‘Mrs. Loman Is Leaving’ – Two Plays in Search of Each Other

 

R. Hamilton Wright and Alexandra Tavares (by Rosemary Dai Ross)

Mrs. Loman Is Leaving
ACT Theatre
Through October 27, 2024
 
Humor is very idiosyncratic. There are probably as many funny-bones out there as individual snowflakes. The world premiere play at ACT Theatre, Mrs. Loman Is Leaving, is a comedy lynch-pinned to the drama, Death of a Salesman, played for laughs. It’s a backstage show on opening night of a play that is critical to all of the characters’ lives and they are desperate for good reviews.
 
This play’s title brings to mind the updated treatment of A Doll’s House, with A Doll’s House, Part 2, where playwright Hnath updates a classic play with a sequel. However, that’s not what this play accomplishes.

October Cornucopia on Seattle Area Stages

 

Jenny Hall stars in What The Constitution Means To Me at Harlequin Productions

This month on Seattle area stages, there are some spooks for the holiday, and a rather large amount of brand-new works! For those who mourn Book-It Repertory Theatre, Jane Jones and Kevin McKeon are mounting a new Book-It style play on Vashon! The offerings are so varied that there must be something for everyone! Get out yer calendars!
 
Wild Man Of The Wynoochee, Key City Public Theatre, 10/3-27/24 (world premiere)
In the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, a nature-loving hermit accused of the murder of his nephew fights for his way of life and the safety of his loved ones after finding himself the target of the largest manhunt of its time. Musical written by Jessica Welsh and Linda Dowdell. (Inspired by true events)
www.keycitypublictheatre.org
 
Tartuffe, Born Again, Phoenix Theatre, 10/4-27/24
This modern adaptation of Moliere’s classic play casts Tartuffe as a deposed televangelist who bilks Orgon and his family of their money and property and nearly compromises Orgon's wife. In a religious television studio in Baton Rouge, a southern family in the 1980s begin to recognize a taker in their midst in the form of televangelist, Tartuffe. Mayhem ensues as they recognize the danger, rise up, and remove the culprit.
www.tptedmonds.org

Get Tappy at SecondStory Repertory!

 

A sparkly cast photo by Colin Madison

Come On, Get Tappy!
SecondStory Repertory
With Outrage Onstage
Through September 15, 2024
 
SecondStory Repertory is well worth hiking out to Redmond to see their productions. They create pretty sophisticated productions and have a great track record especially for musicals. Their latest musical is a world premiere, co-produced by Outrage Onstage, and the title, Come On, Get Tappy! gives you a pretty good idea of what it might feel like to attend.
 
I anticipated some kind of take-off of the famous song sung by Judy Garland, Come On, Get Happy. And tap dancing, and probably something fairly silly, and at least a little laughter.
 
It’s all that and a bit more. We’re introduced to the Tappy McCrackin Variety Show, starring 10-year-old Tappy, who is an adorable creature when the camera is rolling and a royal brat when it’s not. It feels “old timey” and the music is also kind of classic ‘50s feeling much of the time.
 
However, Tappy is almost turning 11, and there is some kind of rule that each Tappy only stars on the show for one year. Even though that’s a well-known established fact, these little girls who star for one year have real trouble transitioning from recognizable star back to “real life” at the end of their year.
 
The technical aspects of the show are (as usual) really well done. It’s a tiny theater seating about 75? or so audience members. It’s very intimate, yet they are creative in managing lots of characters on stage and making their sets and effects look clean and “expensive.”

September Theater – Intriguing (Fun) Choices

Damn Yankees (courtesy Reboot Theatre Company)

Classics are here! Regional premieres are here! World premieres are here! Even dance theater is here! September brings on a full slate of performance opportunities. Get out yer calendars!
 
Romeo And Juliet, Theatre Battery, 9/1-22/24 (at Kent Station)
The classic love story, performed with Radical Hospitality: Free Admission for All Audiences.
www.theatrebattery.org
 
The Glass Menagerie, Heart Repertory Theatre, 9/1-15/24 (at Kenmore Community Club, 7304 NE 175^th St., Kenmore)
The classic Williams play, a memory of a fragile woman, a high school crush, a son who has to escape, and a mother who cannot escape her dreams of the past. An English-Spanish production.
www.heartrep.org
 
Damn Yankees, Reboot Theatre Company, 9/6-21/24 (at Theatre Off Jackson)
Baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil, also known as Mr. Applegate, to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young baseball sensation, Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life that he's left behind.
www.reboottheatre.org

Funny, Fierce, Fabulous Production of “Vietgone”

(4 of 5 members of) The Cast of Vietgone (photo by Giao Nguyen)

Vietgone

Pork Filled Productions and SiS Productions
At Theatre Off Jackson
Through August 24, 2024
 
For a relatively small-sized set of companies to take on plays that challenge every part of a production – sets, casting, size of stage, ability to fund it, marketing – and pull it off so that everyone can be happy and proud of the achievement is a big deal. Pork Filled Productions and SiS Productions are two mighty, tiny companies that attempt such work. Their production of Vietgone is this kind of mighty effort and a huge “win” for our community because they have gifted us with the ability to see this play in person, again.
 
Seattle Rep produced this play for us at the end of 2016. Having had the great experience of seeing that script live, I want to make sure everyone knows to try to get tickets for closing weekend! Fill those seats, folks. You won’t be disappointed!

New, Old, and Free – Seattle-Area Theater Provides Summer Enjoyment

Cast of Titanish (Truman Buffett)

It may be the middle of summer, but there is still plenty of energy on stages around the area. Still free shows in parks, reliable summer productions to make you laugh, some brand new work to get you excited about something you’ve never seen before. Shout out to Pork Filled Players  and SiS Productions for producing a regional production of smart, funny, and provocative Vietgone!

 
Greenstage Shakespeare with ASL interpretation, Lynnwood, WA, 8/1 and 8/8/24
For possibly the first time in Puget Sound’s history of hosting summer Shakespeare in the Park, the City of Lynnwood will offer ASL-interpreted performances at Lynndale Amphitheatre, 18927 72nd Ave W.
https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Community/Community-Events-Calendar/Shakespeare-in-the-Park%C2%A0
 
King Lear, Island Shakespeare Festival, 8/1/24-9/8/24
This powerful tragedy tells the story of the aging King Lear who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. His plan goes awry when his daughters' flattery leads to treachery and betrayal. Probing deeply into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of power and betrayal, the play unravels the poignant tale of an aging monarch's descent into madness and the ultimate redemption of his soul, while tackling themes of transformation, disillusionment, consent, and the timeless struggle for identity.
www.islandshakespearefest.org
 
Miss Holmes, Latitude Theatre, 8/2-25/24 (at Seattle Center Armory Theater)
Sherlock Holmes is hot on the trail of a murderer, but there are many obstacles in HER way: her brother Mycroft’s interference, corrupt cops, and a society that doesn’t understand that a woman’s proper place is in­vestigation! Teaming up with her new friend, Dr. Dorothy Watson, Sherlock chases her quarry through the back alleys of London, the halls of Bedlam, and the unexpected confines of the Royal Free Hospital. The game is afoot! It’s her move!
www.latitudetheatre.org