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I have to start out this column by writing that I got one of the best note from a theater insider I have received in years, and the note came after I panned the show the writer represented. I liked the note because the writer, who I won't name out
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Curtain should drop on this show earlyBy Steve DunkelbergerTacoma Musical Playhouse is marking its sweet 16th year with its season opener, Curtains. The show, which is centered around Boston’s Colonial Theatre as it stages a new Broadway bound work — if only there were a few revisions. One of those
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The new theater season is here, and with it comes a bit of all things new, some classics and quite a bit of re-treading. First up to the stage at Lakewood Playhouse as it begins its 71st season is The Mousetrap, by the maven of murder mystery, Agatha Christie.
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The regular season for most theaters in the South Sound starts this week, so prepare yourself for a steady stream of theater now that the summer slump is over. Cue the sound of rejoicing. Also in the works is host of short-run shows at some of the smaller theater
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I don’t really know what to say about this show. It is brilliant and silly and true to life and absurd all at the same time. On balance, it was certainly a thinker of a play and that makes it a great play in my book. Mating Dance of
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The 5th Avenue Theatre hosted the world premiere of Catch Me If You Can, a Broadway-bound musical based on the true-life story of one of the best con artists of the modern age. The story was a book and then a movie that stared Leonardo DeCaprio and Tom Hanks. Now
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So much about enjoying beer has to do with the atmosphere, activities or munchies that go along with the particular brew. Summer beers mean hotdogs, burgers, sun worshipping and patio beer sipping. While the waterfronts in Tacoma, Ruston, Steilacoom and Olympia have a smattering of locations to sip beer while watching
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One of the fun things about seeing live theater, especially live theater from a troupe that is on the rise, is the discussions theatergoers have after the curtain falls and the parking lots empty. Such was the case with Educating Rita. The reoccurring refrain from those discussions about this show
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There are a few classic duos in the world. Rocky and Bullwinkle, Sonny and Cher, Joanie and Chachi. The South Sound has a version of its own classic duo of sorts, and it is taking to the stage at Capital Playhouse. The Olympia theater is staging A Little Night Music in
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If I followed my mother’s adage of not saying anything if I can’t say something nice, this would be a short column. Well actually, there were some high points in Harlequin Productions’ The American Pilot. But not many. Scott C. Brown, Elliot Weiner and Amy Hill delivered solid performances. No surprise
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Tacoma Musical Playhouse is on fire this season. With the down economy and other theaters cutting back, TMP has taken risks and opted to skimp on nothing. Not only is it the only community theater to front a pit orchestra, but it has shown serious twig and berries by staging
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During times likes these, when money is tight and people want to escape, many community theaters find themselves staging safe, middle-of-the-road shows to safeguard against a show failing to find an audience. Prodigal Sun is a little different in that manner. Sure, it wants a show to succeed since it operates
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I normally don’t write about the behind-the-scenes work done by theaters in the South Sound because, ultimately, the butts in the seats don’t care about the theaters they visit other than that they got their money’s worth from the show. But a recent development in the local theater scene has some
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Anyone who religiously reads my column in this rag and checks out our blog Spew (weeklyvolcanospew.com) knows that I have found myself in a few bars in my day. It is my job, after all. I actually don’t drink much. But bills need to get paid, so I find myself
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I’m a sucker for a great story. On Golden Pond is a great story. But that is not all that makes this show a wonder to watch. Sort of like The Crying Game, I won’t spoil the surprise if you don’t already know what former South Sound acting juggernaut has
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Into the Woods was one of my top “must see” shows when I first learned Lakewood Playhouse was staging the Stephen Sondheim gem. Not only is it cleverly written and cute, but it is just a fun spin on the fairy tales most everyone learned as a child. My daughter was
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Jason Haws is a brilliant actor. His portrayal of John Merrick in Harlequin Production’s staging of The Elephant Man is nothing shy of amazing. His ability to bring to life the true-life story of a disfigured man comes to light in the opening scene as he fluidly transforms himself from
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Another week, another roundup of great theater on stages around the South Sound. Here are several shows worth watching: Jenifer Lewis stars in one of the best musicals ever written as Hello Dolly takes the 5th Avenue stage for the first time in 27 years. The story follows the tale of
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There is some good news and some bad news in the world of bottled beer in the South Sound. It is a matter of one good and two bad, but the good is very good. The big beer news these days is that Tacoma Boys is looking at ways to expand
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I wanted so much to love Tuesdays with Morrie at Olympia Little Theatre. It is a great script, staged at a great theater, and had a solid cast in the two-man show. Or at least that is what I thought. This touching version of Mitch Albom’s well-known book left my theater
