Dacha Theatre – Shows I've Seen

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Julia Izumi’s play “Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea” by Dacha Theatre at the lawn/park behind UW’s Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater. Later at Port Townsend’s Chetzemoka Park. Directed by Kate Drummond. Playful ode to Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Complete with a sentient cloud & a talking cow. #littleMermaid #theLittleMermaid #HansChristianAndersen

Synopsis from the Theatre: The Little Mermaid is Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved and well-known fairy tale, which is why it’s NOT the story our friend, Dolan, is going to tell you today. No, he’s going to tell you the story about a Little Rain Cloud who falls in love with a human. They are not the same story at all, he swears. Julia Izumi’s brilliant play is a collision of multiple narratives, framed as a sort-of retelling of The Little Mermaid that erupts into a voyage through Hans Christian Andersen’s tempestuous real-life relationships. Brimming with heartfelt candor, Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea is a deep-sea dive into what love really looks like.

Reviewed Performance: 7/21/23 (Opening Night) – Sorry for the late review! Work has been completely bonkers.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this more if you’re familiar with Disney’s or Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.”

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes, but it was 2-3 concurrent stories.

Recommendation: See it if either

You enjoy quirky and playful shows
You like shows that frequently break the 4th wall
Maureen was your favorite character from Rent
You’re young or young at heart

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Probably not

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4 stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 8

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast

Length (Including Any Intermission): 1.75 hours

Intermission: No

Theatre Company: Dacha Theatre

Venue Physical Address:

UW’s Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater: 47.66044278872487, -122.3078706833984 GPS coordinates
Port Townsend’s Chetzemoka Park: 1000 Jackson St, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Price: Cheap to Medium

Ticket Affordability Options: Pay-what-you-will options as low as $5

Dates:

UW’s Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater: July 21 to August 6, 2023
Port Townsend’s Chetzemoka Park: August 11 to August 13, 2023

Seating: General Admission

Parking:

UW’s Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater: UW neighborhood street parking is horrible. Just give in and park in the UW N5 parking lot (47.66024585621801, -122.30889530684898 gps coordinates) for $6.50.
Port Townsend’s Chetzemoka Park: No idea. I’ve never been to Port Townsend!

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

https://www.dachatheatre.com/sometimestherain.html

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video by Brett Love.

@showsiveseen Julia Izumi's #play "Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea" by Dacha Theatre at the lawn/park behind @UW Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theater. Later at Port Townsend's Chetzemoka Park. Directed by Kate Drummond. Playful ode to Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." Complete with a sentient cloud & a talking cow. Photos: Brett Love. Review: showsiveseen.com/6241 #littleMermaid #theLittleMermaid #HansChristianAndersen #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ SUMMERTIME – Madi Rindge

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): An Incomplete List of All the Things I’m Going to Miss When the World is No Longer: w/ Dacha Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. Experimental abstract allegorical musical about a house party rager before the end of the world. Very open to interpretation. #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: An Incomplete List of All the Things I’m Going to Miss When The World is No Longer: is an electro-synth musical at the end of the world. Following a global announcement of the exact time Earth, as we know it, will cease to exist, a community of young queer friends and lovers decide the only reasonable thing would be to gather together for one last rager. This musical invites you into a glance at the last party on Earth–interwoven through a retrospective of cherished and tragic memories–to celebrate and mourn the delights and deceptions of the human experience.

Reviewed Performance: 1/29/23 Evening on Opening Weekend – Sorry for the late review. I’ve been busy with my dad in town.

Type: Musical – This is uncommon for abstract experimental shows, which are usually plays instead

World Premiere: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: No – It was a mix of past, present, and maybe imagined vignettes.

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Recommendation: See it if 1) you’re into abstract, experimental shows that are open to interpretation 2) or you liked Arlington.

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Equity Actors: None

Number of Actors: 14

Length (Including Any Intermission): A little less than 2 hours. The show either needs to be shorter or needs to include an intermission!

Intermission: No

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Coveralls: Was there any symbolism behind all the boilersuits? Or am I too far removed from what’s fashionable these days? Major “coolaid and sneakers cult” vibes!
Out of Tune?: One of the actors sang out of tune and I was wondering if it was intentional or not because of the allegorical nature of the musical.
Audience Participation: Before the musical started, cast members filtered into the theatre like it was a house party. They interacted with the audience in character asking “Do you know this band that’s playing?” or “Who do you know anybody at this party?” I actually didn’t realize one of the people talking to me was an actor at first! If you don’t want to interact with the cast before the show starts, just glue your eyes to your phone. 🙂 Additionally, halfway through the show, they asked all audience members to join on-stage if they wanted to. Half the audience acquiesced, and the cast continued to perform to the remaining audience members in their seats, which could be awkward if only one person decided to stay in their seat!
Moral of the Story: What was the message? I always struggle to grasp this in shows that are very abstract and experimental. Leave a comment in my social media post links below about what you think it is!

Theatre Company: Dacha Theatre

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

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

Price: Cheap

Ticket Affordability Options: Every performance is pay-what-you-can. You can pay $1-50 per ticket online. It’s all honor system. The standard price is $35.

Dates: January 27 – February 11, 2023

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Paid street parking is usually available north of the theatre on the hill close to the park. There’s also paid parking lots nearby as well.

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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Other Video +/- Pictures: See below pictures under video and in video by Brett Love

@showsiveseen “An Incomplete List of All the Things I’m Going to Miss When the World is No Longer:” w/ @dachatheatre at Theatre Off Jackson. #Experimental #abstract #allegorical #musical about a house #party #rager before the end of the world. Very open to interpretation. Review + Photo Credit: showsiveseen.com/3731 #theatre ♬ Out of My Mind – Dylan Rockoff