This Week in Arts: Weekly Roundup (2/2)
The openings have slowed down this week, giving you time to catch up on the recent wave — including some closing this week. Those eager for brand new works have a few to choose from.
Ticketing links for most shows can be found on the Performance Calendar page here.
Openings & Short Runs
ACT Theatre: Hotter Than Egypt
Another world premiere from a bold local playwright
In previews, opens 2/3, closing 2/20. In Downtown Seattle.
There are a handful or so of Seattle-area playwrights who likely always have the seeds of new works swirling around in their heads — figure Stephen Dietz, Justin Huertas, Maggie Lee, Andrew Lee Creech, and Sara Porkalob all show up on that list.
And then of course there’s Yussef El Guindi, designated a “Core Company artist” at ACT Theatre, whose new works seem to have a direct pipeline to ACT’s stages. Recent works include the daring Threesome (2015), and the more recent, somewhat less satisfying People of the Book (2019; see NWT’s review here).
El Guindi’s latest, Hotter Than Egypt, is a dramedy exploring uneven power dynamics between Western tourists and their local tour guides. As an American couple celebrates their 24th anniversary in Cairo, long-dormant troubles within the marriage bubble up, drawing their newly engaged Egyptian tour guides into the fray.
The run time of 105 minutes without intermission sounds like a slog, but Hotter Than Egypt — like all of El Guindi’s output — is surely worth a look.
Tickets $27-$50, here.
Village Theatre KIDSTAGE: I’m Doing This
A new musical on finding greatness within community
Opens 2/4, closing 2/6. In Everett.
Original works from a youth theatre program might not sound like a grand show. But the talented youth of Village’s educational programs, guided by mentors in music and writing, have a history of putting out impressive works.
I’m Doing This promises an “interwoven narrative musical” centered on an unassuming apartment complex full of people on the brink of doing something great — whether that’s working on the next big hit, drumming up the courage to ask someone out, or bettering their business.
If you’re feeling adventurous, this one is apt to be a fun show that’s out of the ordinary — who knows, maybe even great.
Tickets $22, here.
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Pacific Northwest Ballet: Roméo et Juliette (opening 2/4, closing 2/13). At Seattle Center (Mercer St.).
Bremerton Community Theatre: Death of a Salesman (opening 2/4, closing 2/27). In Bremerton.
Phoenix Theatre: 37 Postcards (opening 2/4, closing 2/27). In Edmonds.
Seattle Children’s Theatre: Red Riding Hood (2/6-3/6) (opening 2/11). At Seattle Center.
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Closing Soon
The 5th Avenue Theatre: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (closing 2/6). In Downtown Seattle. See NWT’s Quick Takes review of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ here. (“This is the rare show where that ever-present fear of missing out should be heeded.”)
Lakewood Playhouse: The Haunting of Hill House (closing 2/6). In Lakewood.
Tacoma Little Theatre: Silent Sky (closing 2/6). In Tacoma.
University of Washington Drama: Photograph 51 (closing 2/6). In Seattle (U-District).
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Continuing Runs
Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts: She Kills Monsters
A family drama with daggers and dragons
Opened 1/28, closing 2/13. In Marysville.
Need some excitement and escapism? That may as well be the primary genre for Qui Nguyen’s fantasy play about a sister who tries to reconnect with her deceased sister via her gaming past.
This production from Red Curtain, up north in Marysville, promises a sweet story full of supermodel elves, dominatrix warriors, monstrous cheerleaders, and a two-story dragon. The cast features teenagers and young adults who have worked with a stage combat teacher to learn double-headed axes, broadswords, and daggers. The costumes look pretty excellent, too.
Overall, sounds like a great spectacle apt to liven up a cold and dreary day.
Tickets $22, here.
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Seattle Rep, Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer (closing 2/13). In Seattle (Seattle Center/Mercer St.). See NWT’s Quick Takes review of ‘Fannie’ here. (Update: full review here.)
Seattle Public Theatre: Mala (closing 2/13). In Seattle (Green Lake). See NWT’s Quick Takes review of ‘Mala’ here.
Tacoma Musical Playhouse: Disenchanted! (closing 2/13). In Tacoma.
ArtsWest: Monsters of the American Cinema (closing 2/20). In West Seattle. See NWT’s Quick Takes review of ‘Monsters of the American Cinema’ here.
Taproot Theatre: See How They Run (closing 3/5). In Seattle (Greenwood). See NWT’s Quick Takes review of ‘See How They Run’ here.
Sara Porkalob @ Cafe Nordo: Dragon Mama (closing 3/6). See NWT’s Quick Takes review of ‘Dragon Mama’ here.
Village Theatre: Songs for a New World (closing 2/13 in Issaquah; runs 2/18-3/13 in Everett). In Issaquah & Everett. See NWT’s review here.
Can Can Culinary Cabaret: Ooh La La (closing 5/1). In Seattle (Pike Place).
The Roundup is a weekly (ish) feature. Want to plan your show schedule further out? See NWT’s 2022 Shows list, which aims to list just about every theatre show in town. For shows by day and ticketing info, see the Performance Calendar.
Chase D. Anderson is Editor & Producer of NWTheatre.org.