by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS
Bryan Willis’ I Love You, Flavilla–playing for one night only Sept. 19, International Talk Like a Pirate Day–might sound a bit over the top.
“It’s a story about the meanest pirate in the history of the world,” the Olympia playwright said. “It’s about a bully who meets his match and maybe more.
“I thought it would be timely,” he added. “It’s a dark time right now, and I thought it would be fun to take a break from the woes of the world and celebrate.”
The play, which debuted on Talk Like a Pirate Day in 2009, is a 20-minute monologue that grew out of a story the playwright told his son, Zack, now 17.
Origins aside, Willis suggests this show for ages 14 and older.
“It started as a goofy story for my kid and ended up as a goofy story for adults,” he said.
He asked multiple actors to give the show their own interpretation (and to find their own costumes). The lineup: Ryan Holmberg, Betty Brinkman, Kyle Henick and then Holmberg again.
“The play is a blueprint,” Willis said. “Each interpretation is going to bring a different look and feel and humor to the script.”
Audience members are welcome to see one performance or make an evening of it by seeing two or more. Those who arrive in pirate garb get in for half-price.
What: I Love You, Flavilla
Where: The Midnight Sun Performance Space,
113 Columbia St. NW, Olympia
When: 7, 7:45, 8:30 and 9:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19
How much: $3.50-$7
Get tickets: at the door