Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Corinne Park-Buffelen’s and Mathew Wright’s Snowed In lite holiday show at ArtsWest. Intimate Xmas musical revue with clever songs between sketches. Cozy set with warm lights.
See it if you’re looking for a lite Christmas show.
Synopsis from the Theatre: ArtsWest has sent four incredible artists on a cozy retreat to write the most perfect holiday show the world has ever seen. But when a blizzard hits and tensions rise, the crumpled up notebook pages start to pile up even faster than the snow. Will they finish the show in time? Or will they have to rely on a sprinkle of holiday magic to pull the whole thing off?
Inspired by classic holiday TV specials and musicals about putting on a musical, witness the birth of a new Seattle theater tradition as four of the city’s most beloved musical theater stars take you on a journey of song, dance, friendship, family, and the true meaning of the holidays.
Featuring original music by Rich Gray, Corinne Park-Buffelen, and David Taylor Gomes & original musical arrangements by Riley Brule, Aaron M. Davis Norman, and David Taylor Gomes
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 12/9/23 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts so you see earlier notification of shows I’ve seen.
Type: Musical Revue w/ Sketches
World Premiere: Yes
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: One – the living room of a remote cabin
Static (Stationary) Set?: Yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably enjoy this more if you’re familiar with holiday cliches.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Not really
Live Band/Orchestra: Live accompaniment on the piano from associate music director Riley Bruley
Equity Actors: 2
Total Number of Actors: 4
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
- “Happy Being Hosted”: My favorite song was this early jazzy number sung by Sarah Russell and written by Richard Gray about preferring to be a lazy guest than a host. I could totally relate!
- “Joy to The World”: Aaron Norman’s arrangement of this classic song exuded Sister Act energy.
- “The Perfect Christmas Song”: Corinne Park Buffelen’s and David Taylor Gomes’s song was a good deconstruction of cliche Christmas songs.
- “In the Bleak Midwinter”: At first, I thought this song was an original parody of biblical Christmas songs. But I discovered in the program that it was actually an old traditional song later arranged by David Taylor Gomes.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
- “Your Recipe is Perfect to Me”: Throughout this entire cabaret-like song, I thought it was strictly about fruitcake but the characters later alluded that the song was about gays. I’m such an oblivious gay! Now I wish I could hear it again.
Theatre Company: ArtsWest
Venue: ArtsWest
Venue Physical Address: 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Price: Cheap to medium
Tickets: https://www.artswest.org/events/snowed-in/
Dates: November 30 to December 23, 2023
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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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video and in video
Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and/or video below
@showsiveseen @Coco P-B's & Mathew Wright's "Snowed In" lite #holiday show at ArtsWest. Intimate #xmas #musical #revue w/ clever songs between sketches. Cozy set w/ warm lights. Review: showsiveseen.com/7665 #Christmas #theatre #showsiveseen Director: Kelly Kitchens Musical Director: @David Taylor Gomes ♬ O Christmas Tree (a) – Stuart Roslyn, Matthew James Foundling
| Role | Name |
| Performers | Rachel Guyer Mafune Christian Quinto Nik Hagen* Sarah Russell* |
| — | — |
| Director | Kelly Kitchens |
| Associate Music Director & Pianist | Riley Brule |
| Choreographer | Shadou Mintrone |
| Concept and Book | Matthew Wright (Artistic Director) Corinne Park-Buffelen |
| Composers | Rich Gray, Corinne Park-Buffelen, & David Taylor Gomes |
| Stage Manager | Leila Cheung* |
| Additional Music Arrangements | Aaron M Davis Norman |
| Sound Designer | Spencer Behm |
| Production Technical Director | Andrew Long |
| Lighting Designer | Trevor Cushman |
| Props Master | Adair Maccormack |
| Music Director | David Taylor Gomes |
| Rehearsal Stage Manager | Christopher Kehoe |
| Costume Designer | Jae Hee Kim |
| Scenic Designer | Brandon David Riel |
| Board Operator | Daisy Bower |
| Master Electrician | Robert Mitchell |
| Scenic Charge Artist | Bella Rivera |
| Sound Technician | Conor Fortner |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Hana Oh |
| Production Manager | Zenaida Rose Smith |
| Carpenters | Michael O’Neill and Peter Ryer |
| Managing Director | Inji Kamel |
| Other Key Volunteer | Mike West |
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