a vibrant hive of musical theater activity as the projects of NextFest: A Festival of New Musicals have started rehearsals this week. A three-week musical theater intensive development cycle, NextFest has played a role in the creation of musicals ranging from Persuasion by Harold Taw and Chris Jeffries (Taproot Theatre, 2017) to  Come From Away by Irene Carl Sankoff and David Hein (Broadway). Nationally recognized for its contribution to the contemporary musical theater cannon, The 5th Avenue Theatre is a celebrated incubator for new musicals. Each year, the nationally renowned theater company connects writers at all stages of development with some of the region's most brilliant performers, giving life to the words on the page and allowing book writers, composers and lyricists to see their work in action. This year's various works are brought to life by Alexandria Henderson, Justin Huertas, Matthew Kacergis, Shaunyce Omar, Brandon O'Neill, Timothy Piggee, Hannah Schuerman, Billie Wildrick and many more.

Dear Readers, I won't bore you with the rehash of how I feel about the stage adaptation of Disney's Newsies from my disappointment of the restructuring of the story and songs from the movie, to the required suspension of disbelief that any of these dancers are young newsBOYS, to the fact that Jack and Katherine's relationship is just a little creepy if you think about what their ages should be. If you want that you can read my previous review of the touring show. Instead what we will and should be talking about is how the current production at Village theater not only matched the fun, talent and power that existed in the big, splashy Broadway tour but in some ways surpassed it.

Village Theatre is proud to present what's sure to be one of the most spectacular dance shows in its history, Disney's Newsies. This high-energy musical combines Broadway-caliber entertainment with the story and tunes from the beloved cult-classic movie. Based on the Newsboys Strike of 1899, the narrative follows Jack Kelly and his crew of ragtag newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they stand up for what's right.

As the air cools, leaves change and spooky stories creep in, theatergoers can welcome the Halloween season with continuous fun at Aurora Theatre! Kick back and let the side-splitting laughter commence with hysterical and mystical special guests at Aurora Comedy Nights throughout the month.

C.S. Lewis' 1950 fantasy novel, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' has withstood the test of time, delighting generations of children and adults, religious and non-religious alike in book, film, and theatre form. Adrian Mitchell's musical adaptation of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' now performs at the Seattle Children's Theatre with a narrative faithfully streamlined from the original text. That very faithfulness certainly has its pro's with those familiar with the Christian allegory, but cramming every moment from the book into a two-hour musical made the story feel rushed. This is one aesthetically dazzling production that, as the adult, may require some explaining to the kids after the show.

Young People's Theatre is proud to present everyone's favorite bedtime story, GOODNIGHT MOON. YPT is delighted to bring the work of acclaimed theatre company Seattle Children's Theatre to Canada for the first time. GOODNIGHT MOON will be presented on the Mainstage now through March 19 with added performances during March Break, from the 14th to 18th. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Young People's Theatre is proud to present everyone's favorite bedtime story, Goodnight Moon. With appeal for children ages four and up, this lively show promises to be an entertaining experience for the whole family. YPT is delighted to bring the work of acclaimed theatre company Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT) to Canada for the first time. Goodnight Moon will be presented on the Mainstage from February 29 to March 19 with added performances during March Break, from the 14th to 18th.

If you need a break from the bitter cold outside then step on in to Seattle Children's Theatre for the new musical version of "Dick Whittington and His Cat". Whether you're 4 or 40 this rollicking romp will warm your heart and have you beaming with joy from the sheer charm of it all.

Seattle / Mainstreet Festival of New Musicals will take over Fremont's West of Lenin Theatre, presenting three brand new musicals, three late-night trivia cabarets, an evening of pitch sessions for fresh, up-and-coming musicals; and a final concert featuring all-Seattle talent performing pieces written by all-Seattle composers!

Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Andy Jones (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella), Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (the original Mary Poppins), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan, Aida), Josh Strickland (the original Tarzan), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies), and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King), will join 4,500 students and teachers representing 93 groups from 26 states and the District of Columbia at the 2014 Junior Theater Festival, it was announced today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founding Chairman of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group. The Junior Theater Festival is being held January 17, 18 and 19 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

Holy Crap! That's really the most emphatic sentiment I can use to describe the internal battles I had when trying to pick my top picks for this past year. There were so many amazing performances and achievements that to pick just one was almost an impossibility (and as you'll see, WAS an impossibility for one category). But the battle is over and it's my distinct pleasure to announce my picks for the 2013 Broadway World Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (or Jay's Picks, if you prefer).

Seattle Children's Theatre presents the world-premiere musical, James and the Giant Peach. Just in time for the holidays, Timothy Allen McDonald's wonderful adaptation from Roald Dahl's best seller will include original music by Tony-Award nominated lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. James and the Giant Peach runs at SCT's Charlotte Martin Theatre through January 12, 2014. SCT Artistic Director Linda Hartzell directs. BroadwayWorld has a behind-the-scenes look at the show below!

Seattle Children's Theatre features Tony nominees Justin Paul and Benj Pasek's musical version of James and the Giant Peach as a part of its 2013-2014 Mainstage Season. The musical features a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and is based on the book by Roald Dahl. James and the Giant Peach runs at the Charlotte Martin Theatre, now through January 12, 2014. Check out a first look below!

Seattle Children's Theatre features Tony nominees Justin Paul and Benj Pasek's musical version of James and the Giant Peach as a part of its 2013-2014 Mainstage Season. The musical features a book by Timothy AllenMcDonald, and is based on the book by Roald Dahl. Check out a sneak peek below!

When casting my reviewers eye to the world premiere musical version of Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach", currently playing at Seattle Children's Theatre, I am forced to look upon the show from two perspectives. From the kid perspective, as this is children's theatre, will this be entertaining and accessible enough for kids? And from the adult musical theater lover perspective, as this is a brand new musical from some up and comers in the musical theater scene Justin Paul, Benj Pasek and Timothy Allen McDonald, is this something that can make a musical theater lover squeal with delight at the thought of it getting a wider audience (like maybe Broadway)? And while from the kid perspective this was a lovely and thoroughly fun time for any age, the musical theater snob in me felt the show just needs a little more work to be truly great. But it's certainly on its way.

It's one of my favorite weekends of the year. The weekend I get to spend three days listening to exciting new works as presented by some of the best performers Seattle has to offer. And this year Village Theatre did not disappoint as they invited members, performers, staff and press to partake of their Village Originals 13th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Some good, some maybe not so, some needing a little more work than others but all showing a deep love for the art and presented by some of the best voices in town. Now, I can't review them as they're still works in progress but I can tell you about the shows presented over the weekend and let you know about the one show that while still in development is still running one more weekend and can have tickets purchased to by non-members (that would be you, Dear Readers).

Seattle Children's Theatre will soon feature Tony nominees Justin Paul and Benj Pasek's musical version of James and the Giant Peach as a part of its 2013-2014 Mainstage Season. The musical features a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and is based on the book by Roald Dahl.

Jeff Thompson, Jordan Mann and Balagan Theatre should be ashamed of themselves as last night they opened Balagan's New Works Summer Series with Thompson and Mann's musical horror spoof "Thankskilling" based on the indie horror film of the same name. It was crude, lowbrow, crass, offensive … and one of the funniest things I've seen in awhile.

Asa Somers' original rock musical, Something as Big as This, will receive a January 2013 developmental workshop at Seattle's award-winning Balagan Theatre, a follow up to the recent NYC workshop starring Brian d'Arcy James and Emma Hunton. There will be a public presentation of selected music and scenes at Balagan tonight, January 14th at 8pm.