Namaste Man - Intiman Theatre

Namaste Man
Intiman Theatre
Tickets and Information
May 30 – June 22, 2008

The Tony-award winning Intiman Theater, under the Artistic Directorship of Barlett Sher, has produced several classics in the past few years, both American and European. This theater, however, is also a haven for new works and premieres. The most recent of these is Namaste Man, also directed by Bartlett Sher, and written and performed by Andrew Weems.

Andrew Weems in Namaste Man. Photo by Chris Bennion 2008.

Intiman audiences may be familiar with Weems from recent productions of Three Sisters and Arms and the Man; but in this show, Weems moves away from the classics and into his own childhood. Weems' father, an employee of the US government, took his family all over the world: Weems was born in Korea, and lived in Nepal for several years before highschool. In this piece the focus is on that time in Nepal, both the actual years spent there and the memories and effect it had on him in later years. Weems tells of family and friends and experiences he had in brief stories that intersect with each other. His great talents in these anecdotes are his humor and his specific use of character - he creates different evocative voices for his mother, father, schoolgirl crush, household servant and a myriad of others - all precise and all very entertaining. His tale of his theatrical debut with an amateur acting group in Nepal is made particularly enjoyable and real with his depiction of Peter Cross, the Anglo-Indian director with artistic style galore.

Throughout the ninety minutes, Weems tells stories from Nepal and New York, about being lost and found, about family and leaning his place in the world. Yet although themes sometimes resonate through several anecdotes, there is less of an overarching story, and it is here that Namaste Man falls short of what it could be. Weems storytelling is undeniably entertaining, often humorous and sometimes emotionally affecting; but it is never clear why, exactly, Weems is telling us all of this now, what his overall purpose is, or what our reaction or role - besides being an entertained listener - might be.

Certainly, though, this does not detract from the spectacle that Namaste Man is. Elizabeth Caitlin Ward’s scenic (and costume, but specifically scenic) design is undeniably impressive. The towering tin roof slats, the candles in numbers to make the fire marshal cry himself to sleep creating an ambience little known to Seattle theater audients and the ever-utilitarian boxes, oranges and figurines make the world our own. Similarly, Greg Sullivan’s lighting design sets the world alight and brings it to life.

While it is confusing in retrospect why the show has happened, the stories and the path alone are well-worth the journey.

Review by Lia Morgan and Nigel Andrews

Weekly Update - 5/29/2008

The Broadway Hour
KSUB Seattle
**Listen in to hear Nigel Andrews, Rick Skyler and Jack Jarden**
WEDNESDAY's from 8-10pm

Seattle Repertory Theatre
ON SALE NOW
The Patriot Acts: An Equal Opportunity Cabaret >June 1-2, 2008

Seattle Shakespeare
ON SALE NOW
All's Well That Ends Well >June 5 - 29, 2008

Seattle Children's Theater
ON SALE NOW
Busytown >April 25 - June 15, 2008

Intiman Theater
ON SALE NOW
Namaste Man (Lost and Found in Kathmandu) >June 4 - 22, 2008
A Streetcar Named Desire >July 9 - August 2, 2008
The Little Dog Laughed >August 20 - September 13, 2008
All the King's Men >October 3 - November 8, 2008

ACT Theater
ON SALE NOW
A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Review >June 13 - July 13, 2008
Intimate Exchanges >August 15 - September 14, 2008
Eurydice >September 5 - October 5, 2008
Becky's New Car >October 17 - November 16, 2008

Seattle Opera
ON SALE NOW
Aida >August 2 - 23, 2008
Elektra >October 18 - November 1, 2008
Pearl Fishers >January 10 - 24, 2009
Bluebeard's Castle & Erwartung >February 21 - March 7, 2009
Marriage of Figaro >May 2 - 16, 2009

Paramount
Tickets and Information
Avenue Q >June 10 - 22, 2008
A Chorus Line >August 5 - 10, 2008
The Phantom of the Opera >September 10 - October 4, 2008
Spring Awakening >October 14 - 19, 2008
The Color Purple >December 16 - 28, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW!
Shrek The Musical >August 14 - September 21, 2008 - ON SALE JUNE 13, 2008
The Drowsy Chaperone >October 28 - November 16, 2008
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers >December 3 - 28, 2008
Memphis >January 27 - February 15, 2008, 2009
Hello, Dolly! >March 8 - 29, 2009
Sunday in the Park With George >April 21 - May 10, 2009
Grease >May 12 - 30, 2009

Capitol Hill Arts Center
ON SALE NOW!
Cirque du Slaque >June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 2008

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

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Brett Dean McGibbon's Different Fish Bookstore

The 5th Avenue Award Nominees Are…

Local High School Musical Theater Honored in Tony Award-Style Event

Sponsored by Wells Fargo

SEATTLE – The 5th Avenue Theatre announces the nominees for its sixth annual 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, sponsored by Wells Fargo . A high school version of the Tony Awards, this program allows drama students from around Washington State to meet, celebrate and honor the exceptional musical theater productions presented during the 2007-2008 school year. The awards are designed to shine the spotlight on high school musical theater programs and offer drama students the same recognition that accomplished high school athletes have received for decades.

Since its inception the program has grown in size and scope, from 31 schools and 3,100 students in 2003 to 73 schools and 7,900 students participating this year. Schools from as far as Spokane , Lynden, Sequim and Lacey are reporting back to The 5th Avenue that their involvement in this awards program has significantly helped their individual efforts to secure funding, improve curriculum and increase student participation.

During the past school year, The 5th Avenue sent a team of theater professionals to evaluate each school’s production. Nominations are made in 21 categories, from overall musical production to lobby display.

The 5th Avenue Awards will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 9 at Benaroya Hall ( 200 University St. , Downtown Seattle). The ceremony is relocated to Benaroya Hall this year because the 5th Avenue ’s stage is under construction for the upcoming world premiere of SHREK THE MUSICAL. Nominated students and schools will perform numbers from their shows and get a taste of what it’s like to perform in front of a packed house. Dozens of high-profile politicians, arts and media personalities will be in attendance to present awards and show their support for school arts programs. An estimated 2,500 high school students are expected to attend, along with their families and friends. Tickets are available by contacting the drama departments of the nominated schools. The 5th Avenue sincerely thanks Wells Fargo for its sponsorship of this important event.

Woodinville High School received 15 nominations for their production of Good News. Kentridge High School received 14 nominations for their productions of Little Me, She Loves Me and Mack and Mabel. Richland High School received 11 nominations for their production of Seussical.

Skyline High School’s production of Seussical is the first student-directed show to be nominated for outstanding overall musical production.

The 5th Avenue Award nominees are…

(A complete list is also posted at: http://www.5thavenue.org/education/highschoolawards-2008.aspx)

Weekly Update - 5/22/2008

The Broadway Hour
KSUB Seattle
**Listen in to hear Nigel Andrews, Rick Skyler and Jack Jarden**
WEDNESDAY's from 8-10pm

Seattle Repertory Theatre
ON SALE NOW
The Patriot Acts: An Equal Opportunity Cabaret >June 1-2, 2008

Seattle Shakespeare
ON SALE NOW
All's Well That Ends Well >June 5 - 29, 2008

Seattle Children's Theater
ON SALE NOW
Busytown >April 25 - June 15, 2008

Intiman Theater
ON SALE NOW
Namaste Man (Lost and Found in Kathmandu) >June 4 - 22, 2008
A Streetcar Named Desire >July 9 - August 2, 2008
The Little Dog Laughed >August 20 - September 13, 2008
All the King's Men >October 3 - November 8, 2008

ACT Theater
ON SALE NOW
Fathers and Sons >April 25 - May 25, 2008
A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Review >June 13 - July 13, 2008
Intimate Exchanges >August 15 - September 14, 2008
Eurydice >September 5 - October 5, 2008
Becky's New Car >October 17 - November 16, 2008

Seattle Opera
ON SALE NOW
Aida >August 2 - 23, 2008
Elektra >October 18 - November 1, 2008
Pearl Fishers >January 10 - 24, 2009
Bluebeard's Castle & Erwartung >February 21 - March 7, 2009
Marriage of Figaro >May 2 - 16, 2009

Paramount
Tickets and Information
Avenue Q >June 10 - 22, 2008
A Chorus Line >August 5 - 10, 2008
The Phantom of the Opera >September 10 - October 4, 2008
Spring Awakening >October 14 - 19, 2008
The Color Purple >December 16 - 28, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW!
Shrek The Musical >August 14 - September 21, 2008 - ON SALE JUNE 13, 2008
The Drowsy Chaperone >October 28 - November 16, 2008
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers >December 3 - 28, 2008
Memphis >January 27 - February 15, 2008, 2009
Hello, Dolly! >March 8 - 29, 2009
Sunday in the Park With George >April 21 - May 10, 2009
Grease >May 12 - 30, 2009

Capitol Hill Arts Center
ON SALE NOW!
Cirque du Slaque >June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 2008

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

Looking for a Great Read?
Brett Dean McGibbon's Different Fish Bookstore

Weekly Update - 5/15/2008

Weekly Update - 5/8/08

The Broadway Hour
KSUB Seattle
**Listen in to hear Nigel Andrews, Rick Skyler and Jack Jarden**
WEDNESDAY's from 8-10pm

Seattle University
ON SALE NOW
The Hairy Baby >May 8 - May 18, 2008

Seattle International Children's Festival
ON SALE NOW
Runs from Now through May 17th

Seattle Shakespeare
ON SALE NOW
All's Well That Ends Well >June 5 - 29, 2008

Seattle Children's Theater
ON SALE NOW
Busytown >April 25 - June 15, 2008

Intiman Theater
ON SALE NOW
The Diary of Anne Frank >March 26 - May 17, 2008
Namaste Man (Lost and Found in Kathmandu) >June 4 - 22, 2008
A Streetcar Named Desire >July 9 - August 2, 2008
The Little Dog Laughed >August 20 - September 13, 2008
All the King's Men >October 3 - November 8, 2008

ACT Theater
ON SALE NOW
Fathers and Sons >April 25 - May 25, 2008
A Marvelous Party: The Noel Coward Review >June 13 - July 13, 2008
Intimate Exchanges >August 15 - September 14, 2008
Eurydice >September 5 - October 5, 2008
Becky's New Car >October 17 - November 16, 2008

Seattle Opera
ON SALE NOW
Il Puritani >May 3 - 17, 2008

Paramount
Tickets and Information
Avenue Q >June 10 - 22, 2008
A Chorus Line >August 5 - 10, 2008
The Phantom of the Opera >September 10 - October 4, 2008
Spring Awakening >October 14 - 19, 2008
The Color Purple >December 16 - 28, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW!
Shrek The Musical >August 14 - September 21, 2008 - ON SALE JUNE 13, 2008
The Drowsy Chaperone >October 28 - November 16, 2008
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers >December 3 - 28, 2008
Memphis >January 27 - February 15, 2008, 2009
Hello, Dolly! >March 8 - 29, 2009
Sunday in the Park With George >April 21 - May 10, 2009
Grease >May 12 - 30, 2009

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

Looking for a Great Read?
Brett Dean McGibbon's Different Fish Bookstore

Seattle Repertory Theatre Presents:

The Patriot Acts! An Equal Opportunity Political Cabaret

Sunday, June 1 and Monday, June 2, 2008 Proceeds to benefit Seattle Rep education programs PONCHO Forum at Seattle Rep

Seattle, WA - Tickets are now on sale for The Patriot Acts! An Equal Opportunity Political Cabaret, a night of patriotic parody, satirical skewering and musical mockery. This two-night/three-show benefit will raise funds for Seattle Repertory Theatre's education programs. The event will take place on Sunday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Monday, June 2 at 7:30 pm in the PONCHO Forum at Seattle Rep. Tickets range from $35 to $250 and are available by calling the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206-443-2222. RSVP deadline is May 23. About the Show: Come Democrats, Republicans, Independents and anyone in between. Have a cocktail and grab a seat for The Patriot Acts! No one will escape good-natured lampoonery in this talent-packed revue featuring politicians, local and national actors, corporate and community leaders, and the work of acclaimed writers showcased in scenes from classic political plays, renowned musicals, and original works created especially for this event. Sit back and enjoy sketches, musical numbers, stand-up, straw polls, and all manner of special surprises and guests, including pieces written by Eduardo Machado, Cheryl West and Robert Schenkkan with performances by Nick Garrison (Cabaret), King County Council Member Reagan Dunn, Todd Jefferson Moore (Thom Pain) and Former Secretary of State Ralph Munro, all directed by Jerry Manning (Thom Pain and Autobahn). Check www.seattlerep.org for the full cast listings and updates. All proceeds from The Patriot Acts! An Equal Opportunity Political Cabaret support Seattle Rep's education and outreach efforts for young people. For more than 20 years, Seattle Rep has offered a wide variety of educational programs throughout the community. Through its arts education programs, Seattle Rep serves over 60 schools that might not otherwise have access to theatre. Seattle Rep offers in-school artist residencies, provides subsidized tickets, and encourages young people to express themselves through its TeenSpeak programs. Seattle Rep also provides resources to public school teachers through workshops and seminars. Tickets to The Patriot Acts! range from $35 (including snacks) to $250 and up (including cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and a chance to mingle with the all-star cast). To make reservations or for further information, please contact the Seattle Rep Box Office at (206) 443-2222

NTIMAN THEATRE CONTINUES ITS 2008 SEASON WITH NAMASTE MAN, A WORLD PREMIERE WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY ANDREW WEEMS

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BARTLETT SHER, A 2OO8 TONY AWARD NOMINEE, DIRECTS

Opening Night: Wednesday, June 4 at 7:30 pm

Performances: May 30 – June 22 at Intiman Playhouse, Seattle Center

SEATTLE— Intiman Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Bartlett Sher and Interim Managing Director Kevin Maifeld, continues its 2008 season with the world premiere of Namaste Man, an autobiographical play written and performed by actor Andrew Weems.

Performances will begin at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center , on Friday, May 30 and continue through Sunday, June 22.

The production is directed by Artistic Director Bartlett Sher, who received a 2008 Tony Award nomination (his third) for his direction of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. The production garnered a total of 11 nominations and is now playing an acclaimed open-ended run at Lincoln Center Theater.

Tickets for Namaste Man range in price from $10 to $48, with discounts available for students and groups. Patrons aged 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10, pending availability. A limited number of $20 rush tickets may be available for purchase 15 minutes before curtain time, pending availability. Tickets are available from www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900. This production is sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation/ Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Endowment Fund, the Shubert Foundation and the William & Eva Fox Foundation administered by Theatre Communications Group.

In India and Nepal , “Namaste” means both hello and goodbye. Andrew Weems, the son of a US State Department officer, was born in the U.S. Military Hospital in Seoul , Korea , and grew up in Zambia and Nepal , with brief detours to the suburbs of Virginia . In Namaste Man, he tells the story of his unconventional childhood—a life filled with constant hellos and goodbye, in a world redolent with adventures and outsized personalities. As Weems unravels the mysteries of his childhood, he also shares stories of his current-day life as an actor in New York , and his quest to understand what it means to go home. His traveling companions are all the characters he meets along the way, especially his mother—a mysterious, “undiscovered country” in her own right.

Seattle International Children's Festival: Life From Planet Earth

Seattle International Children’s Festival:
Live from Planet Earth
www.seattleinternational.org
May 12 – 17, 2008

The 22^nd Annual Seattle International Children’s Festival comes to life this week in the Seattle Center and if the opening night on Monday was any indication of the quality of performance and the excitement it will create, then this festival will be a necessity for children of all ages!

The Festival kicked off with the multi-instrumentalist, pan-cultural raconteur MC James Whetzel introducing Australia's Circa performing 11 circus acts in 10 minutes, Savannah Fuentes Flamenco, Tokyo's Jo Taira – the youngest person to be named the best puppeteer in Japan, and Amazones - Women Master Drummers of Guinea.

Other performers at the festival will include the Comerford Dancers from Ireland and the USA, Correo Aereo, Eritrean Youth Dance Group of Seattle, Filipiniana, Gansango Music and Dance from West Africa, Huayin Performing Arts Group from China, Kabuki Academy from Japan, Mariachi Huenatchi from Mexico, Nephesh Theatre Company from Israel, Petrona Martinez from Colombia, Puppentheater Halle from Germany, Reem Kelani from the UK and Palestine, Teatro Di Piazza O D’Occasione from Italy and Orkestar Zirkonium from our very own Seattle Washington!

Don’t miss this festival! Check out the website (http://www.seattleinternational.org/) for details on performance schedules and tickets!

The Hairy Baby - Seattle University

The Hairy Baby
Seattle University’s Lee Center
Tickets and Information
May 8-18, 2008

Ki Gottberg’s original production The Hairy Baby finally finds her land legs and gets rambling in Seattle University’s Lee Center for the Arts. A project that began in 1994 and is based on many true-life experiences of Ki, herself, the cast and crew of The Hairy Baby take the audience “through the looking glass” so to speak into an Alice-In-Wonderland-like world of endless possibilities.

Claire (Molly Tomhave) and Michael (Damian Peterson) open the show expressing their love and doubts about marriage only to eventually find born unto them a baby – a hairy baby – literally. This hairy baby unravels their marriage sending Claire running to an artist colony where she has to discover her own artistic passions and the true meaning of Michael’s and her love.

The show is incredibly precise, and must be in order to function well. There are rapid shifts in perspective, location, action and logic or a lack thereof. Gottberg’s writing, though very heightened beyond anything resembling average speech patterns of a typical American audience, comes though loud and clear through her direction of the performers.

The set design by Carol Wolfe Clay is magical to say the least. When the world of art is revealed to the audience, each member of said audience will undoubtedly be blown away. Similarly, Harmony J.K. Arnold’s costumes exceed anything known in the perceivable spectrum of color and quality. Standing out in this show is the live music and original compositions by Brendan Hogan. His performance of the entire score to the show as well as the creation of so many sound effects live adds the extra flare to the show that pushes it fully into the rabbit hole.

The cast of professionals (Charles Leggett and Elizabeth Kenny) and students comes together like a well-oiled machine. Their performances meld beautifully. Every character holds a specific key to understanding the show and every performer holds the audience’s attention magically. There is truly never a dull moment.

There is only one more weekend to see this world-premier show, so get tickets soon by calling the Lee Center box office at 206.296.2244!

Review by Nigel Andrews

Aurelia's Oratorio - Seattle Rep

Aurelia's Oratorio
Seattle Repertory Theatre
May 7 - May 11, 2008
ON SALE NOW!

Aurélia Thierrée. Photo copyright Richard Haughton, 2008

Aurelia's Oratorio, playing now at the Seattle Rep, stars Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter Aurélia Thierrée, and was directed by Chaplin's daughter, Victoria Thierrée Chaplin. A mere description of the show would not do it any kind of justice--it combines circus artistry, acrobatics, dance, slight of hand, puppetry and wild imagery to create an utterly mesmerizing evening. Aurelia and other characters climb out of dresser drawers, swing from red silks, make music with clocks, dance absurd tangos with coats, and a thousand other pieces full of wonder. It is 70 minutes of pure joy, of surreal magic, like watching a vivid dream that captivates you entirely.

The audience on opening night was composed mostly of adults, but the sounds coming from them were like children experiencing theater for the first time--gasps, suprised laughter, cheers, shouts and applause for each of the performers and each new, arresting stage picture or dazzling feat. There are six more chances to see Aurelia's magic over this coming weekend. Make time, and go; you won't be disappointed.

Review by Lia Morgan