TeenTix Logo
Login
Sign Up

Get involved with the Young Americans’ Theatre Company!

Hi Teen Tixers!Last summer the Young Americansʼ Theatre Company wasfounded to give young people in Seattle a place to producetheir own work. It was founded entirely by young people and their first production, Women and Wallace, was put up without any sort of adult supervision.It is the hope of the board that the company will continue to be run by young students in the Seattle community who are as dedicated to theatre as are the six founders, who have a clear idea of who they are as theatre artists and who want to help produce important work for the Seattle community.We think that you could be one of those people. If youʼre interested, please come to an informational meeting on January 10th. There will be a short talk given by the board of YATC followed by a time to socialize with other dedicated young artists like yourself and to get to know the YATC gang.When: Saturday January 10, 2008 1:30-3:00 pmWhere: Seattle Childrenʼs Theater, Middle Rehearsal StudioYATC is bringing together people who will hopefully help us this summer and possibly take control of the company over the next few years. Please come and bring anyone else interested!! Feel free to bring your resumé if you have one, but one is not required. To RSVP or to ask any questions please shoot an email to youngamericanstheatre@gmail.comSincerely,The YATC Board of DirectorsHattie AndresZoey BelyeaTommy FlemingEmma KelleyChelsea TaylorSam TillesYATC award for best new troop!! http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2008557718_footlights28.html?syndication=rss2008557718_footlights28.html?syndication=rssVisit our facebook page!!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-WA/The-Young-Americans-Theatre-Company/20329797757?ref=tsAmericans-Theatre-Company/20329797757?ref=ts

Read More

Jumping For Joy

A review of 20 Seconds of Joyplaying at Northwest Film Forumby Mykhanh P.It takes a certain type of person to jump off a cliff, and a BASE jumper would definitely be considered one type. BASE jumping entails jumping off of a fixed object (a building, antenna, span or earth, according to the acronym) and free-falling hundreds to thousands of feet before releasing the parachute. It is possibly the most dangerous and fatal extreme sport there is. According to one BASE jumper, three things will happen if you BASE jump long enough: you will get hurt, you will watch people die jumping, and BASE jumping will eventually kill you as well.So why would anyone willingly accept the possibility of death just for the thrill of jumping? 20 Seconds of Joy is a documentary about professional athlete Karina Hollekim. The title comes from Hollekim herself when she asks if it is really that important to jump off a cliff and get 20 seconds of joy. To answer these questions, Director Jens Hoffman takes viewers on a journey through five years of Hollekim’s BASE jumping career, delving into her life and trying to explain her yearning to continually be involved in increasingly risky situations. He does so brilliantly, presenting Hollekim as a complex person who is simply doing what she loves, but also recognizes the dangers of her job and the strain she places upon her loved ones. Her struggle to reconcile these two aspects is dealt with sympathetically and you find yourself admiring her and wishing her the best. With gorgeous shots of breathtaking views, the documentary itself is pretty well made. Watching the jumps was a little suspenseful for me, knowing that I could be witnessing a person’s last moments and the mostly tasteful soundtrack built upon that suspense. There were times that I thought the music was too overpowering though. Some of the interviews were a little hard to understand due to the foreign accents of the interviewees and differences in the sound quality occasionally made sections sound awkward when they were spliced together. The timeline is also a little confusing because the film jumps around a lot; however, this is all minor. 20 Seconds of Joy lets you experience the sense of joy Hollekim receives from her life, yet it also left me pondering deeper subjects like life, death and fear. You can see this filmn at the Northwest Film Forum, located in Capitol HillJanuary 2nd thru the 8th.visit www.nwfilmforum.org for information and show times

Read More

3 Opportunities from SIFF!!!!!

FutureWave Shorts Submissions are Open for SIFF 2009Don't miss this chance to be considered to screen your youth-made film the Seattle International Film Festival this June!Submissions are now being accepted for the FutureWave Shorts program featuring the work of youth (aged 18 and under) from around the world.If you have completed a film since January 2008, download the application form and send it in now. The application fee is just $20, and if you shot the film in Washington State, the application is FREE. The FutureWave Shorts will be screened on June 6, 2009 during the Seattle International Film Festival (May 21-June 14, 2009). All youth filmmakers in attendance will participate in a post-screening Q+A (see photo above).If you have any questions about submissions, please contact Dustin Kaspar**Our friends at The Film School are bringing back their extraordinary Prodigy Camp. During one intensive week in June, students will be taught the secrets of screenwriting, directing, and cinematography, and they will apply that knowledge to shooting and editing in a short film.Student Volunteers at SIFFVolunteering with SIFF is great way for high-school students to get to know how SIFF Cinema and the Seattle International Film Festival works, and hours can be credited towards community service requirements. We have year-round opportunities in addition to our very active volunteer time during Festival.To get started, first register on-line at Shiftboard. You'll then receive access to our online scheduler, which has a shift calendar and other information on volunteering. Right now, we have an on-going need for ushers at SIFF Cinema, and also distributing our SIFF Cinema calendars throughout the city. In March, we'll begin recruiting for Festival volunteers, so if you're a registered volunteer, you'll receive our e-mail announcements regarding that. The Variety Pack Show Presented by Reel Grrls in partnership with The Vera Project, Punch Drunk Productions, and SIFFThe Variety Pack Show is a new media series for young women in the Seattle area. Reel Grrls will produce a live show on May 30 featuring local bands, spoken word, films, and work from each of the below studio classes.Cinematography WorkshopFebruary 17-19, 2009A three day film camp during mid-winter break. Learn shot composition, lighting, and video techniques.Super 8 WorkshopMarch 7 and 8, 2009Learn to use real film cameras to capture life in a black and white vintage look.DJ & Sound Engineering WorkshopApril 11 and 12, 2009Reel Grrls partners with The Vera Project to bring you DJ'ing skills and the most hands-on live sound experience of any studio engineering program in the Puget Sound area.VJ WorkshopMay 2 and 3, 2009Be a "Video Jockey" and edit video in sync with live or recorded music.Teen girls can sign up for one or all workshops. More info: lane@reelgrrls.org206.323.0693www.reelgrrls.org

Read More

A SIFF Offer “You Can’t Refuse”

A Review of The Godfather and The Godfather Part 2at SIFF Cinemaby Renee A.I am ashamed to admit that I waited seventeen years to watch the Godfather movies. For years now I have been hearing about this cultural phenomenon with quotes used in all sorts of settings; the most common being the famous phrase and motto of the Corleone Family “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”While I am not the type of girl who watches chick flicks and strays away from any movie involving blood and violence, I still found myself hesitating to start watching these movies. I knew there was going to be a lot of people dying and since I have a tendency to get attached to characters (I was devastated when Piggy died in Lord of the Flies), I knew I could be in for feeling some strong emotions. What I found to be amazing about the Godfather movies is that they manipulate how you feel about each death. Whenever someone died, and I knew it was “for the good of the family,” I was totally ok with it but when someone working for the family was killed, it made me feel downright mad. The fact that I wanted this mafia family to succeed and that I considered them the good guys puzzled me and made me realize just how great these movies are.The first movie “The Godfather” introduces the audience to the Corleone clan, a strong mafia family in the late 1940s. Most importantly the viewers meet Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), the “don” or “godfather” of the family, and his youngest son Michael (Al Pacino) who, resisting the family business, enlisted in the marines and has returned home a war hero. We are also introduced to the Godfather’s other sons, Sonny (James Caan), Fredo (John Cazale), Tom (Robert Duvall) who is adopted, and his only daughter Connie (Talia Shire). When a drug trafficker asks for help from the Corleone family and is rejected, he has the Godfather shot. Luckily the Godfather survives but the events that occur because of his near fatality change the future of the Corleones forever, especially that of Michael. Michael, after saving his father from a second murder attempt, convinces his brothers that it should be he who murders his fathers attempting assassins. This decision sets the stage for Michael to become the new Don of the family after his brother Sonny is murdered and his father’s health finally fails him. The movie ends with Michael showing the other heads of the five mafia families how powerful he is by having each of them killed. The movie leaves you feeling conflicted because in order to become the new Don of the family Michael has lost the good morals that made him so lovable as the youngest son of the Corleones.The second movie focuses on Michael’s new rule as the don of the Corleone family while also telling the story of his father’s life (Vito) and how he became the Godfather. This story has a more complicated plot filled with backstabbing characters and multiple mafia related murders. The parallels between father and son are shown as we see how both Vito and Michael started out as innocent boys and how their lives changed upon the murders or attempted murders of their fathers. However, the audience is able to see differences in the life of Michael from that of his father’s. Vito always made his business about his family where Michael’s business maneuvers cause him to end up with a ruined marriage and a betrayal by his brother that almost kills him. I loved the insight that this movie offers into the characters and how the family business may not be such a good thing. This second movie takes a lot of the glamour out of the mafia life that I felt was portrayed in the first.So the Seattle International Film Festival Cinema is showing newly restored prints of the Godfather Parts 1 and 2. As a newly made Godfather fanatic, I highly recommend that you take the time and check out these restored masterpieces in cinematography. I honestly think that these movies should be a requirement for everyone to watch at some point in their life but don’t take my word for it. Go see the Godfather parts 1 and 2 and then spread the word about just how extraordinary these movies are. The Godfather and The Godfather Part 2 play at SIFF Cinemalocated in McCaw Hall at Seattle CenterDecember 19 thru January 1stsee www.siff.net for a complete list of showtimes, including several double feature options

Read More

This Weekend at Vera Project!

The Dutchess and the Duke at Vera!Friday December 12 7:30 PMGirls Rock! Seattle Launch Party!The Dutchess and the DukePanda & AngelAnother Perfect CrimeKusikiaDJ Shani Thunders$11 ($10 w. club card)Buy advance tickets at TICKETWEBVera is extremely excited to welcome Girls Rock Seattle as they host their launch party with Hardly Art risers The Dutchess and the Duke. Their brand of earthy folk and indie This should be a fun night and it goes to a great cause!The Stranger Suggests: Hawnay Troof (of XBXRX) w. Little Party and the Bad Business!Saturday December 13 7:30 PMAntarctic Records & The Vera Project Present:Hawnay Troof (of XBXRX)Little Party and the Bad BusinessThe WigginsVacation$9 ($8 w. club card)Buy advance tickets at TICKETWEBAs if this show wasn’t awesome enough already – check out what The Stranger had to say about it this week: ”Live shows by Hawnay Troof—the solo electro-punk project of explosive XBXRX frontman Vice Cooler—are wildly energetic spectacles, with Cooler rapping and dancing and leaping around.” Vera is proud to welcome one of our own personal favorite performers: Hawnay Troof. This one man dance machine gets things started not too unlike some dudes from just south of Seattle named YACHT and Panther. If you aren’t familiar with Hawnay Troof, you may be familiar with his other group XBXRX, the southern punk powerhouse which Vera has been privileged to have welcome before!

Read More

New Venue: Pick of the Week!

Great Speeches from a Dying World @ The Northwest Film ForumCAPITOL HILL

Finding that homeless people seem to be invisible to the rest of society, director Linas Phillips (Walking To Werner) set out to familiarize himself with 12 people who were living on the streets of Seattle. As he developed friendships and discovered each person's particular struggles, he asked the subjects to read a famous speech from history that they felt related to their lives. Phillips encounters human empathy and hope alongside the low points of extreme poverty in this intimate exploration of homelessness.

Read More

Revived, Invigorated and Inspired!

A review of Black Nativityat INTIMAN TheatreBy Molly L.Langston Hughes said it best when he described his work of art as “A Gospel Song Play.” That is exactly what it is! Black Nativity is “a,” it is one of a kind, there isn’t anything else quite like it. It is a gospel, spreading the news of Jesus’ birth. The show is a Song, there is so much singing preformed by very talented musicians with amazing soloists. Finally, the show is a play; it is a theatrical interpretation of a story told through words and movement.I’ve seen this play three times before and every time I realize all over again how amazing and unique this show really is. This show is truly a journey; not only are the actors onstage performing a musical, dramatic journey, but you are living one too. When you go to this show at the Intiman, you’ll lose yourself. From the very first note you are captivated, drawn into the story, into the music. The story sucks you in, without knowing it you forget to blink, your eyes are transfixed by the action onstage. Your soul is hooked too. You gulp in the songs about love, about peace, hungry for more. Your heart beats faster with the powerful poetry about change and equality by Langston Hughes.Songs, one after another, each bring you somewhere new. The joy on the choir members’ faces is infectious. So much powerful, joyful dancing interprets the story that the narrators are reading. All the characters are so beautiful, so unique, presenting their well-known stories. There is an indescribable mood and emotion filling everyone there, “I can feel it in the atmosphere-the presence of the Lord is here,” the choir sings. You can tell that they truly believe it. No matter who you are, what your background is or what religion you belong to, you know that there is some other presence too. The show ends and you return to yourself, but there are some notable changes, you aren’t the person you came to the show as: you’re revived and invigorated, and inspired!Black Nativity plays now through Decmeber 27th at INTIMAN Theatre, located in Seattle Center201 Mercer Street, Seattle WA 98109for tickets and info, call 206.269.1900 or visit www.intiman.org

Read More

A Lively Family of Eccentrics

Review of You Can't Take It With Youat Seattle Repertory TheatreBy Emma K.With the holiday season upon us, and every family having to tighten their purse strings, it’s nice to see a show that reminds us of what’s really important. You Can’t Take It With You, currently playing at Seattle Rep, is just such a delightful treat.Written in 1936 by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the play follows the Sycamore family and their circle of eccentric friends. Alice Sycamore, the “normal” one, becomes engaged to Tony Kirby, the son of a wealthy Wall Street businessman. When the two families come together, there are fireworks – literally.The cast of eighteen has excellent rapport with each other and captures the essence of a real family with panache. The ensemble contains a host of Seattle’s most seasoned actors – Anne Allgood, R. Hamilton Wright, and Mark Chamberlin to name a few. Everyone has spot-on comic timing, and finds obvious joy in the script’s abundant humor. As the young lovers, Elise Karolina Hunt and the Jimmy Stewart-esque Ben Hollandsworth are the picture of youthful 1936 innocence and elegance, while Annette Toughtonghi is especially delightful as the comic, would-be dancer Essie. Special note must be taken of Michael Winters as the Grandfather, the voice of reason and wisdom in the household. He has a knowing way about him, and an ease that make it impossible not to believe his character’s sentiments. Also included in the cast are Ian Bell, Frank Corrado, David Drummond, Curtis Eastwood, Brandford Farwell, Allen Galle, Cecil Luellen, and Khatt Taylor.The set design by Michael Ganio is realistically cluttered with eccentric knickknacks, feeling inviting and lived in. Beautiful costumes by Frances Kenny are reminiscent of old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films, while the renowned Warner Shook’s direction crafts an overall sense of fun and contentment.The real genius in this show is the writing. The script is quick and witty, clichéd only to the point of sweetness. It does have its dated moments, however, especially regarding the two African-American characters. This being 2008, it would have been gratifying if the Rep had edited out these offenses as they were, for the most part, gratuitous to the story.Besides this misstep, the production is lively, colorful, and entertaining, while reminding us that money is really not what matters.You Can't Take It With You plays now through January 3rdat Seattle Repertory Theatre, located in Seattle Center155 Mercer Street, Seattle WA 98109for tickets and info, visit http://www.seattlerep.org/ or call 206.443.2222

Read More

Bumbling Miners Re-envision “Family”

A Review of The Christmas FoundlingAt Taproot TheatreBy Emma M.The Christmas Foundling, Taproot Theatre’s holiday offering, brings to the season a story of family and love and many fabulous performances.It’s a story of a group of slightly bumbling miners who try their hand at raising a child and then dealing with his long lost family when they arrive on their doorstep ten years later. The play is inspired by stories by Bret Harte who was considered during his time, the American Charles Dickens and was more popular than Mark Twain.Under the direction of Karen Lund, the ensemble gave a good “telling” (as the characters would say) of this powerful but simple story. Although most of the actors gave solid, professional performances, the character of Moscow, played by David Anthony Lewis, was especially appealing as a romantic Russian.The production did a good job of presenting the difficulties and triumphs of the characters as they grappled with some tough choices. However, the ending of the play could have been stronger in the reasons for resolution.The Christmas Foundling gives audiences the opportunity of thinking about what it means to be a family and that is a great gift during the holiday season. The Christmas Foundling plays now through December 27that Taproot Theatre in Greenwoodfor tickets and informationvisit www.taproottheatre.org or call 206.781.9707

Read More

A Piece of “Tradition” You Don’t Want to Miss!

A review of Fiddler on the Roof, performed by The Driftwood Playersby Rachel N.Almost everyone has seen or at least heard of the classic movie “Fiddler on the Roof,” but it’s not every day you get to see it performed live. Through December 21st, however, anyone can have the pleasure of seeing this amazing musical performed by the Driftwood Players at Wade James Theatre (voted #2 Best Theatre Group in Western Washington of 2008) in Edmonds – and it certainly was a pleasure! It’s hard to compete with the 1971 film adaptation, but Driftwood’s endearing cast and lively choreography does pretty darn well.“Fiddler on the Roof” is a story of the small, tradition-based Jewish village of Anatevcka in Russia, 1905. We follow the peasant Tevye as his lifestyle of tradition is threatened by his daughters’ wishes to marry men not chosen by a matchmaker, ethnic violence against the Jews, and foreshadowing of a political revolution in Russia. The original production won 9 Tony’s and 3 Academy Awards, and holds a very dear place in every musical-loving heart.Wade James Theatre may seem a little small, but it has a friendly atmosphere, with Christmas décor in the lobby and donation-basis cookies and coffee at intermission. Considering the Driftwood Players are a nonprofit, self-supported group, I wasn’t expecting too much in the way of sets and costumes. But boy, was I wrong! The costumes were very historically accurate, as well as detailed: Tevye had a patch on his vest and scuffed-looking boots; the scene changes were quick, but didn’t take away from the lovely sets; and even the use of lights and effects added to the story. One particular scene is set in a graveyard, and I was very pleased with the set crew’s use of a fog machine!It was easy to hear all the soloists from the front row, but at times it may have been a bit of a strain for those in the back of the audience. There were a few minor technical glitches in the first scene, but nothing else went wrong for the rest of the show. Everyone behind the curtain definitely seemed to know what they were doing, making sure nothing went wrong for the actors onstage. Furthermore, it was evident that the props managers did their homework on Jewish culture: each doorway had a mezuzah (an encased sacred parchment hung on the doorpost of Jewish homes) and the newspaper in one scene even had Hebrew writing. In my opinion, however, the best detail was the live music, especially the presence of a “real” fiddler, not just someone miming to a prerecording.Overall, the actors were quite impressive. There were one or two singers I felt weren’t quite at the same level as the rest of the cast, but it was an overlookable flaw. John Klise, who played Tevye, did a great job considering the magnitude of his role, and his three daughters, Tzeitel (Traci Biegenwald), Hodel (Lindsay Powers), and Chava (Karin Redden), were no less delightful. It was obvious every actor onstage had worked long and hard on multiple songs with impressive choreography, as well as individual lines and blocking.When the house lights came up at the end of act one, the whole audience was buzzing about who their favorite was, what they liked, and how much they were enjoying themselves. I was no less enthusiastic. Although it’s not exactly a “happy ending” kind of show, I had a smile on my face when I walked out the door at the end of the evening. Tickets are $20-$23, a very reasonable price considering the superb quality of both the costumes and its actors. However, seating is not assigned, so make sure you get there in plenty of time to grab a good seat. But regardless where you sit, you’re sure to leave the theatre humming the tunes and tapping your feet . This is one piece of “Tradition” you won’t want to miss!Fiddler On The Roof plays now through December 21st, 2008at Driftwood Theatre in Edmonds950 Main Street, Edmonds WAfor tickets and information:visit www.driftwoodplayers.orgor call 425.774.9600

Read More

Dazzling “Nutcracker” Will Make Seasons Bright

A review of The Nutcrackerat Pacific Northwest Balletby Jonathan H.I will admit, I am not a huge fan of ballet or dance performances, but The Nutcracker has always been an exception. Having seen this several times in my life, I came in sort of knowing what to expect. I knew I would see dazzling costumes and sets, lots of snow, beautiful dancing, and wonderful music. And to be frank, this is exactly what I got. But there was something different about this visit to McCaw Hall for a performance of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s The Nutcracker. For the first time I realized this was no ordinary ballet, but rather an event. Coming in, I saw employees in costume singing Christmas carols and doing magic tricks for children, and the lobby of the theatre was decorated with all kinds of holiday decor. I also saw various models of nutcrackers placed all around, giving plenty of photo opportunities for families. This in a way adds to the magic of The Nutcracker, because for many children it truly is something big. And I guarantee that this is probably the biggest and one of the best you will see anywhere. Of course, when most tickets run at $60 a pop, that is what you would expect.One of the most unique things about this Nutcracker is that you don’t get the traditional experience you may get other places. Yes, you do get the story we all know and love, and the characters are the same for the most part. The thing I realized as I watched this ballet is that it can be very open to interpretation. The only thing holding it together at the start is the orchestrations by Tchaikovsky, and a simple plot line. After that, several things can be decided for themselves. And PNB is not afraid of changing the traditional experience. Instead of a dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies, you get a dance of the flowers, and instead of the second act taking place in a fantasy land, you get a Southeast Asian setting. And all of these things make the show so much more than a normal show.PNB is also very proud to have their show artistically designed by famous author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak (known for his work illustrating the books “Little Bear” and “Where the Wild Things Are”). His work is very obvious and recognizable, making many of his designs bulky and large. His sets are very elaborate and beautiful, with most everything being two dimensional, although creating the effect of being in three dimensions. He also designed the costumes. Although not as obvious as his artwork, they are still as colorful and elaborate as his sets. There are some dazzling special effects included in the show. Like I mentioned before, it snows on stage. And this is not the fake looking kind you would see on other stages. This looks very realistic and is very beautiful in the Snowflakes dance. It was also great to see a giant 25-foot mouse king come out on the stage, as well as seeing a lit-up Christmas tree triple in size as Clara shrinks to mouse size. These effects add to the magic already added by the performers.The cast of this show is incredibly large, at about fifty dancers not including the 200 children alternating the roles throughout the show’s run. But each one of these fine dancers is almost flawless in their performances, while telling the story and keeping perfect style in their dances. Even the children are impressive, despite the fact that they don’t have the experience that the adults have. Elizabeth Malanga, who plays Clara, is very good having a lot to do at a young age. Other stand-outs include Older Clara (Carrie Imler) and the Nutcracker Prince (Batkhurel Bold), who are beautiful and precise together in their performances. I also liked Uko Gorter as Herr Drosselmeier who, although he has little dancing, does a great job with his character. And I want to give special recognition to the orchestra, doing a flawless job of playing each one of the recognizable suites beautifully. They are so good you almost forget they are even there. Getting tickets to this show shouldn’t be much of a problem, considering that there are over 40 performances of this show scheduled, and the fact that the theatre is exceptionally large means that sold-out houses aren’t likely to happen every night. But do not doubt that it will be crowded, because this is an extremely popular show. The only unfortunate thing with this is that you can’t get the $5 tickets you would get normally with your pass. Sunday, November 30th at 1 pm is the only exception, but there is limited seating for us Teen-Tixers. Otherwise, you will need to pay the normal ticket price. But don’t let that get you down, because this is a seasonal event not to miss. I guarantee it will be worth the price of admission.The Nutcracker, presented by Pacific Northwest Ballet, performs at McCaw Hall at Seattle Centernow through December 30th, 2008.Contact pnb.org or 206.441.3574 for tickets and informationPlease note: This production is NOT Teen Tix eligible. Full ticket prices apply.

Read More

SAVE THE DATE: Nutcracker at PNB

Pacific Northwest ballet is about to roll out its annual production of Nutcracker.Its so darn good and popular, that PNB doesn't offer Teen Tix for this show :-(HOWEVER. . . . on one day only, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30th at 5:30pm, PNB has graciously put aside 100 tickets just for you, our Teen Tix members!!! Only 1 ticket per Teen Tix pass holder (no 2 for $10 this day), and it is first come first serve, so if you wanna see this super cool dance performance, write the date in your calendar now and hustle over to McCaw Hall early on Sunday the 30th to claim your ticket!

Read More

A Mediocre Crew of Red-Nosed Pirates

A review of Bluenose at Seattle Children’s TheatreBy Abbie BWhat started out as a promising story of an endearing crew of red-nosed pirates and their encounter with a blue-nosed girl quickly became a rather mediocre performance. The biggest problems were the lack of a structured plot and clever humor. Although the majority of the audience members were still learning their ABC’s, even they got tired of the repeated physical humor. While the kids giggled at some bathroom jokes about underwear and poop, any other laughs were sparse, and the audience, even the adults, wasn’t entertained enough to sit still and keep quiet for more than 3 minutes at a time. This happened most often during the unbalanced serious portions of the plot, which dragged on without any comic relief for much too long.Also, Bluenose tried very hard to add a moral to the story, but even the simple message about prejudice against people who are different than you was underdeveloped. As we were walking out of the theatre, it took my mother and me a few minutes to understand the message, after the confusing twist of Bluenose’s own prejudice in the final scene. We were both disappointed in this show, as our prior Seattle Children’s Theatre visits resulted in laughs and line-quoting. This visit to Bluenose ended with a confused discussion. When I asked her opinion on a certain portion of the show she chuckled, “Oh, I took a little nap during that part! I was just so bored!”On a positive note, the children all seemed to be happy by the end and wanted to stay for the ever-popular question session, which is always a good sign. Also, the 4 actors were great, with lively performances and well rehearsed dancing, juggling, and even trampoline jumping. Furthermore, the set, costumes, and props were all fantastic and the sound effects coincided perfectly with all the actions, meaning the show was obviously well-rehearsed. Although Bluenose was lacking in many areas, the professionalism and actor’s performances were noteworthy.Bluenose plays at Seattle Children's Theatre through December 14thfor tickets and information, visit http://www.sct.org/or call the box office at 206.441.3322

Read More

Spend Some Time in Oz this Holiday Season

A review of The Wizard of Ozat Seattle Children's Theatreby Jonathan H. Age 15I have to say, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this show. I have very much enjoyed many shows at the Seattle Children’s Theatre before, but to have a show as well known as “The Wizard of Oz” play itself out on their stage only makes me want to compare it to the well known movie. I know from past experiences that SCT has been known to adapt stories for their own benefit. Would they try to change it to make it new and original? Would it be completely like the movie, and if it were, would it fail in comparison? I thought of such things before the lights came up on the stage in a sold-out house, and my questions were soon answered. In fact, the play is very much like the original movie, with only slight changes to the scenes. For the most part, it stays close to the movie’s roots, and thankfully, it makes itself out to be independently a great show.For those of you who may not know the plot, (if you haven’t seen the original movie, I would definitely recommend you check it out) it begins with Dorothy Gale, a young girl growing on a small farm in Kansas with her aunt, uncle, friendly farmhands, and her little dog Toto. She often dreams of a magical land somewhere over the rainbow, and once her farm is struck by a large twister, she eventually makes it to this magical place called Oz. There she meets a town of munchkins and a kind witch who points her to the Wizard of Oz so she can find her way home. She is assisted by some new friends she meets along the way, namely Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion. But of course, there is an evil witch who will stop at nothing to get the magical ruby slippers which Dorothy wields.The acting in this show, while not incredible, is in fact very good and enjoyable. Each actor gives their character a little something that separates them from the original character, while still staying relatively the same. And this can be tough, especially when you have a cast of 18, in which most of the ensemble members play three or four different parts. Even some of the leads have double parts, which is intentional to the story. But of course, the one who holds it together is Kasey Nusbrick as Dorothy (whom you may know as Gabriella from “High School Musical” at SCT last season). She does a wonderful job at keeping that child-like wonder Judy Garland brought in the film. She may not be Judy, but she does an admirable job of being unique and not trying to imitate her. While her singing in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is good, she doesn’t make it as memorable above the rest in the show. I think this is actually good though, because she could have overdone it and made it seem annoying.As for her trio of friends, the Scarecrow (Auston James), the Tin Man (Matt Wolfe), and the Lion (Todd Jefferson Moore), all play their parts well enough. In may opinion, and I think this could be the fault of the script, but I almost felt like there wasn’t much character to each of these parts, besides the facts that they each have their own wants, movements and actions. But these actors do a fine job in keeping the characters endearing enough to keep us interested in them. They also do well in the opening and closing scenes as farmhands, in which they hint at the character they each resemble in Oz. I do think Moore does a noticeably funnier job as the Lion, although he is given more to work with than the others.Some other stand-outs in the cast include Peter Crook as the Fortune Teller at the beginning and as the Wizard of Oz later in the story. He is effective in both of his small scenes, especially when he is revealed as a human, and not a giant talking head. John Patrick Lowrie as Uncle Henry and the Oz Doorkeeper is very good as well. And for delivering some of the biggest laughs of the night, I want to point out Don Darryl Rivera as the Mayor of Munchkinland. He was such a delight to watch, and he certainly enhanced the fun of that scene, which made it one of my favorites from the show, although it isn’t my favorite from the movie.There were some problems in the cast however. Sharva Maynard plays both Auntie Em and Glinda the Good Witch, and while I think she was completely believable as Auntie Em, she didn’t have much of a sweetness in her voice as Glinda. Her singing is good, but not as sweet and clear as expected. I would also like to point out Julie Briskman, who is noted to have played the White Witch in SCT’s “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” several years ago. This would lead me to assume that she would be perfect for the part as the Wicked Witch. Unfortunately, she doesn’t bring enough scariness to her part, although if she did play it like the Witch from the movie she would probably terrify some poor little children in the audience. Of course, the problem I could have had with her was that she wasn’t really green which ruins the effect of the character.Now I don’t think I realized this before, but this show is very heavy on special effects. After all there is a twister, a melting witch, a big talking head, a crystal ball in which we see faces appear, and many other things too numerous to mention. This show accomplishes all of these great feats. Most notable are the effects used in the twister scene, in which Dorothy is seen in her room while things like cows and witches and a man in a rowboat fly by. This was spectacular in the way it was presented, and it generated some big applause afterwards. The use of a screen in front and back helped with most of these effects. The way that they got the giant wizard face to react to the characters was spectacular as well. I also like the way that the actors made Dorothy’s dog Toto (as a puppet) come to life on stage. While it may not look real, it is very cute in the way that it is presented. Seeing all of these special effects live is one of the main reasons to want to see this.I found this show to be very fun and entertaining. The musical numbers are fun, such as the song by the Munchkins and the one in the Emerald City. The sets are very good and reminded me a lot of the movie, such as the way the Witch’s castle is designed to be creepy and gloomy like the film. The costumes are also very good, although not the best I could’ve seen for the Tin Man and Lion.My suggestion is if you liked the movie as I did, go see this show with your family. If you’re on the fence about it, go see it anyway. I’m sure this production will help you find an appreciation for the show. It runs through January 17, although I would recommend you see it soon, as it is a very magical show and great to see for the holiday season. The Wizard of Oz plays now through January 17, 2009 atSeattle Children's Theatrelocated at Seattle Centerwww.sct.org206.441.3322

Read More

WANTED: Reviewers and Steering Committee Members

Teen Tix Seeks New Members for its Teen Steering CommitteeAre you a regular use Teen Tix member? Do you have strong thoughts and opinions? Looking for a new volunteer opportunity? Want to rule the world?If so, then we want YOU!Teen Tix is recruiting new members for its Teen Steering Committee. The committee meets once a month to discuss all issues Teen Tix. Help us shape the future of the program, find ways to improve things, recruit new members, and generally keep it real.Special perks are involved, and your presence valued. Come join us!If interested, email teentix@seattle.gov for more information.Teen Tix Seeks Freelance Reviewers!The Teen Reviewer Program exists to give young writers the chance to experience the world of art criticism and share their opinions with the larger arts community. The volunteer Teen Reviewer program is open to all current Teen Tix members.When there is an opportunity to review a show at a participating Teen Tix venue, Teen Tix will send out a volunteer notice to the pre-selected pool of teen reviewers.If you are selected to review a show, you will receive two free tickets to the designated performance.Then simply write your review, and we will post it on our blog and possibly our newsletter.If you are interested in becoming part of our pool of writers, email teentix@seattle.gov for more information!

Read More

Internship Opportunity for Young Artists!

KTUB, Kirkland Teen Union Building, is sponsoring an Artist-In-Residence Program. The internship is a six month program that provides aspiring artists (ages 13 - 20) the opportunity to build a body of work, develop as individual artists, and make connections with artists in the community. Any youth who think they would benefit from this awesome opportunity are encoiuraged to apply! They can contact Mercedes at arts@ktub.org for more detailed information and applications.Deadline to apply is December 6, 2008Check out ktub.org for more information on this opportunity.

Read More

Creation and Experimentation at PNB

A review of New Worksat Pacific Northwest BalletBy Kaitlin S.The sweat flew at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s New Works, which featured two world premier pieces, a Pacific Northwest Ballet premier, and a reproduction.M-Pulse, one of New Works’ world premiers, featured a tribal, percussion-heavy score by Christina Spinei and choreography by Kiyon Gaines. Gaines received his ballet education at the School of American Ballet. At the school, Gaines met Peter Boal, PNB’s Artistic Director. “It’s interesting that some people see movement when they hear music. I see colors,” said Gaines in an interview with Ballet Dance Magazine in 2006. The colors shined in the piece’s costumes and set, which resembled peacocks and leopards. So perhaps Gaines saw green, blue, and spots while choreographing.New York City Ballet dancer/choreographer Benjamin Millepied contributed the choreography for the world premier, 3 Movements. According to New York Guides, Millepied has gotten a great deal of inspiration from the work of choreographer Jerome Robbins. 3 Movements’ choreography resembles Robbins’ minimalist, modern style, but is still full of its own surprises.PNB premier, A Garden, was choreographed by Seattle native Mark Morris. Morris has proved to be a prolific choreographer and entrepreneur. In 1980, he formed The Mark Morris Dance Group, and has choreographed over 120 pieces. A Garden had a plain blue background, plain costumes, and was, on the whole, a rather predictable, cleanly done production.In One Flat Thing, fourteen dancers crawl, swing from, sit on, and gymnasticize around twenty metal tables. The tuneless music to which the piece is choreographed resembles the sounds one would hear at a construction site. William Foiursythe pushed the limits of what is typically considered ballet with One Flat Thing.Pacific Northwest Ballet has done 44 new works since 2005. “All of what we love about ballet is born of the opportunity to create and experiment.” said Peter Boal in the New Works’ director’s note.Only time will tell whether or not this “creation” and “experimentation” produces true classics. New Works plays at Pacific Northwest Ballet now thru Sunday November 16that McCaw Hall, Seattle Centervisit http://www.pnb.org/ for more infoBox Office: 206.441.3574

Read More

A Wild Ride in Becky’s New Car

Review of Becky's New Carat ACT TheatreBy Michelle K.As soon as one enters ACT, the vibrancy of the venue and the whispering of the play-goers’ excited voices sends chills up the spine. Once sat into my seat by a friendly usher, I couldn’t help but notice some similarities between the stage set up and ancient amphitheatres. The circular construction of the stage, and the ever-rising seats served as a perfect auditorium for the actors. Speech was likely to be heard crystal clear, which it was the whole time sans clunky microphones. However beautiful and rousing the venue was, the true center of attention was “Becky”, or the talented actress Kimberly King. Assisted by loving husband, Joe (Charles Leggett), this team made a funny script hilarious with their unbearable realness and almost too nuanced affections of husband and wife. However, when Becky meets a wealthy new man (Walter- Michael Winters), her loving relationship falls into a bed of lies.The play consisted of not only dialogue, but pauses for the audience because the lines were laugh-out-loud funny. Steven Dietz, playwright of Becky’s New Car, infuses a sarcastic humor and faith in an amazing cast to bring to life an experience that seems not only Becky’s, but the audience’s watching. To further this experience, the play is conducted in a viewer-interactive manner: many of the actors talk to audience members sitting in front rows. Charles Leggett (Joe), in a particularly intense scene even screeched with utter amusement, “C’mon Becky, it’s not like all these people aren’t right here in front of us!” The fact that the cast acknowledged our existence made this play unique in a very one-on-one sense: we were a part of the play, our existence made it or broke it, and they knew it.The play was a wild ride throughout: love triangles, fiancés, and luxurious SUVs, “Becky’s” had it all. However humorous the script, the play involved a sense of seriousness with dabs of philosophy and “wisdom through experience” moments. In the play, Becky spoke to the audience of her recently deceased friend, “She would always say when a woman asked for a new car, she really wanted a new life.” And boy, did Becky drive away full speed ahead in that “car”. But, did she ever make a U-Turn? That’s for the audience to know, and you to find out!Becky's New Car plays now through November 16, 2008ACT Theatre700 Union Street, Seattle WA 98101206.292.7660http://www.acttheatre.org/

Read More

Advertise YOUR event on the TeenTix Blog!

Hey Teens. . . .Do you have a special arts event coming up at your school, community group, or elsewhere?Want to let other teens know about it?If so, consider posting to the Teen Tix blog!You can enter information on your upcoming event, and have it seen by hundreds of avid readers and arts patrons.Announce your school play.Talk up your band's latest gig.Highlight a local art exhibition.Publish your latest short story.The list is endless. . . . .Contribute to the Teen Tix blog today!simply email: teentix@seattle.gov to get login and password information, then go to http://www.teentix.blogspot.com/ to add your post.Done and done!Hope to see your events up here soon!!!!!!!!!!

Read More

From the Field

Don't miss out!Only 2 weeks left!The Three MusketeersSeattle Repertory TheatreNOW through Nov. 9thwww.seattlerep.orgPictured: Montana von Fliss as Sabine and Ryan Shams as AramisI’m sitting in my dressing room at the Seattle Rep after a student matinee performance that had, in my opinion, our best audience ever! Let me back up and tell you that I’m Montana von Fliss and I work for Teen Tix, but I’m also a professional actor and I’m thrilled to have a part in The Three Musketeers, which is playing right now at Seattle Repertory Theatre. I play Sabine, D’Artagnan’s feisty sword fighting 17 year old sister, who tags along for the adventure. She’s not in the original novel but has been added as a sort of 5th Musketeer. (D’Artagnan is generally considered the 4th Musketeer so Sabine is, as I prefer to call her, the 5th Beatle – or "Totally Awesome," as I also like to call her.)The show has tons of sword fighting and swashbuckling and spectacle. It’s sort of an Indiana Jones in olden times. Pure fun. And today we found our perfect audience: people between the ages 13-18. This morning teenagers from all over this fine state packed the Rep’s huge 850-seat auditorium for our student matinee and laughed and hollered and cheered for the good guys and hissed at the bad guys. It was live theatre with a live wire audience and it was brilliant!So if you’re 13-18 years old, please don’t miss this show. Please come and laugh loudly and boo and hiss and ooh and aah, just like the audiences in the good old bawdy days at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Use your Teen Tix pass and get a $5 ticket to The Three Musketeers before it closes on November 9th – don’t wait!

All for one,MontanaTeen Tix Duchess

Read More

Login

Create an account | Reset your password