Author name: Mark Douglass

Past

Fringe 2016: The Life and Death of Peter Pan

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For Leah Adcock-Starr, the director of The Life and Death of Peter Pan in this year’s Fringe Festival, Peter Pan is a new Myth. Though she writes in her blog that she was comfortable with the idea of growing up when she was a child, the story still touched something in her. With the help of her husband Kieran and a talented ensemble of actors she has brought to the stage the troubled and tangled adult life of Peter Pan’s creator: James Matthew Barrie. The furnace of fame and fortune has fused JM Barrie the person to Peter Pan the Myth.

Past

‘Buzzer’ will Get You Talking

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Buzzer by Tracy Scott Wilson and directed by Anita Montgomery is one of a cluster of plays this winter that hold a mirror and magnifying class up to their audiences on the fraught territory of race, class, sexuality, and property rights. Jackson (Andrew Lee Creech) has found a renovated condo in his former neighborhood to buy. He invites his white girlfriend Suzy (played by Chelsea LaValley) to move in with him. Apparently the relationship hadn’t gone to that level before because she hesitates a moment before agreeing. No sooner than they finish unpacking boxes than Don (Spencer Hamp) arrives. He’s white and Jackson’s best friend who is making his 8th or 9th try to rehabilitate

Past

In Arabia We Would all Be Kings is a Cautionary Tale

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Mr. Guirgis has a gift for dialogue, The Ear. It’s bar and street dialogue, what you might hear in Hell’s Kitchen in New York in the late 90s, where this play is set. The language is rhythmic, even poetic at times, yet grating to middle-class sensibilities. Theater Schmeater’s Director Julia Griffin says the characters resonate with her and the script has been “living in her” for over ten years. With this northwest premiere of In Arabia we would all be Kings she has fulfilled her vision quite well.

Past

The Life Model—Artists Amid a Revolution

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This production at On the Boards from January 14 to 17 gave one a glimpse into the results of democracy practiced on a small scale. Six artists, scattered around the country (Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, and New York), collectively composed this show. Democracy is time consuming,

Past

The Motherf**ker with the Hat Has Plenty to Say

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When you intentionally produce “dangerous works” as Washington Ensemble Theatre describes their mission, with dangerous titles, one is well advised to do them well. And the short verdict is: yes, This show is very well done. The credit goes to everyone involved with the three producing companies (Washington Ensemble Theatre, The Hansberry Project, and eSe Teatro) working together for the first time.

It helps that they have an airtight script by Stephen Adly Guirgis.

Past

Christmastown: A Holiday Noir Tradition?

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Bedraggled private eye Nick Holiday (John Ulman) stands watching the Christmas shopping rush when Holly Wonderland (Pilar O’Connell) the seductive daughter of the CEO of the E B Wonderland department store empire, enters his office with a possible job. She has photographs she needs check out, but very soon Holiday has a more urgent question—

Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

Past

Much Delight for the Holidays in She Loves Me

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Well, well, well, well, well …

Everything about the production of She Loves Me by the Seattle Musical Theatre at Magnuson Park sings “fun.” Originally produces on Broadway by Harold Prince, Joe Masteroff penned the book, and Seldon Harnick and Jerry Bock provided the music (their next play was Fiddler on the Roof).

Director Alan Wilkie has honed all of the considerable talents of the cast and crew to a sharp edge.

Past

Treat your Family to This Christmas at Taproot

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The opening funny scene is a harried waitress (Elise) calling to get cake inscription instructions correct. There’s a strong chance the inscription may read “Congratulations New Dog” which is not what Leah intended. The word she wanted did start with “d” as in “Dad.”

Then there’s Mark’s mother Helen who swoops back into their apartment claiming the flights out of Seatac were cancelled, a next door neighbor Patrick who hadn’t really introduced himself

Past

MetaWARPhosis Showcases 9 Plays

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WARP (Writers and Actors Reading and Performing) Theatre has a noble mission to “facilitate an organic and non-biased gathering for local playwrights, actors, and other artists.” Twice a year it presents a showcase featuring short plays by its members. The current showcase presented nine plays in two acts and included a three-song performance during intermission by Chris LeVaughn.

This is entry level amateur theater

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