Opus at the Seattle Rep
Every week I gather theatrical reviews from around the sound and add them to the show’s listing on Seattle Performs.
- While only having opened this Wednesday, Seattle Repertory‘s Opus is already drawing rave reviews from local critics. “Opus is a one act, but it packs a wallop in those 90 minutes,” says Kenna Kettrick of the Broadway Hour blog, “the scenes and dialogue move at a fast clip, and only slow down for the music itself—like the characters themselves, which occasionally seem to be moving too fast or in the wrong direction, and yet are able to, with their music, create something complex, intimate and beautiful in its mortality.” “Opus is a magnificently crafted octave of theatre.” Steve Clare, Seattle Fine Arts Examiner
- More reviews for Book-It Repertory‘s Emma: “The rich costumes and the convincing big personalities of the actors helped Book-It take audience members into Austen’s world – one which they won’t regret entering.” – Queen Anne/Magnolia News
- Despite involving a current topic and a receptive audience, Obama On My Mind at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center has not been treated very well in the press. Broadwayworld.com called it “one of the most blatant and unnecessary abuses of President Obama’s good name” and The Stranger says it “doesn’t take the audience anywhere recognizable—much less interesting.” Fortunately, new reviews this week were far less harsh; Seattle Fine Arts Examiner says it depends on your expectations: “As audience, you may wonder where all this is going, or you may choose to buckle up and enjoy the chaotic ride.. Because there are also plenty of things to enjoy. The energy of the ensemble cast is infectious.” Seattle Gay News says “Even though the show could use a bit of work in the first half, it’s a good effort, and doesn’t stop it from being a good show to watch.” They (and many other reviews) also take time to praise the singing of Josephine Howell in the title track, “Obama On My Mind.”
Other reviews this week: Bone Portraits (Live Girls!), If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Seattle Children’s Theatre), Measure For Pleasure (ArtsWest), H.P. Lovecraft MADNESS OUT OF TIME (Open Circle), Snow White (Storybook Theater), Bunnicula (Secondstory Repertory), The Believers (Annex), and user-submitted reviews for Macbeth (Eclectic Theater) and Durang7 (Stone Soup.) Check them out here!