2022

Not Critical Race THEORY, Critical Race FACTS

A truly amazing play, Sovereignty by Mary Kathryn Nagle opened this weekend at Harlequin Theater in Olympia. Although it contains a huge amount of historical information, as well as legal wrangling about the Indian Removal Act, which took away the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation in the Southeast of the U.S. in the 1830’s, it was also a very engaging story of the continued oppression of Native Americans in present times and the struggle for Sovereignty.

Sexual Politics of the ancien régime in France.

The Marriage of Figaro, one of the most popular operas ever written opened to an almost full house Saturday night at McCaw Hall. Adapted from French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais’ equally popular but highly controversial 1778 play of the same name by Librettist Lorenza Da Ponte with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, its reputation is well deserved.

“He thinks he was conceived by a credit card and Fed Ex.”

Patrimony, a premiere by Duane Kelly, explored some very topical themes, if I am to trust the syndicated advice columns in the Seattle Times. The great conflict in this play, which opened at 18th and Union, was how to deal with the consequences of keeping the facts of a child’s conception secret or shrouded in plausible lies.

Escape from Spying-Become a Playwright Theater 22’s newest production, OR by Liz Duffy Adams, opened at Seattle Public Theater’s space

Much Ado about Nothing was really SOMETHING

In spite of having been given free tickets to the RSC every Monday night for a year, I can safely say that Seattle Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado about Nothing was the best Shakespeare show I have ever seen. This was due to director Allison Narver’s skillful creativity as it was incredibly enjoyable while at the same time honoring the text.

What good is sitting alone in your room. Come to Reboot’s adaptation of Cabaret.

Yes indeed, Reboot’s production of Cabaret delivered everything Sally Bowles’ song promised music: laughter, escape but also shrewd political commentary, which is as relevant today, as it was in the last years of the Weimar Republic.

UNITY-A Concert for Ukraine
Funds to support Ukrainian artist refugees at Poland’s Poznań Opera House.

Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Opera have collaborated to present a benefit concert for Ukrainian artists. The PNB Orchestra, conducted by PNB music director Emil de Cou and Alevtina Ioffe (currently making her Seattle Opera debut with The Marriage of Figaro), will be joined by Ukrainian mezzo- soprano Olga Syniakova and others, for a performance featuring Ukrainian folk songs, A Prayer for Ukraine (Silvestrov), music by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Delibes, and more. One hundred per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the Pegaz Cultural Association, which is working closely with the Poznań Opera House in Poland and other local organizations to host artist residencies by providing housing, food, rehearsal space and performance opportunities for Ukrainian artists who have taken refuge in Poland.[caption id="attachment_12961" align="aligncenter" width="300"] USA and Ukraine Flags Crossed And Waving Flat Style. Official Proportion. Correct Colors.[/caption]