Category Archives: Arts Events

Giveaway: Burlesque Alice in Wonderland at The Triple Door

Posted in Arts Events, Giveaways & Special Offers by

One of the most delightful burlesque productions, Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland returns to The Triple Door April 26 – May 6, 2018!

Want to enter to win 2 tickets to the 7:30pm show on April 26 (Opening Night)?

To enter:

  • RSVP “Interested” or “Going” on their Facebook Event Page
  • Comment on my Facebook post here and tag a friend!

Giveaway ends 4/21/18 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

Purchase tickets here.

About the show:

alice

Through The Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland
Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann have both gone mad… mad as March Hares, that is! In their 10th annual re-imagination of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of nonsense and fantasy, follow Alice as she discovers what wonders lie beyond the velvet rope at Wonderland’s most exclusive nightclub, The Looking Glass and attempts to best the evil Queen of Hearts to become the next ruler of Wonderland. New this year, Through The Looking Glass features the debut of Jasper McCann’s original musical score performed live by a jazz/rock ensemble. Inspired by hard-bop, psychedelia, go-go, and Indian Raga-pop recordings of the mid-60’s, McCann’s new arrangements set the mood for dance performances that combine classical ballet and jazz with bawdy burlesque beauty.
Advertisements

Don’t miss new musical “String” at Village Theatre

Posted in Arts Events by

Review by Jeanne Kinley Deller

The new World Premier musical, String, strikes a light-hearted note when Zeus banishes three mythological sisters from Mt. Olympus to the modern world. The Fates, who preside over birth and life of humans, find their “work” in a metropolitan office skyscraper jeopardized when Atropos (played to the hilt by Jessica Skerritt) and Mickey’s (played with humility and sparkling humor by Eric Ankrim) star-studded paths cross.

String-Press01.jpg

String’s entire cast is sensational in its comedic timing and fresh approach to demanding roles. Notably charming is Sara Porkalob (Clotho) who is clearly making a big splash on the Seattle theatre scene in many facets. The show tunes are fun, catchy, and tantalizing – very simply unique and engaging with electric violin, electric viola, and electric cello accompaniment.

string1.jpg

Director Brandon Ivie has presented Village Theatre and Everett Performing Arts a winner with this production (book by Sarah Hammond and music and lyrics by Adam Gwon). You’ll want to experience String for yourself.

Tickets available now for String at Village Theatre in Issaquah (now until April 22) and in Everett (April 27 – May 20). 

Photos by Mark Kitaoka

Video:

Hamilton Exceeds Expectations! Now through March 18.

Posted in Arts Events, Miscellaneous Awesome by
I was prepared to be a little let down by Hamilton. I knew it would be a great show, with such incredible rave reviews and tickets flying out of the box office so fast. But with all the praise and excitement around the show, would it meet my high expectations? I’m happy to share that “Hamilton” not only met but exceeded expectations and had me glowing for days. I don’t remember any show sparking as much post-performance conversation as Hamilton did. My husband Brandon and I compared our favorite moments, gushed about the choreography choices, debated which actors stood out the most for us, and were both in awe of the entire production.
Easily one of the top three musicals of all time, the stage stays alive with continuous song and dancing. The company carries the energy of the show along, with movements on the side of the main action, painting a visual picture of the emotion of the characters on stage, showing through dance both what is being said and what is left unsaid. This cast’s ensemble is incredibly strong as they work together to perfectly tell the tale and keep the audience transfixed from start to end.
I went into this show without listening to the soundtrack, only knowing the style of the music and the catchy “My Shot” number. I worried that the sound quality or fast-paced nature of the music would make it hard for me to follow along. I kept my reviewer tickets a secret from Brandon until we walked to the Paramount that night and part of me wondered if that was a mistake. Should I have told him in advance so we could have spent time listening to the soundtrack? I thought of the times I’d seen shows where it was hard to understand and I’d wished I’d listened to the soundtrack in advance so I could follow along better. Luckily, and surprisingly, the actors were crystal clear and we were able to follow along incredibly well during the entire show, a true feat at the speed that they sing for many numbers.
This particular cast is incredible. There was no weak link, something you rarely find in any performance. At times, I noticed my jaw dropping in amazement. “Hamilton” is truly a remarkable show and I hope inspires a new generation of musical theatre writers to toss aside the tendencies to turn another movie into a musical and create something so new, so unique, and so enchanting.
There are select tickets available for some of the remaining performances and you can sign up for ticket alerts (The Paramount emailed today that more tickets were released for 2/21). If “Hamilton” tickets aren’t in your budget right now, you can also play the Hamilton lottery on the Hamilton app on your phone for your chance to purchase $10 tickets.
Some musicals get overhyped, but “Hamilton” simply isn’t one of them. I’m so grateful that we were able to see this glorious production and recommend it to everyone. “Hamilton” plays The Paramount in downtown Seattle now through March 18, 2018. Tickets here.
bronze metal texture with high details; Shutterstock ID 115354759

Review: “Ibsen in Chicago” at The Seattle Rep through March 4th

Posted in Arts Events by

Review by Jeanne Kinley Deller:

The amazingly flawless casting of “Ibsen in Chicago” has gifted Seattle audiences with a funny, explosive, and memorable glimpse into trials and tribulations of some of Chicago’s early Scandinavian immigrants. Spot-on, powerfully engaging portrayals from every cast member, and wonderful direction by Seattle Rep’s Braden Abraham, earn this new production by David Grimm an A+. 

A zealous and heart-warming portrayal by Annette Toutonghi (Solveig); engagingly keen timing, wit, and perfection from R. Hamilton Wright (Per); escalating comedic skirmishes between Kristen Potter (Helga) and Hannah Ruwe (Elsa) – what more could you ask for? Add Christopher McLinden’s (Hennig) fortitude in attempting to ground his cohorts; and, the roguish, antagonistic moves of Allen Fitzpatrick (Pekka). There you have it: one incredible production.

Screenshot 2018-02-13 at 8.30.30 PM

“Ibsen in Chicago,” on the far lighter side of Ibsen, offers up this superlative play on words, an engaging display of befuddlement and a tangle of humanity. If you’re one who has deemed Ibsen as dark and dreary, you’ll want to give this new World Premier take on Ibsen a shot. Now through March 4 at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Tickets here.

Screenshot 2018-02-13 at 8.30.12 PM

 

Screenshot 2018-02-13 at 8.29.30 PM

 

Photos by Alan Alabastro

Giveaway: Mamma Mia at The 5th Avenue Theatre!

Posted in Arts Events, Giveaways & Special Offers by

Unleash your inner “Dancing Queen” with The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!” This Seattle production features a jaw-dropping talented cast, including the incredible Sarah Rudinoff and Lisa Estridge. I can already sense the feel-good shivers and pure joy we’ll experience during the show as we hear these two alongside the fabulous Kendra Kassebaum, who plays the lead. Yes, Seattle has seen this show before but it’s NEVER seen it like this. The direction is bound to be amazing and the sneak peeks of the production are so much fun. (Check out this video of one of their very early rehearsals together.)   If you like the musical (or even just the songs of ABBA), GO.

Want to enter to win two tickets?

To enter, simply:

RSVP “Interested” or “Going” on the Facebook Event Page

then

Tag a friend and write a comment on my Facebook Giveaway Post (be sure we’re Facebook friends or you’re “following” me on Facebook at fb.com/keridwyn).

That’s it!  Buy tickets here.

1718_MammaMia!_783x340

PS You love the songs of ABBA! That’s fantastic! Please stick to mouthing along silently to the songs instead of singing along (unless the cast directs you to do differently, as they likely will during the curtain call or encore). Your fellow audience members paid to hear the actors on stage and they can’t do that if you’re singing from your seat. Yes, you’re adorable! Yes, the songs are fabulous. So THANKS in advance for being respectful by waiting until after the show to belt the songs at karaoke!

Giveaway ends 11:59pm Pacific Time 2/3/18. Prize is two tickets to see Mamma Mia on February 6, 7, or 8, 2018.

Review: “Peerless” at ArtsWest through 2/11 inspired by Macbeth

Posted in Arts Events by

Review by Jeanne Kinley Deller

ArtsWest’s latest production, “Peerless,” written by Jiehae Park, is a take on Shakespeare’s classic “Macbeth.”  You won’t want to miss this show (on now through February 11) if you’re into dark and twisted comedy. Peerless is directed by Sara Porkalob, a rising star whose name is becoming well-known in the Seattle theatrical scene.

Facing the modern day dilemma of getting into the college of their dreams, two Asian-American sisters plot and advance, perversely, to ensure they will come out victors over all of their high school classmates. Their deadly approach to obtaining the only affirmative action spot is wild, convoluted, and crazy. 

Tickets here.

ArtsWest 2017-18 Peerless

ArtsWest’s show description:

Asian-American twin sisters M and L will do whatever it takes to win the one coveted affirmative action spot at “The College.” But when the thick acceptance envelope falls into the hands of D, a white male colleague who is 1/16th Native American, the sisters will stop at nothing to take back what is rightfully theirs – and eliminate anyone who stands in their way. Jiehae Park’s clever and incisive adaptation of Macbeth explores how the drive to succeed can become an all-consuming – and deadly – obsession.

“With its staccato rhythms, short scenes, and farcical characters, unlike any you’ve ever seen before onstage, it’s hard to know how to characterize this play, except to say that it’s unexpectedly wonderful.” – The Arts Fuse

Content note: Characters in this play make active use of offensive and derogatory language toward each other and other marginalized groups.

Review: August Wilson’s Two Trains Running at Seattle Rep

Posted in Arts Events by

Review by Jeanne Kinley Deller:

“There’s a new president in the White House and racial tensions are on the rise. No, it’s not 2017, it’s 1969,” so notes the Seattle Repertory Theatre’s description of the timely return of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running.” Wilson’s earthy portrayal of racial tensions in 1969 is a brilliant study of humanity in a broken society at large, not unlike today’s America.

“Two Trains Running” hones in on Pittsburgh’s Mecca Cafe regulars, all attempting to make sense of each other, community, and country while immersed in struggles during the Civil Rights era. Every member of this superb cast is exemplary and ever so convincing in bringing their character’s plight to the forefront. Nicole Lewis, in her role as the lone female waitress, is flawless!

Having experienced all of August Wilson’s Seattle Rep productions, “Two Trains Running” remains this reviewer’s favorite and is not to be missed. Playing now until February 11 at the Seattle Rep. Tickets here.