Halloween on Stage: A Spook-fest to Light Up Your Season
From festive spook-lite to epically creepy, here are some shows for your seasonal entertainment this week and beyond.
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THEATRE
Event featuring stage performance in a theatre and/or outdoor setting.
Timeless and Epic, ‘The Women’ Is Sharp and Catty Comedy at its Finest
Sixteen actors take stage in Harlequin Productions’ very strong production of the lush classic comedy. It plays in Olympia through October 26.
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In ‘The Christians’ and ‘Necessary Sacrifices’, Challenging Doctrine with Mixed Success
From Pony World and Taproot Theatre, two plays with little else in common set out to unpack traditional lore in religious belief and American history. They run through October 26.
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In ‘Kimberly Akimbo’, the Farcical and Familiar Combine in a Witty Family Tale
The latest from As If Theatre mixes humor and sadness in an unusual — but familiar — family tale, in which a teenager deals with self-centered parents, a drifter aunt, and a disease that advances her physical age far beyond her calendar years. ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ runs through October 20.
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A Night at ‘Bon Appétit!’ Is the Family Story Hour You Always Wanted
The evening of family storytelling and operatic comedic cooking, which runs sporadic nights at The Rendezvous, is an odd one to describe. It’s also a lot of fun.
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Only One Week Left! – Vote Now for the People’s Choice Awards (Gregory Awards 2019)
Having your say in the People’s Choice Awards is open to all, but voting closes on October 9.
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‘Blood Water Paint’ Layers Artistry, Sexism, Violence, and Resilience Into a Vivid Portrait
Weaving disparate stories and art forms into one cohesive work, the latest from Macha Theatre Works makes for an inventive and beautiful play — and a fitting ode to an artist known for her vivid paintings. ‘Blood Water Paint’ runs through October 6.
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‘Yen’, on Now at ACT, Is Tender, Crass and Mesmerizing
‘Yen’ is vulgar. Its characters are often unlikeable, even repulsive. But its unexpected glimpses of tenderness, unabashed lack of nuance, and strong direction and performances make this year’s Kenan Fellowship in Directing showcase a highly recommended trip. It runs through September 29.
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‘Rent’, A Musical of Borrowed Time, Rocks Tacoma
In a two-night stop on the acclaimed musical’s 20th anniversary tour, Tacoma gets a special treat as former Pacific Lutheran University student plays a leading role. It runs through September 25.
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In the Show ‘About Progress’, Characters Clash About Moving On
A new play, originally set to perform in a to-be-demolished house, created its own instead. While the story feels adrift, its novelty is worth a visit. The show runs through this Saturday.
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From India.Arie to the Carter Family: Tacoma in September
Tacoma Arts Live, which programs the historic theatres in downtown Tacoma, has an abundant season of performances in store. The lineup of musicians this month is particularly rich. See below for a sampling of Tacoma’s cultural landscape this month, too.
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In ‘People of the Book’, Soapy Characters Drift to a Mesmerizing Finale
In Yussef El Guindi’s latest, an adrift and too-convenient show is saved by an exceptional performance in its final moments. ‘People of the Book’ runs through September 29.
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‘Bulrusher’ Takes Its Time, to Welcome Effect
The “slow theatre” at work in ‘Bulrusher’ matches the pace of the town. But the play’s resonant themes, along with strong acting and design work, make for a gripping show even as it strolls along. It runs through September 14.
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In Comedy ‘Washer/Dryer’, a Tiny Apartment Is the Least of Claustrophobic Forces
‘Washer/Dryer’ lets the a pair of newlyweds live their lives, without assigning them some higher purpose. If only their families and neighbors would do the same. The co-production from SIS Productions and Pratidhwani runs through 9/22.
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A Searing Family Drama in ‘Is God Is’, But Its Revenge Comes Up Cold
A blaze, a horrific revelation, and a righteous quest are at the center of Washington Ensemble Theatre’s latest, ‘Is God Is’. But despite some strong acting, the production lacks the requisite conviction — and bloodshed — to bring its characters justice. It runs through September 23.
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5 Questions with Playwright & Novelist Joy McCullough
‘Blood Water Paint’ imagines the great 17th century Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi in her studio, interacting with the apocryphal subjects who inspired her. NWT talked with playwright Joy McCullough about the work, ahead of the play’s opening this Friday with Macha Theatre Works.
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‘As You Like It’ Reinvented: a Dazzling Community Epic
The Public Works Seattle production, comprised almost entirely of community members not accustomed to the mainstage, reimagines what theatre can be. It runs only through this weekend. And it’s a must-see.
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A Bounty of New Works: Festivals & More
As summer soon heads into fall, the area’s theatre companies are rolling out a feast of locally grown new works. Here are some to look out for.
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This Week in Arts: Wednesday Roundup (9/4)
The whole month of September is a surge of openings, and plenty more happening too. Highlights this week include a community production of epic proportions, a pair of poignant and timely fundraiser-readings, new works fests, a Town Hall takeover and, yes, all sorts of show openings to choose from.
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Teatro ZinZanni’s Latest Plays Down Some Decadence, But Definitely Delights
‘Decadent Delights’, a fantastical world of circus acts and whimsy, runs through September 8. ZinZanni’s next show, ‘A Night Like This’, opens the following week, before the company takes a scheduled hiatus next year.
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South Sound Stage Excellence Awards Announced
The awards recognize the breadth and quality of theatrical performance in the Tacoma area. ‘Angels in America: Parts 1 & 2’, from Lakewood Playhouse, is a big winner this year.
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Shanked in the Shower: The Caged ‘Kittens’ Are Back
The original cast returns to Annex for two nights this week, for a reading of Kelleen Conway Blanchard’s hit Kittens in a Cage — and its new sequel. It’s a two-show fundraiser for Annex Theatre.
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It’s Gregory Awards Season Again!
The Gregory Awards — the big annual ceremony and recognition for outstanding local theatre — are in swing, with nominations revealed over the course of this week. Here’s what you need to know.
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The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival Kicks Off
With a promising lineup, here’s who to expect in this week’s theatre-making whirlwind.
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Sound Theatre Pulls Back Layers of Disability Politics in ‘Peeling’
Deaf and disabled actors, shoved out of the spotlight in an overworked (and invented) stage performance, shine light on how they experience the world. That’s the premise of ‘Peeling’, in its U.S. premiere, and another powerful show from Sound Theatre Company. It runs through this Saturday.
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Have the ‘Time of Your Life’! — or, What the Actual #!@% Just Happened
By the show’s end, the latest adventure from The Williams Project had all the makings of a disaster. Its difference may be its salvation.
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This Week in Arts: Wednesday Roundup (8/21)
The upcoming week is so packed with great short-runs, we can’t even tell you which ones to choose. Here’s a look at the week and some top picks.
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Director’s Notes: New Musical ‘Breakup Bench’ at The Scratch this Week
The Scratch, a free festival of new works, begins its “In Pencil” staged readings series today with a new musical by Rheanna Atendido, called ‘Breakup Bench’. Director Hattie Claire Andres shared insight about the new musical.
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From Idea to Stage: ‘Triple Threat’ & ‘Bread Crumbs’ Open at The Scratch
The Scratch, a free festival of new works, starts off tonight with two personal works by some of Seattle’s hottest artists: Nicholas Japaul Bernard and Jasmine Joshua, with development assistance and direction by Eddie DeHais. DeHais shared insight about the two autobiographical pieces, and guided NWT through the development process of each.
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Ambitious ‘Small Craft Warnings’ Aims for Immersive, But Hasn’t Found Its Own Sense of Place
The latest from the inventive Williams Project and the first of its two “Bar Plays” this summer, ‘Small Craft Warnings’ centers on adrift characters. But the production winds up feeling adrift instead.
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