The Turn of the Screw - Seattle Shakespeare Company

The Turn of the Screw

Seattle Shakespeare Company

January 13 – January 31, 2009

Tickets and Information

Henry James’ terrifying classic ghost story, The Turn of the Screw (written in 1898) has come to life in many forms. The story has sparked films such as The Innocents, The Nightcomers, In a Dark Place and Turn. Benjamin Britten’s opera The Turn of the Screw has been critically acclaimed since its premier in 1954 and was performed at the Seattle Opera’s Young Artists program in 2006. There has even been a ballet by William Tuckett of this chilling story of reborn lust, abuse and one woman who has to take it all on alone.

John Bogart and Jennifer Sue Johnson. Photo by John Ulman.

Before discussing the production itself, I would like to spend a moment on Jeffery Hatcher, the translator and adaptor of both of Seattle Shakespeare’s current shows. He has worked on and off-Broadway with his adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie (with Mitch Albom) and many other shows such as Worksong (with Eric Simonson) and Smash based on a George Bernard Shaw novel An Unsocial Socialist. His adaptation of The Turn of the Screw (I cannot speak for The Servant of Two Masters for I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing it) is an amazing feat of textual juggling. In his script, there is a man and a woman. The woman (Jennifer Sue Johnson) plays the Governess assigned to watch over the children Flora and Miles. The man (John Bogart) plays the bachelor who sends her to his niece and nephew, the maid, Mrs. Grose, the boy Miles and the narrator.

Bogart’s switching among the four characters he juggles is amazing. There is never a moment when one wonders who he is at any given moment. The slightest adjustment in his physical presence make it known who he is at any time. Similarly, Johnson’s performance and transformation throughout the show is incredible to watch. As the Governess has to take on more and more of the terror that is the haunted mansion, Johnson’s transformation is palpable. Rita Giomi is much to thank for the magnificent nature of this production. Her direction brought this much beloved and feared story to life in a new way that will chill the audiences.

Technically speaking the show is beautiful from beginning to end. The doubling set (Jason Phillips) is used for both The Turn of the Screw and The Servant of Two Masters and it does its job with grace and practicality. In a city where overzealous sets often cloud the horizon so much that one can hardly see the play that’s happening on stage, Phillips’ set sets the scene, conveys the message and functions wonderfully to house the world of James story as seen through the eyes of Hatcher and Giomi.

Review by Nigel Andrews

Weekly Update 1/13/2009

Seattle University
Information on Tickets
Romeo and Juliet (directed by Stephanie Shine, Artistic Director for Seattle Shakespeare Company) >February 19 - March 1, 2009

Seattle Shakespeare
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Servant of Two Masters >January 8 - February 1, 2009
The Turn of the Screw >January 13 - 28, 2009
The Merchant of Venice >March 12 - April 5, 2009
The Tempest >June 4 - 28, 2009

Taproot Theater Company
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Gee's Bend >January 28 - February 28, 2009
Tuesdays With Morrie >March 25 - April 25, 2009
Around the World in 80 Days >March 20 - June 20, 2009
Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming >July 18 - August 15, 2009
Enchanted April >September 25 - October 24, 2009

Seattle Children's Theater
SEASON AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Wizard of Oz >November 21, 2008 - January 17, 2009
Tomas and the Library Lady >January 9 - March 1, 2009
Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire >January 30 - March 7, 2009
The Tale of Two Cities >March 20 - April 12, 2009
Goodnight Moon >April 10 - June 14, 2009
I Was a Rat! >May 1 - June 14, 2009

Intiman Theater
ALL ON SALE NOW
The Year of Magical Thinking
Crime and Punishment
Othello
A Thousand Clowns
American Cycle II

Seattle Repertory Theatre
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Road to Mecca >January 15 - February 14, 2009
Betrayal >February 19–March 22, 2009
The Seafarer >February 26 - March 28, 2009
Wishful Drinking >April 2, 2009 - May 3, 2009
Breaking Hearts and Taking Names >April 9-May 10, 2009

ACT Theater
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
A Christmas Carol >November 28 - December 27, 2008
2009 SEASON ANNOUNCED:
Rock N Roll
The Break/s
Das Barbecii
Runt of the Litter
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Seattle Opera
ALL ON SALE NOW
Pearl Fishers >January 10 - 24, 2009
Bluebeard's Castle & Erwartung >February 21 - March 7, 2009
Marriage of Figaro >May 2 - 16, 2009

Paramount
COLOR PURPLE ON SALE NOW
MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK
The Lion King >February 11 - March 16, 2009
CATS >April 15 - 19, 2009
Frost Nixon >May 6 - 10, 2009
RENT >June 16 - 21, 2009
Wicked >September 2 - October 4, 2009
August: Osage County >October 27 - November 1, 2009
Fiddler on the Roof >November 27 - December 5, 2009

The 5th Avenue Theatre
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
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 - on sale Feb. 6

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

Want Salon Quality Hair Services for a Fraction of the Cost?
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute

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

New Upcoming Works and News!

14/48 The World's Quickest Theater Festival
January 16 - 17 at 8 and 10:30pm at ACT's Bullitt Cabaret

Taproot Theater
Gee's Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, Directed by Karen Lund
January 28 - February 28, 2009
A spiritual journey of several women in Gee's Bend, Alabama where discarded rags and scraps are pieced together into magnificent works of art.

Ear to the Ground with Theater Off Jackson
Not All Clowns Are Bozos: an evening of theatrical clown performances
January 15, 16, 17 at 8:00pm

ACT Central Heating Lab
p2: Project Two
January 22 - 24 at 8:00pm

5th Avenue
Memphis
January 27 - February 15, 2009
Hello, Dolly!
March 7 - 29, 2009

_____________________
ACT Announces 2009 Season!
Mainstage Season:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde >April 10 - May 10, 2009
Below the Belt >May 22 - June 21, 2009

Hansberry Project:
the break/s >June 17 - July 12, 2009

Das Barbecii >July 31 - September 6, 2009
Runt of the Litter >September 18 - October 11, 2009
Rock 'n' Roll >October 9 - November 8, 2009

Special Offer to Subscribers Only!
(Playing at the Paramount)
August: Osage County >October 27 - November 1, 2009
_______________________________
Seattle Shakespeare Company announces that Groundlings get Great Deals!
> Groundings can acquire day-of rush tickets or extremely low-priced Subscription Packages! this will become available on January 17th! Here's how it works:
a patron can purchase a limited, pay-what-you-will Groundling subscription ($20 minimum) that includes a Sunday evening ticket to the remaining fou productions in the season.
Or
For $5 they can sing up to beocome a Groundling member who can purcahse $10 day-of rush tickets. Both options, of course, have limited availability.
Visit www.seattleshakespeare.org for more information!

Intiman - Special Guests at Black Nativity

SEATTLE— The Total Experience Gospel Choir, soul vocalist Choklate, and gospel singers Jacquie Berg and Karma Johnson are among the guest performers who will join Intiman’s holiday production of Black Nativity during this season’s run.

In addition, a performance will be dedicated to the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, who retired this year after presiding over the show for its first decade. He has been succeeded by actor G. To’mas Jones, who is delivering the traditional second-act sermon with words about the historic election of Barack Obama.

Black Nativity runs through December 27 at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center . Tickets range in price from $15 to $45, with discounts available for groups of 15 or more. Tickets are available from www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900. The Ticket Office will be open on Mondays from 12-5 pm during the run of the show to accommodate audience demand for tickets.

INTIMAN ADDS A PERFORMANCE OF BLACK NATIVITY ON SUNDAY,
DECEMBER 28 AT 2 PM

The schedule of special performances is as follows:

Friday, December 12 at 8 pm: Pastor Patrinell Wright’s Total Experience Gospel Choir, which is celebrating its 35^th Anniversary this year, will join the Black Nativity Choir on stage in Act II.

Thursday, December 18 at 7:30 pm: Special performance honoring the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney; please note that tickets for this performance are $20-$50.

Friday, December 19 at 8 pm: Total Experience alumna Karma Johnson, an American Idol contestant from the show’s first season, returns to Black Nativity as a guest soloist.

Saturday, December 20 at 2 pm and Tuesday, December 23 at 7:30 pm: Jacquie Berg, who performed in the show for three seasons, returns as a guest soloist.

Saturday, December 20 at 8 pm: Choklate, a rising new Seattle-based soul vocalist, joins the show as a guest soloist.

The production is sponsored in part by Safeco Insurance, with additional support from The Boeing Company, U.S. Bancorp Foundation and Starbucks Coffee Company. The participation of the guest artists is made possible by The Boeing Company.

Sound of Music Sing-Along!

5th Avenue
Tickets and Information
Friday, Jan 2, Evening 7:00 PM
Saturday, Jan 3, Matinee 1:00 PM

Boo at Nazis! Wave your edelweiss! Open your Von Trapp and sing!
Sing-A-Long Sound of Music is a 3 1/2 hour “movie event” that includes pre-show festivities, a costume contest, prizes, & non-stop silly film fun. Watch The Sound of Music, original in every way, except that all the song lyrics appear subtitled on the on The 5th Avenue ’s giant screen. Moviegoers receive an official “fun pack,” filled with interactive props. The celebrity guest emcee, John Curley of Evening Magazine, coordinates the vocal warm up and costume contest and gives lessons on participating in Sing-A-Long’s signature jeers and cheers.

You Can't Take It With You - Seattle Repertory Theatre

You Can’t Take It With You
Seattle Repertory Theatre
November 28, 2008 – January 3, 2009
Tickets and Information

Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman’s You Can’t Take It With You is a rumpus journey through the lives of two families as they intersect in the name of young love. When Alice Sycamore (Elise Karolina Hunt) wants to bring a potential suitor home from the office – the vice president of the walls street firm where she works – Anthony Kirby Jr (Ben Hollandsworth) she has to first deal with how her family will confront him. With the combination of her writer/painter mother who never finishes a work, her fireworks engineer father and his associate Mr. DePinna, her loafer Grandfather, her aspiring ballerina sister and her husband the printer, not to mention Rheba – the African-American hired help and her boyfriend, Donald, she has quite a handful. She does everything she can to make it work, but when the Kirby’s arrive only the play can tell what will happen from there.

Ben Hollandsworth and Annette Toutonghi. Photo by Chris Bennion.

Warner Shook’s direction is the very image of precision. With a show as tightly written as this, it takes a surgeon of a director with highly trained actors to make it read. As a cast and a production as a whole, they all nail it. The comedy is tight as metal work and the flow of the story is like the stock market itself – in and out of beauty and tragedy like there’s nothing to it. It helps, certainly, to have a cast of Seattle’s heavy-hitters: R. Hamilton Wright, Annette Toutonghi, Cecil Luellen, Anne Allgood and Michael Winters to name just a few. With an eighteen-actor cast the flow of the piece is critical and there is not a slip in sight with You Can’t Take It With You.

Michael Ganio’s set design wows the audience from the moment the curtain rises at the top of the first act. The lavish set that the Rep is so famous for in all their productions does not disappoint. While perhaps, as tends to happen, a bit over-indulgent, the set serves its purpose and certainly is a spectacle to behold. Michael Roth’s and Brendan Patrick Hogan’s music and sound design are impeccable. From the moment the first sound plays, the audience knows they are in for an audible treat for the evening.

Clocking in at about two and a half hours and including two intermissions, the Rep’s You Can’t Take It With You is a hefty investment for the evening but well worth it. It’s a wonderful romp through the ins and outs of inter-familial relations at their most bizarre and they are shown with the scalpel-sharp comedic precision that one hopes to see at a theater like Seattle’s Repertory Theatre.

Review by Nigel Andrews

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - 5th Avenue Theatre

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

5^th Avenue Theatre

December 3 – 28, 2008

Tickets and Information

The story in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers dates back past the 1954 MGM film to the American poet Stephen Vincent Benét most famous for his poem about the Civil War, John Brown’s Body. As in the musical, the short story by Benét adapts the Plutarch story about Roman men who kidnap seven Sabine women to take as brides. The musical, however, is presented as only the heart of American Musical Theatre can offer.

Cast of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 5th Avenue. Photo by Chris Bennion

The story is emotional and heartfelt, yes, but it is primarily a rumpus of musical fun from start to finish. Adam Pontipee (Edward Watts) opens the show in search of a wife to take care of him and his six woodsmen brothers. He finds Milly Brandon (Laura Griffith) who, over the course of the show, shows Adam and his biblical brothers what’s what when it comes to women. Watts and Griffith are powerhouses in the proscenium supported by a cast of incredibly skilled dancers and performers. Each and every performer in the 5^th Avenue’s production rocks the out-of-this-world choreography by Patti Colombo. Colombo’s style takes this show much beyond its cute, fun, family show to a fully-produced dance piece that will take the kids in the audience for a spectacular ride and awe even the most jaded thespians in the house.

Allison Narver’s direction of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is equally impressive. Her tried and true precision and attention to even the minutest detail makes this show even more hilarious than it seems possible. Her take on this show is a calculated one that shows the flaws in each and every character and, therefore, makes their triumphs even more spectacular. Similarly, Geoffery Alm’s combat direction is specific, technical and flawless. The massive fight sequences and the isolated hits and jabs are all beautifully choreographed and fly like honest blows.

Of course, the production would not be the same without the impeccable set and light design. Anna Louizos (set) and Tom Sturge (lights), both long-time veterans of their craft, take the show to a level of spectacle only reachable by the 5^th Avenue. While the production on the whole may seem rather gaudy, all the elements fit like puzzle-pieces and function fabulously.

The 5^th Avenue’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a definite family gathering show. While on the cutesy side of the American Musical Theatre world, this production takes the technical elements of the dance, the combat and the script and rocks them to a brilliant level.

Review by Nigel Andrews

Weekly Update 12/3/2008

Seattle Shakespeare
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Servant of Two Masters >January 8 - February 1, 2009
The Turn of the Screw >January 13 - 28, 2009
The Merchant of Venice >March 12 - April 5, 2009
The Tempest >June 4 - 28, 2009

Taproot Theater Company
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Gee's Bend >January 28 - February 28, 2009
Tuesdays With Morrie >March 25 - April 25, 2009
Around the World in 80 Days >March 20 - June 20, 2009
Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming >July 18 - August 15, 2009
Enchanted April >September 25 - October 24, 2009

Seattle Children's Theater
SEASON AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Bluenose >October 17 - December 14, 2008
The Wizard of Oz >November 21, 2008 - January 17, 2009
Tomas and the Library Lady >January 9 - March 1, 2009
Pharaoh Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire >January 30 - March 7, 2009
The Tale of Two Cities >March 20 - April 12, 2009
Goodnight Moon >April 10 - June 14, 2009
I Was a Rat! >May 1 - June 14, 2009

Intiman Theater
ALL ON SALE NOW
Black Nativity >November 29 - December 27, 2008
2009 SEASON ON SALE NOW!
The Year of Magical Thinking
Crime and Punishment
Othello
A Thousand Clowns
American Cycle II

Seattle Repertory Theatre
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Boom >November 13 - December 14, 2008
You Can't Take It With You >November 28, 2008 - January 3, 2009
The Road to Mecca >January 15 - February 14, 2009
Betrayal >February 19–March 22, 2009
The Seafarer >February 26 - March 28, 2009
Wishful Drinking >April 2, 2009 - May 3, 2009
Breaking Hearts and Taking Names >April 9-May 10, 2009

ACT Theater
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
A Christmas Carol >November 28 - December 27, 2008
2009 SEASON ANNOUNCED:
Rock N Roll
The Break/s
Das Barbecu
Runt of the Litter
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Seattle Opera
ALL ON SALE NOW
Pearl Fishers >January 10 - 24, 2009
Bluebeard's Castle & Erwartung >February 21 - March 7, 2009
Marriage of Figaro >May 2 - 16, 2009

Paramount
COLOR PURPLE ON SALE NOW
MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK
The Color Purple >December 16 - 28, 2008
The Lion King >February 11 - March 16, 2009
CATS >April 15 - 19, 2009
Frost Nixon >May 6 - 10, 2009
RENT >June 16 - 21, 2009
Wicked >September 2 - October 4, 2009
August: Osage County >October 27 - November 1, 2009
Fiddler on the Roof >November 27 - December 5, 2009

The 5th Avenue Theatre
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers >December 3 - 28, 2008 - on sale Sep. 19
Memphis >January 27 - February 15, 2008, 2009 - on sale Sep. 19
Hello, Dolly! >March 8 - 29, 2009 - on sale Jan. 9
Sunday in the Park With George >April 21 - May 10, 2009 - on sale Jan. 9
Grease >May 12 - 30, 2009 - on sale Feb. 6

__________________________________________________________

Dimitrou's Jazz Alley
Tickets and Information

Want Salon Quality Hair Services for a Fraction of the Cost?
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute

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

A Christmas Carol - ACT

A Christmas Carol

ACT

November 28-December 27, 2008

Tickets and Information

ACT’s A Christmas Carol (adapted by Gregory A. Falls) is one of the longest-running holiday traditions in Seattle. Now in its 33^rd year, this production is still as entertaining and charming as ever.

Kurt Beattie’s direction keeps the show remarkably fresh, and the actors’ indefatigable energy will make even the Scrooges of the audience crack a smile. Seán G. Griffin and Allan Fitzpatrick will be alternating the familiar role of Scrooge, and Griffin’s performance for the opening show was endearing, taking the audience along on Scrooge’s journey from crotchety to cheerful. The other actors, swirling about Scrooge in an ensemble of holiday cheer, all carried their various parts strongly.

Photo by Chris Bennion

This year’s production takes a darker turn on the story than the past few years have dared. Marley’s appearance leaps to the side of the truly ghastly and the spirits’ entrances take a much more sudden and startling potency. Michael Wellborn’s lighting design and Chris R Walker’s sound design in conjunction with Steven M Klein’s original sound design lend major hands in creating this somewhat more ghostly story.

Fear not, though; A Christmas Carol is still the beloved holiday classic we all know it to be. ACT does not disappoint with this year’s production and it will, as it always does, awe the audience old and young, cynical and spirited, Scrooge and Cratchit alike.

Review by Lia Morgan and Nigel Andrews

boom - Seattle Rep

boom

Seattle Repertory Theatre

November 13 – December 14, 2008

Tickets and Information

boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb and directed by Jerry Manning is an odd exploration into the post-apocalypse of an ever negligent and oblivious human society. It concerns Jules (Nick Garrison), a socially inept ichthyologist recently returned from a rather revelatory biological expedition and Jo (Chealsey Rives), a contemptuous journalism major lured into Jule’s “underground lab” through an online solicitation for “intensely significant coupling.” Their story clips along nicely, with Jules’ discovery of a comet due to collide with the earth in “seven-ish” minutes and his obvious need for a female bunker-mate. As the story reaches its first major peak, it is suddenly and jarringly interrupted by Barbara (Gretchen Krich), a wildly eccentric elderly woman who has operated this museum exhibit for years, making it her baby – raising it from the fledgling show it was into the performance piece she made it. As the two stories progress through the rest of the evening, Barbara’s story, though compelling on its own, presents an unnecessary and distracting counterpoint to Jules and Jo’s more urgent tale.

Nick Garrison and Chelsey Rives. Photo by Chris Bennion.

The production itself is expertly executed from acting to direction to the calling of countless precise cues. Manning’s direction of boom takes a dangerously melodramatic situation and turns it into a fascinating human exploration of real people in extreme circumstances. A situation such as the apocalypse can turn quickly into two people annoying each other and everyone else tangentially involved, but Garrison and Rives deliver their characters with humanity and substance that provides layers aplenty for the audience to ride. Krich’s performance of Barbara’s story was masterfully handled. Though Barbara’s storyline was awkwardly injected into the play and her character was rather selfish and peeving, Krich carried her with a grace and adeptness that made Barbara endearing in a way few could.

Robert J Aguilar’s lighting design is flawless to say the least. His scalpel-sharp cues and brilliant juxtapositions of stark white with soft blues and gentle hues keeps the audience on their toes and the actors on their marks. Likewise Matt Starritt’s sound design was seemingly effortless and similarly razor-sharp. Harmony Arnold’s costume design, as always, is spot-on and brilliantly efficient. Finally, reminiscent of “Sealab 2021,” Jennifer Zeyl’s set accommodates the necessities of the script and carries them out with panache.

The production carried out its mission very well; the script however, did not live up to its end of the bargain. The two stories, though based around the same themes of survival, loss, grief etc, are on two completely different levels of urgency and leaves one story feeling discounted and the other feeling as though it must carry a weight that it can in no way bear. While Seattle Rep’s production of boom is polished, entertaining and shows of the designers’ and performers’ skills, but the script, which should be the bedrock of any production, is too confusing for the audience to get anything substantial out of it in the end.

Review by Nigel Andrews and Lia Morgan