Sneak Preview and Open Rehearsal for World Premiere at 18th and Union

Seattle’s own Theater Simple is honored and thrilled to reveal that the US Embassy in Turkmenistan has chosen their production of CARAVAN CHRONICLES aka Trailer Tales– the intimate interactive family reunion disguised as an art event – to perform at a festival in the capital city of Ashgabat in mid-November. The public is invited to a pay what you can open rehearsal and a preview of the show, both at 18th and Union.

Liberté, Egalité, Sororité

Although French women were not given the vote until 1946, women played a huge role in the French Revolution of 1789, as active participants in the rioting, in the political clubs and intellectually as authors and salon hostesses. Produced by Theater22, the play The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson, which runs in repertory at 12th Ave Arts, deals with four women: Queen Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XIV the king at the beginning of the revolution, assassin Charlotte Corday, playwright and pamphleteer Olympe de Gouges and a Black free woman from the Caribbean Marianne Angelle, each of whom played roles in the French Revolution, one of the most important events in Western Civilization.

Laughter and comedy are more powerful than diatribes!

Much to my joy and delight Seattle’s venerable Theatre 22 is back in action, enlightening us through humor and authenticity. WHITE, by James IJames, opened in repertory, Friday night at 12th Ave Arts, as an exposé of “the ugly reality…of being a non-white commodity, a marketing gimmick, where people, organizations, and corporations prove how woke they are, only to appeal to new generations for popularity and revenues.” said Tayo Talabi, Co-Director.

Due to the outstanding performance and talent of its star Shermona Mitchell, and the incredible dialogue by the author, it was also one of the most hilarious plays I have seen in a long time, although the topic is very serious indeed. Like Molière, it highlighted the absurdity of pretentious attitudes and people, and although highly topical, it spoke to universal themes.

On the Seventh Day God Created Yiddish Theater. Between 1943 &1945 Satan destroyed it mercilessly.

Written by Paula Vogel Indecent at the Seattle Rep, was two hours of uproarious laughter, fantastic music, brilliant but simple special effects and some sadness, as it chronicled the vicissitudes of the play God of Vengeance by Sholem Asche and the various international productions over 50 odd years.

Girlfriends! We will be heard!

Opening October 24th, 18th and Union Arts Space, Mampsh Productions, and Starstrewn Productions will present the world premiere production of Overcoming, a collection of short plays by womxn (womyn) playwrights. Overcoming showcases work by up-and-coming female playwrights as well as Seattle favorites of the stage.

Love at First Sight-To Trust it, or Not to Trust It-That is the Question.

Love at First Sight, is it simply lust or is it a psychic signal with chemical/hormonal ramifications and messages, which somehow unconsciously tell us that this could be the one? or one of the ones? Although romantic love rarely lasts given the realities of everyday life, it is such a strong emotion that Freud once said that it induced a near psychotic state in those afflicted with it.

On a more positive note, it can also be a signal that one really should marry the object of romantic love, because, aside from practical reasons, the best motive for marrying someone can be if you cannot imagine a future without them. If the motives are that strong, it can be worth the risk. This is the theme of the highly romantic musical The Light in the Piazza, a concert reading staged by ShowTunes Company, staged at the Cornish Playhouse.

The Addiction of Matyrdom

Kairos Theatre Company, a new theatre in town, which focuess on works “celebrating the various and multifaceted aspects of the feminine journey” opened an original script Waiting for the Paint to Dry by K.E. Jenkins at 18th and Union, in Seattle’s Central District. It deals with one of the most feminine of all subjects, our tendency to be “Caretakers without Boundaries,” that is to say how caretaking can become unhealthy and destructive.

O Joy, O Rapture Unexpected

Due to popular demand, The Habit’s newest show, Indy Jones Indy Jones and the Raiders of the Last Temple of the Doomed Ark is extended! After a hugely successful opening weekend, The Habit is excited to announce that it has extended this summer blockbuster through September 22, 2019.

“Provocative title aside, it is a serious, compelling, and timely theatre piece.”
Tyrone Brown, Director and Producer

Brownbox Theatre: Re-Imagined Black Theatre is proud to present the premier of Black D*ck Matters, by Kathya Alexander, award winning co-writer of Black to My Roots: African American Tales from Head and the Heart. According to the press release “It is a series of monologues that explore: 1) why Black d*ck matters 2) Black manhood in the context of American history 3) how Black male intimacy is intrinsically tied to social injustice and oppression 4)Black male relationships since the #BlackLivesMatter movement 5) how police brutality, and the criminal justice system are all common experiences for Black men regardless of their social standing.”

Instead of 25 Loud Airplanes; 25 Drag Acts.

For the past 2 years, Arson Nicki, Drag Producer-Extraordinaire, has hosted quarterly editions of FRESH, an evening of performances by new drag talent. Now Nicki brings it all together this weekend at 18th & Union. Freshfest comprises 25 drag performers, 6 shows, 4 days, and one festival.See one show or see them all!

All ages admitted, content is intended for ages 18+. Multi-show packages are available.

FRESHfest. Arson Nicki and Friends. Thurs-Sun 7:30 pm. Sat –Sun 5:30pm 18th and Union. 1406 -18th Ave , Seattle, WA 98122 ( just South of the corner of 18th and Union) Central District. Free street Parking. Tickets. https://18thandunion.org/home