by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS There’s an internationally known star in the cast of Harlequin Productions’ August: Osage County, but don’t feel out of the loop if you don’t recognize her. Seattle actor Ellen McLain is famous chiefly among video gamers. “Ellen has Broadway credits from a number of years back,” said Aaron Lamb, …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS During the last days of summer, Olympia Film Society makes a special effort to appeal to younger viewers — especially budding cinema fans. On the calendar are three film experiences that will be sentimental for adults and enthralling for children of all ages. First is David Evans’ 1993 cult …
by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS In The Incredible Undersea Trial of Joseph P. Lawnboy, opening Saturday at Olympia Family Theater, boy meets fish — and loon, and other denizens of Puget Sound — and learns deep lessons about the importance of water. The Open Road Productions musical is educational but not dry (in any …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS When not appearing on area stages, Dennis Rolly can be found serving customers at Pellegrino’s Italian Kitchen in Tumwater or riding scooters (a Taiwanese SYM 200 and an Italian Piaggio 500) with his wife, Gail, or traveling cross country. The latter is an every-other-year excursion, usually going to Kentucky, …
by McKenzie Murray for OLY ARTS Pacific Northwest Theater Company’s summer youth program, “Little People Productions,” will showcase two musical performances for the community this month. Actors aged 5 to 9 have been hard at work rehearsing Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS over the span of three weeks. A separate group of older actors, ages 9 …
by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS Shakespeare famously wrote, “To be, or not to be? That is the question.” In theater as in life, this line from Hamlet always applies. Opportunities to grow in the craft present themselves to those actors passionate enough to heed their calling. Thus, under the dedicated artistic direction of Kathy …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS “I see you shiver, with antici …” On July 15, things are bound to get a little spooky (and raunchy) down at the Capitol Theater. The Rocky Horror Picture Show will screen at midnight, featuring The Blue Mouseketeers, a live shadow cast. Audience participation is more than expected — …
THEATER REVIEW by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Harlequin Productions’ First Date is a romantic comedy in the tradition of Hepburn and Tracy, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, updated for the digital age. Updated how? For starters, the search engine Google appears in the guise of a woman, and there’s …
by Jonah Barrett for OLY ARTS This June and July, the Olympia Film Society has a number of fascinating films up their sleeve. Some of these screenings have multiple showings, while some are a one-night-only extravaganza. Happy watching! Hidden Figures with post-film Q&A 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24 For anyone who loves space, diversity or …
THEATER REVIEW by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Theater Artists Olympia’s 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche might be one of the most difficult reviews I’ve ever written, because I don’t want to give anything away, and this insanely funny romp is so full of surprises that I can hardly say anything without divulging something you …