February 2023 – Shows I've Seen

On the Market – Play – Burien Actors Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): On the Market play w/ Burien Actors Theatre. Light modern romantic comedy w/ funny caricatures. Second chances are possible during middle age with love and life! #comedy #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: A former singer, now realtor, struggles with the modern dating scene after becoming a widow two years ago. Her life is turned upside down when she finds a mysterious note from her dead husband telling her it’s okay to “move on.” A touching modern, romantic comedy for grown-ups about love, loss, and finding your Forever Home.

Reviewed Performance: 2/25/23 Evening

Type: Play

World Premiere: No but almost. This play was first produced in Fall 2022. I looked it up since I was surpised how many modern references were in the show. For example, I’ve never seen a show that mentioned steaming services like Hulu Plus.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Recommendation: See it if you like supporting community theatre

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Maybe if it was produced by an Equity theatre

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.25 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: None

Total Number of Actors: 4

Length (Including Any Intermission): 90 mins

Intermission: No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Cutting Insults: The “mean girl” in me loves to watch tense scenes where someone figuratively cuts a friend to the knees with insults. It was very “you’re a virgin who can’t drive.” But not to worry, this negative energy was only in a brief scene and was not the focus of the play.

Rant(s)

Transitions: The scene transitions sometimes felt a little awkward. It may have something to do with the frequent lack of transition sounds or weird light queuing.
On-stage Costume Changes: There was one scene where the actors hastily distractingly changed costumes several times on-stage in the background. I was a confused why they didn’t change costumes off-stage like in all the other scenes. UPDATE 3/4/23: A reader let me know that this “circusy” montage was actually written into the script to feel messy and improvised. I’m curious if the scene execution in this production was what the playwright envisioned.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Mid-life Inspiration: I worry my dreams and ambitions are less realistic the more I age. This play inspired me to believe that middle age isn’t too late for dreams that will bring major life changes.

Theatre Company: Burien Actors Theatre

Venue: Kennedy Catholic High School

Venue Physical Address: 140 S 140th St, Burien, WA 98168

Price: Cheap

Dates: February 10 to March 5, 2023

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Huge free parking lot adjacent to the high school

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https://battheatre.org/shows/current-season/on-the-market

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video by Michael Brunk

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen “On the Market” #play w/ Burien Actors Theatre. Light modern #romanticComedy w/ #funny caricatures. 2nd chances are possible during middle age w/ love & life! Review: showsiveseen.com/4048 #comedy #theatre ♬ Til There Was You (as made famous by The Beatles) – Abbey Road Players

From left to right, Excited Girlfriend (Amy Anderson) and Excited Boyfriend (Jalyn Green) discuss the loft space realtor Charlotte (Karin Rogers) is showing, with actor John Dugaw changing into another character in the background.

From left to right, Charlotte (Karin Rogers) doesn’t believe her Grief Counselor (Jalyn Green).

From left to right, Charlotte (Karin Rogers) listens as Frank (John Dugaw) opens his heart.

From left to right, James (Jalyn Green) reads his letter to Charlotte (Karin Rogers), with Nice Husband (John Dugaw) and Nice Wife (Amy Anderson) seated in background.

From left to right, a young James (Jalyn Green) takes a photo of a young Charlotte (Karin Rogers) on their first date.

From left to right, Eccentric Wife (Amy Anderson) and Eccentric Husband (John Dugaw) arrive early, before the scheduled start time for a real estate open house run by realtor Charlotte (Karin Rogers).

Role	Name
Diane, Eccentric Wife, Rustic Wife, Excited Girlfriend, Nice Wife	Amy Anderson
Frank, Date #2, Date #4, Eccentric Husband, Chatty Husband 1, Rustic Husband, Nice Husband	John Dugaw
Charlotte	Karin Rogers
James, Grief Counselor, Date #1, Date Mark, Chatty Husband 2, Excited Boyfriend, Delivery Guy	Jalyn Green
—	—
Stage Directors	Rochelle Flynn, Maggie Larrick
Playwright	Jason Odell Williams
Production Managers	Eric Dickman, Maggie Larrick
Stage Manager	Heather Bernadette
Fight Choreographer	John Lynch
Set Designer	Maggie Larrick
Properties Designer	Cyndi Baumgardner
Lighting Designer	Dave Baldwin
Sound Designer	Eric Dickman
Costume Designer	Maggie Larrick
Set Dresser	Cyndi Baumgardner
Vocal Coach	Aimee Hong
Head Builder	Scott Barker
Set Builders/Painters	Eric Dickman, Luise Frishholz, Paul Gould, Maggie Larrick, Devin Rodger
Light & Sound Operator	Heather Bernadette
Poster/Marketing Art Design	Stevie VanBronkhorst
Photography	Michael Brunk
Program	Maggie Larrick
Webmaster	Lance Bowman
Box Office	Eric Dickman, Jessica Lester
Usher Managers	Maggie Larrick, Elaine Puderbaugh
Concessions Managers	Barbara Reamer, Maggie Larrick

Into The Woods – Musical – 5th Avenue Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Into The Woods fairy tale musical opening night at the 5th Avenue Theatre. After seeing this show a third time, I finally realized it’s filled with modern life lessons and difficult philosophical questions. Cinderella’s family and the witch (Porscha Shaw) were a hoot! #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: “Happily Ever After” has never been so complicated. That’s what Little Red, a Witch, Cinderella, the Baker, and his wife discover as they invade one another’s stories and find themselves tangled in a web of unexpected consequences. They quickly find this web is too big to untangle on their own and that they must work together to set everything right in the kingdom. Into the Woodsreminds us that only together can we defeat the wolves and giants of the world. With a stunning, unforgettable score featuring “No One is Alone,” “Children Will Listen,” and “Giants in the Sky,” this iconic show will enchant, entrance, and delight! A Tony Award®-winning Broadway hit and feature film sensation, Into the Woodscontinues to enthrall theater lovers more than three decades after its creation. This is the first of a rare and remarkable two-show celebration and exploration of the theatrical genius of Stephen Sondheim.

Reviewed Performance: 2/17/23 on opening night

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Recommendation: See it if you like Stephen Sondheim musicals.

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: No, I’ve seen it once in a Galveston, TX community theatre and once at Village Theatre.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Since I’ve seen it so many times and I’m not a huge fan of Stephen Sondheim, I’d probably only see the national tour in the future.

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.25 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: 15

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Deeper Meanings: Since this was the third time I’ve seen the show and because I usually watch shows for their entertainment value, I was finally able to grasp some of the deeper meanings in the musical. Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf was a life lesson for young women to be wary of men with a “bad boy” appeal. Additionally, they asked difficult philosophical questions when was okay to kill or is it worth it sacrificing a few for the greater good? I liked how Cinderella and the Baker juxtaposed two potential deaths simultaneously.
Princes and Wolf: Casey Raiha and Antonio Mitchell’s over-the-top flamboyant portrayal of the princes were a nice comedic relief. The same also applies to Casey’s wolf portrayal. Kudos to Casey for filling in as Louis Hobson’s understudy on opening night!
Cinderella Family and Witch: Shaunyce Omar, Trina Mills, Shanelle Nicole Leonard, and Porscha Shaw added a desperately-needed groovy flair as Cinderella’s family and the witch. I always loved Shaunyce’s role in her past shows and her afro-tastric stepmother portrayal was no exception. The stepsisters’ fabulous costumes also reminded me of trendy outfits from the movie Clueless.
Stage: It looks like the 5th Avenue Theatre reused the same thin horizontal catwalk-like platform downstage in front of the orchestra that they used in The Wiz (their previous show) to allow the actors closer access to the audience. The novelty of it has not worn off on me yet. I’m still a fan!
Baker’s Wife Voice: There were at least two songs that showcased Cayman Ilika’s strong and brilliant voice.

Rant(s)

Stagehands: There was a scene transition that required the stagehands to wheel in a ladde centerstage. It was a little obtrusive and might have been less distracting if the actors wheeled it in themselves.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Magic Beans: What happened to the last magic beans that were thrown on the ground?
Witch: What happened to the witch at the end?
Witch Transformation: Why did the witch need to run offstage for a hot second during the transformation scene if the transformation eventually occurred on-stage? Could the stage magic occur without running offstage?
Malfunctioning Prop?: Was there a malfunction when the goose prop did not lay a golden egg? If so, the actors played off the malfunction well in a comedic way.
Scenic Design: I was surprised that they chose an austere theme. I half expected to see an actual forest like in The Wiz. The design reminded me of a hip dance club with modern fluorescent/neon lights.
1st Act vs 2nd Act: Into the Woods is notorious for leaving audience members confused at the end of the first act since all the stories seem to already conclude with some sort of finality. The first act unfolds with familiar fairy tales, but in the second act, the audience might be thinking “WTF is happening to these familiar fairy tales!”
Stephen Sondheim: Honestly, I personally don’t prefer Stephen Sondheim’s style and I’m a little sad the 5th Avenue Theatre is producing two of his shows this season. Sacrilege, I know … especially since he just passed away in 2021. Honestly, the 5th Avenue Theatre is probably producing two of his shows as a tribute to his legacy due to his recent passing. I’ve seen Assassins, Company, Sweeney Todd, and Into The Woods. I found all 4 inherently tepid. The songs have a weird quality where the actors sometimes talk their lyrics without a pitch. A mainstream beat is also hard to find and there’s too much dissonance. In the end, the songs are not memorable, you often can’t sing along, and I wouldn’t listen to them in my car. That being said, I don’t doubt that he’s a genius and a legend etc. It’s just not my cup of tea.

Theatre Company: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Really Expensive

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out their discounts page. Goldstar or TodayTix usually offer good options too.

Dates: February 10 to March 5, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre, I park in the paid garage at the Motif hotel NW of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the Hilton garage (entrance on 6th ave). That’s where most of the audience parks so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and it has underground access to the theatre if you wanted to avoid the elements. But this benefit is not worth it in my opinion.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video by Mark Kitaoka and Tracy Martin

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen “#IntoTheWoods” #Sondheim #musical at 5th Ave Theatre. After seeing this show a 3rd time, I finally realized it’s filled with modern life lessons & difficult philosophical questions. Cinderella’s family & the witch (@musenmelanin) were a hoot! Review: showsiveseen.com/3995. Photos by Mark Kitaoka & Tracy Martin. #theatre #fairyTale #StephenSondheim ♬ I Know Things Now – Stephen Sondheim & Michelle Dowdy

Shanelle Nicole Leonard, Shaunyce Omar, Trina Mills, and Sarah Russell in *Into the Woods* at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.

Joshua Miller and Shermona Mitchell in *Into the Woods* at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.

Sarah Russell in *Into the Woods* at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin 20230212 Tmartin 4884 Porscha Shaw, Mari Nelson, Eric Ankrim, and Cayman Ilika in Into the Woods at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.

The cast of *Into the Woods* at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.

Sarah “SG” Garcia, Eric Ankrim, and Cayman Ilika in *Into the Woods* at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.

Role	Name
Narrator	Mari Nelson
Cinderella	Sarah Russell
Jack	Joshua Miller
Jack’s Mother	Shermona Mitchell
Baker	Eric Ankrim
Baker’s Wife	Cayman Ilika
Cinderella’s Stepmother	Shaunyce Omar
Florinda	Trina Mills
Lucinda	Shanelle Nicole Leonard
Little Red Ridinghood	Sarah “SG” Garcia
Witch	Porscha Shaw
Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince	Louis Hobson
Rapunzel	Miranda Antoinette
Rapunzel’s Prince (Dance Captain)	Antonio Mitchell
Steward	Brian Lange
—	—
Narrator (Understudy)	Ann Cornelius
Cinderella (Understudy)	Simone Alene
Jack (Understudy)	CJ Lorentz
Baker (Understudy)	Brian Lange
Jack’s Mother/Cinderella’s Stepmother (Understudy)	Melyssa Stone
Baker’s Wife (Understudy)	Trina Mills
Little Red Ridinghood/Florinda/Lucinda/Rapunzel (Understudy)	Rebecca Cort
Witch (Understudy)	Shanelle Nicole Leonard
Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf/Rapunzel’s Prince/Steward (Understudy)	Casey Raiha
—	—
Production Stage Manager	Erin B. Zatloka
Assistant Stage Manager	Rachael Dorman and Tori Thompson
Swing Stage Manager	Jr Welden
Composer and Lyricist	Stephen Sondheim
Author	James Lapine
Director	Bill Berry
Scenic Designer	Lex Marcos
Understudy Director	Jéhan Osanyin
Costume Designer	Melanie Taylor Burgess
Lighting Designer	Ben Zamora
Sound Designer	Haley Parcher
Associate Director	Nicholas Japaul Bernard
Associate Music Director	Michael Nutting
Music Supervisor	Matt Perri
Associate Scenic Designer	Alex Winterle
Associate Sound Designer	Brent Warwick
Costume Design Assistant	Taya Pyne
Assistant Lighting Designer	Maryalice Weed
Director of Production	Joan Toggenburger
Production Manager	Ryan Gastelum
Costume, Wardrobe, & Hair Director	Shannin Strom
Casting Director	Cordelia Miller
Music Director	R.J. Tancioco
Choreographer	CY Paolantonio
—	—
Conductor	Matt Perri and R.J. Tancioco
Piano	Michael Nutting
Synth	Rebecca Smith
Bass	Ramon Salumbides
Horn	Rodger Burnett
Trumpet	Brad Allison
Percussion	Alec Wilmart
Flute	Dane Andersen
Clarinet	Jennifer Nelson
Bassoon	Francine Petersen
Violin 1	Tom Dziekonski
Violin 2	Quinn Price
Viola	Rick Neff
Cello	Page Smith/Virginia Dziekonski
Keyboard Programmer	Dave Pascal
Music Assistant	Andrew Pang
Rehearsal Pianist	Rebecca Smith

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd – Play – Book-It Repertory Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Murder of Roger Ackroyd play by Agatha Christie at Book-It Repertory Theatre w/ opening night cheesecake/wine reception. Diverse/blind casting. I’m proud to have finally correctly guessed the murderer in this whodunnit! #AgathaChristie #HerculePoirot #Poirot

Synopsis from the Theatre: “Always Bear in Mind That the Person Who Speaks May Be Lying” Gossip, blackmail, deception and betrayal unsettle the peaceful English village of King’s Abbot. After a pair of mysterious deaths — including one from inside a locked room – the famous detective Hercule Poirot is pulled out of retirement to solve the case. Despite his desire to relax and grow vegetable marrows, the ingenious sleuth is compelled to snoop around this quaint hamlet and its surrounding countryside. Will this sleepy 1930s village ever feel quite so cozy again? Will Poirot be able to unravel the knots of this mystery? It’s a mystery! Book-It and local playwright Danielle Mohlman (author of Nexus and a renowned theatrical adaptation of Frankenstein) are crafting this brand-new script based on one of Dame Agatha Christie’s most innovative, clever, and mind-bending mysteries. The original book has been lauded as the best crime novel of all time by the Crime Writers’ Association. This play will be directed by Seattle-based director Jasmine Joshua (director of Irma Vep at Intiman in 2022, and has also directed at Reboot Theatre, Cafe Nordo, 5th Avenue, and Village Theatre). The creative team is taking a modern approach to staging of this show, include modern music remixed and re-recorded in vintage styles, and nontraditional gender casting. We love a good whodunnit! This classic murder mystery was revolutionary for its time, and it still hits all the right notes today. It’s sinister but also fun; fast-paced but still detailed; and thrilling without being frightening. Agatha Christie is one of the best-selling authors of all time, a master of her genre, and this story shows us why. Her subtle skewering of society and her delectable characters keep her work feeling fresh almost a century on. We want you to share time with us this winter, having some good ol’ fashioned fun!

Reviewed Performance: 2/11/23 on a packed opening night

Type: Play

World Premiere: Yes

Film/Book: Based on the popular book by Agatha Christie

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but like many “whodunnit” plays, it is not linear.

Recommendation: See it especially if you like mystery or “whodunnit” plays

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Probably not since I now know the ending. Half the fun in watching a whodunnit is guessing who the killer is!

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.5 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 1 but they were all good

Total Number of Actors: 7

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours – The second act felt slightly long

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Intermission Voting: It was a nice touch that the audience could vote for the murderer’s identity at intermission. As the audience exited the theatre after the second act, they could read a sign which showed the character who “won” from the intermission vote tally. It’s the first time I’ve seen this audience involvement game at a whodunnit play and I’m surprised more productions don’t implement it as well.
Diction: There was something about the way that Brandon J. Simmons (Dr. James Sheppard), Lisa Viertel (Roger Ackroyd), and Megan Ahiers (Cecil Ackroyd) delivered their lines that was very pleasant and made me think of good breeding.

Rant(s)

Corpse: After the killer murdered Roger Ackroyd in a chair, the actors draped the chair under a white sheet instead of leaving the actor under the sheet or replacing the actor with a stuffed dummy. A stuffed dummy would have been a cheap prop to make the scene more realistic.
Motivation: When the murderer was revealed, the motivation wasn’t adequately explained.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Cecil Ackroyd: Why wasn’t the sister (or sister-in-law?) interrogated?
Killer Identity: I’m proud to have finally guessed the murderer correctly. If I’ve learned anything about whodunnit plays and Agatha Christie, the murderer is always who you least expect!

Theatre Company: Book-It Repertory Theatre

Venue: Center Theatre at Seattle Center Armory

Venue Physical Address: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Price: Medium

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the discount section of their ticketing page. Goldstar usually offer good options too.

Dates: February 11 to March 5, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking or paid lot/garage parking. I usually like to park on the street near the skating park (313 Taylor Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109) East of the theatre. It’s more expensive on Climate Pledge Arena event days though so I ended up parking in South Lake Union since I’m cheap!

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Other Video +/- Pictures: Pictures in video and under video by Anthony Floyd Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" #play by #AgathaChristie & @daniellemohlman at Book-It Theatre w/ opening night cheesecake/wine reception. Diverse/blind casting. I'm proud to have finally correctly guessed the murderer in this #whodunnit! Review: showsiveseen.com/3930. Photos by Anthony Floyd. #theatre #HerculePoirot #Poirot ♬ Freak – Moliy

Riley Gene photographed by Anthony Floyd

Brandon J. Simmons and Aaron Pitre photographed by Anthony Floyd

Brandon J. Simmons, Sydney Maltese, and Lisa Viertel photographed by Anthony Floyd

Aaron Pitre and Brandon J. Simmons photographed by Anthony Floyd

Role	Name
Hercule Poirot	Aaron Pitre*
Dr. James Sheppard	Brandon J. Simmons
Roger Ackroyd	Lisa Viertel
Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd, Inspector Raglan, and Miss Russell	Megan Ahiers
Captain Ralph Paton and Major Hector Blunt	Rhys Daly
John Parker and Ursula Bourne	Sydney Maltese
Miss Flora Ackroyd, Geoffrey Raymond, and Charles Kent	Riley Gene
Understudies	Benjamin Elias Nickols, Jessica Robins, Jordan-Michael Whidbey
—	—
Director	Jasmine Joshua
Author	Agatha Christie
Playwright	Danielle Mohlman
Stage Manager	Nicola Krause
Assistant Stage Manager / Covid Safety Officer	Selina Senn
Assistant Director & Assistant Dramaturg	Adrian Prendergast
Dramaturg	Sara Keats
Scenic Designer & Props Designer	Robin Macartney
Costume Designer	Jocelyne Fowler
Lighting Designer	Richard Schaefer
Sound Designer	Johanna Melamed
Dialect Coach	Marena Kleinpeter
Production Manager	Dan Schuy
Assistant Production & Company Manager	Max Koh
Technical Director	Benjamin Radin
Poster Design	Tyrell Waiters

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in USA

Sense and Sensibility – Play – Village Theatre

Giveaway: ~~I’m giving away a free ticket to this show. See more details here.~~ Congrats to Annabel!

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Sense and Sensibility play by Kate Hamill at Village Theatre. Jane Austen meets Gossip Girl. Cute, basic (in a good way), & girly romantic comedy. Loved it! Clips by Nyhuis Creative. #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: A playful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel follows the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Dashwood sisters—sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne—after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. In a classic-modern mashup of the beloved Jane Austen novel, Sense and Sensibility revisits the 18th-century England of the iconic characters through a contemporary lens. Layered with smart comedy and zany antics, this playful new adaption comes to life in a delightfully indulgent production directed by Jes Spencer. Sensible Elinor and sensitive Marianne’s fortunes become misfortunes after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Navigating societal pressures and relatable modern gossip, the two sisters learn to love while expressing their own sensibilities. Cheekily underscored by a contemporary mix of your favorite pop songs, Sense and Sensibility’s simple beauty and timelessness is a breath of fresh countryside air.

Reviewed Performance: 2/10/23 on Opening Weekend

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Awards: 2016 Off-Broadway Alliance Award

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Recommendation: See it especially if you like Jane Austen or romantic comedies

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Yes if it was another Equity production

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.75 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 3 but they were all good

Total Number of Actors: 10

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours – The second act felt slightly long

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Ball: Once again, Village Theatre triumphantly put on a dazzling ball as they did in Cinderella, their previous production. The chandelier-like disco balls were a nice touch.
Drag: Nick DeSantis was a hoot as Mrs. Ferrars in drag. I looked forward to each of his over-the-top campy costumes like the stuffy “Michelin Man” dress and the crocodile boa.
Personified Animals: Village Theatre must have heard good feedback from their last show, Cinderella, when ensemble actors occasionally portrayed animals since they did the same thing in Sense and Sensibility. The barking dogs surprised me at first!
Stuffed Animals: Speaking of animals, I also looked forward to seeing each new stuffed animal that the youngest daughter Margaret Dashwood (portrayed by Sophia Franzella) played with in each of her scene.
Town Gossips: The town gossips were a clever way to narrate the story.
London Transition: The transition from simpleton country to glamourous city reminded me of scenes where midwestern country bumpkins arrive in Manhattan.
Understudies: Kudos to Nik Doner and Michael Wu for seamlessly filling in the roles of Calder Shilling and Richard Nguyen Sloniker respectively the day after opening night.
Cliffhanger: The end of the first act was executed dramatically. I liked how they resumed the second act at the exact same scene.
Design: The lighting design, scenic design, and costume design were well-coordinated in the same beautiful feminine motif of pastel watercolors w/ warm lighting. The giant papier-mâché flowers conveyed a wholesome countryside cottage feel.
Drawing: The reveal of what Edward (or was it Elinor?) drew at the beginning of the play was funny. I doubt audience members in the back could see it though…
Cast Doubling: I’m usually not a fan of extensive cast doubling especially when it’s difficult to discern between characters. But when done successfully, I think it showcases the actors’ range of abilities. In particular, the understudies’ switched well from the awkward stiff personalities of Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars.
Modern References: It was fun seeing the actors wear or use modern props and costumes in this regency era production. I saw headphones, martini glasses, airport luggage, sneakers, capris, cowgirl frills, a hoodie, a Gucci logo, a steering wheel, leopard print, a letterman jacket, and a windbreaker. Modern songs were also integrated throughout the show like Celine Dion. Most of the songs were in the style of Postmodern Jukebox.

Rant(s)

Phones: While I enjoyed seeing modern props in this regency era play, the cell phones were over showcased. Too many theatre productions use cell phones as an easy crutch to add a modern flair to shows that take place in a pre-modern era. However, it was clever for the horse carriage driver to text while driving.

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 303 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027 or 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201 depending on your performance date

Price: Medium-Expensive

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out their discount tickets page. TodayTix and Goldstar usually offer good options too.

Dates: February 1 to April 9, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Free street parking and some free parking lot. Lot parking is pretty difficult to find though. I’ve basically given up on that. I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, I think you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that most non-locals don’t know about.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: Performance clips in TikTok video are by Nyhuis Creative. Pictures under video are by Angela Sterling Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures

@showsiveseen “Sense & Sensibility” #play by @katehamill4sure at Village Theatre. #JaneAusten meets @xoxogossipgirl. #Cute, #basic (in a good way), & #girly #romanticComedy. Loved it! Review: showsiveseen.com/3773 Clips by Nyhuis Creative. #theatre ♬ Piano Concerto No. 22 3rd Movement Mozart(1003495) – takai

Sophia Franzella, Alegra Batara, and Sunam Ellis in Village Theatre’s *Sense and Sensibility* (2023). Photo by Angela Sterling.

Sophia Franzella, Calder Shilling, Alegra Batara, Suzy Hunt, Lindsay Welliver, Nick DeSantis, and Richard Nguyen Sloniker in Village Theatre’s *Sense and Sensibility* (2023). Photo by Angela Sterling.

Alegra Batara, Sunam Ellis, Josh Kenji, and Lindsay Welliver in Village Theatre’s *Sense and Sensibility* (2023). Photo by Angela Sterling.

Lindsay Welliver and Calder Shilling in Village Theatre’s *Sense and Sensibility* (2023). Photo by Angela Sterling.

Lindsay Welliver and Alegra Batara in Village Theatre’s *Sense and Sensibility* (2023). Photo by Angela Sterling.

Role	Name
Marianne Dashwood	Alegra Batara
Sir John Middleton / Mrs. Ferrars / Thomas / Gossip	Nick DeSantis*
Mrs. Dashwood / Anne Steele / Gossip	Sunam Ellis
Margaret Dashwood / Lucy Steele / Gossip	Sophia Franzella
Mrs. Jennings / Gossip	Suzy Hunt*
Fanny Dashwood / Lady Middleton / Doctor / Gossip	Jonelle Jordan
John Willoughby / Lady Middleton / Gossip	Josh Kenji
Colonel Brandon / John Dashwood / Gossip	Richard Nguyen Sloniker*
Edward Ferrars / Robert Ferrars / Lady Middleton / Gossip	Calder Shilling
Elinor Dashwood	Lindsay Welliver
—	—
Undeerstudies
Elinor Dashwood / Fanny Dashwood / Lady Middleton / Doctor / Gossip	Shanna Allman
Marianne Dashwood / Margaret Dashwood / Lucy Steele / Gossip	Cheyenne Barton
Colonel Brandon / John Dashwood / Sir John Middleton / Mrs. Ferrars / Thomas / Gossip	Nik Doner
Edward Ferrars / John Willoughby / Lady Middleton / Robert Ferrars / Gossip	Michael Wu
Mrs. Dashwood / Anne Steele / Mrs. Jennings / Gossip	Annie Yim
—	—
Stage Manager	Shay Trusty*
Assistant Stage Manager	Annika Evens
Production Assistant	Ana Sepehri
Director	Jes Spencer
Playwright	Kate Hamill
Scenic Designer	Parmida Ziaei
Sound Designer	Tosin Olufolabi
Lighting Designer	Amiya Brown
Wig Designer	Kaleena Jordan
Choreographer	Kathryn Van Meter
Costume Designer	Danielle Nieves
Assistant Director	Bretteney Beverly
Associate Lighting Designer	Casey Price
Dramaturg	Marquicia Dominquez
Fight Choreographer	Alyssa Kay
Assistant Scenic Designer	Lex Marcos
Dialect Coach	Gin Hammond
Intimacy Director	Kathryn Van Meter
Costume Stitchers	Meagan Kirby Kali Pohle

* The Actors and Stage Managers are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window – Play – Intiman Theatre and The William’s Project

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window play at Erickson Theatre w/ Intiman Theatre and The William’s Project. Well-written dialogue & strong acting. Intellectual, artsy, & bohemian in an NYC way.

Synopsis from the Theatre: It’s Greenwich Village in 1964, and Sidney Brustein’s living room is the place to be. The neighborhood bohemians gather here to drink, listen to records, and argue about politics, art, and sex. Soon, Sidney stumbles into owning a local newspaper and the arguments become more heated. With a marriage on the rocks, no money, and friends advocating for different causes, this aging idealist is forced to decide what he truly believes. Brimming with humor and pulling no punches, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window asks us all: how much are you willing to sacrifice to live your ideals?

Reviewed Performance: 2/9/23 on opening night

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: No – It was a lot of talking, which I usually don’t like but I still enjoyed the play because of the good scenes, writing, and acting.

Recommendation: See it if you don’t hate plays with a lot of talking and little action.

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.25 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 6

Total Number of Actors: 7

Length (Including Any Intermission): A whopping 3 hours!

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

Scenes: There were countless powerful scenes in this production partly because of brilliant writing and partly because of good execution. Many of the scenes were monologue-like breaks. My favorite was probably Alton’s (Chip Sherman’s) tense commentary about how African Americans have been accepting the scraps from white people for years. Iris’s (Caitlin Duffy’s) description of the actor’s audtion process was also memorable with her strangely vivid storytelling.
Waterfall: There was a neat waterfall at the beginning of the second act that added artistic value to the production.
Costumes: The sparkly dresses that Iris and Gloria wore were stunning.

Rant(s)

Press Ticket/Media: I contacted Intiman Theatre twice for a possible press review ticket and for production photos but I did not receive any response. UPDATE 3/4/23: After I posted this review, the Intiman Instagram account messaged me how to get added to the press list.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Message: The playwright Lorraine Hansberry left a rich fodder for analysis with quotable lines and powerful scenes. But I couldn’t grasp any cohesive central moral of the play. Was it a nihilistic commentary about the futility of idealism and altruism?
Sign: If the sign was important enough to mention in the play’s title, what did the sign symbolize? Failed idealism?
Cutting Remarks: While I love watching cutting insults on-stage, why was Sidney such a dick to Iris?
Intellectuals: Was it just me or were the characters (Sydney in particular) reminiscent of pretentious highbrow hipsters who only listen to records, only drink single malt whisky, and are blissfully unaware of their privilege?

Theatre Company: Intiman Theatre and The William’s Project

Venue: Erickson Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1524 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Price: Cheap to Medium-Expensive

Ticket Affordability Options: The ticketing website offers honor code discount options for students, military, industry, … or anybody. There are also 20 free rush tickets 1 hour before each performance.

Dates: February 7 to 25, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: It’s Capitol Hill … so good luck. Try to take the bus. The cheapest parking I could find was $10 on Harvard Avenue west of Seattle Central College.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: See TikTok video below

Cast and Production Team: See after video

@showsiveseen “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window” #play at Erickson Theatre w/ #Intiman Theatre & The William’s Project. Well-written dialogue & strong acting. #Intellectual, artsy, & #bohemian in an NYC way. “I just want something to happen in my life.” Review: showsiveseen.com/3891 #theatre ♬ Conspiracy Theory – Cali Rodi

Role	Name
Sidney Brustein	Max Rosenak*
Alton Scales	Chip Sherman
Iris Parodus Brustein	Caitlin Duffy*
Wally O’Hara / Max	Holiday*
Mavis Parodus Bryson	Alexandra Tavares*
David Ragin	Lee Lebreton*
Gloria Parodus	Francesca Root-Dodson*
—	—
Director	Ryan Guzzo Purcell
Playwright	Lorraine Hansberry
Scenic and Costume Designer	An-Iin Dauber
Lighting Designer	Geoff Korf^
Sound Designer	M.L. Dogg ^
Production Stage Manager	Laurel Nichols*
Assistant Stage Manager / Covid-19 Safety Manager	Nik Nolen

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in USA
^Member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE