THEATER REVIEW by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Few community theaters, or for that matter few theaters of any kind anywhere, are willing to tackle William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. It’s among the bard’s least-produced plays for a reason, but as Harlequin Productions’ artistic director and the director of this show, Scot Whitney, says, there’s a core …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS NOW EXTENDED THRU NOV 26 Standing Room Only in Yelm, the same outfit that brought last season’s hilarious Spamalot, taps into the same comic vein to stage this season’s Young Frankenstein. Written by Mel Brooks and based on Brooks’ movie of the same name, Young Frankenstein is a satiric, …
by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS After 24 years filled with performances of all kinds — from original plays to a concert by Modest Mouse — The Midnight Sun is slated to close at the end of this month. Theater Artists Olympia, the troupe that has operated the black-box theater for the past three years, …
THEATER REVIEW by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat at Olympia Family Theater is a fun play that breezes nonstop through almost-constant motion in less than 40 minutes. As everyone who remembers the book knows — and who doesn’t remember the book? — there aren’t a lot of words. …
by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS This Sunday, Olympia Improv Collective launches a new show — and a new form of improvisational theater. In its fall series of shows, called “The Midnight Zone,” the nine-member collective of seasoned improvisers take inspiration from the audience, but not by asking for suggestions. Rather, the group invites those …
by McKenzie Murray for OLY ARTS Three local high schools have announced their dramatic offerings for 2017-2018. What: Capital High School, directed by Kristina Cummins Where: 2707 Conger Ave. NW, Olympia When: Rehearsal for Murder: 7:30 p.m. October 19-21 and 26-28 DramaFest: 7 p.m. November 16-18 Romeo and Juliet: 7:30 p.m. January 18-20 and 25-27 …
by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS A touch of French cabaret comes to Olympia in the form of Piaf! The Show at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Produced by Directo Productions in Nice, France, Piaf! has entertained the world with more than 300 performances in 30-plus countries. It was conceived and directed by …
by Christina Butcher for OLY ARTS Holding collaborative, public performances for decades is a noteworthy feat for any organization, but for The Heartsparkle Players, it’s an accomplishment made possible only through constant rededication to cherished causes of hope and love. The playback-theater troupe will open its 20th season by recommitting to those themes. “The reason …
by Rosemary Ponnekanti for OLY ARTS One doesn’t have to be an Elvis Presley fan to like All the King’s Women — Director Toni Holm is proof of that. More of a “Beatles person,” as she puts it, Holm is a convert to Luigi Jannuzzi’s 17-actor, seven-scene play that looks at the King through a …
by Kelli Samson for OLY ARTS The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has been closed for the summer while the City of Olympia made updates to the HVAC system. Rest assured, come October 5 the center will open its 32nd season with an energetic performance by Gaelic Storm. While every act slated to grace …