August 19, 2026 — See a Play or a ‘Peck’ of ’em, and Savor Oly Music
Celebrated romcom at Harlequin
The season of entertainment in parks is, sad to say, nearing its end. But Harlequin Productions is bringing the sunny feeling indoors with “Barefoot in the Park,” opening Friday, Aug. 21. The 1963 Neil Simon romcom — the 10th-longest-running play in Broadway history — follows the newlywed days of odd couple Corie (Kate Anders) and Paul (Christian Bolduc). She’s a fearless free spirit, and he’s a lawyer and her polar opposite. The show is Harlequin’s first-ever co-production, a collaboration with Seattle’s Taproot Theatre, which staged the show in May and June.
The productions, directed by Taproot’s Karen Lund and associate directed by Harlequin’s Aaron Lamb, share scenic design, costumes and staging. The casts are different, although Anders and Bolduc understudied their roles at Taproot. Rounding out the Harlequin cast are three veteran actors with comedy chops: Russ and Kim Holm, who get to show off their chemistry, and Andy Gordon. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21, 22 and 27-29 and Sept. 3-5 and 2 p.m. Aug. 23 and 30 and Sept. 3 and 6 at the State Theater, 202 4th Ave. E, Olympia. Tickets (https://harlequinproductions.org/show/barefoot-in-the-park/) are $35-$49, with rush tickets available for $5-$24.50 two hours before showtimes; for shows at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 and Sept. 3 and 5, pay what you choose.
‘Improbable Peck of Plays’ returns
Theater Artists Olympia’s “An Improbable Peck of Plays,” an eclectic collection of 10-minute shows co-produced by Northwest Playwrights Alliance, is back. On stage starting Friday, Aug. 21, this “Peck” addresses subjects from postal workers to the couple depicted in Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.” In other words, it’s the theatrical version of a variety show, with comedy, absurdity, drama, romance and more. “ ‘Peck’ lets the creatives play,” said pug Bujeaud, TAO’s artistic director, who’s been involved with the project since its beginnings. “Usually, directing a show feels like inviting folks to a full sit-down meal that you have made from scratch. Directing (for) ‘Peck’ is more like getting to make dessert for a potluck. You get to bring something small and sweet to the table and then enjoy what everyone else has brought.” The evening’s plays were written by Parker Curtiss-Knox, Hannah Eklund, Brendan Healy, Mark Harvey Levine, John Mabey, Mia Tierney and Brian Willis, who contributed two. Directors, besides Bujeaud, are Kate Ayers, Teresita Brimms, Andrew Gordon, John Longenbaugh, Gabriel McClelland, Dennis Rolly and Brennan Tucker. There are 14 actors involved, too, with some playing multiple roles. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21, 22, 28 and 29 and 2 p.m. Aug. 23 and 30 at the new Oly Theater, 412 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia. Tickets (https://www.olytheater.com), which are selling briskly, are $20.
Local legends play free show
TThe Olympia Music History Project Showcase, happening Sunday, Aug. 23, spotlights The Blow, Mona Reels, C-Average and other storied acts who were big on the local scene between 1980 and 2002. The free concert, part of Three Magnets’ Scherler Sundays (https://scherlerbeer.com/) and co-produced by the nonprofit Olympia Music History Project (https://www.olympiamusichistory.org/), looks likely to be one for the history books, with a lineup including Calamity Jane, which paved the way for the Riot Grrrl movement and hasn’t played since 1992; Tall Toad, which hasn’t played publicly since 1999; and Slim Moon’s Witchypoo, which Moon has pronounced dead but is resurrecting for the concert. Sunday will also mark the return to Olympia of Montana native Chris “Sandman” Sand, a latter-day cowboy poet who spent significant time making music in Oly and is back for the show, which begins at 2 p.m. in the parking lot behind the historic Carnegie Library, 620 Franklin St. SE, Olympia.
Molly Gilmore has fond memories of “Improbable” plays past and Sandman shows, and she can’t wait to see the Holms acting together again.
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