Review – Page 7 – Shows I've Seen

Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: Together Again, Again! – Review – Cabaret Drag Show – Seattle Rep

@showsiveseen "Together Again, Again" #cabaret #drag show at @Seattle Rep. An aged @Jinkx Monsoon & #majorScales bury the hatchet & reunite one last time decades into the future after an alien apocalypse! Closes this weekend. #lgbt #gay #dragShow #showsiveseen #theatre #camp #campy #pride Review: showsiveseen.com/8701 Photos: Nate Watters Stage Manager: @Shay Trusty ♬ Creep – Jinkx Monsoon

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Together Again, Again cabaret drag show at Seattle Rep. An aged Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales bury the hatchet & reunite one last time several decades into the future after an alien apocalypse! Closes this weekend. #lgbt #gay #dragShow #camp #campy #pride

Recommendation
See it if you enjoy drag or cabaret.

Synopsis from the Theatre: They’re getting too old for this skit. The year is 2065. The sun has exploded, a dystopian nightmare has been realized, and the world has been taken over by aliens. Aging stars Jinkx Monsoon (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and Major Scales aren’t on the best of terms, but decide to put their falling-out behind them for a final reunion extravaganza. From the creators of 2014’s crowd favorite The Vaudevillians, experience the comedy, music, and saucy stylings of two of the Pacific Northwest’s standout entertainers.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 6/5/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Buy your tickets now since the show run ends this weekend.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: One or two scenes

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One – a stage

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: Yes, there were several references to celebrities and other drag queens. You’d probably enjoy this show more if you follow RuPaul’s Drag Race TV show.

Defined Plot/Storyline: No

Live Band/Orchestra: Major Scales played the piano and there was some background recording.

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 2

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 100 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? No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Singing: I find it refreshing when drag queens don’t lip sync and actually sing well. As a musical show lover, they won me over with an opening “Hello Jinkx-y!” (inspired by Hello Dolly!) and a cute “(You’re) Timeless To Me” rendition (from Hairspray).

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Drag Resemblance: Jinkx Monsoon’s aged portrayal reminded me of Adele, Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, and Bette Midler’s Winifred Sanderson witch from the Hocus Pocus movie.

Theatre Company: Seattle Rep

Venue: Bagley Wright Theater at Seattle Rep

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

Price: Starts at $50

Tickets: https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202324-season/together-again-again/

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

Dates: May 31 to June 23, 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 pictures below and in video above by Nate Watters.

Major Scales and Jinkx Monsoon in *Together Again, Again!* (2024). Photo by Nate Watters.

Jinkx Monsoon in *Together Again, Again!* (2024). Photo by Nate Watters

Major Scales in *Together Again, Again!* (2024). Photo by Nate Watters.

Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position – Play – Review – Taproot Theatre

@showsiveseen Margaret Raether's "Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position" #mystery #play at @TaprootTheatre. Strong cast doubling & comical portrayals from Nathan Brockett & Sophia Franzella. Audible gasps from the audience during the unexpected twists at the end! #showsiveseen #theatre #sherlockholmes ♬ Retro Shimmy – Amy Rider

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position mystery play at Taproot Theatre. Strong cast doubling and comical portrayals from Nathan Brockett & Sophia Franzella. Audible gasps from the audience during the unexpected twists at the end! #sherlockholmes

Recommendation
See it, especially if you enjoy British comedy or mystery plays.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Corsets, crowns, and a missing royal jewel set the stage for a battle of wits in this tale of deception, suspense, and deduction. When the bookish Perkins sisters approach Sherlock Holmes with a case, they unveil a theatrical scheme of encyclopedic proportions. Four actors play multiple characters and the mystery turns deadly.

Attended Performance Date: 5/18/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? There was a small rotating stage device that allowed distinctly transitioning between scenes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Equity Actors: 2

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, but it was good

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: $25-62

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/sherlock-holmes-and-the-precarious-position/

Dates: May 15 to June 22, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Robert Wade Photography.

Nathan Brockett and Sophia Franzella in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position at Taproot Theatre*. Photo by Robert Wade.

Calder Jameson Shilling and Nathaniel Tenenbaum in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position at Taproot Theatre*. Photo by Robert Wade.

Calder Jameson Shilling with Nathaniel Tenenbaum and Sophia Franzella in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.

Nathaniel Tenenbaum and Calder Jameson Shilling in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.

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.