TeenTix Blog

Review of The Cryptogram @ Seattle Public Theatre by Jessica B.Reading David Mamet can be a profoundly frustrating experience. Anyone who has experience with Mamet’s work can spot his style from a mile away: sparse and mundane language, full of repetition and characters with a propensity to misunderstand each other. Such is the case with The Cryptogram. The play centers on the taut, frayed communications at the center of one family. Ten-year-old John (Rowan Calvert) is eagerly awaiting his father’s arrival; tomorrow, he and his father will take a camping trip out into the woods. But even as the hours tick on and John’s father has not arrived home, John waits, drifting between fitful rest and chaotic wakefulness. Yet John senses that his mother, Donny (Emily Grogan) and family friend Del (Richard Nguyen Sloniker) know something that he doesn’t. The things Donny and Del say to each other don’t seem to make sense and John struggles to discover what they are keeping from him—and each other. The stops and starts in The Cryptogram’s dialogue, the crowding of the language, and inability of the characters to aptly communicate can fall incredibly flat without a talented cast. With a talented cast, however, each facial expression, stray gesture, and chopped syllable becomes a clue of the utmost import. 11-year-old Rowan Calvert as John in The Cryptogram. Photo by Paul Bestock.Seattle Public Theater (also known as the Bathhouse Theater) at Green Lake has provided such a cast. The cast fills in the sparse “Mamet-speak” and parses together the fragmented consciousness at the center of their respective character. Without such skill, under the careful guidance of an excellent director (such as this production’s Kelly Kitchens) the play would simply unravel and disintegrate into a mind-numbing and laughable lack of communication. But with this wonderfully talented cast, one need not fear such an end. Grogan and Del demand much from the audience with the careful presentation of their characters; every action, inflection, and twitch is full of thought and can be attributed to their great talent. The young newcomer, Calvert, likewise handles the challenging script with great skill, delicately balancing the innocence of childhood with the devastating realities of adulthood. The Seattle Public Theater’s production of David Mamet’s The Cryptogram is dissonant, aggravating, frustrating, terrifying, but most definitively intriguing—drawing in the audience with the powerful and subtle skill of Grogan, Sloniker, and Calvert. I was held captivated by the puzzle of this family and the theater’s artful use of suspense had its desired result: I found myself holding my breath at the end, enveloped in the story. And that, my dear readers, is what good theater should do. The Cryptogram Through October 23Seattle Public Theatre

Review of Morlot Conducts The Rite of Spring @ Seattle Symphony by Galen C. Ever since the notably young Ludovic Morlot took over as the new music director of the Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall seems to have been infused with a new energy. From the fuchsia lights in the main lobby to the fresh sound of the orchestra, there is a vibrant sense of novelty and excitement that was not present before. There was certainly no exception to this at Thursday’s performance of The Rite of Spring.

Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film @ EMP/SFM"Don't open the door!" We've all been there: sitting in the movie theatre, clutching our popcorn for dear life and sitting on the edge of our seats awaiting the hero of the film to get absolutely destroyed by whatever's behind that door. The question is... why do we like that so much?Glove worn by Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, 1989. Courtesy of Wesley CannonEMP/SFM's new exhibit, Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film attempts to answer this question. Featuring an interactive scream booth, footage from horror films old and new, artifacts from famous films, and more, this exhibit will be sure to make your spine tingle. Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror FilmOpening October 2EMP/SFMNOTE: Due to the sometimes graphic nature of the exhibit, it has been given a PG-13 Rating

Wonderfully written review!:D

The Beast @ Spectrum Dance TheatreKate Monthy and Donald Jones Jr. in The Beast. Photo by Ernie Sapiro.ROAR! Featuring moves by the infamous Donald Byrd and a raw, original score by theatre and dance composer Andy Teirstein, The Beast at Spectrum Dance Theatre is sure to be one of the most choreographically brilliant shows you will see all year. SDT's website calls it an "unflinching look at love at its most knotty; violent and broken, savage and inhumane."The BeastSeptember 30 - October 16Spectrum Dance TheatreNOTE: Contains mature subject matter, recommended for ages 16+. Quoth the Marketing and Communications Manager at Spectrum, "This show is intense."

Review of An Ideal Husband @ Taproot Theatre CompanyAh, Victorian London—a world of lavish parties, opulent homes, and beautiful people. Taproot Theatre’s production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband is set in the midst of this era of perfection, when everyone and everything is expected to be without fault. The protagonist, Sir Robert Chiltern (played by Ryan Childers), seems to fit in with this perfect view of society; he is a wealthy, successful politician with an admirable moral compass. His wife, Lady Chiltern, adores him as though he were a demigod. Yet when a beautiful and clever divorcée appears with a letter from Sir Robert’s past, it is discovered that he is not quite the husband his wife thought him to be.Candace Vance, Anne Kennedy, Ryan Childers, and Aaron Lamb in An Ideal Husband. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.The first half of An Ideal Husband is slow going—more due to the play itself than any shortcomings on Taproot’s part. While the main plot is introduced fairly quickly, the first half is too full of emotional dialogue for my liking. It seems to be just one anxious, fearful conversation after another. The intention might’ve been to build the drama to an explosive end, but I ended up fidgeting in my seat while hoping for some comedic relief. A little visual variety might’ve helped to break up the long dialogues, yet there are no significant changes in the set or lighting during the first half (instead, I spent the time admiring the lovely costumes).Ryan Childers and Nikki Visel in An Ideal Husband. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.In contrast, the second half is very enjoyable. With all the drama out of the way, the actors are finally able to let loose with the humor. Aaron Lamb as the partying bachelor Lord Goring is by far my favorite, practically stealing the show from lead Ryan Childers. Lamb, especially when partnered with his obedient butler (played by Joe Monroe) and disapproving father (Nolan Palmer), is the perfect comedian. I also appreciated Nikki Visel as the sly villain Mrs. Cheveley, whose feminine wiles nearly bring her victory. With this more lighthearted second half, Taproot’s wonderful actors are finally able to shine in their respective roles.Although the beginning of An Ideal Husband may not seem promising, it’s really just a case of delayed gratification; I left the theatre smiling and satisfied. After all, Oscar Wilde was not one to expect perfection of human beings, and neither am I.An Ideal HusbandThrough October 22Taproot Theatre Company

Review of Harold and the Purple Crayon by Katie M.The world premiere of Harold and the Purple Crayon at the Seattle Children’s Theatre is a production not to be missed. The play is based on a very popular children’s book series written in the 1950’s. This show includes elements from three of the books: “Harold and the Purple Crayon”, “Harold’s Trip to the Sky”, and “Harold Under the Sea”. The best aspects of each story are combined to create one cohesive production.The story follows Harold, a little boy with a huge imagination. One night, unable to sleep, he grabs his purple crayon and starts to draw. Much to his surprise, the pictures come to life! Accompanied by the Sun and Moon, Harold sets out on an exciting night of adventure. Just a few of his escapades include making friends with a puffer fish, baking pie for a porcupine, and riding on an alien spaceship.Don Darryl Rivera as Harold in Harold and the Purple Crayon.One of the most intriguing parts of the show is the use of props and technology to portray the story. Since the storyline of this show is so simple, attention to detail is very important. I have been to some Seattle Children’s Theatre productions in the past, and they always succeed with the details. The most crucial prop of the play is Harold’s purple crayon. In a Q&A session following the show, a young viewer asked if the crayon really could write. Don Darryl Rivera, who played Harold, explained that there are actually 12 crayons used in the show which can do different tricks. Other remarkable props include: a pair of singing French puppets, a giant crab, and a majestic dragon. Annet Mateo, the puppet master, and Matthew Smucker, the scenic designer, do a fantastic job of bringing these books to life.Another part of the show I enjoyed is the telling of the story. Music and dance plays an important role in conveying the plot. Choreographer Wade Madsen cleverly interweaves transitions with dances so that the scenes flow smoothly in context. One of the most memorable routines is when Harold goes to outer space. The characters start dancing and singing to a groovy beat inspired by the 80’s, complete with a disco ball. Caety Sagoian and Khanh Doan, who played the Sun and Moon, are talented singers that add to the ambiance. Rivera, Sagoian, and Khanh form a strong trio in all aspects of dancing, acting, and singing.Overall, the main theme of the show is the importance of creativity. The actors cleverly utilize the power of suggestion to get their point across. Since the books consist of very few words, comedy and gestures are essential. Something as simple as a facial expression got even the youngest viewers laughing. The humor used appeals to everyone, from my grandparents to the four-year-old in front of us. Overall, the play is charming, funny, and simple. I guarantee it will get you using your imagination!Harold and the Purple CrayonThrough October 30Seattle Children's Theatre

Review of ALL WHEELDON @ Pacific Northwest Ballet by Sandrine G. This is a retrospective on a 38 year-old-artist. Christopher Wheeldon, though young, is already beyond his “promising” phase. Using a vocabulary of motion familiar to the classical tradition, he reveals the possibilities of dance beyond the prancing clichés that are unfortunately associated with ballet. Just as pioneering biologists in carefully calibrated labs first uncovered the secret activity of our own DNA, Wheeldon uses powerful dancers to circumscribe dynamic, wheeling helices on the boards. His works build on elemental motions and animalistic impressions to vividly illustrate the accompanying music.

¡Carnaval! @ Burke Museum of Natural History and CultureJunior Moco Jumbie stilt walkers, 2001. Courtesy Museum of International Folk Art. Robert Jerome. How did we come to celebrate Mardi Gras? Carnivals with rides and games? ¡Carnaval! explores the tradition of the carnival worldwide: traditions, meaning and arts including the music, masks, and costumes. Learn about eight different communities throughout the Europe and the Americas where these kinds of celebrations are the highlight of the year.¡Carnaval!September 25 - January 8Burke Museum

Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony @ Seattle SymphonyBeethoven contemplating the complexities of life.This is a triple threat event: First, hear Frank Zappa's Dupree's Paradise from his 1984 album The Perfect Stranger. Then, enjoy Tree of Dreams by Henry Dutilleux on the French violin. Finally, for the main attraction, hear one of Beethoven's most famous symphonies, "Eroica". Originally named the "Bonaparte Symphony" after Napoleon Bonaparte, the "Eroica" Symphony is representative of Beethoven's middle period and of the 18th century's romantic style. First performed by Beethoven himself in 1804, it's now your chance to be present to one of the most infamous and moving pieces of classical music ever composed.Beethoven's "Eroica" SymphonyThrough September 25Seattle Symphony

Review of Border Songs @ Book-It Repertory Theatre by Chelsea D. With all the recent hullabaloo over the Mexican border, many Americans have forgotten our northernmost (and much less fussed over) Canadian border. However this border is what Brandon Vanderkool’s (the protagonist of Book-It theatre’s adaptation of Jim Lynch’s acclaimed novel, “Border Songs”) life revolves around. Brandon is different from any other person in northern Washington. Perhaps even in the United States. Brandon is a 6’8”, dyslexic, socially awkward bird-watcher who manages to channel his strangeness and love of nature into border patrol. However, the plot is far more unexpected than what we may think of the Canadian border. In a plot full of smuggling, drugs, and the FBI, “Border Songs” takes a storyline one may normally think boring and turns it into a thought-provoking (yet occasionally comedic and strangely romantic) play.

Review of Mary Stuart @ ACT Theatre by Emma M. It’s a battle of monarch proportions at ACT, as Mary Queen of Scots and her cousin Queen Elizabeth go toe to toe in the stellar new production of the classic Mary Stuart. If you’re a little rusty on your 14th century world history, here’s how it goes: Mary Stuart the ex-queen of France, and current queen of Scotland, after being chased out of Scotland seeks asylum in England. She promptly gets locked up because of her strong claim to the English throne (she is Elizabeth’s cousin after all), and she’s devoutly catholic (remember Elizabeth’s dad formed the Church of England expressly so he could divorce his wife and marry Elizabeth’s mom). After being locked up for nineteen years, Elizabeth’s court—fearing that Mary might spark a revolt in the kingdom—decides it’s time to finally get rid of that meddlesome Stuart woman. They hold a kangaroo trial in which they accuse Mary of conspiring to kill the Queen and they find her guilty. Mary’s life hangs in the balance as Elizabeth and her advisors battle back and forth about what should be done with this queen. Now don’t think that by watching the play you get to snooze in world history class, some significant parts of the play are fictional, or shall we say ‘tastefully embellished’ by the German playwright Friedrich Schiller.Suzanne Bouchard and Anne Allgood in Mary StuartThe main attraction is rightfully the two queens. Anne Allgood as Mary brings the play together with her outstanding performance. She gracefully handles the somewhat cuckoo-for-Coco-Puffs queen with a gentleness and grace that her formidable experience has provided her.Queen Elizabeth I is a huge personality that has been talked about for over five-hundred years, and we all have our own preconceptions about what she was like. Suzanne Bouchard as Elizabeth really brings the massive personality of the queen down to a relatable level. That said, I think Bouchard could’ve been even more powerful by being more regal at the beginning of the play, giving her somewhere to build to emotionally as the play carries on making the fabulous ending even more poignant.The solid performances by both of the queens are enriched by the amazing supporting cast. Peter Crook shines as Lord Burleigh with immaculate control over his every move and emotion. R. Hamilton Wright portrays a captivating Earl of Leicester, and even though he’s a total skunk you are drawn in by his intense charisma. No wonder he’s captured the queen’s heart.ACT has a wonderful in-the-round theatre, which was unfortunately rather awkward for this play. This play is very old, actually it was written in 1800, and consequently has an almost Shakespearean vibe to it—mainly it’s full of monologues. Monologues are better when you are looking at the person’s face and not their back. Of course with in-the-round theatre someone is going to be seeing the actor’s back you just can’t escape it. All that leaves the audience to go on is the inflection of the voice for these lengthy monologues of important plot-forwarding dialogue.The ACT’s new production of Mary Stuart isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty darn close! With the best Seattle cast I have seen accumulated together on one stage, it is possibly the best play that will be produced in Seattle this season.Mary StuartThrough October 9ACT Theatre

Thanks for the thorough review! I do believe I will go check this play out. Thanks!

Review of Travelers: Objects of Dream and Revelation @ Bellevue Arts Museum by Iman B.Many of us view traveling as going on a vacation somewhere, whether it is the Grand Canyon or Disneyland. However, the Travelers: Objects of Dream and Revelation exhibit will strip away any prior thoughts of what you envision traveling to be. The exhibit does a superb job of living up to its subtitle, "Objects of Dream and Revelation," due to the fact that everything you see seems to have materialized from a dream or fantasy.Margarita Cabrera: Vocho, 2004Each artist brings their own unique flair and form to their art as they try to recreate the feel of traveling. However, a common trend between the artists is, no matter how much you try to run away from or ignore your problems, there is no escaping the harsh reality of life. Even as the artists display this harsh reality, they still manage to illustrate how traveling captures one’s imagination.The works of Walter Martin & Paloma Munoz appear to have come straight out of a children's Christmas book. The use of the delicate and dreamy white color allows the viewer’s imagination to be carried away; yet, with closer examination, the viewer sees the minute reminders of the harsh reality of the world. These works clearly demonstrate the contrast and coexistence of good and evil in life while allowing every individual to come up with their own unique interpretation of what traveling means.Marc Dombrosky’s piece, "Out Here On The Perimeter There Are No Stars,” is full of childlike scribbles and letters to random musicians, which makes the onlooker reminisce about his or her childhood. However, with every bit of positive reminiscing or splat of childish imagination there seems to be a stark reminder of the brutality of life.The Travelers exhibit is one that will carry anyone's mind, heart, and soul to another dimension. Throughout the exhibit, the patron will be baffled as they try to understand what the artists were contemplating as they created their pieces of art. This exhibit is a must see by any art appreciator or individual that wants their mind to be swept away into a land of dreams, fantasies, and realities.Travelers: Objects of Dream and RevelationThrough December 31Bellevue Arts Museum

Review of Amy's View @ ArtsWest by Joyce R.Amy's View is hectic. Though there are only 6 characters, there is so much going on in this play. Problem after problem comes up, so much so, that I find the main storyline hard to follow. There is Amy’s new boyfriend that her mother doesn’t approve of, pregnancy, husband troubles, money troubles, debates on the death of theatre, how to be a good actor, mother-daughter relationship, aging grandmother, death, trust, judgment, and many more. Perhaps I’m just being thick, but I can’t put my finger on the exact plotline.Photo courtesy of ArtsWestThough the acting is good, I find that the many problems that arise give the play an overdramatic, unbelievable atmosphere, and make the play feel directionless. Writer David Hare seems to try to encompass and give commentary on every aspect of life, and in doing so, the play gets lost in a labyrinth of problems. But it is impossible to encompass ALL of life. There is just too much to fit into a 2 and a half hour play, and overstuffing the play with drama has the negative effect of making the play feel aimless. A quality I personally don’t enjoy.There are many redeeming aspects though. In addition to the good acting, there are moments of profoundness, moments that are though-provoking, and relatable. Though the heightened drama seems unrealistic to me, there are moments when Esmé, Amy’s mother (Julie Jamieson), is arguing with her daughter, that I can find parallels to my own arguments with my parents. There are moments when Amy’s words, be them blissfully naïve or filled with many years of experience, that I see parts of my own ideas and emotions. These moments feel very real, no matter how absurd I find the situations to be.Someone else might find metaphors and deeper meanings hidden in the plot twists, but I don’t. Though the play isn’t unpleasant and there are some lines that make me laugh, I don’t enjoy how the storyline doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be, and I left the play feeling unsure of what the author is really trying to say.Amy's ViewThrough October 1ArtsWest

Review of A Lie of the Mind @ ACT's Central Heating Lab by Olivia M.In my 17 years on this planet, I never expected to see a grown man wrapped in an American flag shaving his face wearing only boxers, nor a brain damaged woman exclaim with utter conviction, “I am a shirt man”. In A Lie of the Mind I witnessed both.Ray Tagavilla and Aimée Bruneau in A Lie of the MindThe play is indeed about three hours long, but at no point did I ever want to leave and go home, regardless of the homework I still had left to do. This is the story of two families who must deal with two sides of the trauma of domestic abuse when one family’s son, Jake, beats his wife, Beth, to the point of having lasting brain damage. Even though he is the antagonist, I found myself identifying with Jake, played by Ray Tagavilla, because of his very evident struggle with the guilt he feels from what he has done. No, I have not personally given someone brain damage, but I cannot help but feel empathy for someone who wants to repent for his wrongdoings against Beth, played by Aimeé Bruneau, as he does. Although the two share only the final scene, they have a wonderful report throughout the whole play as they go through kindred stages of recovery and enlightenment. Jake recovers from insanity brought on by what he thinks is the loss of his wife, and meanwhile Beth physically heals from horrible brain injuries.With two intermissions, I found myself guessing at what was going to happen next, but my speculations were wrong each time. This was not due to any incoherent plot, but because the play was an emotional ride, pleasantly surprising (or confusing) at every turn. The most surprising twist for me was when Beth’s brain damage causes her to forget her husband, and instead fall in love with her husband’s brother, Frankie (played by Tim Gouran), who is stuck in Beth’s house with a bullet wound in his leg (Yes confusing, but also rewarding).A quote that struck me during the play (and is conveniently located on the playbill) illustrates how this play made me feel: “There’s this thing in my head. This thing that the next moment, the moment right after this one will... blow up. Explode with a voice.” The third act ferociously builds to a thought-provoking cliffhanger that lingered until I fell asleep that night. In summation: the cast suffers no weak links; the stage is visually unique with spotlights separating the stage into two areas of focus; and a live musician plays banjo and guitar to perfectly accent the whole show. This all adds up to a night I would be more than happy to repeat.A Lie of the MindThrough October 1ACT's Central Heating LabNote: Recommended for ages 16+.

Border Songs @ Book-It Repertory TheatreBrandon Vanderkool, a 23-year-old 6'8" patrol officer, lives in a U.S.-Canada border town deflecting foreigners and drug-smugglers. A dyslexic, loveable bird-watcher, Brandon would much prefer communicating with nature than the felons he encounters on patrol. It's no wonder he's got such social anxiety, what with the problems at home: his father's growing paranoia that terrorists have poisoned the cows on his dairy farm and his mother's beginning signs of Alzheimer's. Yet his life brightens immensely when he meets a beautiful marijuana grower from across the border and falls in love. Follow this charming story in Book-It's adaptation of this touching novel.Border SongsSeptember 14 - October 9Book-It Repertory Theatre

Really well written review. Sounds like an amazing exhibit.

Beauty and Bounty @ Seattle Art MuseumPuget Sound on the Pacific Coast, Albert Bierstadt, 1870We know what you're thinking. "Yeah, yeah, landscapes are cool, but I can see them anywhere." Think again! Many of the works featured in Beauty and Bounty at SAM have never before been seen in any other exhibit. Our reviewer Bethany B. wrote a great review that you can read here, saying "Even if art museums aren’t your normal hangout, these works are such breathtaking portrayals of nature that you can almost hear the birds chirping and the water laughing... If you lean close to the paintings, you’ll find millions of intricate details on the rocks, trees and people. This art may not challenge your mind to think as deeply as contemporary pieces do, but the paintings will take your breath away nevertheless." So feast your eyes on these rare and dazzling works created by some of the most influential and talented American landscaping artists.Beauty and BountyThrough September 11Seattle Art Museum

The Pajama Game @ Seattle Musical TheatreDerek Hanson as Sid Sorokin and Kirsten Helland as Babe Williams. Courtesy of SMT's Press Photos.There's trouble in paradise at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. The handsome new manager, Sid Sorokin, refuses to give the workers a raise despite their demanding and hard work. What's more, the leader of the Union Grievance Committee, Babe Williams, falls hopelessly in love with him--thus setting the stage for a real conflict of the heart. Set in the good ol' fashioned 1950's, The Pajama Game illustrates the struggle between power and love in a downright dandy musical.The Pajama GameSeptember 9 - October 2Seattle Musical Theatre