Joshua Carter News

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).

DAS BARBECÜ IN CONCERT is set for tonight, August 12, and contining on the 13th and 14th this week. Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 7:30pm at West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th Street, Seattle, WA 98122. Tickets: $20 - available in advance online HERE. Unclaimed tickets sold to waitlist 5 minutes before curtain.

Originally commissioned by Seattle Opera to accompany their internationally renowned production of Wagner's RING CYCLE, DAS BARBECÜ is a two-hour retelling of Wagner's 'Ring' cycle, specifically the fourth opera, Gotterdammerung, that sets Brunnhilde, Siegfried, Wotan and the gang in the middle of Texas and the 'Valhalla' Ranch. With music by Seattle composer Scott Warrender and book and lyrics by Jim Luigs,BARBECÜ is a witty Texas fable with five actors playing more than 30 outrageous characters at breakneck speed. Songs run the gamut from Broadway to Texas swing, from jazz to twangy country and western. Mismatched lovers who meet on the day of their shotgun double wedding, three generations of feuding families and a magic ring of power make for a fast and furious love letter to Wagner's great epic.

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.

I should really start off by apologizing, dear readers, as I'm about to share with you a production that you cannot see. Alas it only showed for one weekend but for those like myself who were fortunate enough to catch Showtunes' latest production, "Falsettos" then you realize that, even though it was simply a concert version, it is now the production to which all future productions of the show must be compared.

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.

When your first introduction to a show is a bad one it can color your perception of the show for years to come if not forever. Such was the case of my experience with "Fiddler on the Roof" which I have always looked upon as just being long. Luckily Village Theatre currently has a production that is so filled with warmth, joy and heart that even a long time cynic toward the show as myself can come away with a great evening and even a little tear in his eye.

This holiday season Village Theatre brings the beloved Tony Award-winning musical to both Issaquah and Everett stages. The Issaquah run is: November 7 - December 30, 2012; and the Everett run is: January 4 - January 27, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the production photos below.

The 2012 Summer Season kicks off with the fiery fun musical DAS BARBECÜ in the Keating Theatre, tonight, June 13 through July 15. Subscriptions to FST's three-show summer season may be purchased for as little as $29, online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling the box office at (941) 366-9000. Single tickets to Das Barbecu range from $19 - $36.

The 2012 Summer Season kicks off with the fiery fun musical DAS BARBECÜ in the Keating Theatre, June 13 through July 15. DAS BARBECÜ, with book and lyrics by Jim Luigs and music by Scott Warrender, is loosely based on Wagner's epic Ring Cycle opera. Add in some modern day Texas twang, big hair, and big hats, and you've got a lightning-paced musical that's fun for opera buffs and regular joes alike. Get a first look at the cast on stage in the photos below!

Florida Studio Theatre presents an exciting new Summer Season - with a hootin' n' hollerin' Ring Cycle-inspired musical, a Pulitzer Prize-winning love story, and a comedy full of mistaken identities and slamming doors.

The 2012 Summer Season kicks off with the fiery fun musical DAS BARBECÜ in the Keating Theatre, June 13 through July 15. Subscriptions to FST's three-show summer season may be purchased for as little as $29, online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling the box office at (941) 366-9000. Single tickets to Das Barbecu range from $19 - $36.