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5 Reasons Why Seattle Rep's 'The Play That Goes Wrong' Is The Must-See Comedy Of The 2026 Season

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The Play That Goes Wrong has cemented its status as a global comedy phenomenon, and its recent and upcoming engagements at the Seattle Rep are proving to be a highlight of the Pacific Northwest theatrical calendar. As of today, December 23, 2025, the buzz is still resonating from the triumphant recent run, and anticipation is already building for its confirmed return. This uproarious, meticulously choreographed disaster is not just a show; it's a masterpiece of malfunction that leaves audiences gasping for breath between bursts of laughter.

The Seattle production, a celebrated co-production with Portland Center Stage, has successfully captured the show's signature style of slapstick chaos and physical comedy, earning rave reviews for its all-local cast and expert direction. Whether you missed the sold-out run earlier this year or are planning your next visit, here is a deep dive into why this show continues to be the most talked-about, side-splitting farce in Seattle.

Meet the Masterminds: Creators, Director, and the Seattle Ensemble

The success of *The Play That Goes Wrong* in Seattle is a testament to the brilliant minds that conceived the show, the director who expertly staged the chaos, and the talented local ensemble that brought the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society to life.

The Original Creators: Mischief Theatre

  • Henry Lewis (Playwright/Original Cast): Co-founder of Mischief Theatre and co-writer of the play. He is also known for other "Goes Wrong" hits like *Peter Pan Goes Wrong*.
  • Henry Shields (Playwright/Original Cast): Co-writer and co-creator, known for his work in developing the signature "Goes Wrong" style of comedy, which blends classic farce with modern theatrical destruction.
  • Jonathan Sayer (Playwright/Original Cast): The third co-writer and co-founder of Mischief Theatre. His work has been instrumental in creating a global franchise out of a small-scale comedy.

The Seattle Rep Production Team and Cast (2025/2026)

  • Director: Dámaso Rodríguez: A highly regarded director known for his innovative approach, Rodríguez successfully helmed the Seattle Rep and Portland Center Stage co-production, ensuring the precise timing required for the show's deliberate failures.
  • Venue: Bagley Wright Theater: The main stage at Seattle Rep, known for hosting large-scale, high-quality productions.
  • Key Ensemble Members: The all-local cast has been widely praised for their commitment to the demanding physical comedy. Noteworthy actors from the recent run include Chris Murray, Cassi Q Kohl, Darius Pierce, Ian Bond, Darragh Kennan, Ashley Song, and Chip Sherman. These actors masterfully play the roles of the amateur 'Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society' performers.

1. The Precision of the Physical Comedy and Slapstick Chaos

What makes *The Play That Goes Wrong* a theatrical marvel is not the plot of the play-within-a-play, but the flawless execution of its failures. The sheer amount of physical comedy and slapstick chaos is astounding and requires the highest level of technical and acting precision.

The show's premise is simple: the amateur Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery titled *The Murder at Haversham Manor*. From the moment the curtain rises, everything imaginable goes wrong. Doors won't open, props are missing, lines are forgotten, and set pieces—including a crucial second-floor mantelpiece—begin to violently collapse. The Seattle Rep ensemble, under the direction of Dámaso Rodríguez, earned critical acclaim for their super-tight ensemble work, selling the illusion of a cast that should never be allowed on a stage.

2. The Fresh, All-Local Seattle Rep Ensemble

Unlike many touring productions that feature a rotating national cast, the Seattle Rep's presentation of this show featured an all-local cast, which brought a unique and fresh energy to the production. This decision to use Pacific Northwest talent, including established names like Darius Pierce and Chris Murray, grounded the farcical chaos in a performance style familiar and beloved by the local theatre community.

The cast members are not just actors; they are theatrical acrobats. They must navigate a rapidly deteriorating set, perform complex stunts, and maintain the straight face of a character trying desperately to keep a crumbling production together. The audience's enjoyment is multiplied by knowing they are witnessing a highly trained ensemble executing a 'masterpiece of malfunction' right on the Bagley Wright Theater stage.

3. The Upcoming 2026 Return Dates and Ticket Information

The demand for this production has been so high that Seattle Rep has already confirmed a highly anticipated return engagement, making it a centerpiece of their 2025-2026 Season. This is crucial information for anyone who missed the initial, critically lauded run.

The next opportunity to witness the theatrical mayhem of *The Play That Goes Wrong* at the Bagley Wright Theater is scheduled for:

  • Return Dates: June 11 – 28, 2026
  • Venue: Seattle Rep (Bagley Wright Theater)

The show's popularity means that securing tickets early for the June 2026 run is highly advisable. Theatre enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor the Seattle Rep box office for subscription and single-ticket sales to ensure they don't miss this second chance to see the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s disastrous opening night.

4. A Deep Dive into 'The Murder at Haversham Manor'

To fully appreciate the comedy, one must understand the play-within-a-play: *The Murder at Haversham Manor*. This fictional 1920s murder mystery, written by the equally fictional Susie H. K. Brideswell, is a classic whodunit. The plot centers around a death at Haversham Manor, with characters like Thomas, Perkins, and Inspector Carter debating whether the death was a murder or a suicide.

The brilliance of the script by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer is how they use the rigid structure of a classic murder mystery as the foundation for total, unscripted chaos. Every missed cue, every misplaced prop, and every collapsing piece of the set directly undermines the serious, dramatic intent of *The Murder at Haversham Manor*, creating a hilarious juxtaposition. The more the amateur actors try to salvage the show, the funnier the resulting mayhem becomes, turning a straightforward drama into an "omnishambles."

5. The Universal Appeal: Perfect for Teens, Tweens, and Adults

While the show is pure farce, its humor is remarkably accessible and family-friendly, making it a perfect outing for a wide range of ages. The Seattle Rep production notes confirm that the show is generally suitable for tweens, teens, and adults, containing only mild language and light sexual references, alongside the necessary sound of gunshots.

The comedy relies almost entirely on physical humor and visual gags, meaning it transcends cultural and age barriers. It’s a guaranteed night of laughter that doesn't require prior knowledge of the play or its creators, Mischief Theatre. The sheer spectacle of a stage literally falling apart around the actors is a universal language of comedy, making it the ideal family-friendly show to see during the Seattle 2025-2026 Season. The production's critical success and audience enthusiasm confirm its status as one of the most successful comedies to grace the Bagley Wright Theater in recent memory.

5 Reasons Why Seattle Rep's 'The Play That Goes Wrong' Is The Must-See Comedy of the 2026 Season
the play that goes wrong seattle
the play that goes wrong seattle

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