Category: Seattle Theatre Group

Giveaway: I’m giving away a free ticket to this show. Enter the contest on Instagram! Update (3/11/23): Congrats to Matt!

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Dear Evan Hansen musical w/ Broadway at the Paramount Theatre and Seattle Theatre Group. Good visibility on depressed, lonely, awkward people who are obsessed w/ social media and who don’t fit in. #DearEvanHansen #suicide #depression

Synopsis from the Theatre: A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says DEAR EVAN HANSEN is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.” DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Reviewed Performance: 3/7/23 Evening – Opening Night

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Recommendation: See it!

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: No, I previously saw this years ago at the Paramount Theatre. I actually listen to the soundtrack in my car every so often.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: I’d consider it, but I probably would only see a professional/equity production like this and not a community production.

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.5 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: All of them

Total Number of Actors: 8

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Projections and Lighting: I’m always a huge fan of modern design and clean lines. The spotlights and projections dramatically converged in “Waving Through a Window” and “You Will Be Found.” Most of the projections were inspired by social media and this production didn’t lazily use the projections as a crutch for the storyline. However, I wonder how long the projections will stay relevant. For example, today’s high schoolers don’t gravitate toward the social media platforms (like Facebook) mentioned throughout the show.
• Awkwardness: Anthony Norman portrayed Evan Hansen well as a weird loser who doesn’t fit it. There should be less snorts though. In my opinion, snorting on-stage or on-film is an overused crutch to portray awkward demeanor to the audience. I’ve never known someone to regularly snort in real life.
• Silence and Darkness: Similar to the recent Metamorphoses play at Seattle Rep, this show is uniquely lacks sound and color (in a good way), which is in contrast to most other musicals that usually more ostentatious. The silence was particularly fitting in the tense moments before Evan Hansen’s speech.
• “Waving Through a Window” Lyrics: I love how they allude to the smartphone social media experience in the chorus lyrics “cause I’m tap, tap, tapping on the glass. I’m waving through a window … is anybody waving back at me?”
• Favorite Line: “The only people that like high school are cheerleaders and football players.”

Rant(s)

• Pitch Issues: There were numerous moments someone sang slightly off key when attempting to reach high notes.
• “Sincerely, Me” Stiffness: The comedic relief song “Sincerely, Me” didn’t feel as playful as I remember from the first time I saw this musical. Move your arms and hands more please! Maybe it was the magic and wonder of seeing the show for the first time that made the song better for me back then.
• Paramount Theatre Seating: Like I mentioned in my previous Paramount Theatre show review, I’m thankful for the opportunity to review this show and my seats were great on paper but the Paramount Theatre is in desperate need of better seat staggering and a steeper slope. The people sitting in the two rows in front of me were clearly struggling with their view. And I could even hear the person behind me complaining that they couldn’t see. The seats are so terribly placed that the person two rows down from me was blocking my view. A part of me thinks that it isn’t worth shelling out upwards of $100 per ticket to only hear the show and not see it adequately. Make sure your seat is in the first row of a section!

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Fundraiser: The teens in the story were not fundraising for a worthy cause. Why not raise money for something that will actually prevent suicides and depression? What a waste!
• Alana Beck: Such an annoying character. She needs to mind her own business and stop using people. I also didn’t buy her explanation for her motives.

Theatre Company: National Tour Coordinated by Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group

Venue: Paramount Theatre

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

Price: Medium to Expensive

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

Dates: March 7 to 12, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

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 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:
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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://www.stgpresents.org/calendar/12860/dear-evan-hansen
• https://seattle.broadway.com/shows/dear-evan-hansen/
• https://dearevanhansen.com/
• Program

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen “Dear Evan Hansen” #musical at Paramount Theatre w/ @seattletheatregroup. Good visibility for depressed, lonely, awkward people who don’t fit in and who are obsessed w/ #socialMedia. Review: showsiveseen.com/4148 #DearEvanHansen #suicide #depression #theatre ♬ Waving Through A Window – Ben Platt & Original Broadway Cast of Dear Evan Hansen

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations jukebox musical w/ Broadway at the Paramount and Seattle Theatre Group. Imagine a mashup of the musicals Motown and Jersey Boys. Tight harmonies and smooth dance moves. Even the synchronized stage clapping sounded good! #theatre #retro

Synopsis from the Theatre: Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America. Written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!), the unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and so many more.

Reviewed Performance: 1/24/23 – Opening Night

Type: Jukebox Musical

World Premiere: No

Awards: 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography

Defined Plot/Storyline: Plot was semi-defined but not strong. But this is typical in a jukebox musical. It is also expected from shows written in biographical form (like this one). There is no strong plot in real life!

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Recommendation: See it especially if you’re a fan of the Temptations group. You don’t need to be a fan of their music to enjoy the show. I only knew 1/4 of the songs and my dad only knew 2 of the songs.

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Maybe

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.5 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: All of them

Number of Actors: 22

Length: 2.5 to 2.75 hours, which felt a little longer than what I’m used to

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Voices: Obviously, all the actors had amazing voices. But a special shoutout goes to Devin Price (Al Bryant) with his powerful tenor in “(You Make Me Want to) Shout.” Elijah Ahmad Lewis (David Ruffin) was a great replacement for Devin when the Temptations kicked Devin’s character out the group. The tenors don’t get all the glory in this show though. Harrell Holmes Jr showcased his incredible bass voice as Melvin Franklin. He “got bass lower than the devil!”
• Lighting Design: The stage haze elegantly highlighted the simple clean lines of the bright spotlights dramatically shining directly downward on each of the Temptations. The marquees on the set reminded me of ritzy classic showbiz. The large lightbulbs that suddenly shined directly behind the Temptations were elegant and glamourous. The designers even included details like “hot lights” on TV set video recorders in the American Bandstand scenes.
• Costumes: The costumes conveyed a vintage feel. I was strangely drawn to the funeral attire, which was very elegant, simple, and old money. The classic black umbrellas were also a nice addition to the funeral scene.
• Supremes: I was pleasantly surprised that they included some numbers sung by the Supremes like “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Rant(s)

• Views in the Paramount Theatre: Warning, soapbox ahead! Let me just start out saying that I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to review this show and my seat was well-placed. It was on the aisle at the center where I could theoretically see everything. It was also not too close or far from the stage. However, most patrons at the Paramount Theatre tend to significantly obstruct the view of the person directly behind them. I’ve been burned too many times by this. I’ve even sat in the third row of the center main floor orchestra and a head still annoyingly blocked my view, which was very disappointing especially after paying more than $100 on that ticket. Several regular Seattle theatre patrons have voiced the same concern with Paramount Theatre seats. It is ironic that the arguably most prestigious theatre in the city (which also hosts most touring Broadway shows) also has the highest possibility of an obstructed view. I’ve never experienced this at 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, or ACT Theatre. Unfortunately, at the Paramount Theatre, you’re only safe with a view in a section’s first row (whether orchestra or mezzanine) with a walkway buffer in front of you. You’d also be safe in the back row of a section propped up by two seat pillows. I wish the Paramount Theatre could change the elevation grade/slope to be steeper and I also wish they would stagger the seats better. Hopefully the “Save a Seat” program will prevent obstructed views that make it difficult to review/enjoy shows. First world problems, right? 😛

Other Thought(s)

• Historical Anecdotes: A couple interesting historical facts were mentioned throughout the show. For example, apparently there have been more than 25 Temptations members since the group’s inception. Also, one of the past members was known for sneaking on-stage to perform after the group fired him!

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

Venue: Paramount Theatre

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

Price: Medium to Expensive

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

Dates: January 24 – February 5, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

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 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:
Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://www.stgpresents.org/calendar/12854/ain-t-too-proud-the-life-and-times-of-the-temptations
• https://ainttooproudmusical.com/
• Program

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video

@showsiveseen “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life & Times of the #Temptations” #jukebox #musical w/ @seattletheatregroup at Paramount #Theatre. Imagine a mashup of the musicals #Motown & Jersey Boys. Tight harmonies & smooth dance moves. Even the synchronized stage clapping sounded good! Review: showsiveseen.com/3482 @motownrecords #retro @officialtemptations ♬ My Girl (from “My Girl”) – Hollywood Session Singers