Month: March 2024

Anyone Can Whistle – Musical – Review – Reboot Theatre & Theatre Off Jackson

@showsiveseen "Anyone Can Whistle" #Sondheim #musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. Starring @Anamaria Guerzon, @Rhys, & Shana Emile. The exploration of binary absolutes vs shades of grey fit perfectly with Reboot Theatre's typical nontraditional casting interpretations. Closes this weekend 3/23/24! #theatre #showsiveseen Review: showsiveseen.com/8229 Photos: Colin Madison Director: @Jasmine Joshua Stage Manager: @Jessamyn Bateman-Iin ♬ Everybody Says Don't – Barbra Streisand

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Anyone Can Whistle Sondheim musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. The exploration of binary absolutes vs shades of grey fit perfectly with Reboot Theatre’s typical nontraditional casting interpretations.

Recommendation
See it if either 1) you enjoyed Urinetown 2) or you want to see a whimsical Sondheim musical. Bonus points if you enjoy Sondheim’s characteristic cacophonous dissonant musical style.


Synopsis from the Theatre: This wacky, intelligent, highly unconventional musical points ahead to Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking work in the 1970s, even as it keeps a foot firmly rooted in musical theatre’s “golden age.” Anyone Can Whistle tells the story of a corrupt mayor who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town, and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse, out to expose the fraud, and the easygoing doctor who is determined to enjoy the chaos that it brings.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/9/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since it closes this weekend on 3/23/24!

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 15

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? I’d consider seeing it again as an Equity production, which is surprising since I typically dislike Sondheim musicals.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Ensemble Songs: The shining moments in this show were when the entire cast burst into song at the same time like in “Miracle Song” when they discovered water.

Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre and Theatre Off Jackson

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

Venue Physical Address: 409 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/reboottheatre/whistle

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $5 inclusion rate option on the website

Dates: March 8 to 23, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking is usually available north of the theatre on the hill close to the park. You can also try free parking on Jackson Street under/past the I-5 bridge, though it’s a dodgier area. As usual, there are paid parking lots nearby as well.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Colin Madison Photography.

Shana Emile as Cora Hoover Hooper with her Goons. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Shana Emile and June Apollo Johns. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Puppetry and the Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Miles Wingett and Cynthia Dario-Good. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
June Apollo Johns and the Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
The Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Anamaria Guerzon and the Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.

Something’s Afoot – Musical – Review – The 5th Avenue Theatre

@showsiveseen "Something's Afoot" delightful #whodunit #murder #mystery #musical #comedy at @The 5th Avenue Theatre. Luxurious velvet-like set. "Tiny Little Dinghy" song was hilarious. I was certain about the #murderer's identity until unexpectedly proven wrong in the end! Closes this weekend 3/24. Review: showsiveseen.com/8205 Photos: Tracy Martin & Mark Kitaoka Director: Bill Berry Music Director: Beth G Tankersley Stage Manager: @Erin Zatloka #theatre #showsiveseen #SomethingsAfoot ♬ Something's Afoot – Susie Blake

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Something’s Afoot delightful whodunit musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Luxurious velvet-like set. “Tiny Little Dinghy” song was hilarious. I was certain about the murderer’s identity until unexpectedly proven wrong in the end!

Recommendation
See it if you enjoy whodunit murder mystery hijinks comedy shows like Clue and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.


Synopsis from the Theatre: Prepare to laugh until it hurts with this musical spoof of the whodunit genre. Something’s Afoot pokes fun at Agatha Christie murder mysteries; ten people are stranded in an isolated country estate during a raging thunderstorm. One by one, they are picked off by cleverly fiendish devices. As bodies pile up, the survivors frantically race to solve the mystery! Join in the tomfoolery of this farcical, raucous, and outrageous play, that will appeal to lovers of shows like Arrested Development, The Office, and Schitt’s Creek

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/8/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since it closes this weekend on 3/24/24!

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Just one – the living room of an old English mansion

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but it helps to have seen some Agatha Christie plays.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but there’s only so much that can occur in a living room.

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: 10

Total Number of Actors: 10

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not, but it was good.

Rant(s)

  • Murder Explanations: When the murderer was revealed in the end, the script did not adequately explain how each murder occurred. It seemed like a cop out.

Theatre Company: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue: The 5th Avenue Theatre

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

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://www.5thavenue.org/shows/2023-2024/something-s-afoot/

Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation. They also usually offer day-of-show rush tickets.

Dates: March 1 to March 24, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest 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 (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Tracy Martin and Mark Kitaoka.

The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Anne Allgood and Sarah Rudinoff in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Brandon O’Neill and Porscha Shaw in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.

Preview Post – The Fantasticks – Musical – Village Theatre

The Fantasticks musical opening night at Village Theatre. Performing until 4/21/24 in Issaquah and 5/19/24 in Everett. Stay tuned for my full review!

Tickets: https://villagetheatre.org/shows/fantasticks/

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Luchadora! – Play – Review – Seattle Children’s Theatre

@showsiveseen Alvaro Saar Rios's "Luchadora!" #play at Seattle Children's Theatre starring Jordi Montes & Beth Pollack. Rousing fight choreography. Vibrant set, props, lighting, & costumes. Well-written and well-executed. Not just for kids! Get your tickets now since it closes this weekend on 3/17/24! Review: showsiveseen.com/8148 Photos: Truman Buffett Director: Johamy Morales  Stage Manager: Elizabeth Yvette Ramirez #theatre #showsiveseen #girlPower #feminism #wrestler #wrestling #LuchaLibre #Mexican ♬ Miedo – Rommel Hunter

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Luchadora! play at Seattle Children’s Theatre starring Jordi Montes & Beth Pollack. Rousing fight choreography. Vibrant set, props, lighting, & costumes. Well-written and well-executed. Not just for kids!

Recommendation
See it!


Synopsis from the Theatre: Transport yourself to the world of lucha libre—Mexican wrestling, with this inspired adaptation of the Chinese legend Hua Mulan. The discovery of a worn pink wrestling mask prompts Nana Lupita, a Washington grandmother, to share her coming of age story growing up in 1960s Texas. As we follow Lupita’s journey, we witness her life as a daring teen tomboy; bike riding with her friends, working at her father’s flower stand, and lucha libre. When a World Championship match is announced, Lupita’s excitement explodes; she anticipates seeing it until she discovers her ailing father is one of the wrestlers. With the help of a magical mask maker, Lupita secretly trains to take her father’s place. She soon finds it difficult keeping her secret from her friends and, most importantly, her father.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 2/23/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since it closes this weekend on 3/17/24!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? It was a static set with many dynamic elements.

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but it helps to know some Spanish expressions.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but it wasn’t linear. The story was presented in flashbacks.

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 7

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 80 minutes

Was there an intermission? No

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not, but it was good.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Universal Age Suitablity: While this play targets the teen/tween demographic, adults and younger kids can definitely enjoy it. Honestly, the show could have easily been reworked into a grown-up play. I love finding jewels like this that universally attract all ages similar to Seattle Children’s Theatre’s previous The Boy Who Kissed the Sky musical.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Magic Potion: My cynical adult side thinks the potion’s magic was just placebo effect. Either that or amphetamines!

Theatre Company: Seattle Children’s Theatre

Venue: Seattle Children’s Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 201 W Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109

Price: Medium

Tickets: https://www.sct.org/onstage/productions/luchadora-2/

Ticket Affordability Options: Each performance has a value option available online. Also check out the theatre’s discount page.

Dates: February 21 to March 17, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking or various paid parking lots/garages. Street parking is sparse when there’s a major Seattle Center or Climate Pledge Arena event. I usually find good luck with street parking around Lenny Wilkins Way next to the theatre on non-event days. I try to take the bus on event days since even the event street parking costs more than $12.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Truman Buffett.

James Schilling and Christian Zumbado in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.
James Schilling and Christian Zumbado in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.
Adria LaMorticella, James Schilling, Beth Pollack, Christian Zumbado, and Ana María Campoy in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.
Adria LaMorticella, James Schilling, Christian Zumbado, Beth Pollack, and Ana María Campoy in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.
Jordi Montes, Carter Rodriquez, James Schilling, Adria LaMorticella, and Beth Pollack in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.
Ana María Campoy, Carter Rodriquez, and Beth Pollack in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.
Adria LaMorticella, James Schilling, Beth Pollack, and Christian Zumbado in Luchadora! Photo by Truman Buffett.

Preview Post – Anyone Can Whistle – Musical – Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson

Anyone Can Whistle wacky Sondheim musical opening weekend by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. Performing until 3/23/24. Stay tuned for my full review!

Final Full Review (Posted 3/20/24): https://www.showsiveseen.com/anyone-can-whistle-musical-review-reboot-theatre-theatre-off-jackson/

Tickets: https://reboottheatre.org/

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