posts about live theater, live performances, actors, acting, shows, and other theatrical things…
By Billy Thomas Last Saturday, Harlequin Productions hosted its 2020 season announcement party. Over 200 subscribers, donors, sponsors and guests attended the event, flooding the theater’s lobby and mainstage space. They were greeted by Harlequin board members and staff, including the theater’s artistic director, Aaron Lamb, and managing director Hap Clemons. Attendees enjoyed live music, …
By CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Timberline High School junior Analisa Allen scored a triumph February 28 at Seattle Repertory Theatre by taking regional first place in the 11th-annual National August Wilson Monologue Competition, thereby advancing to finals May 6 at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway in New York City. Allen will test her mettle against finalists …
By Billy Thomas and Lydia Boss, special contributor Artist Trust is a nonprofit dedicated to helping Washington State artists of all disciplines thrive. Its mission is to support and encourage artists working in all disciplines to enrich community life throughout Washington State. Founded in 1986, it was formed by a group of artists and arts lovers who …
By ALEC CLAYTON Bunbury, subtitled A Serious Play for Trivial People, comes to Olympia Little Theatre this March — but what or whom is Bunbury? For 124 years he’s been a throwaway reference in a popular comedy. In a new play by Tom Jacobson, however, he’s the title character, who enjoys a romance and encounters …
By ALEC CLAYTON Inspired by a true story, The Hundred Dresses tells the story of Polish immigrant Wanda Petronski and the bullying she endured at school. Petronski’s classmate, Maddie, stands up to hostile classmates and makes an unlikely friend in the process. Olympia Family Theater describes the play as “a poignant tale of bullies and …
By KAREN LUNDE What’s the difference between data and emotion? That’s the question Aaron Lamb plans to explore as director of Harlequin’s upcoming production of Love and Information, a fast-moving, experimental play by British writer Caryl Churchill. Its over-100 characters are usually portrayed by an ensemble of 20 or more actors. Harlequin will stage its …
By Billy Thomas On Valentine’s Day, while many couples were doting over chocolates and flowers, and local businesses were declaring their love for their customers in email campaigns and on social media, Broadway Olympia Productions shared an unexpected and alarming Facebook post. “This is a call for help from the community. If you enjoy and …
By ADAM McKINNEY In 1974, Mel Brooks directed two of film’s all-time-great comedies, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. If the latter shines brighter in hindsight, it’s due to a giddily silly riff on Mary Shelley’s timeless story and a sense of humor much smarter than Brooks lets on. When he found massive, Broadway success with …
By CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL In 1993, bankruptcy threatened Northamptonshire, England’s nearly century-old shoe factory, WJ Brookes. Steve Pateman ran the firm for his still-living father, Richard, but only 21 employees remained. Pateman received a call from the owner of Laces in Folkestone, a shoe store catering to cross-dressers and drag queens. Pateman was asked whether WJ …
By ADAM McKINNEY If a man made his career by setting the mood for the happiest moment in a couple’s life, how could he continue after having his heart shattered by a cruel ex-lover? That’s the idea examined, however lightly, by The Wedding Singer, the 1998 Adam Sandler film considered by many to be his …