Sugar Plum Gary Is Coming to Town. Look Busy.
Once upon a time, Santa Claus came to visit. The only survivor would like to tell you about it.
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THEATRE
Lump of Coal: Burien City Council Gives BAT the Boot for Christmas
Midway through its 40th season, Burien Actors Theatre received an unpleasant surprise: the city was shuttering its building and, in a matter of weeks, its tenants would have to move on. The theatre is asking its fans to step in.
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With Crescendos of Vocals and Horns Blaring, ‘Susan’ Is a Song of Family, and Letting Go
Using humor, rich detail, and ample song, musician-writer-comedian Ahamefule J. Oluo tells stories of his mother, growing up, and searching — from Texas to Seattle to the Niger Delta. ‘Susan’ runs through December 8 at On the Boards.
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‘Tis the Season: Holiday Shows to Light Up Your Stage
The holiday shows are all opening, and this year there’s a great selection to consider, from comedy from the Herdmans, drag queens, and nuns; to modern family escapades and mayhem; to classics featuring Scrooge, Sherlock, and Ralphie; and several variations on dances with the Rat King.
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Ho Ho Nooo …? Non-Holiday Shows for the Holiday Season
Over the holiday season before it’s started? Just looking for something different? Here are a few shows just for you — from big musicals to performance art — to enjoy in December.
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The Best Packages: Navigating All the Christmas Stuff on Stage
No idea where to start when picking Christmas shows? Here’s some help.
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Of ‘Racial Tourism’ and ‘Enlightened Allies’: Two Plays Dig Into Cultural Commodification
Two strong productions, on now from Theatre22 and Seattle Public Theater, dive into hot topics around race, culture, and appropriation. They’re both comedic, thought-provoking, and very well done. ‘White’ runs through 11/9, and ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ closes 11/16.
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The Kids of ‘Spelling Bee’ Are Their Own Biggest Hangups, But Have No Trouble Spelling a Fun Show
Some of the area’s best musical theatre grown-ups become nerdy, quirky kids and their chaperones in ‘Spelling Bee’, on now at Village Theatre in Everett. It runs through November 17.
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In ‘Chalk’, a Barrier of Mere Dust Keeps a Precarious Peace
Mary E. Brown and Jasmine Lomax spar in a futuristic, dystopian one-act that crackles with intensity from a mysterious backstory. It runs through November 3.
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‘This Is Halloween’: Can Can Brings Some Skin and (Lightly) Spooky Sparkle to The Triple Door
The Can Can, an established Seattle cabaret tucked away under the Pike Place Market, brings a fun and festive show just up the street to The Triple Door. The dining service is much less successful than the stagecraft.
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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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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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