Brandon Ivie News

The highly anticipated local production of the hit Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey show "Next To Normal" has finally opened at Capitol Hill's Balagan Theatre. And while still an incredibly evocative and powerful show, the current production, while technically superb, didn't quite manage that same hard hitting spark.

Balagan Theatre and Contemporary Classics co-present the Seattle premiere of Broadway rock musical Next to Normal, starring one of Seattle's veteran leading ladies, Beth DeVries, as the bipolar depressive matriarch Diana Goodman; and directed by one of Seattle's hottest young directors, Contemporary Classics Artistic Director Brandon Ivie, whose credits include the Broadway productions of A Christmas Story: The Musical, Catch Me If You Can, and Next to Normal.

Chris Riggi of "Gossip Girl" has joined the cast of Darren Caulley's Unhealthy for a limited workshop run at HERE Arts Center in New York from today, December 4th-9th. He will play 'Kurt', a morally confused actor caught between two women.

A slew of Broadway talent rocked songs from RAZIA'S SHADOW, the cult-sensation indie rock concept album, which made its stage debut at Joe's Pub November 28-29. Check out photos from the premiere below!

A slew of Broadway talent will rock songs from RAZIA'S SHADOW, the cult-sensation indie rock concept album making its stage debut at Joe's Pub tonight, November 28 and tomorrow, November 29.

A slew of Broadway talent will rock songs from RAZIA'S SHADOW, the cult-sensation indie rock concept album making its stage debut at Joe's Pub November 28-29.

After years as a cult sensation, the concept album RAZIA'S SHADOW by Forgive Durden will make its New York stage debut in a concert presentation at Joe's Pub featuring a score by Thomas Dutton and Paul Dutton, book by Lonnie Angle, and direction by Brandon Ivie (assistant director, A Christmas Story). After quickly selling-out Wednesday, November 28th at 9:30pm, a second concert has been added on Thursday, November 29th at 7:30pm.

Chris Riggi of "Gossip Girl" has joined the cast of Darren Caulley's Unhealthy for a limited workshop run at HERE Arts Center in New York from December 4th-9th. He will play 'Kurt', a morally confused actor caught between two women. Brandon Ivie has also signed on to direct the production.

Returning home for its first local Seattle production, the Tony Award-winning rock musical Next to Normal will be co-produced in February 2013 by award-winning companies Balagan Theatre and Contemporary Classics. Starring in the pivotal leading role will be one of Seattle's most regarded actors, Marya Sea Kaminski, in her first musical.

Rocket Science, the new musical based on the HBO film of the same name, will enjoy a fresh look at its musical selections in concert at the upcoming NYTB in the D-Lounge, New York Theatre Barn's popular platform for up-and-coming new writers and musical projects, on Monday, September 10 at 7:30pm in the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre.

Rocket Science, the new musical based on the HBO film of the same name, will enjoy a fresh look at its musical selections in concert at the upcoming NYTB in the D-Lounge, New York Theatre Barn's popular platform for up-and-coming new writers and musical projects, on Monday, September 10 at 7:30pm in the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre.

Rocket Science, the new musical based on the HBO film of the same name, will enjoy a fresh look at its musical selections in concert at the upcoming NYTB in the D-Lounge, New York Theatre Barn's popular platform for up-and-coming new writers and musical projects, on Monday, September 10 at 7:30pm in the D-Lounge of the Daryl Roth Theatre.

Two of Seattle's award-winning theatre companies, Balagan Theatre and Contemporary Classics, will co-produce the Seattle premiere of Broadway rock musical Next to Normal in February 2013. The Tony Award-winning show rounds out Balagan's 2012-2013 mainstage season and is the first Contemporary Classics production since 2010's The Yellow Wood, winner of two Gregory Awards.

High school students from across Washington State packed The 5th Avenue Theatre last night (June 4) for The 10th Annual 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theater, a high school version of the Tony Awards sponsored by Wells Fargo. The house was packed with 2,100 teenagers in costume representing their schools' musical theater productions, who cheered for their peers as they performed musical excerpts and accepted awards honoring top student achievements in musical theater. The acclaimed program brought previous recipients from the last decade back to the stage (many of whom have gone on to successful arts careers locally and nationally) to hand out awards in 21 categories ranging from Outstanding Overall Musical Production to Outstanding Lobby Display. BroadwayWorld hosts the full awards list below.

Balagan Theatre has announced their 2012-2013 season, which includes Avenue Q, winner of the Tony® Award "Triple Crown"; Hedwig and the Angry Inch, featuring rising musical theatre star Jerick Hoffer (also known as drag cabaret chanteuse Jinkx Monsoon); August: Osage County, recipient of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; and a musical to be announced at the Season Preview Party, Saturday, June 23, at 8 p.m.

The 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theatre celebrates its tenth anniversary by bringing previous recipients back to the stage to present the next generation of musical theater stars with awards and accolades. The acclaimed program, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is a high school version of the Tony Awards, and allows theater students from across Washington to meet, celebrate, and honor the exceptional musical Theater Productions presented during the 2011-12 school year. The 5th Avenue Awards will be held at 7:00 PM, tonight, June 4, at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

The 5th Avenue Awards Honoring High School Musical Theatre will celebrates its tenth anniversary by bringing previous recipients back to the stage to present the next generation of musical theater stars with awards and accolades. The acclaimed program, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is a high school version of the Tony Awards, and allows theater students from across Washington to meet, celebrate, and honor the exceptional musical theater productions presented during the 2011-12 school year. The 5th Avenue Awards will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday, June 4, at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

Damn Yankees is headed to The 5th Avenue Theatre! This musical comedy is the story of an aging baseball fan who makes a deal with the Devil so his beloved hometown team can beat the Yankees in the race for the pennant. From the songwriting team of The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees is filled with hit songs including "Two Lost Souls" and the sultry favorite, "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." The Paper Mill Playhouse production will slide into Seattle this April. The creative team includes direction by Mark S. Hoebee (Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director), music direction by Ben Whiteley, and choreography by Denis Michael Jones.

After receiving positives reviews from critics and audiences alike - and selling out every performance of its January run - Balagan Theatre brings the coming-of-age rock musical, Spring Awakening, back to Seattle in April, plus a weekend tour to Mount Vernon in May.

After receiving positives reviews from critics and audiences alike - and selling out every performance of its January run - Balagan Theatre brings the coming-of-age rock musical, Spring Awakening, back to Seattle in April, plus a weekend tour to Mount Vernon in May.