Category: Reboot Theatre Company

@showsiveseen "Oliver!" #musical by @Reboot Theatre Company at Theatre Off Jackson. Novel bold English adult punk aesthetic was a refreshing contrast from the traditional casting with children. Starring @ankit_madhira as #oliverTwist. The toned Tommy Beale charismatically portrayed The Artful Dodger. Closes this weekend! #Review: showsiveseen.com/12311 Photos: Colin Madison Director: Scot Charles Anderson Music Director: Sam Peters Choreo: Annalisa Brinchmann Stage Manager: Michael Latham #CharlesDickens #Dickens #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Food Glorious Food – Peter Pan Singers and Orchestra

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Oliver! musical by Reboot Theatre Company at Theatre Off Jackson. Novel bold English adult punk aesthetic was a refreshing contrast from the traditional casting with children. Starring Ankit Madhira as Oliver Twist. The toned Tommy Beale charismatically portrayed The Artful Dodger.

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Yes, if it was a professional production

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): In search of a better life, a poor English orphan joins a gang of street urchin thieves, leading him on an unexpected journey.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre Company, in association with Theatre Off Jackson, present a bold, reimagined production of Lionel Bart’s OLIVER! with a radical new ‘Twist’. Directed by SCOT CHARLES ANDERSON (Reboot’s 110 in the Shade), music direction by SAM PETERS (Reboot’s Jesus Christ Superstar), and choreographed by ANNALISA BRINCHMANN (Reboot’s Damn Yankees, Rocky/Dance Captain).presents the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist explores themes of social inequality, exploitation, and youthful rebellion in Victorian London’s gritty underworld. Our fresh, edgy interpretation highlights identity, found family, and resilience as orphan Oliver navigates a world of pickpockets and criminals, finding unexpected friendship amidst danger.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re remotely familiar with the classic Charles Dickens tale.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: None

Total Actors: 13

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Other Rave(s)

• Punk Vibe: The costumes, scenic design, promotional artwork, and dramaturgical displays uniquely embraced a retro anarchistic English punk rock aesthetic, reminiscent of the Sex Pistols, Green Day (albeit American), or the 2021 Cruella film.
• Adult Casting: I was relieved that this production chose not to cast any child actors. I find children’s performing abilities tend to be less developed, or they rely too much on the cute factor. Traditional Oliver! productions (and similar shows like Annie) often employ child actors, but this adult casting choice adds a fresh dynamic of flipping the bird to childhood innocence. This artistic decision strangely reminded me of the hilarious “black Annie” sketch from SNL.

Rant(s)

• Vocal Range: There were multiple noticeable instances when the actors strainingly sang an octave too high or too low from their optimal vocal range. This was likely due to two factors: 1) many songs in the score were written for children’s vocal range in mind 2) and Reboot Theatre Company typically intentionally casts actors in roles that differ from the actors’ birth gender, which can sometimes affect vocal compatibility. Transposition is the key!

Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre Company

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

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

Price Range: $35

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $10 price point.

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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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://reboottheatre.org/oliver-2025
• Program

Pictures: See production pictures below by Colin Madison Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

@showsiveseen "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. Review: showsiveseen.com/9657 Photos: Colin Madison Director: Brad Lo Walker Music Direction: Aimee Hong Stage Manager: Valerie Reid #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, Mo. – 1994 Original Cast Recording – "Damn Yankees" 1994 Broadway Cast

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.

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.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://reboottheatre.org/damn-yankees-info
• https://theatreoffjackson.org/event/reboot-theatre-company/
• Program

Pictures: See pictures below by Colin Madison.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

@showsiveseen "Anyone Can Whistle" #Sondheim #musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. Starring @Anamaria Guerzon, @Rhys, & Shana Emile. The exploration of binary absolutes vs shades of grey fit perfectly with Reboot Theatre's typical nontraditional casting interpretations. Closes this weekend 3/23/24! #theatre #showsiveseen Review: showsiveseen.com/8229 Photos: Colin Madison Director: @Jasmine Joshua Stage Manager: @Jessamyn Bateman-Iin ♬ Everybody Says Don't – Barbra Streisand

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Anyone Can Whistle Sondheim musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. The exploration of binary absolutes vs shades of grey fit perfectly with Reboot Theatre’s typical nontraditional casting interpretations.

Synopsis from the Theatre: This wacky, intelligent, highly unconventional musical points ahead to Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking work in the 1970s, even as it keeps a foot firmly rooted in musical theatre’s “golden age.” Anyone Can Whistle tells the story of a corrupt mayor who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town, and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse, out to expose the fraud, and the easygoing doctor who is determined to enjoy the chaos that it brings.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/9/24 – 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 it closes this weekend on 3/23/24!

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

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 15

Perceived Pace of the Show: 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? I’d consider seeing it again as an Equity production, which is surprising since I typically dislike Sondheim musicals.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

• Ensemble Songs: The shining moments in this show were when the entire cast burst into song at the same time like in “Miracle Song” when they discovered water.

Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre and Theatre Off Jackson

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

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

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/reboottheatre/whistle

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $5 inclusion rate option on the website

Dates: March 8 to 23, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

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.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• X (Formerly “Twitter”)
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Threads

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://reboottheatre.org/
• Program

Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Colin Madison Photography.