Olympia Improv Collective

Olympia Improv Collective

by Molly Gilmore for OLY ARTS The Olympia Improv Collective is producing its first show Sunday, and the group of 10 experienced improvisers already has big plans. Mark Alford and Vanessa Postil — both often seen on local stages and both formerly of Something Wicked, Harlequin Productions’ now-defunct improv troupe — and friends aim to …

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Will Lippman, Bruce Haasl, Christie Oldright and Carolyn Willems Van Dijk in First Date. Photo courtesy Harlequin Productions

REVIEW: First Date at Harlequin Productions

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 …

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Weekend Preview: June 30, 2017

WEEKEND PREVIEW is your weekly guide to events in Thurston County. This week, there’s more outdoor theater, dance and music events than you can count. Just grab a blanket and head to the park for a healthy dose of arts and entertainment in Olympia.   Click here to listen to our podcast version of Weekend Preview, …

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Christian Doyle, photo by Scot Whitney

Christian Doyle: The Natural

by Alec Clayton for OLY ARTS “Christian Doyle is one of those rare actors who makes it look like anyone should be able to do what he does, it’s so effortless and natural,” says film and stage actor Scott C. Brown. Local theatergoers have seen Doyle in many shows, most likely singing and acting in …

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Dana Winter, Heather Christopher, Meghan Goodman, Samantha Chandler and Katelyn Hoffman in 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche

REVIEW: 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche at TAO

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 …

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Weekend Preview: June 23, 2017

WEEKEND PREVIEW is your weekly guide to events in Thurston County. This week, we’ve got all the behind-the-scenes details you’ll need to plan an amazing weekend full of theater, author readings and music in Olympia!    Click here to listen to our podcast version of Weekend Preview, sponsored by Chehalis Centralia Railroad. Follow the links …

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Apple Tree Productions

Apple Tree Productions’ Summer Shows

by Nora Kovacs for OLY ARTS Apple Tree Productions presents four exciting productions this summer, including an adult rendition of the musical Hairspray in July and youth performances of Aida in August. The company prides itself on providing students of all ages with quality afterschool and summertime instruction in drama. During the summer, students of …

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LaVon Hardison

Weekend Preview: June 16, 2017

WEEKEND PREVIEW is your weekly guide to events in Thurston County. This week, the theater community brings a stellar lineup of unique performances to the stage while Capital City Pride kicks off in downtown Olympia. OLY ARTS can’t wait to help you celebrate the arts in style. Click here to listen to our podcast version of …

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Elizabeth Lord

Elizabeth Lord: Storyteller

by Nora Kovacs for OLY ARTS “Once upon a time, there was a young woman who knew exactly what she wanted out of life.” That woman is Elizabeth Lord, and thus begins her story as an Olympia-based actor, teacher, vaudeville performer and, above all, storyteller. Lord describes herself as a “professional talker” who turned her …

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Bat Boy: The Musical

A Tabloid Musical at SPSCC

by Christian Carvajal for OLY ARTS Some theatrical musicals originate as great novels (Les Misérables), others (The Lion King) as beloved cinema. Some come to us by way of historical biographies (Hamilton) and some, believe it or not, are still written from scratch. But only one popular musical began as a story in the Weekly …

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