The Seattle Repertory Theater company released its lineup for the coming 2011 - 2012 season, and it serves as a pretty good indicator of how Jerry Manning, the Rep's Artistic Director, views his company's role in the realm of Seattle's big theaters. We are heading into Manning's second full season as AD, so we can see the beginnings of a pattern here; a classic, a crowd pleaser, some Off-Broadway offerings, a solo show, and so on. more ›

It is easy to understand why theater companies return to the works of John Steinbeck as often as they do. Coming to prominence in the midst of the 1930s depression, he has written quintessential stories about the little guy; lower class people whose dreams are prosaic, come from humble means and who possess huge hearts. Most people are familiar with the last two books of his "Dustbowl Trilogy," Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, both of which could frequently be seen produced by theater companies looking for a reliable way to connect with an audience. more ›

And that noise is the sound of children laughing. Okay, not children, but 30-somethings and under, drawn to the Seattle Rep's Leo K. theatre by a new play from Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, a playwright so cool and cutting edge he lives in the Mission in San Francisco. And of course having two of Seattle's most talented young-ish actors, Chelsey Rives and Nick Garrison, in lead roles doesn't hurt. Not to mention the scenic design genius of Jennifer Zeyl. more ›