Review – Shows I've Seen | Theatre Reviews

The Notebook – Musical – Review – Paramount Theatre

@showsiveseen "The Notebook" #musical national tour at Paramount #Theatre from Broadway Across America and @Seattle Theatre Group. The chemistry between all three versions of the leads (teenage, adult, and elderly) felt like one continuous soul. #Alzheimer's theme was woven into the non-plot portions of the production. Appreciated the intentional inclusive casting. Didn't expect real water on-stage for the iconic rain kiss scene! Closes 3/8/26. Review: showsiveseen.com/14880 Music: @Ingrid Michaelson Book: Bekah Brunstetter Novel: @Nicholas Sparks Director: Michael Freif and Schele Williams Choreo: @Katie Spelman Music Supervision: Carmel Dean Music Director: Tina Faye Stage Mgr: Justin Myhre #TheNotebook #notebook @The Notebook Tour ♬ I Wanna Go Back – Joy Woods & Jordan Tyson

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Notebook musical national tour at Paramount Theatre from Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group. The chemistry between all three versions of the leads (teenage/adult/elderly) felt like one continuous soul. Alzheimer’s theme was woven into the non-plot portions of the production. Appreciated the intentional inclusive casting. Didn’t expect real water on-stage for the iconic rain kiss scene!

Recommendation:
See it if you enjoy ballad musicals.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Mainstream Appeal: Medium to low

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Maybe

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Based on the beloved film and novel, this show portrays the timeless story of two young lovers separated by walls of class and parental expectation. Years later, they get one final chance at the life they were never supposed to have.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love. Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune says The Notebook is “absolutely gorgeous, not to be missed,” and The New York Daily News calls it “a love story for the ages.” The Notebook is directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter, and choreography by Katie Spelman

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’ll likely appreciate this more if you read the book or saw the movie. Then again … you might spend the evening disappointed as you compare the musical to either.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actor(s): All

Total Actor(s): Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium Speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.25 hours

Other Rave(s)

Iconic Moments: The night’s most striking moment was recreating the iconic rain pick-up kiss scene with real water falling onto a live stage, which is always an impressive and nerve-wracking feat. As a spectator, it’s hard not to wince for the microphones, costumes, wigs, and carefully applied makeup taking the brunt of it. However, Noah’s beloved “it wasn’t over… it still isn’t over” speech was curiously absent from the script. It would have been an easier addition to include this line the audience was almost certainly waiting for (I know I was).
Alzheimer’s Theme: Sharon Catherine Brown (as elderly Allie) meticulously portrayed a woman in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Her performance was alive in the details, down to the restless hand-fidgeting that continued even when the spotlight moved elsewhere for extended period of time.

The production itself also seemed to internalize the disease as a structural principle. Rather than unfolding chronologically, the narrative drifted between distant teenager past, adult past, and elderly present in the fractured, non-linear way memory behaves in an Alzheimer’s patient. The audience were fellow travelers inside the disorientation of someone else’s slipping timeline. It was a bold choice that sometimes slightly tipped from an evocative trance of memories to confusion. The time jumps could also be jarring, none more so than an early leap of a full decade that bypassed much of the source material’s original story and the rich, delicious angst that made the film so affecting.
Race and Hair: Where Hollywood (including the original movie) typically defaults to white characters for this kind of love story, this production deliberately and refreshingly cast half the characters as Black mirroring the diversity of the black-ish TV show universe. There was disapproving interracial parents (a Black father, a white mother) to the central interracial couple and their biracial (grand)children. The production also quietly subverted convention by making the white male lead without means, while the biracial female lead carried both wealth and agency.

Equally striking was how the production used hair (designed by Mia Neal) as a visual language for identity. Young Allie proudly wore her natural hair freely and unabashedly trusted her true self. As an adult bending to the weight of expectation, she straightened her hair into conformity. Then in the iconic rain scene, she was soaked, raw, and finally honest about what she wanted as her hair loosened back into its natural curl.
Song Highlights: “I Wanna Go Back” was a standout number when teenager Allie (played by Chloe Cheers) and adult Allie (played by Alysha Deslorieux) with clear voices in sweet harmony gave life to lost elderly Allie’s longing for the past. The song’s most poignant line, “I didn’t know that the last time I’d leave the house was the last time I’d see my house,” was a gut-punch reminder that we rarely recognize life’s final moments as they happen. The other highlight was at the finale “Coda” where the full ensemble swelled in choir-like harmony. It was ethereal when the music stripped back to pure a cappella.

Rant(s)

One Dimension: The score was the production’s most glaring weakness. It was a parade of flowery legato ballads with little melodic distinction. Needless to say, I won’t be adding the soundtrack to my Broadway playlist! But beyond the forgettable songs, the deeper problem was an absence of contrast. If you’re going for one-dimensional, make that dimension razzle-dazzle instead of languid. Or at least add a lively song as a release valve to remind the audience that musicals can breathe. The show offered neither range nor electricity.

This flatness infected other layers of the production as well. The visual motif compounded the problem with an impressionistic, vaguely folk-inspired vibe drained of color except for a mournful monotone blue. The script leaned heavily on silence where momentum was needed. It’s toxic when a show’s score, visuals, and book all make the same mistake. The result was a tepid production.

Theatre Company: National Tour from Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group

Venue: Paramount Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

Price Range: $55 – 192

Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are still eligible for an organization discount.

Seating: Assigned Seats

Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the former Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Photos: See production photos below by Roger Mastroianni.

Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.

Sharon Catherine Brown (Older Allie) and Beau Gravitte (Older Noah). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Chloë Cheers (Younger Allie) and Kyle Mangold (Younger Noah). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie) and Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

*The Notebook* North American Tour Company. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery – Play – Review – Village Theatre

@showsiveseen Happy #openingNight in Everett (just closed in Issaquah) to @Village Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's "Baskerville: A #SherlockHolmes Mystery" play. Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Avery Clark lead a sharp ensemble through a madcap British-style comedy #mystery, with strong doubling work from the full cast. Review: showsiveseen.com/14828 Photos: Rosemary Dai Ross Director: @adamimmerwahr5 Stage Mgr: Laurel Nichols #Sherlock #theatre ♬ 5 Minutes – Don Diablo & Pink Sweat$

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Happy opening night in Everett (and closing in Issaquah) to Village Theatre’s production of Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Avery Clark lead a sharp ensemble through a madcap British-style comedy mystery, with strong doubling work from the full cast.

Recommendation:
See it if you enjoy British comedy or comedy mysteries.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A comedic take on The Hound of the Baskervilles classic.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Get your deerstalker cap on—the play’s afoot! From multi-award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood) comes a fast-paced adventure about everyone’s favorite detective solving his most notorious case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their killer, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must crack the mystery of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than 40 characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly stationary with some dynamic elements

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You should be familiar with The Hound of the Baskervilles classic. I was only vaguely familiar with the Wishbone version and was still a little lost.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Union Actor(s): 3

Total Actor(s): 5

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium Speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.25 hours

Other Rave(s)

Cast Doubling: The production inventively used cast doubling throughout the show with several moments where the device was openly acknowledged as a knowing wink to the audience that delighted in breaking the fourth wall. The standout moment was courtesy of Calder Jameson Schilling (or was it Mark Emerson?) where an old scullery maid revealed a male villain underneath, who then revealed yet the original another old scullery maid inside. It was a Russian nesting doll of disguise that was both absurd and technically impressive.
Costume Design: Much of the magic in this Russian nesting doll scene was also due to costume designer Pete Rush. Another particularly memorable costume moment was his decision to emblaze a Texan flag across the butt of proud Schilling’s long johns. It was a gag that was reminiscent of the patriotic American pilot in Operation Mincemeat.
Moments of Absurdity: The production showcased the cast’s commitment to physical storytelling and absurdity. A scene stood out for relying entirely on the actors’ bodies to depict treacherous wind without fans, but just remarkably convincing performance led by movement director Gabriel Corey. Equally enjoyable was the casual choreographed nonchalance with which props like umbrellas, hats, and newspapers were tossed between cast members or flung offstage in the wings, as though the chaos were perfectly ordinary. And then there was Schilling’s moustache piece, which staged a rebellion of its own. Whether a genuine costume malfunction or a plant so perfectly timed it only appeared accidental, the house was in an uproar. If it was unscripted, I hope they recreated the moment in subsequent performances.

Rant(s)

Script: For a lighthearted comedy, the production required too much brainpower from the audience with too many threads to follow. It started when the opening exposition overstayed its welcome. Ultimately, the script was not memorable. Though perhaps those who come already well-versed with the classic book will find more to love.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Village Theatre’s Artistic Direction: A pattern is emerging under Village Theatre’s Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr. It’s a gravitational pull toward Ken Ludwig adaptations (like Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood) and genteel mystery fare that feels lifted straight from the Taproot Theatre playbook. That overlap is more than aesthetic as Taproot regulars Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Calder Jameson Shilling both appeared in Village’s recent Dial M for Murder as well as this production. Sloniker in particular has become the de facto Sherlock Holmes of Puget Sound, having reprised the role multiple times across the region.

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre

Venue Physical Address:
2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201
or 303 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027

Price Range: $52 – 136

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the Village Theatre discount page.

Dates: 1/20/26 to 2/22/26 in Issaquah and 2/28/26 to 3/22/26 in Everett

Seating: Assigned Seats

Parking: There’s free street parking and some paid parking lots/garages. In Issaquah, I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that mostly only locals know about.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Photos: See production photos below by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.

Mark Emerson, Jonelle Jordan, Richard Nguyen Sloniker, and Avery Clark in Ken Ludwig’s *Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery* at Village Theatre. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross (2026).

Avery Clark and Calder Jameson Shilling in Ken Ludwig’s *Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery* at Village Theatre. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross (2026).

Avery Clark and Richard Nguyen Sloniker in Ken Ludwig’s *Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery* at Village Theatre. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross (2026).

Jonelle Jordan and Mark Emerson in Ken Ludwig’s *Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery* at Village Theatre. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross (2026).

Credits from the printed ENCORE program.

Fellow Travelers – Opera – Review – Seattle Opera

@showsiveseen Happy #openingWeekend to "Fellow Travelers " by @seattleopera accompanied by @Seattle Symphony. Refreshing to see a #gay romantic love story at the center of the stage. Narratives like this are still rarer than they should be. Starring @Jarrett Ott / Joseph Lattanzi and Colin Aikins / @Andy. Closes 3/1/26. Review: showsiveseen.com/14787 Music: Gregory Spears Libretto: Greg Pierce Book Basis: Thomas Mallon Director: Kevin Newbury Stage Mgr: Jonathan Moore Conductor: Steven Osgood Producer: Up Until Now Collective #FellowTravelers #Opera #showsiveseen ♬ Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home TikTok Remix) – dreamsoda

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Happy opening night to Fellow Travelers by Seattle Opera accompanied by Seattle Symphony. Refreshing to see a gay romantic love story at the center of the stage. Narratives like this are still rarer than they should be. Starring Jarrett Ott / Joseph Lattanzi and Colin Aikins / Andy Acosta.

Recommendation:
See it if you’re okay modern English operas.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No, but I’d love to see this turned into a musical.

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two closeted men, separated by age but bound by desire, find each other in conservative 1950s Washington, DC, where McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare made their very existence a liability.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: A steamy romance complicates everything for recent college graduate Timothy Laughlin, who has arrived in 1950s Washington, D.C., ready to join the fight against Communism. His chance encounter with the handsome State Department official, Hawkins Fuller, results in Tim’s first job and his first romantic relationship with a man. Tim struggles to reconcile his political, personal, and religious beliefs with the passion he and Hawkins share—all under the watchful eye of McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare. Director Kevin Newbury calls this powerful piece of historical fiction “first and foremost a really beautiful love story,” saying, “it’s more important than ever for me to share this gay love story and showcase intimacy between men on stage… so people can see themselves represented” and “shed light on our shared LGBQT+ history.”

Type: Opera

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You need to be at least remotely familiar with McCarthyism and the red/lavender scare.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actor(s): Yes, the principal roles

Total Actor(s): 9

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Other Rave(s)

Gay Narrative: In the era of the viral Heated Rivalry trend, it was refreshing to see a gay romantic love story as the focus of the narrative. I’d say this was the best opera I’ve seen so far. But that’s mostly because of the personal relatability … not to mention my admittedly limited opera-going experience. For an industry so famously filled with gay creatives, narratives like this remain rarer than they should be.

The opening cat-and-mouse cruising scene in the park was cute and endearing. Its bookend reprise at the show’s close gave the evening a satisfying symmetry. The dance of attraction and longing woven throughout the show was palpable and – dare I say – hot. The nude (butt not crotch) love scenes were tasteful, but it clearly (and effectively) pandered to the audience demographic. A female patron near me noted that there were far more men in attendance at the opera than usual. Sex sells y’all … especially with us gays.

My one reservation with this rave is that the narrative (like Heated Rivalry) was still rooted in closeted shame. That story is real and worth telling, but I’m hungry for something more modern. Can there be a mainstream opera/musical/play as a simple gay romantic comedy, where being queer is unremarkable? We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer.

Rant(s)

Understandability: While microphone amplification in opera would be sacrilegious to traditionalists, it deserves an exception for modern productions sung in English. When an audience cannot understand the words being sung, something crucial has been lost. With a foreign-language opera, there is an expectation that the listener surrenders to the music’s emotional current rather than its enunciation or literal meaning. But a USA audience watching an English-language opera expects to audibly understand the lyrics.

The operatic voice, magnificent as it is, works against intelligibility in ways that are easy to overlook. Vibrato blurs consonants. The elevated, resonant tone that carries so beautifully in the upper registers softens the edges of words into impressionism. Closed captions compensate for this, but there were several moments in Fellow Travelers when the captions dropped out precisely when the singing was least decipherable. In fact, the stranger seated beside me shared an unprompted remark that the production needed microphones. When an audience member volunteers that observation to a stranger, it’s worth taking seriously.

I understand that microphone amplification remains a controversial subject in opera circles. But in the interest of accessibility, audiences today (particularly younger ones) are accustomed to sound that is engineered to reach them clearly. There is no virtue in purity of form if the meaning it’s meant to carry never arrives.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Stage Size: McCaw Hall’s expansive stage felt slightly oversized for the scenic design by Vita Tzykun. Though I’ll take that over the alternative (a stage too small). If anything, the scale pushed the designers toward an solution in one scene where they concentrated the snow effect into a tight fifth of the stage, which turned a potential limitation into something visually interesting.
Betrayal: The reason behind the betrayal in the second act didn’t make sense and seemed a bit over reactive for the stakes. Its as if simpler, less drastic pragmatic resolutions were deliberately ignored to force a dramatic turn. But then, sensibility rarely makes for good storytelling.

Theatre Company: Seattle Opera

Venue: McCaw Hall

Venue Physical Address: 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

Price Range: $39 to $208

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the Seattle Opera “Ways to Save” pages

Dates: February 21 to March 1, 2026

Seating: Assigned Seats

Parking: There are paid lots and paid street parking. I usually park on Mercer to the West of 1st Ave. There’s usually also plentiful street parking around Safeway. If there’s an event in Seattle Center or Climate Pledge Arena, street parking is usually limited and much more expensive.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Photos: See production photos below by Sunny Martini and David Jaewon Oh.

Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.

Joseph Lattanzi (Hawkins Fuller) and Andy Acosta (Timothy Laughlin) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: David Jaewon Oh.

Jeremy Weiss (Technician) and Joseph Lattanzi (Hawkins Fuller) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: David Jaewon Oh.

Marcus DeLoach (Estonian Frank) and Amber R. Monroe (Mary Johnson) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: David Jaewon Oh.

Jarrett Ott (Hawkins Fuller) and Elisa Sunshine (Lucy) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: David Jaewon Oh.

Jarrett Ott (Hawkins Fuller), Colin Aikins (Timothy Laughlin), Amber R. Monroe (Mary Johnson), Marcus DeLoach (Estonian Frank), Jeremy Weiss (Party Guest), Randell McGee (Tommy McIntyre), Vanessa Becerra (Miss Lightfoot), and Elisa Sunshine (Lucy) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: Sunny Martini.

Colin Aikins (Timothy Laughlin) and Jarrett Ott (Hawkins Fuller) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: Sunny Martini.

Jeremy Weiss (Senator Potter’s Assistant) and Randell McGee (Tommy McIntyre) in *Fellow Travelers* at Seattle Opera. Photo: Sunny Martini.

Here There Are Blueberries – Play – Review – Seattle Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, and Tectonic Theatre Project

@showsiveseen Happy closing performance to Moises Kaufman and Amanda Gronich's "Here There Are Blueberries" #play from @Seattle Rep, @La Jolla Playhouse, and Tectonic Theater Project. Thoughtful scenic design, projection design, and sound design by Derek McLane, Bobby McElver, and David Bengali respectively. Well-executed, riveting, and chillingly relevant. Review: showsiveseen.com/14604 Photography: Kevin Parry Stage Mgr: Jacob Russell #photograph #photographs #theatre ♬ 2 Little 2 Late – Levi & Mario

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Happy closing weekend to Moises Kaufman and Amanda Gronich’s Here There Are Blueberries play from Seattle Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, and Tectonic Theater Project. Thoughtful scenic design, projection design, and sound design by Derek McLane, Bobby McElver, and David Bengali respectively. Well-executed, riveting, and chillingly relevant.

Recommendation:
See it if you’re okay with shows that are not heavy on a linear story

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not, but it was good.

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A Holocaust museum acquires a scrapbook from the Auschwitz concentration camp containing photographs exclusively of Nazi personnel, with no Jewish prisoners depicted. The play investigates the origins of these images and the unsettling story behind each of these pictures.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: In 2007, a mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs arrived at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist. As curators unravel the shocking truth behind the images, the album soon makes headlines and ignites a debate that reverberates far beyond the museum walls. Based on real events, Here There Are Blueberries tells the story of these historical photographs—what they reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and our own humanity.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You need to be at least remotely familiar with the Holocaust.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not fully defined, but there was still some story linearity with the museum staff to weave each photograph together.

Live Band/Orchestra: N/A – But occasionally one of the actors played the accordion

Union Actor(s): All

Total Actor(s): 8

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 90 minutes

Other Rave(s)

Nazi Photographs: The script offered a unique perspective by focusing on how Nazis lived in Auschwitz. It was a viewpoint rarely explored in mainstream narratives, which typically center on Jewish prisoners. Through a plethora of images, the production showed the seemingly ordinary daily life of the perpetrators with a track and field event, a vacation resort, Christmas celebrations, working women relaxing, a singing gathering (where they celebrated a certain major mass genocide), and innocent children living feet away from the gas chambers. The pictures depicted a deceptive, almost idyllic normalcy. It was a chilling reminder that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary cruelty. Who’s behind the ICE mask and who’s wearing the MAGA hat?

The script depicted Nazis as people – not monsters – and forced us to confront the uncomfortable truth that atrocity can emerge from everyday individuals. It pointed out that it’s easier to assign culpability to people portrayed as monsters than people portrayed as run-of-the-mill citizens. At the same time, the production was careful not to glorify or elevate the perpetrators. It navigated a delicate, controversial balance with nuance. The images would disturb most viewers, while unfortuantely a neo-Nazi might even find the depiction appealing. But the script’s intent was clear to see the opposite perspective of this atrocious history without excusing it.
Background Audio: Much like a museum providing background audio to complement its exhibits, this production paired each image with its own carefully crafted soundscape by sound designer Bobby McElver. The audience was treated to an audio backdrop of women laughing, men singing (accompanied by Marrick Smith on accordion), and women enjoying blueberries. It all created a layered, immersive experience that brought the still images to life.
Scenic Design: The visuals were thoughtfully designed and executed by scenic designer Derek McLane, evoking the feel of an industrial museum curated with precision. Actors moved among projection “easels,” allowing them to display additional photographs or zoom in on details. The gas-chamber-like door at the end was a haunting detail underscoring the gravity of the Holocaust narrative.
Projection Design: Interestingly, the projection designer David Bengali briefly employed two technically ambitious effects that hinted at greater possibilities. One involved live recording an actor on stage and projecting it in real time, while another used an overhead projector (unless it was just a prerecorded video) reminiscent of Book-It Theatre’s staging of Everything Is Illuminated. Typically, a production that invests in such complex technology integrates it throughout the show. But here, each device appeared for only a few minutes, leaving the audience wanting more.
Relevance: This play feels incredibly timely given current events surrounding ICE. In a few years, when another playwright inevitably tackles the ICE events we’re seeing today, there will be even more visual documentation thanks to ubiquitous smartphone cameras. But will history deniers dismiss those images as AI-generated?

Theatre Company: National Tour from Seattle Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, and Tectonic Theatre Project

Venue: Bagley Wright Theater at Seattle Rep

Venue Physical Address: 155 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

Dates: January 21 – February 15, 2026

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Photos: See production photos below by Kevin Parry Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.

Barbara Pitts, Jeanne Sakata, and Delia Cunningham in *Here There Are Blueberries* at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Kevin Parry Photography.

Nemuna Ceesay and Scott Barrow in *Here There Are Blueberries* at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Kevin Parry Photography.

Delia Cunningham and Scott Barrow in *Here There Are Blueberries* at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Kevin Parry Photography.

Spamalot – Musical – Review – The 5th Ave Theatre

@showsiveseen Monty Python’s "#Spamalot" #musical national tour at @The 5th Avenue Theatre. Silly, corny, and fully self-aware, with lyrics and jokes updated for the modern age. The tap numbers absolutely deliver. Starring @Major Attaway as #KingArthur. See it before it closes 2/15/26. Review: showsiveseen.com/14645 Director/Choreo: Josh Rhodes Music Supervision: John Bell Conductor: Jonathan W Gorst Stage Mgr: Matthew Brooks #Camelot #theatre @Monty Python’s Spamalot ♬ Look On The Bright Side Of Life (All Things Dull And Ugly) – From "Life Of Brian" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Monty Python

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Monty Python’s Spamalot musical national tour at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Silly, corny, and fully self-aware, with lyrics and jokes updated for the modern age. The tap numbers absolutely deliver. Starring Major Attaway as King Arthur. See it before it closes 2/15/26.

Recommendation:
See it if you enjoy silly British comedy.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I’ve seen the national tour twice before this.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Eh, I think 3 times is enough for me.

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Parodies of King Arthur legends

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: SPAMALOT, which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, features a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three, including Best Musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake. SPAMALOT features well-known song titles such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You need to be remotely familiar with King Arthur legends. It might help if you also saw the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actor(s): All

Total Actor(s): Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Other Rave(s)

Tap Dance: The tap numbers (choreographed by director Josh Rhodes) were a highlight, especially in the Vegas-style “Camelot” and the encouraging “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” Several performers even took to tap-dancing on tables, which was a nice touch that ensured the audience appreciated the intricate footwork. We in the orchestra level often miss this because of our vantage point. First world problems, I know.
Modern References: The production loaded the script and lyrics with contemporary references. At its best, this was genuinely funny. I loved the parody of the recent viral Miss Universe France meme. At times, though, the show relied too heavily on this device, to the point where the references felt forced rather than clever. Moments like dropping modern songs (Demon Pop Hunters) mid-scene or inserting in references like “67″ (is that even in anymore?) felt like they were trying too hard. What began as quick satire occasionally tipped into gratuitous excess.

Rant(s)

Sound: Compared to the last two national tours I’ve seen of this show, the sound felt noticeably less expansive. It was quieter and less fluid. The production didn’t seem to fully fill the space. In earlier tours, both the band and vocals carried a richer, more enveloping presence. I don’t know if increasing the volume could even help. By contrast, most local 5th Avenue Theatre productions tend to sound more robust and complete. Even The Wild Party recently by Sound Theatre Company (a semi-equity production in a much smaller venue) felt fuller and more immersive sonically.
Animated Projections: The use of animation often feels like a cost-saving substitute for traditional scenic design. And when the visuals lean heavily into obvious CGI, it ultimately cheapens the production’s overall quality.

Theatre Company: National tour brought by The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Price Range: $50-180

Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation and my apartment complex. Rush tickets are typically also available the day of the performance at the box office.

Dates: February 4 – 15, 2026

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. DO NOT park in the APA Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the APA Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Photos: See production photos below by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman.

Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.