November 2024 – Shows I've Seen

Shubert Brothers & Beyond – Tour – Review – Broadway Up Close

@showsiveseen "Shubert Brothers & Beyond" walking #tour from @Broadway Up Close. A mix of history & storytelling w/ an insider's interesting perspective on #NYC's rich theatrical heritage. The 1st stop of my 1st (gasp!) pilgrimage to #Broadway. #showsiveseen #theatre ♬ Ok I Like It – Milky Chance

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Shubert Brothers & Beyond walking tour from Broadway Up Close. A mix of history and storytelling with an insider’s interesting perspective on NYC’s rich theatrical heritage. The first stop of my first (gasp!) pilgrimage to Broadway.

Recommendation:
See it.

My Synopsis: A walking tour of the Broadway theatres primarily owned by the Schubert Organization located in the middle portion of the theatre district.

Synopsis from the Company: Our SHUBERT BROTHERS & BEYOND TOUR will explore all of the Broadway theaters in the middle of the Broadway theatre district from 44th Street to 46th Street. As Times Square transformed from an area full of manure and horse stables to one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world, a battle for Broadway was brewing between a group of theatrical titans and three scrappy brothers with the last name of Shubert. Set against the backdrop of Broadway’s most famous theaters, tour-goers will hear about the Shubert Brothers who monopolized Broadway against all odds with the help of an awkwardly named architect. Add in the true origins of the Tony Awards and rarely heard stories from famous musicals ranging from Oklahoma! to Hamilton and we promise you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for just how far Broadway has come over the past 100 years. Utilizing iPads chock full of rarely seen photographs and videos from years of research, tour-goers will see Broadway’s past and present merge before their eyes. Each Green Team Guide is a professional actor or stage manager who will interweave their personal stories to provide an up close glimpse at the life of a theatrical artist.

Type: Walking Tour

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but it probably makes more sense sequentially to start with their Broadway Beginnings tour.

Union Actors: One – The tour guide was a member of the Actor’s Equity Association

Perceived Pace: Medium speed

Length: 1.75 hours and 0.5 miles

Was This the First Time I Attended This? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? I would attend a different tour from this group. I’m particularly interested in the first tour of the series Broadway Beginnings or the interior theatre tour Hudson Up Close.

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

Company: Broadway Up Close

Location: The Theatre District at 44th, 45th, and 46th streets starting at Lyceum Theatre and ending at Times Square

Price Range: $41 for the regular public tour. Additional price options are available for children and for private tours.

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https://www.broadwayupclose.com/shubertbrothersandbeyond

Pictures: See pictures below by Sascha Reinking.

Preview Post – Happy Christmas, Jeeves – Play – Taproot Theatre

Congrats to Taproot Theatre on the opening night of their Happy Christmas, Jeeves world premier play. Performing until 12/31/24. Stay tuned for my full review! #xmas #holiday #holidays

Final Full Review: https://www.showsiveseen.com/happy-christmas-jeeves-play-review-taproot-theatre/

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/happy-christmas-jeeves/

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Primary Trust – Play – Review – Seattle Rep

@showsiveseen Eboni Booth’s "Primary Trust" #play by @Seattle Rep. Starring Stephen Tyrone Williams. Featuring @Justin Huertas on the keys, guitar, cello, ukelele, etc. Must be nice to have an imaginary friend like @Andrew. Script w/ heart & beautiful characters portraying universal human experiences. Only 4 more performances left till 11/27 closing. Review: showsiveseen.com/10431 Director: Kaytlin McIntyre Stage Manager: @Melissa Hamasaki #theatre #showsiveseen #growth #friendship #connection #babySteps ♬ Only Human – Acoustic – Ryan Mack

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Eboni Booth’s Primary Trust play by Seattle Rep. Starring Stephen Tyrone Williams. Featuring Justin Huertas on the keys, guitar, cello, ukelele, etc. Must be nice to have an imaginary friend like Andrew Lee Creech. Script with heart and beautiful characters portraying universal human experiences.

Recommendation:
See it.

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): An awkward man in a sad lonely repetitive existence with an imaginary friend is forced to take baby steps to grow and come out of his shell.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Kenneth has lived his entire life in the same small town. Every day he works at the bookstore, then shares happy hour Mai Tais with his best friend. And so what if his best friend is imaginary? Every day is the same, just the way Kenneth likes it—until he is laid off and his world is turned upside down. Thrown out of his comfort zone, Kenneth must find the courage to face his biggest fear: change. This 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner and intimate, offbeat new comedy by Eboni Booth tells a surprising story about one man’s leap of faith and the friends he makes along the way.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: None

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes, there was live instrumental music from Justin Huertas

Union Actors: All

Total Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 90 minutes

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No, but it was good

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Imaginary Friend: Although it was a coping defense mechanism (and honestly a mild psychotic break), having an imaginary friend like Bert (played by Andree Lee Creech) must be nice – a personal cheerleader and confidant all in one.
Cast Doubling: Allyson Lee Brown and Rob Burgess masterfully curated a diverse range of characters to life. Rob first portrayed a grumpy boss with a heart of gold, then shifted to a kind supervisor bank manager still stuck reminiscing about his college football days, before switching gears to play a dainty waiter. One of the funniest moments was when Allyson had a lively argument with herself, seamlessly switching between her roles as Corrina and her coworker Duncan.
Script: At first, the script seemed to meander about nothing, but it gradually blossomed into a beautiful exploration of universal human experiences—loneliness, loss, grief, trauma, separation anxiety, and fear of change. I loved was how it encouraged taking baby steps toward growth, stepping out of your comfort zone, and putting yourself out there in the hope of genuine human connection, fulfillment, and success.
Live Music: The live instrumental music was a nice touch to the play, and of course, I’d always prefer it instead of a recorded track. Additionally, Justin Huertas is incredibly talented with his many musical abilities. But I question whether the live music was a necessary expense for this production. Honestly, the experience wouldn’t have been diminished without it. And I say this as someone who hates attending musicals without live accompaniment.
Favorite Line: “That man [Stephen King] doesn’t want me to sleep with the lights off.”

Rant(s)

Bell: The bell sound effect between scenes might have been slightly overplayed.

Theatre Company: Seattle Rep

Venue: Leo Kreielsheimer Theater at Seattle Rep

Venue Physical Address: 155 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

Price Range: $60-85

Ticket Affordability Options: See the theatre’s official pages about discounts and pay-what-you-can performances

Dates: October 24 to November 27, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: There are paid lots and paid street parking. I usually park on Mercer to the West of 1st Ave. There’s usually also plentiful street parking around Safeway. If there’s an event in Seattle Center or Climate Pledge Arena, street parking is usually limited and much more expensive.

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Bronwen Houck.

Cast and Production Team: See pictures below.

Justin Huertas in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Scenic design by An-lin Dauber. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Stephen Tyrone Williams and Allyson Lee Brown in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Justin Huertas and Stephen Tyrone Williams in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Andrew Lee Creech, Stephen Tyrone Williams, and Rob Burgess in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Stephen Tyrone Williams, Andrew Lee Creech, and Rob Burgess in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Andrew Lee Creech, Stephen Tyrone Williams, and Allyson Lee Brown in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Stephen Tyrone Williams in *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Scenic design by An-lin Dauber. Photo by Bronwen Houck.

Credits for *Primary Trust* (2024) at Seattle Rep. Photo from Encore Spotlight.

Edgar & Annabel – Play – Review – Pony World Theatre

@showsiveseen Sam Holcroft's "Edgar & Annabel" #play by Pony World Theatre at 12th Ave Arts. Seamless coordination between what's real vs fake. "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" or "Alias" vibes. Begins with a novel optional interactive spy remedial training. Tickets selling out w/ only 4 more performances left till the 11/30/24 closing! Review: showsiveseen.com/10433 Director: Charlotte Peters Stage Manager: Kimberly Le #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Play Pretend – bby ivy

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Sam Holcroft’s Edgar & Annabel play by Pony World Theatre at 12th Ave Arts. Seamless coordination between what’s real vs fake. Mr. & Mrs. Smith or Alias vibes. Begins with a novel optional interactive spy remedial training. Tickets selling out with only 4 more performances till the 11/30/24 closing!

Recommendation:
See it.

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A spy couple strugges to balance their real personal life vs their fake professional life. But at what cost? Is it worth it?

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Conscientious recycling, karaoke parties, home cooked meals: Edgar and Annabel enjoy the perfect, middle-class marriage. And they can keep it if no one finds out they’re actually Nick and Marianne, two resistance fighters who assume fake identities to avoid the detection of an Orwellian government. With every moment of their lives literally scripted to support the subterfuge, the slightest surprise puts them and their whole organization at risk. When rewrites and improvisations throw their plans into chaos, they wont know who they can trust least of all each other. A darkly comedic spy thriller, Edgar & Annabel explores the lines between public and private, asking what we would sacrifice to stay free. Prior to performance of this riveting tale, the audience is invited to arrive early to participate in a collection of puzzles meant to train the next generation of Agents tasked with seeking out subversive elements. This training is available as early as 7:00pm, with cohorts of recruits allowed into the theatre roughly every ten minutes until the start of the show. While these puzzles are optional and merely observing is perfectly allowed, PWT encourages everyone to arrive early to take advantage of the full experience.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Only 2-3

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: None

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Union Actors: 0

Total Actors: 7

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 80 minutes

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No, but it was good

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Real vs Fake Life: The script and actors expertly switched between portraying what the spy characters wanted to show to their enemies versus revealing to the audience their true emotions. It was as if they were performing for two audiences: the one watching in the theatre and the one monitoring them through surveillance.
Interactive Training: Before the main performance, audience members were encouraged (but not required) to participate in mock spy remedial training exercises that consisted of audio surveillance, a cluster scan, and a crime scene investigation. While I personally don’t gravitate to interactive theatre (pillow princess here!), Seattleites and Portlanders people would eat this up. I will say that the crime scene investigation answers were impossible!

Theatre Company: Pony World Theatre

Venue: 12th Ave Arts

Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Price Range: $24

Dates: November 1 to November 30, 2024

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Even if you can find street parking, it often costs more than some parking lots. I highly recommend the paid lot at 1300 E Olive St with the entrance on 14th Ave.

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Pictures: See production pictures below.

Cast and Production Team: See pictures below.

Yellow Face – Play – Review – Roundabout Theatre Company’s Todd Haimes Theatre

@showsiveseen David Henry Hwang's "Yellow Face" #play at @Roundabout Theatre Company starring Hollywood celebrity, @Daniel Dae Kim. Delightful Asian father portrayal by Francis Jue. We laughed, fumed, & cried. Performing till 11/24/24. Review: showsiveseen.com/10365 Photos: Joan Marcus Director: Leigh Silverman Stage Managers: Charles Means & Janet Takami #theatre #showsiveseen #broadway #yellowFace #asian ♬ People Like Us – Revel Day

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face at Roundabout Theatre Company starring Hollywood celebrity Daniel Dae Kim. Delightful Asian father portrayal by Francis Jue. We laughed, fumed, & cried. Performing till 11/24/24.

Recommendation:
See it, especially if you’re Asian. Like most theatre productions, there were sadly few Asians in the audience despite being an Asian-themed play!

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Autobiographical account of David Henry Hwang’s experience with historical yellow face casting controversies in the NYC theatre scene.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Broadway’s new triumph is the New York Times Critic’s Pick, the “relevant, insightful, and very funny” (Greg Evans, Deadline) Broadway premiere of Yellow Face. Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-O) heads the cast of Tony Award® winner David Henry Hwang’s hilarious is-he-or-isn’t-he comedy of identity, show business, and (perhaps) autobiography, directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman (Violet, Suffs). Kim stars as an Asian American playwright who protests yellowface casting in the blockbuster musical Miss Saigon, only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. The repercussions resonate wildly in this laugh-out-loud farce about the complexities of race that “builds to a climax of startling power” (Daniel D’addario, Variety).

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: To appreciate the story fully, you’ll need to know about the NYC theatre scene in the 1990s and late 1980s. I’m curious if this play would do well outside NYC since most audience members outside NYC will not be familiar with some references.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Union Actors: All

Total Actors: 7

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 1.5 hours

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

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Scenic Design: I’m always a fan of modern minimalism. It was reminiscent of an even more minimalist version of Company‘s scenic design. Arnulfo Maldonado uniquely designed two L-shaped shadowbox-like structures that rotated to indicate location changes in the story.
Projection Design: Yee Eun Nam presented newspaper articles in a visually appealing way.
Reporter: The scene between David (played by Daniel Dae Kim) and the reporter (played by Greg Keller) was well-written and skillfully executed as a great “fuck you!” moment for people with a public platform. I’m so curious how much of that account was historically accurate. I already feel a bit betrayed by a major plot point that the script later conceded wasn’t real.
Jane Krakowski: Marinda Anderson’s(?) impersonation of Jane Krakowski was spot on, at least compared to the Ally McBeal version.
Emotional Response: As an Asian American, I felt the indignation of the cultural appropriation and microaggressions toward Asians. My dad, too, was moved to tears by other portrayals toward the end of the show. They say that great art should evoke emotion, and this piece certainly did!
Favorite Line: Something like “Did you catch your [non-Asian] boyfriend put butter on his rice?”

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Commentary on Yellow Face Casting: The script presented some interesting points in defense of yellow face casting. But it was hard to determine what the Asian American playwright David Henry Hwang actually intended to convey on his stance. Additionally, the show started out as a preachy morality play seemingly written for the playwright’s vain commentary, but the show eventually hit its stride and became entertaining.

Theatre Company: Roundabout Theatre Company

Venue: Todd Haimes Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 227 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Venue Classification: Broadway

Price Range: $58-348 plus the ticketing fees if you’re not buying at the box office.

Ticket Affordability Options: Download the TodayTix app for digital rush tickets. You can only purchase the digital rush tickets on the app and not the website. You can also likely buy discount tickets at the TKTS booth like I did.

Dates: September 13 to November 24, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

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