Reefer Madness! hits Seattle!

BOUNDARIES GO UP IN SMOKE AND HILARITY IS HIGH AT THE SEATTLE PREMIERE
OF THE NEW "HIT" MUSICAL: REEFER MADNESS!

February 22 – March 22 2008
Live Girls Theater
2220 NW Market St., Seattle, WA
Tickets and Information

Seattle, WA – Everything is hysterical and nothing is sacred when your
life is REEFER MADNESS: THE MUSICAL, brought to life in Seattle for
the first time by RK Productions, running February 22 - March 22. The
year is 1936: FDR is in the White House, Duke Ellington is playing the
Jazz Clubs; Gone with the Wind sits on everyone's nightstand and Our
Gang plays on the goggle box. The unsuspecting nation sleeps easy
while a leafy green assassin lurks in the shadows, feeding on
America's seedy underbelly of filth and degradation. Marihuana is
that assassin: a violent narcotic, and unspeakable scourge; the real
public enemy number 1! REEFER MADNESS: THE MUSICAL depicts the tale
of Jimmy Harper, an exemplary, upstanding lad tragically ravaged and
twisted into a hedonistic and murderous weed fiend. YOU WILL BE
SHOCKED as the reefer seduces him into a world filled with
sadistically wild orgies, junkie zombies, homicide, and the devil
himself!

In 1936, a small church group produced a movie to warn of the
'real-life effects' that marijuana has on America's innocent youth
entitled TELL YOUR CHILDREN! The full-feature film exposes the most
typical side-effects of pot, including the tendencies to engage in
orgies, rape, homicide, and suicide. Two years later, exploitation
guru Dwain Esper bought the rights for $297, added scenes with
scantily-clad women, and re-edited some of the original footage to be
more implicative of drug-induced sexual aggressiveness; he also
re-titled the film to REEFER MADNESS! Sixty-Five years later, Dan
Studney (Composer, TV: Weird Science, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,
projects with Matt Groening) and Kevin Murphy (Lyricist, Co-Executive
Producer, Desperate Housewives) were inspired to put the original
script on stage, decked-out with boundary-crossing propaganda and
raucous stereotypes, fueled with hatred for exploitative political
fear tactics; All held together by a glorious 'Big-Broadway-Musical'
score. After traveling from Los Angeles to New York City to 'the Big
Screen' (produced by ShowTime Entertainment), RK Productions
appropriately breathes new life into REEFER MADNESS during a charged
political climate at the perfectly intimate Live Girls Theater in
Seattle, WA… and make no mistake… anyone can fall victim to the evils
of the dread MARIHUANA! The next to succumb could be your sons or
daughters… or even you! … or You!! … or YOU!!!

***REEFER MADNESS is a highly stylized and satirical political
commentary. It contains adult humor, religious parody, drug use, as
well as suggested violence and sexual explicitness. It may prove TOO
SHOCKING for some audiences! ***

Rick Steves Travels to Chorus Country?

Steves Joins Seattle Men’s Chorus for Four Special Performances

PBS’ travel guru Rick Steves steps out of TV-land for four live performances with the Seattle Men’s Chorus in their aptly titled Spring concert, A Foreign Affaire. Together Rick and the Chorus guide the audience on a virtual tour across Europe through cleverly coordinated travel tales, visual montages, folk songs, classical music, and contemporary hits. SMC artistic director Dennis Coleman is planning a full roster of rousing songs from popular European destinations; and Rick Steves integrates footage from his hit shows while tossing in a few charming anecdotes—some a bit too (eh hem) “charming” for prime time TV.

Where: In Seattle: McCaw Hall

321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109

When: Sat., 3/29/08 - 8pm (Seattle – McCaw Hall)

Sun., 3/30/08 - 2pm (Seattle – McCaw Hall)

Tickets: Seattle: Tickets On Sale 2/23/08 $15-$57

Box Office: 206.388.1400 Mon-Fri Noon-7 pm

Online: www.flyinghouse.org

Fun and freedom are what it’s all about. Numerous musical montages explore different aspects of European travel. One section, set against Sir Noel Coward’s Why do the Wrong People Travel? depicts one hilarious travel faux-pas after another. European works of art are re-created in tableaux vivant against a backdrop of songs composed in their honor. And dozens of classic European-themed songs from Broadway and film are woven throughout the show. From Istanbul to Wonderful Copenhagen, Monty Python to ABBA, A Foreign Affaire will be part travelogue and part political commentary. As a participant in the Song of Peace project, Seattle Men’s Chorus will include Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) as part of the performance. In a coordinated effort, thousands – or even millions – of voices will loudly proclaim that peace in our world is of fundamental importance. The Song of Peace project, www.songofpeace.org, continues throughout the month of March which also marks the fifth anniversary of the US entering Iraq.

Weekly Update - 2/15/2008

Weekly Update - 1/25/2008

The Broadway Hour
KSUB Seattle
**Listen in to hear Nigel Andrews, Rick Skyler and Jack Jarden**
Sunday from 10-Noon

Seattle University
Tickets and Information
Dark Play or Stories for Boys >February 21 - March 2, 2008 (mature audiences only)

Open Circle Theater
at Theater Schmeater
Tickets and Information
(RUR) Rossum's Universal Robots >February 22 - March 22, 2008 (Thursday through Sunday)

Seattle Shakespeare
Tickets and Information
The Miser >March 13 - April 6, 2008

Seattle Children's Theater
Tickets and Information
Hamlet >January 25 - February 24, 2008
The Hundred Dresses >February 22 - April 6, 2008
According to Cyote >March 14 - May 11, 2008
Busytown >April 25 - June 15, 2008

Intiman Theater
Tickets and Information
The Diary of Anne Frank >March 26 - May 17, 2008

Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets and Information
By the Waters of Babylon >January 31 - March 2, 2008
The Imaginary Invalid >February 21 - March 22, 2008
How? How? Why? Why? Why? >March 13 - April 19, 2008
The Cure at Troy >April 3 - May 3, 2008

Seattle Opera
Tickets and Information
Tosca >February 23 - March 9, 2008
Il Puritani >May 3 - 17, 2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre
Tickets and Information
Mame >February 9 - March 2, 2008
Cabaret >March 25 - April 13, 2008

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

By The Waters of Babylon

Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets at the box office (206) 443-2222 or online
January 31 - March 2, 2008

With smart and interconnected design elements mixed with dynamic acting, By The Waters of Babylon hits the stage at The Seattle Rep. This show works to bring a new twist to the age old plot line of two different worlds colliding in an everyday life situation, which leads the characters to expose inner feelings about themselves, ultimately culminating in a love affair that unearths deep rooted emotion. The plot focus is reached through a mix of sarcastic humor, deep moments, and dramatic events. At times, this string of influences leads to confusion as the true point of the show is never made clear. The audience is presented with a humorous show and interesting characters, but the focus seems to get lost.

The scene is set in a garden outside a house filled with dark secrets that the owner leaves shrouded behind her happy go lucky demeanor. The Set design’s garden motif (Designed by Michael Ganio) is a constant theme that not only symbolizes the connection to the plot, but the connection to the life of the character who has been burying her secrets underneath years of bramble. Complimented by the lighting (York Kennedy) this set came to life in a effective and fluid manner, transitioning beautifully to different parts of the day, and different places around the house.

The density of these characters is pulled off very well by Suzanne Bouchard and Armando Duran who bring a very confident and strong dynamic to a tedious interaction. They attack the show and grab the audiences attention from the moment the lights hit the stage. See By The Waters of Babylon written by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Robert Schenkkan at The Seattle Repertory Theatre between January 31 and March 2, 2008.

Reviewed by: Rick Skyler

February 4, 2008 President Bush today sent his FY 2009 budget request to Congress, beginning the yearly appropriations process for, among many things, the nation’s cultural agencies and programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Office of Museum Services (OMS), Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the Department of Education’s Arts in Education programs. Because drastic cuts are being proposed for some key arts programs, we urge you to write your Members of Congress and tell them to reject the President's budget cuts. On the heels of signing the largest Congressionally-initiated funding increase for the arts in 28 years, President Bush has proposed a senseless $16.3 million cut for FY 2009 for the NEA—from $144.7 million to $128.4 million. After three years of minimal, but incremental, funding growth, we are surprised to see an attempt to erase this progress. For the eighth consecutive year, the President’s budget has eliminated funding for the Department of Education’s Arts in Education programs, which include funding for model arts programs and collaborations with schools, teacher professional development, and arts programs for at-risk youth. Arts literacy is as central to an educated citizenry as are reading, math, and science. The Administration needs to understand the role of arts education in developing an innovative and creative society. Also, the FY 2009 budget request calls for a rescission of $200 million in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). As a trusted community resource, CPB uses the power of noncommercial television and radio to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services. The President also asked for a slight cut to the NEH, from $144.7 to $144.3 million. Finally, and on a positive note, the President requested a funding boost of over $8 million for the Office of Museum Services, bringing the amount of funding available for grants to almost $40 million. A breakdown of the President’s budget request is as follows: Federally Funded Arts Program FY08 Enacted Appropriations (in millions) FY09 President’s Budget Request (in millions) National Endowment for the Arts $144.7 $128.4 National Endowment for the Humanities $144.7 $143.0 Office of Museum Services within IMLS $31.3 $39.9 U.S. Dept. of Education’s Arts in Ed $35.3 $0 Corporation for Public Broadcasting $400.0 $200.0 Next Steps As you know, the President’s budget is the first step in the appropriations process. While it serves as an important framework, Congress has the power to set its own priorities and change these funding levels. That’s where you come in. Arts advocates can make their voices heard by writing their Members of Congress and urging them to increase funding for arts and culture and restore funding for arts in education programs. We have provided you with a customizable letter to send to your Members of Congress, as well as several talking points to help you craft your message. We recommend you add your own thoughts and stories about why the arts are important to you and your community. We also encourage you to join us in Washington, DC for Arts Advocacy Day 2008, March 31 - April 1, 2008. You’ll have the opportunity to visit your Members of Congress face-to-face and urge them to support the arts. Thank you for your continued support of the arts! ### We encourage you to forward this message on to friends and colleagues that may be interested in these arts issues. Keep checking back to our E-Advocacy Center for more alerts and updates. Click here. to remove your name from receiving e-mails regarding arts advocacy Click to also remove your name from receiving other e-mails from Americans for the Arts or its Arts Action Fund 1000 Vermont Avenue NW 6th Floor Washington DC . 20005 T 202.371.2830 F 202.371.0424 One East 53rd Street . 2nd Floor New York NY . 10022 T 212.223.2787 F 212.980.4857 info@artsusa.org www.AmericansForTheArts.org www.ArtsActionFund.org

This is BIG!

The 5th Avenue Announces An Extra Large 2008-2009 Season

With Huge Laughs, Colossal Talent, Epic Love Stories and A World Premiere

7 Shows for the Price of 6

SEATTLE – The 5th Avenue Theatre announces its 2008-2009 season lineup bursting with seven enormously entertaining musicals, five of which are making their 5th Avenue debuts. The season begins with the exclusive pre-Broadway world premiere of SHREK THE MUSICAL, August 14 – September 21, 2008. The next show is a Seattle premiere: the first national tour of Broadway’s 2006 hit THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, October 28 – November 16, 2008. For the holidays, The 5th Avenue produces the roof-raisin’ classic SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, December 3 – 28, 2008. The New Year brings a rousing new musical about the birth of rock ‘n’ roll – MEMPHIS , January 27 – February 15, 2009. In the spring, The 5th Avenue stages HELLO, DOLLY! for the first time in 27 years, March 10 – 29, 2009, and Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning love story SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE makes its 5th Avenue debut April 21 – May 10, 2009. The season closes with the national tour of the one and only (and never before seen at The 5th) GREASE, May 12 – 30, 2009. Together they add up to an extra large seven-show season – for the price of just six shows.

VISIT THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE ONLINE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOWS!

16^TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF WISDOM CONFERENCE

Empowering the Dreams and Spirit of Women

February 15-18, 2008

SEATTLE, WA -The 16th Annual Women of Wisdom Conference beckons women from across the globe. Hundreds gather each year to celebrate community, inspire others and motivate themselves. Through full- and half-day workshops, special performances, a healing temple and goddess market, the world’s women join together to empower their dreams and spirit.

This year the Women of Wisdom (WOW) Conference will be held at North Seattle Community College from February 15 – 18, 2008. WOW welcomes Sobonfu Somé from the indigenous Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso; award-winning author Susan Armstrong; spiritual activist Jean Shinoda Bolen, and dozens of Northwest authors, artists and performers.

Performance events and workshops include: Kelliana (singer-songwriter); The Sacred Fire Choir; Zaphara (belly dancer) and Ferron (folk-singer/songwriter and poet). Workshops incorporate the subjects of: Qigong, ecstatic drumming, touch drawing, tarot, dream analysis, tantric dance, herbal medicine, magick and many others. Executive Director and Founder, Kris Steinnes says, “the Women of Wisdom Foundation (WOW) is committed to community, spirit, leadership and healing for all women. This very special 3 day conference allows you to connect with others and immerse yourself in a spiritual environment filled with positive energy.”

Musical and performance events are Friday, February 15^th, from 7-10 PM and Saturday, February 16^th, at 7:30 PM. Ticket prices range from $15-$20. Full-day workshops run from 9-4:30, Half-day workshops run from 9 AM-Noon, 1:30- 4:30 PM or 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Workshop prices range $40-$120. For a complete list of events and workshops, or to register online visit: www.womenofwisdom.org. Information is also available by calling (206) 782-3363.

The February conference is one of the largest women’s spirituality events in the United States, and WOW expects many hundreds of men and women to participate in the three days of events. All events are held North Seattle Community College.

Hamlet - Seattle Children's Theater

Hamlet

Seattle Children’s Theatre

Tickets and Information

January 25 – February 24, 2008

Possibly William Shakespeare’s most well known and most quoted play, Hamlet, finds its way into every canon of literature and theater. However, it is rarely produced with a minimal five actors and, what’s more, produced for children! Rita Giomi’s adaptation and direction of Hamlet is an incredibly skillful presentation of the versatility and universality of Shakespeare’s masterpiece.

Giomi’s adaptation cuts the play down to a fast-paced two hours, including intermission. Her work on the show points out the most important features of the play while keeping it entertaining for all ages. The language is kept true to the script, but the cuts slim down how much interpretation is needed and makes it very accessible to children while keeping it deep for the older audiences. Her direction, similarly, showcases the skill of the five actors playing the entire cast of Hamlet as well as spotlighting the most important details. The use of rapid changes and a phenomenally useful set (by Matthew Smucker) make the play blast by with the audience easily keeping pace.

Connor Toms as Hamlet does a wonderful job making the classic role endearing and truthful, as well as entertaining all ages. At a few moments I was definitely reminded that it was a children’s production I was watching, but only with benefit to my enjoyment. Playing opposite Toms is Peter Crook as Claudius and the voice of the Ghost of King Hamlet. He keeps to the truth of the play and Claudius’ motives, while also keeping it accessible to anyone. Darragh Kennan, Renata Friedman and Amy Thone all take on the difficult task of playing three characters each. Thone has the daunting task of performing Gertrude, the gravedigger and Guildenstern. Her Gertrude is so solid that one can honestly forget that there is an actor and become distracted by the honesty of her performance. Her gravedigger is a complete change, bringing comedic timing to the forefront. Meanwhile, Kennan’s performances as the Player, as well as both Laertes and Polonius is precise and splendid. Keeping track of one character playing both father and son seems like it would be confusing, but with just a few specific changes, Kennan keeps everything clear and distinct. Friedman, similarly, keeps Horatio and Rosencrantz as well as Ophelia distinctive and individual.

Hamlet as presented by Rita Giomi at the Seattle Children’s Theatre is truly a wonderful experience. It really is a wonderful reminder of just how spectacular this show is.

Review by Nigel Andrews and Lia Morgan

Photo by Chris Bennion

ACT’s 2008 Season Preview and Open House

A Sneak Peek into the 2008 Season and ACT’s Theatre Craft

ACT’s 2008 Season Preview & Open House

March 9, 2008

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tickets

FREE!

Reservations for the preview performance strongly recommended

ACT Theatre

Ticket Office: (206) 292-7676

700 Union Street, Seattle WA 98101

www.acttheatre.org

Seattle, WA – January 29, 2008 – ACT once again opens its doors for its annual Season Preview and Open House event on Sunday, March 9, 2008.

Providing a sneak peek into the 2008 Season and companion pieces generated by ACT’s Central Heating Lab, this year’s event will include two identical preview presentations, where patrons will have an opportunity to hear from some of the artists whose work will appear onstage and learn more about the theatre’s plans for the year ahead. Short scenes will be read from several 2008 plays. In addition, ACT will host two concurrent “Backstage Insights” programs presented three times during the day, giving patrons behind-the-scenes access into how ACT creates its remarkable scenic designs and costumes. A full schedule follows below:

1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Backstage Insight: Scenic Design & Costumes

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 2008 Season Preview in the Falls Theatre

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Backstage Insight: Scenic Design & Costumes

4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Backstage Insight: Scenic Design & Costumes

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 2008 Season Preview in the Falls Theatre

Reservations for the preview performance are strongly recommended. Patrons may pick a performance (2:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.), then call ACT’s Ticket Office at (206) 292 -7676.

SEATTLE – The work of Seattle ’s “reigning queen of couture” Luly Yang is featured in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of MAME. As the iconic title character, Broadway star Dee Hoty dons 17 glamorous costumes throughout this irresistible musical, the majority designed by 2006 Tony Award-winner Gregg Barnes. The finishing touch comes at the end of act two, when Mame lights up the stage in the $30,000 finale gown of Luly Yang’s “Passage to Shanghai ” collection, a hand-embroidered red duchess silk satin robe with metallic organza sleeves, adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals. One of the largest, most complex designs Luly Yang has ever created, the gown took two months and more than 12 master seamstresses to construct.

Luly Yang is celebrated for her elegant and timeless bridal gowns and evening ensembles for ladies and gentlemen in luxurious silks and the finest fabrics. She has been named “ Seattle ’s Best Dress Designer” five years running by Seattle Bride magazine. Yang was honored as the 2007 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year and recognized as one of Seattle Business Monthly’s Eight People to Watch in ’08.

MAME tells the hilarious story of an eccentric socialite in the Roaring ‘20s who finds her madcap Manhattan lifestyle turned upside down when she is appointed guardian of her orphaned nephew. Auntie Mame takes him on one whirlwind adventure after another, proving that “life is a banquet.” With a rogue’s gallery of memorable characters, MAME has touched the hearts and tickled the funnybones of audiences everywhere. The irresistible score by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, La Cage aux Folles) includes the title song, “If He Walked Into My Life” and “We Need A Little Christmas.”

Tickets to MAME are priced from $20 - $77. Tickets are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 (toll free 888-5TH-4TIX), online at www.5thavenue.org or in person at the box office in downtown Seattle . There is no service charge when purchasing tickets in person at The 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office.