Crave – Play – Review – Intiman Theatre

@showsiveseen "Crave" #avantGarde #abstract #play by @Intiman Theatre at Erickson #Theatre Off Broadway. Loved the water & shadow box aperture scenic design by Jennifer Zeyl. Impressive script memorization. Elegant, #poetic execution. Closes next weekend! #showsiveseen ♬ Good Things – ESPER

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Crave avant garde abstract play by Intiman Theatre at Erickson Theatre Off Broadway. Loved the water & shadow box aperture scenic design by Jennifer Zeyl. Impressive script memorization. Elegant, poetic execution.

Recommendation:
See it if you either enjoy 1) analyzing poetry/literature, 2) visiting modern art museums, 3) or watching weird experimental plays like Washington Ensemble Theatre’s Arlington.


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

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Describing this play is a challenge, since it is an abstract, experimental work without conventional storytelling. The narrative (if you can call it that) is elusive. As someone who typically engages with theater on a more surface level, it was impossible for me to grasp the script’s deeper meanings. The performance featured four actors, who delivered their random lines directly to the audience in a poetic manner while hardly looking at each other. The experience was beautifully designed, but the overall impact was more sensory than narrative. It was akin to an art installation that I didn’t understand at a museum.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Love, loss, sex and desire play across the stage in this poetic and deeply personal play from legendary playwright Sarah Kane, returning to Seattle nearly two decades after it last stunned audiences as one of the first productions from Washington Ensemble Theatre (WET). For this revisiting of the material, Intiman will bring together many of the original artists for an encore production, including Roger Benigton, Marc Kenison (Waxie Moon), and Marya Sea Kaminski. Intiman Artistic Director Jennifer Zeyl, will once again design the set, having won the Stranger Genius Award in 2006 for her original design. Peer deep inside the mind of four fragmented and fractured characters as they strive to find peace and connection in a lonely world. A visceral and transcendent experience that will leave you breathless.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: One continuous scene

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One ambiguous location

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’ll enjoy this play more if you have a strong ability to interpret the deeper meanings of an art piece – whether in literature, poetry, paintings, music, etc.

Defined Plot/Storyline: No

Union Actors: 3

Total Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 50 minutes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Scenic Design: The scenic design by Jennifer Zeyl was the highlight of this production. It brought to mind the set of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” music video, with its modern aesthetic. I’m always drawn to shadow box apertures on stage, like those in Village Theatre’s Cinderella or the national tour of Company, and Zeyl’s design didn’t disappoint in that regard with a giant shadow box where most of the acting took place.

    The reflective floor, which at first glance appeared to be a mirror, turned out to be a pool of water. I didn’t realize this until the first third of the play when the pool was disturbed, creating mesmerizing ripples that projected beautiful patterns on the ceiling. I’m sure lighting designer Jessica Trundy played a major part in this masterful execution.

    After a dramatic curtain fall (a theatrical element I always appreciate), performers waded into the water and interacted with it, nearly splashing us in the front row! I couldn’t help but worry about the risks for the actors what with all the electronics and lighting equipment just inches away from the reflecting pool.

    The use of water in this production also reminded me of Intiman Theatre’s The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window from 2023, which featured a waterfall. It seems that this theatre company gravitates towards aquatic scenic design motifs.

  • Setting the Stage: The opening moments of the play began with the lights gradually dimming to black at a deliciously glacial pace, accompanied by a soundscape designed by Matthew Starritt. This simple “overture” was surprisingly a heady, meditative, and peaceful experience, setting a tone of anticipation and calm before the performers began.
  • Memorization: The script demanded extraordinary memorization abilities from the performers due to its lack of a clear linear plot or chronological structure. In addition to its fragmented nature, the fast-paced call-and-response exchanges between the actors and the fact that they rarely made eye contact added to the challenges. As Alexandra Tavares (who played “M”) aptly mentioned during the talk-back, the script was particularly tough to memorize because it lacked any “connective tissue” between the lines.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Character Names: The characters were named “A,” “B,” “C,” and “M” played by Lathrop Walker, Christopher Morson, Marya Sea Kaminski, and Alexandra Tavares respectively. What is the significance of “M” not being “D?” Leave a comment in my social media if you have any ideas.
  • Cassette Tape: The characters occasionally interacted with a tape recorder and a cassette tape, which made me wonder if younger audience members (especially Gen Z) would even recognize these props. How much longer will these items remain relevant in theatre? It reminded me of the corded phone as a key plot device in ACT Theatre’s Stew, which was another example of how quickly technology can feel outdated on stage.

Theatre Company: Intiman Theatre

Venue: Erickson Theatre Off Broadway

Venue Physical Address: 1524 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Price Range: $65-80

Ticket Affordability Options: The ticketing website offers honor code discount options for students, military, industry, … or anybody! They also offer 20 free rush tickets 1 hour in-person before each performance.

Dates: 2/11/25 to 3/2/25

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: It’s Capitol Hill so street/lot/garage parking is expensive. Street parking is even sparser than downtown! Ironically, the uncovered parking lots on Harvard Avenue across Seattle Central College are cheaper than street parking. I highly suggest taking public transit if possible.

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Joe Moore.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Lathrop Walker, Christopher Morson. Photo by Joe Moore.
Lathrop Walker, Christopher Morson, Alexandra Tavares, Marya Sea Kanminski Photo by Joe Moore.
Christopher Morson, Alexandra Tavares, Marya Sea Kanminski, Lathrop Walker. Photo by Joe Moore.
Lathrop Walker, Marya Sea Kanminski, Alexandra Tavares, Christopher Morson. Photo by Joe Moore.
Marya Sea Kaminski, Lathrop Walker, Christopher Morson, Alexandra Tavares. Photo by Joe Moore.
Lathrop Walker. Photo by Joe Moore.
Marya Sea Kaminski (center) Alexandra Tavares, Christopher Morson, Lathrop Walker. Photo by Joe Moore.
Credits from the Encore program.

Preview Post – Crave – Play – Intiman Theatre

Happy opening weekend to Intiman Theatre’s Crave abstract experimental play production at Erickson Theatre Off Broadway. Performing till 3/2/25. Stay tuned for my full review!

Tickets: https://www.intiman.org/crave-2/

Final Full Review: https://www.showsiveseen.com/crave-play-review-intiman-theatre/

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Preview Post – Tennessee Rising: The Dawn of Tennessee Williams – Play – Intiman Theatre Cabaret

Happy opening night to Jacob Storms’ Tennessee Rising – The Dawn of Tennessee Williams one-person play production at Intiman Theatre Cabaret. Don’t wait for my full review to buy your tickets if you want to see this show since there are only 2 more performances left!

Tickets: https://www.intiman.org/tennessee-rising/

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The Lower Depths – Play – Review – Intiman Theatre & The Seagull Project

@showsiveseen "The Lower Depths" #play by @Intiman Theatre & The Seagull Project at Erickson #Theatre Off Broadway. Desolate portrayal of society's miserable underbelly & squalor. Closes this weekend! Adapted from Maxim Gorky's masterpiece. Review: showsiveseen.com/8027 Photos: Joe Moore Director: Gavin Reub Stage Manager: Emily Doorenbos #showsiveseen ♬ Empty – Letdown.

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Lower Depths by Intiman Theatre & The Seagull Project at Erickson Theatre Off Broadway. Desolate portrayal of society’s miserable underbelly & squalor. Closes this weekend!

Recommendation
See it if you enjoyed Arlington (which incidentally also featured Kiki Abba) or the dystopian aspects of Les Misérables.


Synopsis from the Theatre: In the basement of the exploitative King family live nine people on the edge of the world. Card sharps, artists, sex workers, and more make up this dynamic cast of characters, whose dreams and realities bump against the low ceiling society has built for them. When a stranger arrives with a message of hope, their situation is challenged and their lives upended. An ensemble of fourteen actors paint a vivid portrait of life in the margins of society. Love, poverty, addiction, loss, and healing play across the stage in this contemporary adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s classic play. The Lower Depths was first produced by the Moscow Art Theatre on December 18, 1902, where it was directed by Konstantin Stanislavsky. It is Gorky’s best known play and is now a hallmark of Russian realism.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 2/8/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since the show ends this weekend!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: A couple

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Two

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but I imagine you’d appreciate this more if you’re familiar with the original play by Maxim Gorky.

Defined Plot/Storyline: This play was more dialogue with less action and less story.

Equity Actors: A whopping 10!

Total Number of Actors: 14

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium 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? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Dawn: I enjoyed Dawn’s (played by Esther Okech) character the most. Her visual stark transformation in the 1st act was unexpected and she said a poignant statement towards the effect of “If I’m such a burden to society, why do I feel so weighed down.” Plus, I’m always of fan of dramatic dishware smashing.

Theatre Company: The Seagull Project and Intiman Theatre

Venue: Erickson Theatre Off Broadway

Venue Physical Address: 1524 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Price: Cheap to Expensive

Tickets: https://www.intiman.org/depths/

Ticket Affordability Options: The ticketing website offers honor code discount options for students, military, industry, … or anybody. They also offer 20 free rush tickets 1 hour in-person before each performance.

Dates: February 6 to February 24, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: It’s Capitol Hill … so good luck. Try taking the bus. Ironically, the lots on Harvard Avenue across Seattle Central College are cheaper than street parking. Geeez!

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Joe Moore.

Miguel Castellano and Alexandra Tavares in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.
Julie Briskman and Tyler Polumsky in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.
Charles Leggett and Julie Briskman in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.
Amy Thone in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.
Amy Thone and Sharva Maynard in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.
Amy Thone, Antonio Mitchell, and Tyler Polumsky in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.
Amy Thone, Antonio Mitchell, and Tyler Polumsky in The Lower Depths. Photo by Joe Moore.

Preview Post – The Lower Depths – Play – Intiman Theatre & The Seagull Project

The Lower Depths play opening night at Intiman Theatre. Performing until 2/24/24. Stay tuned for my full review!

Final Full Review (Posted 2/21/24): showsiveseen.com/8027

Tickets: https://www.intiman.org/depths/

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