Seattle recs?

[Someday]

Posted: 4/13/18 at 11:47am

I’m in Seattle through Sunday morning for work, and I’m looking for show recommendations. I’ve always heard Seattle is a good theater town and would love to experience it for myself. (Mods, if this is the wrong place for this post, please let me know, or feel free to move it.)

Suggestions of Seattle-based theater resources or chat-boards similar to this one would be much appreciated  — or specific show suggestions would be great.

I see the 5th Avenue is doing Kiss Me Kate. I saw a solid production in D.C. recently with a great Doug Sills, so I’ll probably pass on that, unless someone feels it’s life-changing.

I’m open to anything from classical to musical theater, and at any level from college or community theater, up to a LORT house or national tour — as long as the production is good for its level. Any thoughts?

[CollegeDreamer]

Posted: 4/13/18 at 12:23pm

I would see Kiss Me Kate if you’re up for it, The 5th Avenue’s productions are always amazing. I would also check out Ride the Cyclone at the ACT theatre. That’s the show the 5th partners with every year at ACT

[allamarane]

Posted: 4/13/18 at 11:27pm

I second Ride the Cyclone, along with The Big Leap at Seattle Repertory Theatre.

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/14/18 at 2:43am

Kiss Me, Kate at the 5th Ave is a co production with the Shakespeare Theatre production in DC.  The people playing Lois and Bill are the same from that production. Lillie is a local actress, and Fred is a new actor.  Just to warn you if you saw the DC production.

Ride The Cyclone was ok.  I didn’t care much for the plot or the music, but the production elements were very good. 

I enjoyed The Great Leap at the Seattle Rep, but I think I enjoyed it a lot more because I’m Asian American. 

Ironbound at Seattle Public Theatre near Greenlake I thought was a pretty good show (more modern play). The story was a little uneven at times, but the performance by the lead actress was extraordinary.  It plays through this coming Sunday. 

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/14/18 at 2:54am

Other possible show recommendations for Saturday night:

i haven’t seen it, but they are doing a production of Crowns at the Taproot Theatre in the Greenwood area about 10-15 minutes north of Downtown

if you’re into more experimental and fringy stuff, On the Boards near the Seattle Center is doing a show called Patti & The Kid that I’ll be seeing tomorrow. 

In Seattle Center, the Seattle Shakespeare Company is doing The Merchant of Venice with a female Shylock played by a great Seattle actress. 

There is also an immersive production of Hamlet done throughout a mansion in the Capital Hill area of Seattle by a group called The Horse in Motion.  You can follow one of two different Hamlets as they perform throughout the mansion. This show is technically sold out, but there is a wait list if you show up at about 6:30, but I don’t know if you want to chance it since your time is limited. 

If you feel like driving about 15-20minutes east of Seattle for a new musical, Village Theatre in Issaquah is doing a world premiere new musical String, about the three Greek fates stuck in the modern world. I have a friend playing one of the fates, and she is always excellent on stage.

 

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/14/18 at 3:15am

OMG! I forgot to mention there’s an excellent production of “The Happiest Song Plays Last” by Theatre22 at 12th Avenue Arts on capital hill.  It’s the final play in the “Water By the Spoonful” trilogy (though you dont need to have seen the prior plays). I thought the production was better than the one I saw at Oregon Shakespeare Festival two years ago. 

 

Also so be aware that parking in Capital Hill and Seattle center areas can be a pain on Saturday nights (both areas also have a lot of bars and trendy restaurants).  Also there’s a Mariners game tomorrow that tends to muck up the traffic around certain areas of Seattle. 

[Someday]

Posted: 4/14/18 at 9:45pm

Thank you all so much for the thoughtful recommendations. So many choices. I had not realized this Kiss Me Kate is essentially the production I saw in D.C. I’m going to try Ride the Cyclone. I missed it in New York, and I see some of the actors who have been with the show from its beginnings are in this Seattle production. If I were here for a week, I would hit several more of the ones you recommend, including the immersive Hamlet (I’m no stranger to cancellation lines). Thanks again, all.

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/14/18 at 10:42pm

Enjoy the show!