History Repeats Itself, First as Tragedy, then as Farce ( Karl Marx)
The Bellingham TheatreWorks’ production The Ghosts of Tonkin by Steve Lyons, opened at ACTLab, (formerly ACT’s Central Heating Lab). It concerns the famous Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which severely escalated what is commonly called “The Viet-Nam War” although Congress never declared war on North Viet-Nam, which would have been constitutionally necessary in order to officially call it a war.
Fusion of Irish Pessimism and American Optimism
I went solo to John Patrick Shanley’s play Outside Mullingar, at Seattle Rep, because once I mentioned that it took place in Ireland, everybody made their excuses, expecting one of those violent alcohol soaked plays laden with extra helpings of Irish Alzheimer’s, (which is when you forget everything but your grudges.) Much to my surprise, this play dealt with Irish family life realistically yet optimistically and was thoroughly entertaining and endearing.
To Mourn or Not to Mourn
Written by Dan Dietz, produced by Theater Simple, Tilt Angel asked the very difficult emotional question: How does a red-neck Southern male, who deals with his emotions by perpetually hiding them in anger, effectively mourn the death of his estranged wife after a 20+ year marriage, when she died unexpectedly, in an airplane crash, the very day she left him.
What’s a Tall Girl to do During the Depression?
Produced by Washington Ensemble Theatre and directed by Kelly Kitchens, Meg Miroshnik’s play about teenage aspirations amidst hopelessness during the Dust Bowl, Tall Girls opened at 12th Ave Arts. Unfortunately, the play and this production reflected the themes presented in the play-high aspirations but a fairly hopeless outcome.
Join in the Fever
One of the big questions I have about Sandbox Radio is: Why ever isn’t it broadcast by NPR? Although Leslie Law, the MC of this Seattle treasure, answered my question, I’m still in the dark!!!!!!
“In a dining room, not so far from where we are sitting now…” is the setting for MAP Theatre’s
