Before diving into the just-announced 2025-26 season at ArtsWest, do yourself a favor and catch their current offering, The Effect. Lucy Prebble’s high-stakes drama — a New York Times Critic’s Pick during its U.S. premiere last year — lands at the West Seattle venue with its emotional punch intact.

A mix of science fiction and psychological thriller, The Effect centers on a clinical drug trial that veers off course when two young volunteers are drawn to each other. But in this world of controlled substances and manipulated data, the play keeps audiences guessing: is it love, or just a chemical reaction?

Director Mathew Wright keeps the pace tight and the tension high, aided by a solid cast. Morgan Gwilym Tso impresses in his portrayal of Tristan, blending charm, restlessness, and vulnerability (not to mention some pretty tight dance moves thanks to choreographer and associate director, Alyza DelPan-Monley). Sunam Ellis – a familiar presence on Seattle stages – anchors the piece as Dr. Lorna James, a woman trying to maintain control as the trial, and her own certainty, begins to crack.

Anna Mulia plays Connie, Tristan’s fellow volunteer, while Tim Gouran portrays Dr. Toby Sealy, a cautious yet resourceful presence who doesn’t always play by the book in pursuit of his aims.

Production values are clean and deliberate. The set design is minimalist, but as the drama unfolds, the sterile environment starts to feel increasingly claustrophobic. The sound design is equally subtle and effective –  going almost unnoticed until it cuts through the silence in key moments that heightens the play’s psychological impact even more. 

Bottom Line

The Effect at ArtsWest pulls audiences to the edge of their seats and keeps them there.

And there’s plenty more to look forward to at ArtsWest. The theater has just announced its 2025-26 season, offering a mix of contemporary plays, bold new works, and a Pulitzer-winning classic:

The Roommate by Jen Silverman (Sept. 25–Oct. 19): A dark comedy about two women, a fresh start, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Penelope by Alex Bechtel (Nov. 29–Dec. 21): A folk-pop musical giving Odysseus’ wife the spotlight she’s always deserved.

TOPDOG / UNDERDOG by Suzan-Lori Parks (Feb. 5–Mar. 1): The Pulitzer Prize-winning deep dive into family, rivalry, and identity.

Walden by Amy Berryman (Apr. 9–May 3): A near-future family drama that pits space exploration against environmental duty.

Wish You Were Here by Sanaz Toossi (June 11–July 5): A co-production with Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble chronicling 13 years of friendship against a backdrop of political upheaval in Iran.

Visit ArtsWest for additional information and tickets for The Effect and their upcoming season.