On the Boards – NWTheatre

Chase D. Anderson February 13, 2020February 20, 2020 Black Bois, Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, dani tirrell, On the Boards, Seattle Theatre Group

‘Black Bois’ Takes the Big Stage This Week, to Another Sold-Out House

Dani Tirrell’s ‘Black Bois’, which premiered in April 2018 at On the Boards, returns this year on Valentine’s Day at the Moore Theatre. It’s a multi-genre love letter to Black community, healing, and joy.

FEATURE THEATRE

Chase D. Anderson February 6, 2020February 26, 2020 ACT Contemporary Theatre, Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, dani tirrell, Jasmine Joshua, On the Boards, Sharon Nyree Williams, Sherif Amin, Susan Lieu

Solo Fest: Dare to Claim the Stage

This weekend, Sharon Nyree Williams brings ‘Dare to Claim the Sky’ to ACT Theatre, alongside work from three other solo performers; and On the Boards features five dancers and seven durational works in its own solo fest later this month.

REVIEW THEATRE

Chase D. Anderson January 25, 2020January 27, 2020 Jaha Koo, On the Boards

Jaha Koo Pairs the Deadly Serious with the Whimsical in ‘Cuckoo’

The South Korean artist uses a trio of chatty rice cookers to delve into the dark and desolate sides of his country’s past and present. The U.S. premiere of ‘Cuckoo’ runs at On the Boards through January 26.

DANCE REVIEW SEASONAL

Chase D. Anderson December 15, 2019July 7, 2022 Broadway Seattle, Donald Byrd, George Balanchine, Mark Morris, Mark Morris Dance Group, McCaw Hall, On the Boards, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle, Seattle Theatre Group, Spectrum Dance Theater, The Paramount Theatre

Balanchine, Morris, and Byrd: A Delight in Three Nutcrackers

Three interpretations of ‘The Nutcracker’ on Seattle stages demonstrate its adaptability for the tastes — and moods — of new audiences. The invigorated classic epic (at Pacific Northwest Ballet, through 12/28), a sassy spin-off and an elegant workshop (at the Paramount Theatre and On the Boards, both through 12/15) are all delightful, and distinct.

MUSIC REVIEW THEATRE

Chase D. Anderson December 6, 2019December 22, 2019 Ahamefule J. Oluo, Jennifer Zeyl, okanomodé soulchilde, On the Boards, Tiffany Wilson

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.

DANCE QUICK TAKES

Chase D. Anderson November 23, 2019December 22, 2019 barry johnson, Base, Cameo Lethem, Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, dani tirrell, Fausto Rivera, Fox Whitney, Matt Aguayo, new dance works, Nia-Amina Minor, On the Boards, Velocity Dance Center

(Ovations) Short-Form Dance Fests

Short-form work is an easy way to test out different art forms. It’s experimental. It’s approachable. And there’s usually something for everyone. Happily, Seattle is bustling with festivals of short new work in performance art and dance. Here are a few coming up soon.

DANCE REVIEW

Chase D. Anderson August 4, 2019August 5, 2019 Alyza DelPan-Monley, Base, Equinox Studios, Fox Whitney, Georgetown, gun violence, Jordan MacIntosh-Hougham, Morgan Thorson, On the Boards

Extinction Piece ‘Still Life’ Takes on Different Meaning as News of Mass Shooting Unfolds

The extended work, featuring a mix of local and touring dancers, is a co-production presented at Base that marks the start of On the Boards’s 40th season. It runs through tonight.

DANCE FEATURE

Chase D. Anderson May 17, 2019November 14, 2021 Ligia Lewis, On the Boards

Ligia Lewis’s Unexpectedly New Piece, at On the Boards this Weekend, Is About as ‘In the Moment’ as It Gets

A last-minute obstacle, courtesy of the United States government, derailed the visiting choreographer’s planned performance of Sorrow Swag, one of two shows Lewis was slated to present at On the Boards this weekend. In its stead, Lewis has re-envisioned the piece — and, with help from her musician brother, will dance the work herself.

DANCE FEATURE

Chase D. Anderson March 14, 2019September 11, 2023 Base, Equinox Studios, Georgetown, On the Boards, Seattle

The Other Georgetown: Base & ‘12 Minutes Max’

Hidden away among active industrial warehouses, Equinox Studios and the area immediately surrounding them (“Equiblox”?) offer a big variety of arts, plus a taproom, in an environment that provides an apt, creative backdrop for exploring new art forms. This Sunday & Monday, ’12 Minutes Max’ (formerly at On the Boards) is a great excuse to head there.