Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt

Blake Hackler’s play What We Were, seems to refute Tolstoy’s famous quote “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” in that the play exposes, in almost textbook fashion, the standard pattern of family system dynamics in dysfunctional abusive families. Undoubtedly, the play is not for the faint-hearted, as it is a very clear coherent statement about the different reactions towards incest and how it both divides and unites siblings.

Aposiopesis: An abrupt halt in the middle of …as if one is unable or hesitant to… One of the most innovative theatres in Seattle, Parley Productions, has taken the confines of the word Aposiopesis as an “invitation to open new doors in heir imaginations–not only to see what emerges, but to devise a way to […]

Trauma in Crazy Woke Asian is Real They say that comedy is trauma plus time. The comedy show, Crazy Woke Asians, which opened at the Market Theatre, but is playing this weekend only, at Theatre off Jackson, illustrated this concept to a T. CWA, a comedy troupe from Los Angeles, poked fun at the conflicts […]

A flexible path back to live theater The ghost light is dimming: Sound Theatre is returning to the stage after a nearly 21-month performance hiatus. Beginning October 21, the month-long Making the Waves Fall Arts Festival ‘21 will present a celebration of artists across multiple disciplines, providing space, play development, and technical support for local […]

Limitations are the Mother of Innovation.

Parley Theatre’s may have invented a new genre in their streamed production of Laundromat, by Greg Brisendine, now available for free on You Tube. The play’s original structure was a response to a number of factors: the technical limitations of the pandemic’s quarantine, causing abandonment of live performances and rehearsals as well as the innovative use of modern computer-screen technology. It was both funny, and endearing, as a motley crew of intense “individuals” gathers at the unsociable hours of 2 am to do their laundry at the Heart’s Desire Laundromat.

Coupla Scientific Sibs Sittin’ around Talking

Vaxxed, an extremely intriguing original script by Theatre 9-12 Artistic Director Charles Waxberg, opened Friday starring Cynthia Geary and Taylor Scowcroft as an older sister- younger brother pair, each successful research scientists, who have a late night heated discussion. They battle over whether it is scientifically ethical, or even professionally prudent, for scientists to self-administer an unproven vaccination, in order to have personal subjective data, as opposed to solely empirical data.

The play that enchanted audiences returns to the digital stage as part of their 2021 season. Co-director Howie Seago brought his vision and vast expertise to create a vividly striking version of Shakespeare’s comedy classic alongside co-director and Sound Theatre founder Teresa Thuman. This production garnered the 2018 TPS Gregory People’s Choice Award for Outstanding Production of a Play, because it was presented in ASL (American Sign Language) and English.

Memories of a Great-Grandmother, a Holocaust survivor

The Hermit and the Crab is a 27 minute play in which a 28 year old Molly Tollefson, who is having an existential crisis due having a profession (acting) incompatable with current pandemic, somehow manages to have a conversation with her Austrian-born Jewish great-grandmother, Greta, who managed to get her husband out of a concentration camp. Later she devised an ingenious way to get a visa to the U.S.

Behind every Great Inventor is a Mother of Invention.

Matheatre’s production of Nikola Tesla and the Mother of Invention is touring the U.S. and opened at 18th and Union Aug 20 and 21st. True to Matheatre’s educational mission to enliven stem subjects through music and drama, the play was truly enlightening about the genesis of one of the greatest inventors of all time: Serbian American Nikola Tesla.

Telsa was a brilliant inventor. She also has a son.

18th and Union will again be hosting Matheatre, a touring company “using live theatre to tell stories that inspire excitement about math and science.” This weekend’s show will be Nikola Tesla and the Mother of Invention.

Electricity pioneer Nikola Tesla’s role model was a brilliant inventor, who was also an uneducated, illiterate housewife: his mother Djuka. This musical exploration of Djuka and her most famous invention–her son Nikola–tells the story of the magnetic push and pull of family bonds, the branching currents of freedom and choices, and balancing surprising sources of energy.

Having seen Maththeatre’s inspirational show about Marie Curie, I heartily recommend this show, which is suitable for all ages.

Nikola Tesla and the Mother of Invention. Matheatre, at 18th and Union. 1406-18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. (Central District)Fri Aug 20 7:30. Sat. Aug 21, 5:30 & 7:30 in person or live streamed. Tickets: https://18thandunion.org/tickets. Info: www. 18thandunion.org or https://matheatre.com Off Street Parking, bike racks.

NOTE: In-person audience will be required to show proof of vaccination upon checking in, and must also remain masked when not eating and drinking. All staff and performers are also fully vaccinated, and will be masked when not performing.