Review – Page 5 – Shows I've Seen

Unrivaled – Play – Review – Seattle Public Theater & SIS Productions

@showsiveseen Rosie Narasaki's "Unrivaled" #play by @seattlepublictheater & SIS Productions. #Rival #frenemy writers in classical #Japan! Endearing empress portrayal from Adele Lim. Ending next weekend 6/2! #showsiveseen #theatre #poetry #haiku #asian #japanese ♬ Confidence (sped up – full song) – Ocean Alley

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Rosie Narasaki’s Unrivaled play by Seattle Public Theater and SIS Productions. Rival frenemy writers in classical Japan! Endearing empress portrayal from Adele Lim. Ending next weekend 6/2. #poetry #haiku #asian #japan #japanese

Recommendation
See it if you’re familiar with Japanese history, you’re a Japanophile, or you want to support Asian American live theatre.

Synopsis from the Theatre: 11th century ladies-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon are, to this day, two of Japan’s most beloved writers. They also kind of hated each other. Unrivaled is about friendship, heartbreak, and what it means to be a female artist. And no matter how much things change, the more they stay the same… even after a thousand years.

Attended Performance Date: 5/10/24 – 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 the show closes 6/2.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re familiar with Japanese history.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

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? No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Empress Teishi: Adele Lim portrayed an endearing nice-girl Empress Teishi, with energy similar to her previous role as an endorphin-overloaded sentient cloud in Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea. I also loved the Sailor Moon-like hairpiece in her Unrivaled costume.

Rant(s)

Floor Sitting: I know it’s customary to portray traditional Japanese characters sitting on the floor, but it’s difficult for the audience to see lower actors. I suggest that they elevate the stage one foot higher.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Hand Fans: The frequent handheld fan usage gratuitously milked the non-Asian perception of cliche Japanese culture. However, I’m not Japanese (but I am Asian), so if this hand fan overuse is an accurate depiction of Japanese culture, leave a comment on my social media!
Crab Mentality: The story reminded me of crab mentality, which is basically a zero-sum competitive mindset that resents others’ successes rather than supporting and celebrating them. This mindset is prevalent in some Asian cultures. I blame our tiger (grand)parents!
Betrayal: I wish the script explored the betrayal theme more. That’s when the storyline was getting delicious!

Theatre Company: Seattle Public Theater and SIS Productions

Venue: Greenlake Bathhouse Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 7312 West Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.seattlepublictheater.org/current-production

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select $10 price-accessible seats on the ticketing website.

Dates: May 10 to June 2, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Free plentiful parking lot of Greenlake Park, which is adjacent to the theatre.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Kathy Hsieh and Rick Wong.

Pearl Lam & Adele Lim. Photo by Kathy Hsieh.

Alanah Pascual & Pearl Lam. Photo by Kathy Hsieh.

Alanah Pascual & Pearl Lam. Photo by Rick Wong.

Alanah Pascual, Pearl Lam, & Adele Lim. Photo by Rick Wong.

Letters of Suresh – Play – Review – ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani

@showsiveseen "#Letters of Suresh" #play by ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani starring Nirvan Patnaik. Ends 5/18! #showsiveseen #theatre #origami #penpals ♬ Letter – Jarell Smalls & Company

Recommendation
See it if you like introspective thinking, soliloquies, religious discourse, sermons, audio books, or podcasts.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Intimate mysteries are revealed as a quartet of souls yearning for connection are brought together through extraordinary correspondence. Across time and oceans, these strangers share letters of faith, letters of family, and letters of love … haunted by a city once destroyed by war. Don’t miss this companion play to ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER!

Attended Performance Date: 5/11/24 – 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 the show closes this weekend.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Few

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re familiar the previous play Animals Out of Paper.

Defined Plot/Storyline: No, it was mostly reciting messages to each other.

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed

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? No

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Actor Interactions: There was uniquely very little interaction between actors in this play, like a show full of soliloquies. I think there was only one brief scene where the script prompted the characters to actually talk directly to each other through a phone call.

Theatre Company: ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani

Venue: 12th Avenue Arts

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

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.reacttheatre.org/

Dates: April 24 to May 18, 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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https://www.reacttheatre.org/

Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Quinlan Corbett.

Marianna de Fazio as Amelia in LETTERS OF SURESH. Photo by Quinlan Corbett.

Mona Leach as Melody in LETTERS OF SURESH. Photo by Quinlan Corbett.

Stephen Sumida as Father Hashimoto in LETTERS OF SURESH. Photo by Quinlan Corbett.

Nirvan Patnaik as Suresh in LETTERS OF SURESH. Photo by Quinlan Corbett.

The Lehman Trilogy – Play – Review – ACT Theatre

@showsiveseen Stefano Massini's "The Lehman Trilogy" epic 3-act #play at @acttheatre starring Brandon J Simmons, Bradford Farwell, & Robert Pescovitz. #Lehman Brothers' fascinating rise from humble slavery-tainted beginnings to late-stage capitalism. Convincing accents & cast doubling. Closes this wknd! #theatre #showsiveseen #LehmanBrothers #jewish #BaruchHashem #capitalism #bank #banking #finance Review: showsiveseen.com/8525 Photos: @rosemarydaiross ♬ Looking for a man tima remix – Tima Pages

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Stefano Massini’s “The Lehman Trilogy” epic 3-act play at ACT Theatre. Lehman Brothers’ fascinating rise from humble slavery-tainted beginnings to late-stage capitalism. Convincing accents & cast doubling. #LehmanBrothers #jewish #BaruchHashem #capitalism #bank #banking #finance

Recommendation
See it, especially if you’re okay with epic 3-act shows.

Synopsis from the Theatre: The Tony Award®-winning Best Play comes to Seattle after a triumphant run on London’s West End and Broadway. The Lehmans began as many American immigrants did in the 19th century: on a cold dock in New York City in 1844 as a young Jewish man enters his new country for the first time. Joined by his two brothers, they live the American Dream: from humble beginnings to outrageous success. 163 years later, that legacy—The Lehman Brothers—comes crashing down, triggering the largest financial crisis in history. How? Why? This extraordinary feat of storytelling invites us to question what success is worth, how legacy is defined, and what we value in the wake of devastating collapse.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 5/2/24 – 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 you tickets now since the show closes this weekend.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Mostly, yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this more if you’re familiar with the Lehman Brothers collapse during the Great Recession.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 3

Perceived Pace of the Show: The play started slow while introducing a single character for several minutes with the typical energy of a one-person show. A good play hooks the audience at the beginning, but this one did not. When the two remaining actors entered the stage, the show picked up the pace. But after the second act, the sheer epic length slowed it down again!

Length (Including Any Intermission): A whopping 3.5 hours!

Was there an intermission? Two

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

Philip Lehman: Philip Lehman (played by Robert Pescovitz) was delightfully pragmatic and cold like a robot. Some may view his personality as calculating or controlling, but I saw him as an inspiration. He wouldn’t let emotions get in the way of progress.

Rant(s)

Air Conditioner: Turn on the A/C! I’m reminded of ACT Theatre’s A Christmas Carol when they didn’t turn on the heater.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

New York City: Maybe it’s my jealousy of not living in “The Big Apple,” but this is the first time I was a little annoyed by the way plays and musicals idolize New York City. We get it … everywhere else is trash!
Great Recession: I was surprised that the play didn’t focus more on the 2008 financial crisis.
Jewish References: The script was quite heavy on Jewish references compared to what’s usually in live theatre. That would be fine if the main intent of the play was to showcase Jewish American culture. If that was not the main intention, then the references should be more subtle to not distract from the main messages. Without this subtlety, the play just becomes a Jewish show like Fiddler on the Roof. I don’t remember much about Fiddler on the Roof except that there were a bunch of Jewish themes. Interestingly enough, The Lehman Trilogy playwright was Italian!

Theatre Company: ACT Theatre

Venue: The Falls Theatre at ACT Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 700 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://acttheatre.org/2023-24-season/the-lehman-trilogy/

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the theatre’s official discounts page.

Dates: April 26 to May 19, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

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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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Brandon J Simmons. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Brandon J Simmons, Bradford Farwell, & Robert Pescovitz. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Robert Pescovitz, Bradford Farwell, & Brandon J Simmons. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Brandon J Simmons, Robert Pescovitz, & Bradford Farwell. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Bradford Farwell, Brandon J Simmons, & Robert Pescovitz. Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross.

Aladdin – Musical – Review – Paramount Theatre

@showsiveseen @Disney's "#Aladdin" #musical at Paramount Theatre w/ @Seattle Theatre Group & @BwayAmerica starring Adi Roy & @senzel 🫶🏼. @Marcus M. Martin's #Genie gave Robbin Williams a run for his money. Clever comedic relief jokes w/ Middle Eastern references. Closes on 4/28! #theatre #showsiveseen #princessjasmine #disney @Disney on Broadway ♬ Friend Like Me (From "Aladdin") – Geek Music

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Disney’s Aladdin musical at Paramount Theatre w/ Seattle Theatre Group & Broadway Across America starring Adi Roy & Senzel Ahmady. Marcus M. Martin’s Genie gave Robbin Williams a run for his money. Clever comedic relief jokes with Middle Eastern references.

Recommendation
See it, especially if you enjoyed the movie.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Attended Performance Date: 4/24/24 – Get you tickets now since the tour is only in-town for one week till 4/28/24.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? No

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this more if you’ve seen the original film.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: 31

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast 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? No, I saw the national tour in 2017, also at Paramount Theatre. Plus, I saw the movie countless times.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Two times seeing the national tour is probably enough for me. But obviously, the production value is inherently good since it’s a national tour.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Cave of Wonders: The show’s energy felt off a couple of times in the beginning until the cave of wonders segment. The scene had a dazzling set, an alluring premise, and tap dance! It was an entertaining introduction to the Genie character (played by the delightful Marcus M. Martin).
Comedic Relief: The jokes were funny … if not a bit corny. One of my favorites was “She [Princess Jasmine] is a beauty what with the hair and the belly button.” Most other jokes were Middle Eastern-themed (like “Tom, Dick, and Hassim”) that frequently mentioned Arabic food.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

“Price Ali” Song: This would have been a better pre-intermission showstopper than a second act opener.
“Proud of Your Boy” Song: Every time they sang this song, I kept thinking about how the Proud Boys adopted it as their anthem. It’s ruined for me!
Dance Synchronicity : Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the last national tour (MJ: The Musical) that I saw at the Paramount Theatre, but it felt like the choreography could have been tighter.
Honest Guards: The guards could have rubbed the lamp when it was handed to them at the end!
“A Whole New World” Song: It was definitely not as epic as the movie’s classic hit song. But the magic carpet stage effects was pretty cool to see. Side note, the magic carpet could be likened to a car. How high school cliche is it for a girl to fall for a guy after she finds out he has a new fancy car!

Theatre Company: National Tour Brought by Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway Across America

Venue: Paramount Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://seattle.broadway.com/shows/disneys-aladdin/.

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: April 24 – 28, 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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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Deen van Meer.

Senzel Ahmady and Company in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Marcus M Martin and Company in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Jake Letts, Ben Chavez, Adi Roy, Colt Prattes in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Arabian Nights Men in *Aladdin* on Broadway. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Anand Nagraj and Aaron Choi in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Adi Roy in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

English – Play – Review – ArtsWest & Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble

@showsiveseen Sanaz Toossi's #English #play at ArtsWest w/ Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble starring Vahishta Vafadari. Clever accent switching dramatic device. Thoughtful contrasting commentary on ethnic/racial identity in an English-dominated global society. Closes this weekend. Sold out, waitlist only! #ethnicity #race #language #ESL #theatre #showsiveseen #TOEFL #iranian #Farsi #Parsi #Persian #bilingual #identity #accent ♬ Get Ready – SUPER-Hi & NEEKA

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): English play at ArtsWest w/ Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble. Clever accent switching dramatic device. Thoughtful contrasting commentary on ethnic/racial identity in an English-dominated global society. Closes this weekend. Sold out, waitlist only! #ethnicity #race #language #ESL #theatre #showsiveseen #TOEFL #iranian #Farsi #Parsi #Persian #bilingual #identity #accent

Recommendation
See it if either 1) you’re bilingual, 2) you have immigrant connections, 2) or you’re okay with plays that are mostly dialogue and less action.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Two words set in motion award-winning playwright Sanaz Toossi’s intricate and profound New York debut: “English Only.” This is the mantra that rules one classroom in Iran, where four adult students are preparing for the TOEFL — the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Chasing fluency through a maze of word games, listening exercises, and show-and-tell sessions, they hope that one day, English will make them whole. But it might be splitting them each in half.

Attended Performance Date: 4/19/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Since the remaining show run (ending 4/28/24 this weekend) is sold out, read how to join the waitlist here.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One – a classroom

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this more if you’re not Caucasian American/British/Commonwealth.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not really. It was more a collection of exercises and discussions in a classroom throughout a semester.

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 5

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 1.5 hours

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? No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Accent Switching: In the first scene, I immediately noticed the actors delivered their lines switching between an Iranian and an American accent. Initially, I thought this was bad acting and breaking character. But after a couple of minutes, I realized their American accent portrayed that they were speaking Farsi (Persian) while their Iranian accent portrayed that they were speaking English. This novel approach effectively conveyed distinct languages to an English-speaking audience without using subtitles.
Recording: Another clever theatre device was the English recording the Iranian characters listened to. The recording was intentionally difficult for the audience to understand. This effectively portrayed how non-English speakers hear English.
Ethnic Identity: As a second-generation immigrant, it was comforting to observe the dynamic commentary on internalized racism, the subsequent resentment of colonialism, and ethnic identity. It brought to light many conscious and unconscious questions I asked myself while growing up in the USA as a child of first-generation immigrant parents. Like why does the English accent of my people sound ugly? Why are all the “desirable accents” from Caucasian countries? If I was born in the USA, why do I still sometimes feel like a foreigner? What would it be like to live outside this ethnic limbo since I didn’t grow up with people who look like me? What would it have been like to grow up in a society where I was part of the majority? Similarly, one of the play’s characters posed the question, what would global society be like if the Persian empire was still the dominant superpower?
Favorite Line: “Our mothers get to name us. Not foreigners.” This quote reminds me of immigrants who have an American name in addition to their original name.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Unanswered Questions: I still don’t understand why the teacher Marjan (played by Vahishta Vafadari) left the UK and Omid (played by Emon Elboudwarej) left the USA.

Theatre Company: ArtsWest and Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble

Venue: ArtsWest

Venue Physical Address: 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

Price: Cheap to Medium

Tickets: The remaining show run is sold out! See how to join the waitlist here.

Dates: April 4 – 28, 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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