TeenTix Blog

is not in Venezuela.Is Guatemala

Review of Granito: How to Nail a Dictator @ SIFF Cinema by Jennifer K.Granito is an inspiring film about the massacre of the indigenous Mayan tribe in Venezuela and the current generation’s journey to demand justice from a corrupt government. In the absence of effective media focus, the crimes of the Guatemalan government have gone completely unnoticed, and the genocide is often overlooked in history. The creator of the documentary also produced When the Mountains Tremble to increase awareness of the Mayan extermination campaigns. Her dedication and passion towards the subject matter can be felt through the medium of film, and provokes the audience to be proactive about the issues that exist today in less fortunate societies. A still from the movie Granito: How to Nail a DictatorThere is an abundance of footage that the filmmaker took herself, providing an extensive pathos driven argument for her case. Although the effort is greatly admirable, half of the film is in Spanish and the viewers must often read the subtitles, which could be difficult for some. However, it truly is heartfelt to listen to the Mayan people recounting their experiences encountering Venezuelan soldiers who were ordered to massacre entire towns.The human injustice is baffling and the film evoked sympathy and frustration in light of the suppression of the people by a corrupt government. As the years pass with no significant progress toward justice, the filmmaker attempts to make the past experiences relevant to the current generation so that the Mayan victims will not be forgotten. GranitoThrough Nov 29SIFF Cinema

Review of Hairspray @ Seattle Musical Theatre by Melissa C.I was hoping to once again be surprised and delighted by Seattle Musical Theatre, whose building looks like a warehouse from the outside and feels intimate and friendly on the inside, but is capable of putting on high quality performances that belie its appearance. Not this time. This performance had so many problems that rather than being entertained by the inspirational story of how a chubby high school student achieving fame and success in integrating the Corny Collins Show, I found my attention diverted by the poor performances, which were numerous enough to produce unintentional comedy, instead of purposeful laughs from well delivered lines. When I first entered the theatre I was surprised at the intricacy of the set. While the other Seattle Musical Theatre’s shows that I have seen have had simple, clean backgrounds. This set was a whimsical, colorful, and impressive collection of platforms, doors, curtain, sliding beds, and flipping walls. But the tech crew was not able to follow through at this higher level and the audience was left waiting while they stumbled through a clumsy scene change. That was only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the technical issues in this play. Every light and sound clue was late and awkward so that actors were left singing and dancing in the dark and exiting under bright lights. Not to mention the fact that the mic system was atrocious. Tracy Turnblad, played by Kate Moyer, luckily was a belter and her amazing voice carried through the audience even after her microphone cut out. However, Kate’s positive attributes ended there. She stiffly turned to the audience and said each line in a mocking tone as if making fun of the script. When dancing in the chorus she fell far behind all others when her character was supposed to be outshining all her peers. The cast of Hairspray at Seattle Musical Theatre. Photo by Jenni El Fattal.Amber Von Tussel, whose character was supposed to be the least talented of them was one of the best dancers and actors present. Meanwhile, her mother blundered angrily around the stage, clearly the polar opposite of the talented, put-together Ms. Baltimore Crabs she was supposed to be. Her costar, Corny Collins, livens up the show with his energetic attitude and perfect singing, even though his dancing looked like a mental patient getting an electrical shock. But nothing was as disturbing as Colleen Gillon consistently ending her fun and dynamic characters with the line “I am so lonely” which immediately turned the audience’s chuckles into baffled silence. However, she was one of the better actors, and in general it was the smaller characters that shone - especially Michael Gibbs, whose producer, cop, and principal were simple but hilarious, and gave a reality check to the overdone characters and cheesy lines which dominated the stage. There were some main characters that were able to pull it together. Lil’ Inez was an adorable bundle of talent who won the audience’s hearts. And her mother, Motormouth Maybelle somehow made her rhyming lines seem natural and had the crowd on its feet after her rousing ballad. This was not the only showstopper. The choreographer showed what he was capable of in the number ‘I Can Hear the Bells’ when Link Larkin was carried around like a life size Ken doll.While this was one of the worst professional shows I have ever seen and a huge disappointment knowing what this theatre company is capable of, it was far from boring. However, if you come, make sure to “brace [yourself] for a whole lotta ugly comin' at you from a never ending parade of stupid.”HairsprayThrough December 11Seattle Musical Theatre

Would I (a parent) be able to buy a regular priced ticket to attend Nutcracker with my teenager?

Review of Sylvia @ Seattle Repertory Theatre by Olivia M.I’ve always kind of wanted a dog, a best friend to play Frisbee and snuggle with, but after seeing Sylvia, I know what I really want: an adult human woman pretending to be a dog who can speak English while maintaining the mannerisms of a dog, and who frequently swears quite vulgarly at cats. And I know I want this from spending an evening watching Sylvia at the Seattle Rep.In this gratifying play that is now being revisited after 15 years, we are let into the lives of empty nesters Greg and Kate (Alban Dennis and Mari Nelson), who have moved back to New York City and are both focusing on their careers, when Greg brings home a dog named Sylvia (hilariously portrayed by Linda K. Morris), who was mysteriously found in a park. I was a little confused by the nonchalance of this stray dog acceptance, but who am I to argue with a dog lover’s logic when I have never been graced with a dog in my home. Kate fights back against Greg bringing Sylvia into their apartment, as she wishes to maintain her clean, fun life, sans small life forms who depend on her, namely children or animals.Linda K. Morris, Alban Dennis, and Mari Nelson in Sylvia. Photo courtesy of Seattle Rep.Those three central actors are accompanied by a fourth, Darragh Kennan, who surprised me by portraying three roles. Kennan was my favorite part of the show, consistently making me laugh as Tom, Greg’s dog park buddy, Phyllis, a suspiciously high voiced lady socialite friend of Kate, and finally the super odd, new age marriage therapist Leslie, that Greg and Kate end up going to because Greg’s blossoming affection for the dog makes him refuse to give her up. The bottom line of this show is that I went into it fairly stressed about all the homework I still had to do on that Wednesday evening, and was instantly pulled laughing into the storyline. This is not to say that I didn’t feel my fair share of heartache from the story progression, but without spoiling anything, I will admit that I did walk away satisfied, with both a mended and warmed heart. The set is really fantastic, with the different scenes shifting and the furniture mysteriously pulled on and off screen by what I can only deduce is magic, or possibly invisible string? The puzzle remains. For a few hours of escaping the drudgery that is daily life in Seattle’s winter, I would very much recommend Sylvia to both dog lovers and those lacking furry friends. SylviaThrough December 11Seattle Rep

The Nutcracker @ PNBBring on the Sugarplum Fairies, the Snowflakes, and the Toy Soldiers and celebrate with PNB's annual performance of The Nutcracker! Our friends at Pacific Northwest Ballet are offering a special ONE NIGHT performance of The Nutcrackerjust for Teen Tix Members. 200 Teen Tix tickets will be available for sale on November 27th at 4:00 PM at the PNB box office. Get your tickets on a first-come, first-served basis and enjoy the show! (No companion tickets available.) This is a great opportunity to spend a night in the magical world of The Nutcracker.Check out last year's trailer:NOTE: This performance is the only one of its kind. All other performances of The Nutcracker are NOT Teen Tix eligible.The NutcrackerNovember 27 @ 5:30 PMPNB

Review of All Ages Dance Party: Vampires vs. Werewolves @ EMP by Melissa C.I am not a huge fan of either horror movies or the rap bands that were scheduled to perform at this teen organized event honoring the opening of the new exhibit, so it was warily that I entered the EMP. Immediately I was greeted by enthusiastic makeup artists. These friendly professionals quickly did up our faces and sent us off to be photographed. As I wandered up the stairs the music was pounding, and I prepared myself for a dark, sexy dance party, but I was disappointed to see a small group of teens gathered close to the low stage and a few scattered on the sides looking bored. Once I joined the masses around the stage, my enjoyment increased tenfold. The two young men onstage commanded us to keep our arms up as they busted out some rhymes about life as young rappers and eventually slowly backed off the stage, leaving the crowd cheering for more. They were followed by a tedious but satisfying student made horror film to fill the space before the next artist. Meanwhile, downstairs the horror exhibit was open for spooky flashlight tours or just wandering through as we dared. The exhibit was both informative and scary. Even the security guards were friendly and passionate about their jobs. I ended up walking out of the event with my arms full of complimentary gifts, a new appreciation for rap, and a promise to watch at least three classic horror movies. I spotted groups of people grabbing their coats and dipping early because of the small crowds and little known bands but this late night dance party ended up educating and entertaining me far beyond my expectations.All Ages Dance Party: Vampires vs. WerewolvesCLOSEDEMPSHOWING NOW: Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film

Review of The Swell Season @ SIFF Cinema by Chloe L. Without having seen the movie or knowing about the band beforehand, this movie did not hold as much appeal to me as it could to others who have an understanding of the characters. No one is introduced, it is just assumed that we know the characters; therefore, it is important not to walk into this movie without background information. Even so, this movie had a certain appeal to me. The film grows on you with its extremely realistic approach and odd ability to capture the moment. Interspersed with songs, clips of landscapes, and quotes from interviews, the viewer gets a feeling for the high stress and emotions that these two artists had to go through during their tour. As we follow Glen and Markéta through their two year tour after winning their Oscar, we also watch as they fall apart. We feel the stress of life on the road and get a feeling for the struggles they endure. The black and white picture make the story seem that much more intimate and unrefined. The movie’s rawness can also make it feel choppy and uneven, yet the portrayal has an ability to pull a person into the story. You almost feel as if you were there and looking back on the event and you get caught in the emotion of the film. Through the truthful rendering of this film, we gain new light on what it really means to be an instant celebrity and all the trials that ensue. This film will be loved by all those who love the couple and understand the background of the movie. It also gives a fair warning to all those who are chasing this lifestyle in the spotlight. Look forward to a movie of startling truthfulness and relatability. The Swell Season Through November 23 SIFF Cinema

Review of Hell and Back Again @ SIFF Cinema by Monet C.Opening at the SIFF on November 18th, 2011, this gut-wrenching documentary-turned-action film hooked me from the start. FYI – don’t watch this if you are sensitive to blood or language. I traveled from my comfy chair in Everett, to a place where the incongruity of fully-suited soldiers running through freshly plowed fields and fruit trees didn’t strike me as funny, but as scary. I went into Afghanistan with 25 year-old Marine Nathan Harris, and saw the horrors of war. I never realized how little is actually left over there. My heart stopped when a boy is killed by a missile and I saw him held together by a few threads of muscle. I feared for the men currently over there, as that can happen to them, and has, time and time again. I can’t think of much to say about this movie, except that I feel honored to be protected by men like Harris and my uncle, yet, at the same time, I feel amazed that other men and women would willingly lay down their lives on a routine basis to keep me safe, and the flag flying free. Thank you to all our armed forces and to the veterans and wounded soldiers here at home. NOTE: Contains mature material. Recommended for ages 17+.Hell and Back AgainThrough Nov 23SIFF Cinema

Review of Luminous: The Art of Asia @ Seattle Art Museum by Chloe L.

Double Indemnity @ ACTdou·ble in·dem·ni·ty: a provision in a life-insurance or accident policy whereby the company agrees to pay twice the face of the contract in case of accidental death John Bogar as Walter Huff in Double Indemnity. Photo by Chris BennionSet in the dusty 1930's in Los Angeles, join Walter Huff, an insurance agent who's got the blues and decides to do something about it. Double Indemnity follows him as he searches for a new life, full of lust, intrigue, and cliffhanging twists. Want to learn more? ACT put together a study guide for the audience members who desire to delve deeper into the slang, the history, and the genre. You can view it here.Double IndemnityThrough November 20ACT

Review of Love Stories @ PNB by Naomi T. The Pacific Northwest Ballet heats up the frosty Seattle autumn with Love Stories, it’s second mixed-bill production of the season. Love Storiesfeatures some of ballet’s greatest moments from its many tales of love, the Balcony pas de deux from Roméo et Juliette, the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, and Aurora’s Wedding from The Sleeping Beauty. Also on the program were two PNB premiers, George Balanchine’s Divertimento from “Le Baiser de la Fée,” and Jerome Robbins’s Afternoon of a Faun.

Hairspray @ Seattle Musical TheatreJoin SMT for this status-quo-smashing, fun-as-heck 60's style musical that reminds us all to be who we really are. Tracy Turnblad just wants to dance for the Corny Collins show, but once she gets her big chance she becomes aware of the startling discrimination surrounding her and the TV business. See Tracy fight for equality (and fall in love with Link Larkin, the dreamiest dancer on the show) accompanied by some of the craziest dancing and biggest hair you've ever seen. You can't stop the beat of Hairspray!HairsprayNovember 11 - December 11Seattle Musical Theatre

After Hours @ EMPThe moon rises over EMP Museum on November 12 for After Hours, an all ages dance party designed by teens for teens. An evening of monsters, music, and madness, this killer dance party honors EMP’s new exhibit Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film.Deadly attire is encouraged, so hit the Halloween clearance aisle and break out your scariest wares. (We recommend Value Village!) Prizes awarded for Best Blood Sucker, Best Shapeshifter, and Most Killer Costume. Horror makeup masters will be on hand to help release your inner monster. Plus, hear some groovy live music! All Ages Dance Party: Vampires vs WerewolvesSaturday November 12, 2011 at 7:30pmExperience Music Project

Review of ¡Carnaval! @ Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture by Iman B.Vibrant colors, playful masks, and music. What do they have in common? Well, they are all parts of the celebration of life from every corner in the world.The Carnival exhibit provides an entry way for an exhibit attendee to become engulfed in the fun imagination of festival participants. And through the intimidating knowledge of the exhibit assistants, the exhibit gives information and background about the different festivities and how they pertain to each city’s culture. The various forms of cultural art further enhance the beauty of each celebration.But, the best part of the exhibit is the area for trying on the masks. It allows one's identity to be stolen away to something surreal. The wide variety of masks keeps one pondering what it must've been like to wear one in the middle of a cultural celebration. You can put one on and lose yourself to the mask's identity. The diverse examples of carnivals are euphorically colorful. However, it reminds the attendee that no matter where you are from, how you party, what color scheme you prefer, or what instrument you play, it is necessary for people to take a break and understand that the concept of letting loose in order to celebrate life is universal. This exhibit is for any art fan or individual that wants to see a lot of color and feel ready to let loose. ¡Carnaval!Through January 8Burke Museum

Review of Circle Mirror Transformation @ Seattle Repertory Theatre by Joyce R.Confession: I have developed a tiny crush on a man more than twice my age. Scandalous, I know, but after seeing Michael Patten in Circle Mirror Transformation, I think it is perfectly understandable.Set in a summer theater class, the junction of the lives of five very different people, we see characters develop beyond their superficial personalities, and remind us that everybody, from the most exuberant to the most awkward, has problems. Patten plays Schultz, an awkward, recently divorced man. He really shines in this part and I love his cadence of speech. The rhythm he talks with is so distinct, and so seamlessly pulled off that I can’t even imagine how he would talk in real life. His comedic timing is so great, and his presence kept me deeply amused throughout the entire play.Photo by Keri KellermanThat being said, the play is a little slow; too slow for my tastes, and too long to go without an intermission. Maybe it is the “impatient teenager” part of me speaking, but the development of the characters dragged, and the long awkward pauses, where the characters just stared at each other, only added to this never-ending feeling. Playwright Annie Baker said that “when it feels like nothing is taboo anymore — we can have sex and violence on stage and no one blinks an eye — I think the one thing left that really makes people uncomfortable is empty space and quiet.” Well, she definitely succeeded in making me feel uncomfortable, but is that really a good thing? Does anybody go to the theatre to feel uncomfortable for 2 hours?Also, there were times when the characters struck me as obnoxious. Only at times, and not enough to make me not like the play, but even though I know a story doesn’t need to have likeable characters in order to be a good story and that a character’s likeability is subjective, it was difficult for me to root for these characters when in reality, I didn’t want to befriend any of these people, not even Schultz, who has a special place in my heart. Because of this, I wasn’t completely with them when they overcame their challenges, and I found it difficult to really sympathize with them. Unfortunately this made the moments where the characters reveal their insecurities, when we are supposed to feel for them and connect with them, fall a little flat for me.Regardless, I did like the play. As I said before, Michael Patten was very funny, and Elizabeth Raetz, playing the “hooping” Theresa, also had her moments of hilarity. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience.Circle Mirror TransformationThrough November 20Seattle Repertory Theatre

Sad news: We've just heard that Flamenco, playing in the Recital Hall at Seattle Symphony on November 4 and 5 are SOLD OUT.That means there will be no Teen Tix tickets available to this performance.But you can still see this:Isabelle Faust Performs Schumann's Violin ConcertoThomas Dausgaard, conductorIsabelle Faust, violinSeattle SymphonySchumann: Violin Concerto in D minor Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major Saturday 11/5 at 8pm and Sunday 11/6 at 2pm.Wyckoff Masterworks Season concerts are part of the Seattle Symphony’s new Family Connections program, which offers free companion tickets for up to two children between the ages of 8 and 18, when accompanied by a paying adult. Companion tickets are available by phone or in person through the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office in Benaroya Hall, beginning three weeks prior to the concert.

I appreciate this review for the honest opinion. Understandably, certain shows may not appeal to everyone, however, I wanted to offer a different perspective on a point that was made. SCT's audience is definitely young, but the organization is driven to bring thought-provoking and sophisticated theatre to these young audiences, despite the complex and sometimes taboo nature of the message. By opening the minds of young people to different cultures, ideas and problems around them, theatre becomes one of the strongest art forms because it forces the viewer to think and feel about a subject perhaps unbeknown to them. The current version of Robin Hood at SCT touches on some socioeconomic issues that are a very real concern in our community. Sometimes theatre is about complex interests, but that's part of the education that SCT strives to bring to the stage. I'd be interested to hear other opinions, and how theatre has opened doors or provoked a viewpoint in you. Thanks!

Review of Janie Jones @ SIFF Cinema by Anna M.Janie Jones, which opened at Seattle International Film Festival on Friday, tells the tale of Ethan Brand (Allesandro Nivola), a washed up, drunken, unsuccessful indie rock musician and his new-found, 13 year old daughter Janie Jones (Abigail Breslin). Breslin’s character is brash and worldly, no doubt from the negligence of her drug addicted mother (Elizabeth Nivola) who most recently disappeared, leaving her with Ethan. The story develops as Ethan is thrown out of his band, leading him to further resent the presence of his daughter Janie. Eventually they both bond over their mutual musical talent, etc., etc. Sound familiar? It should. This movie is predictable from the beginning, with the cliché and overused plot surrounding an angry and out of touch musician; enter redemption agent, in this case his daughter Janie. Furthermore, this movie dropped f-bombs like Halloween candy, to the point where the powerful word loses its potency and becomes obnoxious. At base, Janie Jones explores the relationship between parent and child, and the shifting of generations. It does so in an, albeit creative but nonetheless ineffective way.Abigail Breslin in Janie JonesThat being said, it wasn’t all bad. To start out, Breslin, as usual lights up the screen. Her acting brings the inherently exaggerated and annoying character of Janie to the point of being tolerable. This could be said for all the actors; well portrayed but hackneyed characters. I was also surprised to find that Breslin is an awesome singer, which is highlighted throughout the film in multiple solos and duets. In fact, I’ve been humming what I would call the indie/easy listening soundtrack all day. This movie also has some really nice lighting effects and is aesthetically pleasing.All in all, I would rate this movie six out of ten. If you need something to do in the coming cold, wet, Seattle November, it’s worth seeing, if only for the music and the always lovable Abigail Breslin. But bear in mind that although the movie is not rated, there is an array mature, drug related, content and offensive language.NOTE: Contains mature content. Recommended for ages 17+.Janie JonesThrough November 3SIFF Cinema

Review of Evil Dead: The Musical @ ArtsWest by Iman B."Guess who's evil now!” is both the proclamation and the loud, obvious, and in your face statement that a character would shout after being consumed by the evil dead. The simplicity of the most frequent line in the play exemplifies the smart aleck vibe the play has. Ash, the main character, his girlfriend, his best friend, his best friend's hook up, and Ash's sister go out to an abandoned cabin in the woods over spring break for some fun. What could go wrong? The set up is one for a cliché horror story. Frankly, the story is a cliché horror story, but the horror story turns into a smart aleck approach to horror; Going all the way back to the roots of horror – humor. Instead of scaring you to death, the actors cause the audience to laugh to death.The small cast is able to transition from scene to scene in the intimate theatre where the front row audience members are drenched in fake blood; just a tease of some of the “horror" in the play. Ryan Demerick, Elise Campella, James Padillo, EmilyRose Frasca, and Lisa Hill in Evil Dead: The MusicalThe script is loaded with quirky references to everyday life, other plays, and movies that keep the audience roaring with laughter. It also in a way keeps you on your toes, not with suspension, but rather with the script’s ability to scream out the implied when you thought it was implied. The thrown at your face rhetoric keeps you guessing what is going to happen next because, frankly, you can't tell what to expect: the expected or the unexpected. If it's expected, will I have to just mentally imply it, or will the actor colorfully yell it at me? Also, the unexpected constantly switches from cliché responses to original and outlandish statements that keep the audience on their toes and never allows them to get bored.The songs are hilarious. Based around everything you wouldn't expect them to say when using their vocal cords, but manage to do so anyway. They take tid bits of the script, load them into the song and present them in a profane and unconventional way that will keep any audience "deathly" content. Kate Jaeger and James Padilla in Evil Dead: The MusicalWalking away from the play you realize, “Heck I should enjoy life and every moment of it because, to be morbid, who knows when evil is going to sweep me up and take me to the afterlife.” This play is a fun and funny experience for anyone looking to go and have a good laugh. Granted, I must give playgoers a fair warning: make sure you are going with weathered ears and mature individuals. Evil Dead: The MusicalThrough November 20ArtsWestNOTE: This play contains mature material. Suitable for ages 15+.