Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring Varun Kainth & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia
Recommendation: See it if you’re okay with 2-person shows with mostly dialogue.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two guards at the Taj Mahal grapple with enforcing the barbaric oppressive edicts of their authoritarian autocratic regime. In the end, they face the ultimate dilemma.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: In 1648 India, two Imperial Guards watch from their post as the sun rises for the first time on the newly-completed Taj Mahal—an event that shakes their respective worlds. When they are ordered to perform an unthinkable task, the aftermath forces them to question the concepts of friendship, beauty, and duty, and changes them forever. GUARDS AT THE TAJ is one of Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s seminal works.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Weekend 9/14/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. This show closes on 10/6/24!
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Few
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few
Static (Stationary) Set? Yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate this more if you’re familiar with Indian history. I was not and I kept wondering “Holy crap, did these historical events really happen?!”
Defined Plot/Storyline: It was more dialogue than story.
Equity Actors: 0
Total Number of Actors: 2
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium
Was there an intermission? No
Length (Including Any Intermission): Less than 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
Mainstream Appeal: Low to medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Traditional Live Music: Sampada Bhalerao played the sitar while Jayant Bhopatkar played the tabla before the show and during the show. They also added some mild sound effects as well during the play.
Theatre Company: ArtsWest and Pratidhwani
Venue: ArtsWest
Venue Physical Address: 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Price Range: $46
Dates: September 12 to October 6, 2024
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: There are paid lots and free street parking. I usually park on 44th or 45th Ave behind the theatre.
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@showsiveseen Selina Fillinger's "#POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are 7 #Women Trying to Keep Him Alive" #comedy#play at @acttheatre. Smartly written, engaging, and sharp dialogue. Absolutely likeable characters. Lots of laughs & reactions from the audience. I'd like to imagine the 45th #president's staff was like this. Review: showsiveseen.com/9746 Director: Jillian Armenante Stage Manager: Jamie J. Kranz #showsiveseen#theatre#presidency♬ Vote or Die – Anthony Kapfer
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Selina Fillinger’s POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are 7 Women Trying to Keep Him Alive comedy play at ACT Theatre. Engaging, smartly written, sharp, vulgar dialogue. Absolutely likeable characters. Lots of laughs & reactions from the audience. I’d like to imagine the 45th president’s staff was like this.
Recommendation: See it, especially if you enjoy political presidential TV shows like Veep, Scandal, or Commander in Chief.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Hijinks ensue as 7 women struggle to prevent presidential scandals.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: The comedic sensation comes to Seattle and delivers a riotous punch as it unveils the story of seven extraordinary women tasked with managing the antics of the most powerful man in the world. From PR nightmares to global crises, these brilliant and VERY different women navigate a maze of chaos, risking everything to uphold sanity and stability in the White House. Fueled by Selina Fillinger’s sharp wit and biting satire, this Tony-nominated play offers an unforgettable tribute to the unsung heroes behind the political curtain.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 9/12/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Show closes on 9/29/24!
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple locations around the White House
Static (Stationary) Set? Mostly yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You should be remotely familiar with USA politics
Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes with slightly heavier emphasis on dialogue
Equity Actors: 6
Total Number of Actors: 7
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 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 to high
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Good Hook: The play started with Harriet (played by Anne Allgood) exclaiming “Cunt!” That sure grabbed the audience’s attention! Strangely, “cunt” and “cunty” have become more mainstream curse words in the past decade’s zeitgeist. Ironically, I feel like this is due to more female empowerment. Maybe it’s like how the LGBT community reclaimed the word “queer.” Pretty soon, “cunt” will be as popular as “dick.” Now that’s shattering the glass ceiling! 😛
Dusty: Dusty (played by Carly Corey) reminded me of the endearing Elle Woods sorority president from Legally Blonde.
Technical Difficulty Diversion: Towards the end of the play, the stage rising mechanism failed. Oh, the magic of live theatre! Usually, the audience just sits there quietly, but people started yelling out things like “How’ve y’all been?” “How about that debate?” and “They’re eating dogs and cats!” Eventually, the director (Jillian Armenante) walked on-stage and lead an impromptu Q&A like JoJo Siwa. I actually thought it was part of the show at first! In the end, the technical crew finally fixed the malfunction and Jillian jumped around the fixed stage then purposely magnificently collapsed at the center to make sure the platform would support the actors adequately. I enjoyed her impromptu diversion more than the the alternative of sitting around doing nothing while waiting for the fix. However, repeatedly asking the technical crew, “Have you fixed it yet?” was like a kid asking, “Are we there yet?” It won’t speed things up!
Rant(s)
Off-stage Character: There was an odd moment in the play when Chris, the reporter and working mother played by Ayo Tushinde, delivered a lengthy tirade directed at a younger upstart male coworker who was off-stage. This interaction felt out of place because it was the only instance when a character spoke to someone in front of them who wasn’t physically present on stage. Additionally, the script expected the audience to fill in the blanks for the man’s response. The fact that he wasn’t even a significant character made the scene weirder. The dialogue would have been better as a phone call and not a face-to-face (or “face-to-nothing?”) confrontation.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Secretary: At first, Stephanie (the presidential secretary played by Annette Toutonghi) was my favorite character. Her overtly timid demeanor valiantly trying to become more assertive was amusing. However, her character’s development descended into a gratuitous spectacle for cheap slapstick laughs.
Script Progression: Similarly, the script initially featured incisive, engaging dialogue that captivated the audience with its crude wit. However, the play devolved into chaotic scenes aimed at eliciting cheap laughs. While the first act maintained a sense of plausibility and vibrant comedy, the second act became implausible cacophony. Where was the Secret Service and video surveillance?!
Theatre Company: ACT Theatre
Venue: The Gregory A. Falls Theatre at ACT Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 700 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. If I don’t walk to this theatre, I park in the old convention center garage with the entrance between Seneca and Pike. There is indoor access from the garage to the theatre if you walk through the old convention center.
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Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Damn Yankees musical by Reboot Theatre Company & Theatre Off Jackson. Starring Jessie Selleck & Vincent Milay. Delightful choreography by Mackenzie Malhotra. Wonderful “A League of Their Own”-like costumes & baseball player ensemble.
Recommendation See it, especially if you like baseball.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): An older man makes a deal with the devil (hence “damn” in the title) to become a young baseball superstar so he can win the pennant for his favorite team.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Put summer into extra innings with Reboot Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Damn Yankees! This sporty musical comedy is a true American classic, packed with baseball, unforgettable music, high-energy dance, and devilish charm. Don’t miss Reboot’s twist on this Broadway mega-hit! Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd, trades his soul to the Devil, also known as Mr. Applegate, for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young baseball sensation, Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life that he’s left behind.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 9/6/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Show closes on 9/21/24!
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, but you might enjoy this more if you’re familiar with baseball.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: None
Total Number of Actors: 15, which is pretty large for such a small stage
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Yes
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Songs and Choreography : There were many memorable songs, such as “You’ve Gotta Have Heart,” “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo,” “The Game,” “Two Lost Souls,” and “Six Months Out of the Year.” This was largely due to Mackenzie Malhotra’s choreography and the exceptional baseball player ensemble. Of course, the well-crafted music played a significant role as well.
Devil and Gags: Mr. Applegate (the devil character played by Vincent Milay) was comedically well-written and well-executed. Additionally, the script contained several cute jokes related to the Satan or hell. For example, Mr. Applegate couldn’t swear on the bible in court because it burned him. Or when someone asked him “Are you anybody?” he replied “not a soul.”
Costumes: Chloe Cook designed nostalgic women’s baseball player outfits similar to the costumes in A League of Their Own movie as shown below.
Rant(s)
Sound Balancing: It was difficult to hear some solo performers since they sang too soft and there were no microphones.
Resolutions (No Spoiler): The script resolved some conflicts at the end unsatisfyingly. The solutions felt random and lazily conceived.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Gender-conscious Casting: Like their previous shows, Reboot Theatre Company cast several roles with performers differently gendered than the original characters. Interestingly, their characters also often didn’t conform to traditional gender roles. For example, female performers played male baseball players characters but still sometimes acted feminine. They wrapped their hair in a towel in the locker room or screamed excitedly after a game like “woo girls.” It was certainly a show full of gender bending.
Vocal Range: I was a little worried that that the gender inclusive casting would force the performers to sing unnaturally and unpleasantly too high or too low. Fortunately, I didn’t hear any weird vocal ranges in this production. It made me wonder if they transposed any songs.
Temperature: I was also worried about attending this show on a hot day. As I’ve often mentioned in the past, Theatre Off Jackson is too hot in the summer. Fortunately, the A/C valiantly and successfully cooled the room adequately during the performance.
Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre Company and Theatre Off Jackson
Venue: Theatre Off Jackson
Venue Physical Address: 409 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Price Range: $30
Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $5 inclusion rate on the ticketing website
Dates: September 6 to 21, 2024
Seating: General Admission
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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Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Harry Turpin’s & Stacie Hart’s Come On, Get Tappy! world premiere musical by Outrage Onstage at SecondStory Repertory. I’d like to think Shirley Temple’s life behind the scenes was as campy & sensational as this.
Recommendation See it if either 1) you enjoy camp 2) you want to support community theatre 3) or you want to support new theatre works.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Hijinks ensue when an unexpected villain threatens the natural order of a Shirley Temple-style variety show.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: The “Tappy McCrackin Variety Hour” is the biggest hit show network television has ever seen. A pint-sized girl named Tappy McCrackin is the singing, dancing star of it all – but she’s collected a dangerous enemy in her rise to the top. As the show prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a huge spectacle performance to be broadcast live in every living room in America, danger lurks in the wings. Villains, friends, and lovers find themselves in a chaotic scene when disaster strikes the studio – right before the big show. As the cameras roll, who will help her save the day?
Attended Performance Date: 8/29/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Show closes on 9/15/24!
Type: Musical
World Premiere: Yes
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple
Static (Stationary) Set? Mostly yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: None
Total Number of Actors: 16, which is pretty large for such a small stage
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Costumes: For a non-Equity show, I was surprised with the diverse sizable costume selection curated by costume designer Kristin Haskins. What a spectacle!
Fish Sponsor Gag: Regarding the fish-related sponsor mentioned in the script, the advertisement songs that played in the background before the show and during intermission were a nice touch.
Tappy Shrine: Another impressive attention to detail was the extensive “Tappy McCrackin Discovery Gallery” shrine in the theatre lobby. It featured wall art, headlines, and memorabilia that showcased Tappy’s fictional career over the years. The intermission might not be long enough to fully explore all the intriguing lore!
Tap Dancing: I absolutely love watching tap dancing in musicals. The mention of “tap” in the title actually initially drew me to see this show. However, while the production featured more tap dancing than most musicals, I was still expecting even more given the name of the titular main character. Side note, the “saluting” dance routine from choreographer (also the co-creator and director) Harry Turpin reminded me of the classic “Anything Goes” song with Sutton Foster.
Rant(s)
Mic-ing: Some dialogue and lyrics were difficult to understand. It could have been different microphone models, suboptimal microphone placement, inconsistent microphone usage, soundboard operation, or something else. I’m fairly certain I missed background story that was integral to the plot because of this.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Second Act Script Development: The second act script, particularly the latter half, unfortunately fell prey to a common theatre issue where it feels less developed compared to the first act. This portion of the script could benefit from additional reworking and refinement.
Theatre Company: Outrage Onstage and SecondStory Repertory
Venue: SecondStory Repertory
Venue Physical Address: 7325 166th Ave NE Ste F250, Redmond, WA 98052
Price Range: $35
Dates: August 23 to September 15, 2024
Seating: General Admission
Parking: Free lot or free garage parking provided by the Redmond Town Square outdoor mall where the theatre company resides.
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@showsiveseen @Peter Pan the Musical family-friendly #musical national tour from @Seattle Theatre Group & Broadway Seattle at the Paramount. Starring @nolan and @Cody Garcia. Impressive stage magic with aerial flying, fairy effects, shadow tricks, and beautiful projections that would certainly fill children & adults with wonder. Closes 8/25. Review: showsiveseen.com/9499 Director: Lonny Price Stage Manager: Megan Belgam & Kendall Stevens Conductor: Jonathan Marro #theatre#showsiveseen#peterPan#Neverland#CaptainHook♬ I Won't Grow Up – The Fools
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Peter Pan family-friendly musical national tour from Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway Seattle at the Paramount. Starring Nolan Almeida and Cody Garcia. Impressive stage magic with aerial flying, fairy effects, shadow tricks, and beautiful projections that would certainly fill children and adults with wonder. Closes 8/25.
Recommendation See it if you enjoy kid-friendly musicals or you want to take your kid to the theatre.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): It’s the classic story of Peter Pan, the magical boy (accompanied by his fairy Tinkerbell) who never grows up. He flies Wendy and her brothers to Neverland, where they encounter the lost boys, Tiger Lilly with her indigenous gang, and Captain Hook with his pirate band.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: This high-flying musical has been thrilling audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The adventure begins when Peter Pan and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. This extraordinary musical full of excitement and adventure features iconic and timeless songs including “I’m Flying,” “I Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up” and “Neverland.” PETER PAN embraces the child in us all so go on a journey from the second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning – your entire family will be Hooked!
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 8/21 – Buy your tickets now since the show closes on 8/25!
Type: Musical
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several
Static (Stationary) Set? No, it was dynamically changing
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re already familiar with the classic tale in any iteration. I personally saw the Disney film and the movie Hook.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: All
Total Number of Actors: 24
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours, which might be too long for a show targeted to kids
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Stage Magic:
Aeriel Flying: This production expertly incorporated aerial flying throughout the show starting with Peter Pan’s glitter filled grand entrance. The actors seamlessly transitioned between flying and walking. The aeriel flying would surely fill children with a sense of wonder. I certainly personally wondered when they found the time to unobtrusively attach and detach their flying cables on-stage in the middle of scenes!
Fairy Effects: This production portrayed the Tinkerbell fairy well with “simple” little light bulbs, which often required coordination between actors and some lite puppetry skills.
Shadow Tricks: Peter Pan’s shadow was so convincing. It “moved” scenery pieces like a picture frame and curtains. I didn’t even realize it wasn’t Nolan Almedia’s actual shadow until the last half of the scene. Tight synchronicity!
Projections: Thankfully, the projections weren’t an overused crutch like I’ve often seen in other shows. The projections augmented the flying scene spectacularly. However, it was a cop out to portray the actors in the projections during part of that scene. The vibrant realistic backgrounds blended well with the physical scenery pieces. They sometimes created wonderful transitions between settings like the jungle and ship. However, there were a few moments where movement was obvious cheesy fake CGI like water splashes, flying birds, and falling leaves.
Scenic Design: I love the lush, vibrant green motif, especially the beautiful jungle sets.
Bookends: Peter Pan’s visits to the real world nursery at the beginning and end of the show mirrored each other well.
Pirates: Cody Garcia and Kurt Perry flamboyantly portrayed Captain Hook and Smee respectively. It was cleaver to see their band of pirates as an actual music band.
Rant(s)
Kid Friendly: This is probably the most childish show I’ve seen from Broadway Across America in Seattle, San Antonio, and Houston … even more than any Disney national tour musical! I guess this is appropriate if you’re taking kids to the theatre. But it will definitely turn off childless grinch patrons like me. A part of me thinks this show is better suited for professional children’s theatre (like Seattle Children’s Theatre) instead of the Paramount. Adults acting childish with exaggerated movements (when theatre movements are already inherently exaggerated) is not my cup of tea. I also generally detest seeing elementary school children on stage since they typically milk the cuteness factor, which distracts from their actual performing talent.
Dying Scene (No Spoiler): Because I detested the childish elements of this show, I was drawn (like a pendulum thirsty for grown-up theatre) to the most solemn scene in the show when a character was dying. But they ruined the moment by breaking the fourth wall (vomit) and resolving it with a family-friendly pantomime cop out. Die Mufasa!
Moon: WTF was the talking moon? That random transient character was uncalled for and unnecessary. It shattered the suspension of disbelief. Get out of here!
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Mermaid: Unlike most Peter Pan story iterations, there were no mermaid characters in this script. Even the Peter and the Starcatcher prequel included mermaids!
Score: The songs were fine, but not iconic. They were well-performed, but not inherently memorable. The kid-friendly nature didn’t help things out either. For example, I wasn’t a fan of Disney-like “Friends Forever” and that god-awful song about crowing. Speaking of Disney, I wish they could include some Disney Peter Pan songs like “You Can Fly.”
Indigenous Theme: I noticed that Larissa FastHorse (who is Native American) was credited for book modifications to the 1954 script. I’m so curious how drastic her changes were to the portrayal of indigenous characters. I remember in my woke 2024 hindsight that the Disney film was racially problematic.
Tiger Lilly: Tiger Lilly’s (played by Raye Zaragoza) song lines were often in a lower alto-ish range. With most female leads singing soprano, I wonder what the reason for this musical decision was. Side note, Raye Zaragoza in this role strangely reminded me of Jennifer Garner in the movie 13 Going on 30.
Theatre Company: National Tour Brought by Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group
Venue: Paramount Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
Price Range: $40 to 135 plus the insane Ticketmaster fees. Buy your ticket at the box office to avoid most of the Ticketmaster fees. Down with the Ticketmaster Live Nation monopoly!
Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are eligible for an organization discount.
Dates: August 21 to August 25, 2024
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.
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