All stories by Misha Berson on BroadwayStars

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Broadway hit ‘Six’ arrives at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, sassy as ever by Misha Berson

The six wives of King Henry VIII have arrived at the Paramount, competing for your sympathy and applause in an audacious pop musical.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 06:46PM
Thursday, October 6, 2022

Aaron Sorkin on ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ coming to Seattle by Misha Berson

Aaron Sorkin, who adapted the Harper Lee novel for the play coming to Paramount Theatre Oct. 11-16, discusses his evolving feelings about the novel and more.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Thursday, May 19, 2022

John Aylward, prominent Seattle theater, ‘ER’ and ‘West Wing’ actor, dies at 75 by Misha Berson

John Aylward, for more than 40 years a quintessential Seattle actor and a force of nature onstage, died on May 16.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 07:50PM
Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Review: ‘Austen’s Pride’ at Seattle’s 5th Ave will likely satisfy some ‘Pride and Prejudice’ fans but needs rethinking by Misha Berson

The seriocomic, affectionate but bloated musical revolves (literally) around a character representing Jane Austen, with her fictional offspring dancing, singing and emoting around her.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Monday, October 7, 2019

ArtsWest delivers a searing and rough-edged ‘Sunset Baby’ by Misha Berson

Valerie Curtis-Newton directs Tony Award-nominated playwright Dominique Morisseau's multi-dimensional tale.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Friday, September 13, 2019

Two plays explore Jewish identity and themes, especially relevant during a time of rising anti-Semitism by Misha Berson

Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-nominated Broadway play “Indecent" has its local debut at Seattle Repertory Theatre. And “Everything Is Illuminated,” based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s book,…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Monday, August 26, 2019

Review: ‘Bulrusher’ at Intiman wades through sluggish waters to get to the most engrossing elements by Misha Berson

Intiman Theatre’s final entry of its 2019 season is a 2007 Pulitzer Prize finalist written by Eisa Davis.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Review: Is it right to bring a child into today’s world? ‘Lungs’ wrestles with the question. by Misha Berson

In this perceptive and unfailingly intelligent one-act work, forcefully performed and precisely staged by Really Really Theatre Group, finding consensus is difficult in an era when the fate …

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Looking to catch some Shakespeare in Puget Sound parks this summer? Here’s what to see and pro tips on how best to enjoy. by Misha Berson

It's Shakespeare-in-the-park season! Wooden O and Greenstage are among the companies presenting live, mostly free shows in open-air locations from Seattle to Port Townsend to Mount Vernon.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Thursday, July 11, 2019

Joan Didion’s memoir of grief, ‘The Year of Magical Thinking,’ takes to the stage at ACT Theatre by Misha Berson

In 2003, Didion lost her husband and sometime literary collaborator John Gregory Dunne and witnessed the sudden, catastrophic illness of their only child. Emerging from that experience, Didi…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Longtime Seattle actor Joseph P. McCarthy dies at age 64 by Misha Berson

Joseph P. McCarthy appeared in shows by ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Public Theater, Strawberry Theatre Workshop and other companies over the years. In addition, he appe…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 08:15PM
Monday, July 8, 2019

Martin Charnin, Tony-winning ‘Annie’ lyricist who was active in Seattle-area musical-theater scene, dies at 84 by The Associated Press and Misha Berson

Martin Charnin, who won a Tony Award for the score of the Broadway hit “Annie,” and who lived in Issaquah during the 2000s when he became active in the Seattle theater scene, died Saturd…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 03:47PM
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Thursday, June 13, 2019

Thinking of going to Ashland for Oregon Shakespeare Festival? Here’s what to see and where to sleep and eat. by Misha Berson

Here are tips to help you plan your trip — and info on what'll happen if there's wildfire smoke.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM

Meet Nataki Garrett, Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s incoming artistic director by Misha Berson

Garrett takes on a nationally respected, multistage theater complex that's one of the largest and oldest theater companies in the country.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, June 12, 2019

A captivating ‘West Side Story’ at 5th Avenue Theatre reminds us this musical is in a class by itself by Misha Berson

Bill Berry’s current 5th Avenue staging of “West Side Story,” based on his hit 2007 version for the company, brings to life with flair and propulsion the saga of young ardor, bigotry a…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Thursday, May 30, 2019

‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ review: Cheryl Strayed’s advice columns come to compassionate life at Seattle Rep by Misha Berson

Nia Vardalos' stage adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's collection of advice columns transcends its limitations to become a celebration of the big picture, as well as “the ordinary miraculous�…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Friday, May 24, 2019

60-plus years later, ‘West Side Story’ endures and thrives, including a new production at 5th Avenue Theatre by Misha Berson

As a new run of "West Side Story" at the 5th Avenue Theatre approaches, this Broadway classic based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” remains popular and current across generations. …

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Monday, April 15, 2019

It’s both a marathon and a sprint: How the actors of Café Nordo race to juggle multiple roles while serving food by Misha Berson

How does Cafe Nordo's hardworking cast of nearly a dozen local actors juggle more than 30 roles in "Jitterbug Perfume" while also serving food?

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Saturday, April 6, 2019

‘Marie, Dancing Still,’ at 5th Avenue Theatre, needs work before heading to Broadway by Misha Berson

The A-list talent involved in "Marie, Dancing Still" have fashioned a sincere, attractive, overtly sentimental musical that is admirably performed and satisfies in some ways. But it leans to…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Friday, March 22, 2019

Big names and aspirations come with 5th Avenue Theatre’s Broadway-bound musical ‘Marie, Dancing Still’ by Misha Berson

“Marie, Dancing Still," a much-anticipated, Broadway-bound new show with some big names behind it, debuts this month at the 5th Ave, which has a new artistic director eager to make his mar…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, March 6, 2019

At Village Theatre, new artistic head Jerry Dixon aims to wrap his audience in a ‘blanket of joy’ by Misha Berson

Jerry Dixon, who brings decades of showbiz experience, says: "People feel beat-up by what’s going on in our country and are glad for the escapism of musicals."

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Here’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ like you’ve never seen it, with the star-crossed lovers bridging the gap between American Sign Language and English by Misha Berson

In ACT Theatre's "Romeo + Juliet," Joshua Castille, as Romeo, will discourse primarily through American Sign Language (ASL). Gabriella O’ Fallon, as Juliet, will deliver her lines in spoke…

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Review: Seattle Rep takes on August Wilson's powerful "Two Trains Running" through Feb. 11 by Misha Berson

"Two Trains Running" starring EUGENE LEE, DAVID EMERSON TONEY & CARLTON BYRD is essentially a blues song saturated with humor, big dreams and painful memories.

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 04:51PM
Monday, May 25, 2015

Review: Intiman's 'Doctor' is in, with raucous results by Misha Berson

Intiman Theatre's staging of "A Doctor in Spite of Himself" combines old gags and new, with wide-ranging musical nods from French baroque opera to "The Music Man" to hip-hop in a tale of a w…

SOURCE: The Seattle Times at 05:58PM

ACT unveils new season: 'Vanities,' 'In the Next Room,' 'Double Indemnity' by Misha Berson

ACT's 2011 roster of plays includes a mystery, urban comedy and premieres.

SOURCE: The Seattle Times at 05:58PM
Monday, September 8, 2014

We recommend: Theater by Misha Berson

Seattle Times theater critic Misha Berson’s picks for fall theatergoers.

SOURCE: The Seattle Times at 01:17PM
Thursday, September 4, 2014

Taproot Theatre reveals 2015 season by Misha Berson

Seattle Times theater critic Misha Berson writes:

SOURCE: blogs.seattletimes.com at 11:15PM
Sunday, November 25, 2012

"Scandalous" doesn't raise many eyebrows on Broadway | Theater review | The Arts | The Seattle Times by Misha Berson

The mood at New York City's Neil Simon Theatre was upbeat on the evening of Nov. 15, as the new musical "Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson" had its premiere on Broadw…

SOURCE: seattletimes.com at 04:46AM
Saturday, March 24, 2012

Freud and C.S. Lewis debate faith and atheism in Taproot play by Misha Berson

Fans of Mark St. Germain's one-act "Freud's Last Session," as well as the Bellevue psychologist acting as adviser to the local production, are drawn to the play's articulate exploration of F…

SOURCE: The Seattle Times at 05:11PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards