Theater Reviews

May Theater Roundup: Aida, Love Never Dies, and Familiar

Two very different operatic takes on romance come to Seattle, while Familiar stages a comic interrogation of immigration.

05/09/2018 By Stefan Milne

Theater Review

Spirits, Sex, and Chaos at Pacific Northwest Ballet

This year's Director's Choice, which ends on Sunday, March 25, is an eclectic tasting menu of ballet with a wild finish.

03/23/2018 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

'Straight White Men' Just Doesn't Work as Intended

Questionable performances mire Washington Ensemble Theatre's sold out family drama about white privilege and progressive obliviousness.

01/16/2018 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

Witness a Nervous Breakdown Unfold in Real Time with 'The Humans'

Seattle Rep's production of the 2016 Tony Award–winner for Best Play serves turkey with a side of tremendous anxiety.

12/05/2017 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

'Her Story' Is Unlike Anything I've Seen on Stage

Ballet with jump scares? The Hitchcock-inspired 'Plot Point'—one of three performances in PNB's new production celebrating women choreographers—left the audience stupefied.

11/06/2017 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

'Ragtime' Feels Like a Gut Punch in 2017

As a parable of racial injustice in America, 5th Avenue's stripped-down production of the Broadway classic does not shy away from its contemporary relevance.

10/25/2017 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

A Song of Satire and Real Life Pain in Sara Porkalob's 'Dragon Lady'

In her musical one-actor show, Sara Porkalob channels multiple generations of family history with charisma and brute force.

09/14/2017 By Darren Davis

Business Woman Special

'Romy and Michele's High School Reunion' Should Have Been a Musical All Along

5th Avenue Theatre's world premier adaptation is a huge party that improves on the source material in almost every way.

06/16/2017 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

The Extremely Weird Feminism of 'Cherdonna's Doll's House'

Washington Ensemble Theatre's new play (or maybe drag show?) is mostly a hot mess until it succeeds wildly.

05/03/2017 By Darren Davis

Theater Review

'Here Lies Love' Turns Romance and Politics into a Disco Dance Party

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's musical about the Marcos regime offers a unique and immersive theatrical experience at Seattle Rep.

04/27/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

Women Literally Rule in Seattle Shakespeare's 'Bring Down the House'

Upstart Crow Collective's two-part all-female adaption of 'Henry VI' avoids feeling like a gimmick.

02/22/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Social Dance

Spectrum Dance Theater Takes Its 'Shot'

The company's latest piece confronts police shooting unarmed black people. Plus, a conversation about resistance with artistic director Donald Byrd.

01/31/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

The Hollow Core of 'Bad Apples'

ACT Theatre's new rock musical about the Abu Ghraib torture scandal misguidedly ignores the horrors in the name of love.

09/16/2016 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

'Assassins' Takes Aim at ACT Theatre

Stephen Sondheim's dark musical hits its target more often than it misses.

03/29/2016 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

The Rambunctious Theatrical Joy of 'The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart'

National Theatre of Scotland's tale of folk ballads bursts with exuberant enthusiasm at Factory Luxe.

03/08/2016 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

'Constellations' Tells a Simple Love Story in a Complex Way

The one-act drama at Seattle Rep mixes romance and string theory.

02/02/2016 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

Unwavering Humanity Carries 'Come from Away'

The musical chronicling a small town's welcoming spirit to air passengers grounded after 9/11 radiates hope in the face of horror.

12/09/2015 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

'Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play' Mixes Memories and Mania

ACT Theatre examines what happens when 'The Simpsons' becomes dogma after the apocalypse.

11/04/2015 By Seth Sommerfeld