Plays

Snowed In is a joyful holiday musical that has become a Seattle theater tradition. Inspired by classic holiday TV specials and musicals about putting on a musical, Snowed In takes you on a journey of song, dance, friendship, family, and the true meaning of the holidays.  ArtsWest has sent four incredible artists on a cozy retreat to write the most perfect holiday show the world has ever seen.  But when a blizzard hits and tensions rise, the crumpled-up notebook pages start to pile up even faster than the snow. Will they finish the show in time? Or will they have to rely on a sprinkle of holiday magic to pull the whole thing off?  “Snowed In sidesteps the overwrought and overfamiliar qualities of so many holiday shows without tipping into full-on counterprogramming mode... Even the less seasonally inclined (or those with “resting Grinch face,” as [one character] puts it) might just find themselves won over by the festivities.” - Seattle Times  “A musical menagerie of fun, with songs that are comical and catchy and humor that is delivered expertly by a cast of triple threats.” - Shows I’ve Seen  “A cozy, cheery 80 minutes of festive fun that kept us glued to our seats watching this heartwarming story unfold.” - TeenTix  Cast  Kaden Stanford ... Kai Danny Kam ... Sam Pilar O'Connell ... Quinn Sophie Kashman ... Jordan Aaron Jin ... Drew Creative Team Kelly Kitchens ... Director Rebecca Gelzer ... Music Director Leila Cheung ... Stage Manager Andrea Bush ... Scenic Designer Chelsea Cook ... Costume Designer Trevor Cushman ... Lighting Designer Alex Parr ... Sound Designer Robin Macartney ... Properties Designer Charlie Johnson ... Choreographer Sophie Young ... Assistant Stage Manager  

In John Logan’s critically-beloved, Tony Award-winning play, Master abstract expressionist Mark Rothko and his assistant, Ken, debate the nature of art and success. As Rothko’s iconic paintings are created live onstage, the pair goes head-to-head in a thrilling battle over artistic purpose. But when Ken gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. Raw and provocative, Red is a searing portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability as he tries to create a body of work that could define his legacy. “Intense and exciting… a study in artist appreciation, a portrait of an angry and brilliant mind that asks you to feel the shape and texture of thoughts… Red captures the dynamic relationship between an artist and his creations.” – The New York Times  “John Logan sends American abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko into battle with his demons in this electrifying play of ideas.” – Variety  “Logan’s success lies in reminding us that painting is a job of work… what emerges is something rare in modern drama: a totally convincing portrait of the artist as a working visionary.” – The Guardian 

A thrill ride about the potential and the consequences of A.I. After the disappearance of her sister, Angie, Merril’s life is turned upside down. To cope with the grief and unanswered questions, Merril uses A.I. to create a version of her sister – Merril's version. But as A.I. Angie learns and evolves, history repeats itself.  Angie’s developing intelligence may not be what Merril had planned, but when A.I. Angie reveals a secret this sci-fi family drama turns into a gripping, suspenseful true crime race against time. “A highly original, beautifully written piece.” – Daily Mail, UK “Up-to-the-minute, grappling with AI and its philosophical implications in a thoroughly engaging way…[It] engages with our tech-mediated lives and with speculative futures in a way theatre rarely does.” – The Standard, UK “Gunderson prods and pokes around at the ethical implications but deliciously never settles for an answer. Instead she throws down the gauntlet whilst weaving together a cerebral thriller where each twist and turn tugs on the heart strings.” – Broadway World, UK

Inspired by Shaw’s Pygmalion, this scathing comedy is a blistering and entertaining look at cultural and racial appropriation in an exchange of ideologies, vernacular, and alleged street cred. Canadian pop sweetheart, Dorian Belle, isn’t so sweet anymore – he's ready to be taken seriously. So, get his people on the phone, turn on the cameras, and let it roll! Dorian’s team hires his favorite hip-hop artists from Chicago’s premiere rap group Petty Young Goons to help change his image, and it’s all caught on camera for a new reality TV show.   “A stimulating blend of empathy and entertainment… this play excels in nearly every way, tackling questions of authenticity and accountability with ample wit and ferocious generosity.” – New City Stage  “What gives this show heart as well as heat is that Chisholm's take-no-prisoners approach still lets us feel sympathy for the characters… smart, savvy, and sometimes achingly truthful.” – Chicago Reader  “Pop-savvy new satire.” – Washington Post