Dane Stokinger News

Arizona Theatre Company brings the tongue-in-cheek, award-winning hit Broadway musical Xanadu to the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., in Tucson from Nov. 30 - Dec. 31 and the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, in Phoenix from tonight, Dec. 31 - Jan. 19.

Arizona Theatre Company brings the tongue-in-cheek, award-winning hit Broadway musical Xanadu to the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., in Tucson from Nov. 30 - Dec. 31 and the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, in Phoenix from Dec. 31 - Jan. 19.

The Holy Grail of Entertainment at The 5th Avenue Theatre: Monty Python's Spamalot. Featuring an all-star Seattle cast. Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail, with Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle; Music by Eric Idle, John Du Prez, and Neil Innes. Directed by Josh Rhodes with choreography by Lee Wilkins, the show will run January 30-March 2, 2014.

Sometimes goofy is all you really need. Sure, it's nice to have a deeply heartfelt and affecting show but sometimes you just want candy. Well look no further as Village has taken the candy coated no brainer that is "Xanadu" and amped the joy and humor up to 11. And while yes, the performances are all top notch, the real joy of the production comes from the obvious fun the cast is having with the material (and I don't just mean those skimpy togas).

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).

On April 1st, 'Miles Of Time' from the musical TRAILS was featured on New Day Northwest Seattle. Kirsten DeLohr Helland, who plays the lead role of Amy in Village Theatre's new musical TRAILS, performed, accompanied on piano by Music Director R.J. Tancioco. The two then joined host Margaret Larson to talk about the musical, which runs through April 21 at Village Theatre in Issaquah and April 26 - May 19 at Village Theatre in Everett. Click below to watch the segment!

A new musical about two old friends hiking the Appalachian Trail doesn't sound like a dead lock winner does it? I mean, how much can we sing about hiking? And while it does take a bit to really hook into you and at times isn't so sure of its footing, the new musical 'Trails' currently playing at Village Theatre manages to walk off with your heart through some very fine performances.

Village Theatre's commitment to nurturing new musicals continues with the world premiere of TRAILS, opening tonight, March 14, 2013 at the Issaquah theatre. This musical expedition had its first reading in 2011 as part of Village Theatre's Festival of New Musicals; now, Village Theatre is preparing for a full scale production. The three TRAILS creators, Christy Hall (book), Jordan Mann (lyrics), Jeff Thomson (music), are all in town to work with local director Eric Ankrim and the talented NW-based cast and crew.

Village Theatre's commitment to nurturing new musicals continues with the world premiere of TRAILS, opening March 14, 2013 at the Issaquah theatre. This musical expedition had its first reading in 2011 as part of Village Theatre's Festival of New Musicals; now, Village Theatre is preparing for a full scale production. The three TRAILS creators, Christy Hall (book), Jordan Mann (lyrics), Jeff Thomson (music), are all in town to work with local director Eric Ankrim and the talented NW-based cast and crew.

Village Theatre presents TRAILS, book by Christy Hall, lyrics by Jordan Mann and music by Jeff Thomson, Issaquah: March 13-April 21, 2013; and Everett: April 26-May 19, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the production below.

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.

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.

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.

Issaquah's Village Theatre has chosen the tuneful favorite "Annie Get Your Gun" for its holiday season show, with original book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields and music by the venerable Irving Berlin. Peter Stone's 1999 Broadway revival gently updated the script for modern audiences, removing most of the politically incorrect elements of 1946, and this is the version currently in residence on the Village Mainstage.

Fresh off the 2nd National Tour of Wicked as Elphaba, powerhouse vocalist Vicki Noon returns to Village Theatre in the title role of the winter production of Annie Get Your Gun under the direction of artistic director, Steve Tomkins. Noon is joined by a cast of local favorites including Dane Stokinger (Village Theatre: Stunt Girl; The Full Monty) as Frank Butler and Hugh Hastings (Village Theatre: Stunt Girl; Little Women) as Buffalo Bill.

The fascinating characters of New York City-gamblers, gangsters, showgirls and the like- will step onstage at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts when "Guys and Dolls" swaggers into town on June 16.

The fascinating characters of New York City-gamblers, gangsters, showgirls and the like- will step onstage at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts when "Guys and Dolls" swaggers into town on June 16.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has just announced the full cast for its upcoming production of Guys and Dolls. The show will run May 12 - June 15, and will be directed by Peter Rothstein.