This Week in Arts: Weekly Roundup (8/12)
Local storytelling and new works lead the charge this week, as other shows close out their run.
Ticketing links for most shows can be found on the Performance Calendar page here.
Openings & Short Runs
As If: Kenmore Quickies @ Kenmore Community Club
What Tall Tales Arise From the Northshore?
Runs 8/12-14 only. In Kenmore.
Leave it to small towns to conger up big-time lore.
In As If Theatre Company’s second festival of Kenmore-centric short plays, eight local playwrights have concocted eight tall tales for what the company promises will be a “funny, serious, a bit strange, and downright weird” night of theatre.
All eight shorts perform at each of the four shows; and at the close of the run, the company bestows the Audience Favorite Award based on each night’s votes. For a flavor of both the company and its first shorts fest (held pre-pandemic), see NWT’s review here.
Tickets ($20) here.
Swashbuckling Aventures Await
She Devil of the China Seas, the latest from Pork Filled Productions, opens tomorrow at Theatre Off Jackson following a week-long delay. The new play by longtime theatre-maker Roger Tang is based on the enormously successful real-life pirate, Zhang Tse, and features one of the area’s largest Asian American casts in recent history. Pirates, sorcery, strong female leads, and tons of swordfighting — sounds like the perfect adventure to close out the summer.
Runs 8/13-27, in Seattle (International District). Tickets $10-$50 (sliding scale available for all) here.
Self-Care: Workshops for Artists, by Artists
This weekend, Mirror Stage holds another installment in its new series, Contexpo. The latest, which centers on veterans and PTSD, includes workshops on yoga, mindfulness, and writing for self-care. All events are free; see event schedule and info here.
And 18th & Union closes out two weekends of self-care events, with a workshop Saturday on jumping back into performing after a long hiatus. Sessions are by donation at the door, but space is limited and RSVP requested. See class info and register here.
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SecondStory Repertory: Twelve Angry Jurors (opens tonight, closing 8/28). In Redmond.
ArtsWest: First Look – 2022-23 Season (8/16 only). In West Seattle.
Closing Soon
Felicia Loud: Here There Be Dragons @ ArtsWest
Longtime Seattleite Felicia Loud, singer-songwriter of the renowned group Black Stax, combines hip-hop, soul, cabaret, and storytelling in this solo show about the courage to create and share your truth.
Says Loud: “The piece I’ve written touches on the bravery of charting new territory, speaking honestly about how music changed my life, and how I discovered unexpected musical kinships along the way. All the songs I perform in the show are originals, and these songs remain as a journal of my past, present, and future.”
Learn more about Felicia Loud in a 2018 interview with KUOW here.
Tickets $18.50-$83.50 (sliding scale available to all) here.
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Cafe Nordo: Down the Rabbit Hole (closing 8/13). In Seattle (Pioneer Square). Note: this run is sold out. However, Nordo has just announced another run, with a new seasonal menu, in the fall.
Velocity Dance Center: Seattle Festival of Dance & Improvisation (closing 8/13). In Seattle (Capitol Hill) at various locations.
The Shattered Glass Project: Want @ Center House Theatre (closing 8/14). At the Seattle Center.
Village Theatre Kidstage: The SpongeBob Musical (closing 8/14). In Issaquah.
Continuing Runs
Lottery Tickets for Hamilton
Lin Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster continues its Seattle run through 9/11 at The Paramount. Lotteries for $10 tickets are held every weekend, with 40 discounted tickets per show available throughout the run. See lottery rules and info here.
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Taproot Theatre: Black Coffee (closing 8/19). In Seattle (Greenwood). Update: This weekend’s performances have been cancelled.
Seattle Opera: The Elixir of Love (closing 8/20). At the Seattle Center (Mercer St. side).
Burien Actors Theatre: The Play’s the Thing @ various parks (closing 8/21). Free, unticketed event. At various locations in South King County.
Kitsap Forest Theatre: Bend in the Road – The Anne of Green Gables Musical (closing 8/21). Ticketed event. In Bremerton.
Creative Hiatus Productions: People in the Square – The Pioneer Square Musical @ The New Skid Road Theatre at Beneath the Streets (closing 8/27). In Seattle (Pioneer Square).
Can Can Culinary Cabaret: Lola (closing 8/28). In Seattle (Pike Place Market).
The Roundup is a weekly (ish) feature. Want to plan your show schedule further out? See NWT’s summer 2022 shows list, which aims to list just about every theatre show in town this season. For shows by day and ticketing info, see the Performance Calendar.
Chase D. Anderson is Editor & Producer of NWTheatre.org.