This year I saw some shows because my parents had tickets (5th Ave), some because my friends/co-workers were involved/performing, and some because when you go to shows, you hear about more shows, that you then go to and enjoy immensely.
Plays I saw (Alphabetical):
A Mouse Who Knows Me, Annex Theater
Big Story Small, Pony World
Blood Sailing, Blood Ensemble
The Callers, Washington Ensemble Theater
Damn Yankees, 5th Avenue (btw, this play is racist- boo)
Fallen Angels, Theater Schmeater
Is He Dead? Theater Schmeater
Les Miserables, 5th Avenue Theater
Memphis, 5th Avenue
Private Eyes, Bainbridge Performing Arts
Roberta and the Moon, Cheep Art
Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Carol, Taproot Theater
Stuck, Washington Ensemble Theater
Taming of the Shrew, Green Stage
The Woman in the Wall, Pacific Play Company
Turandot, Seattle Opera
Here's my 2012 top five theater performances:
5. Turandot, Seattle Opera
Spectacular: A bad-ass princess with a penchant for beheadings, ridiculous costuming, and who doesn't love Nessun Dorma?
Sing-a-long time!
4. Roberta and the Moon, Cheep Art
Winsome: Love and astronomy come together to tell this charming, romantic fable. The moon sets out to find a bigger planet to orbit, but ends up falling in love with a pretty, mis-fit earthling. It's a thoroughly touching tale, but the comedic elements are the real winner: My favorite scenes were of Earth, in her robe and shower cap, giving her moon the kind of expert doting, guilt only a mother knows how to give (think Duane's mother on a A Prairie Home Companion). Cheers to the very talented Ricky Coates!
3. Blood Sailing, Blood Ensemble
Mesmerizing: An immersive, unforgettable theater experience- and I don't even like metal. As deafening, orchestrated, noise courses through your body, you're ushered into a world of terror and oppression. In the absence of words, the audience attunes to every movement and expression, clinging most of all to the potential strength and innocence found among the subjugated class. Experimental theater at its best.
2. Les Miserable, 5th Ave Theater
Venerable: What can I say? It's really good and everyone knows it.
1. Stuck, Washington Ensemble Theater
Hilarious and Haunting: Amy can't leave the toilet; she's a tangle of fear, apathy, and psychosis. She's also funny as hell. She and her boyfriend may be living in squalor, addicted to junk-food, pot, and television, but they're also terribly likable. Even Amy's delusions are fun; famous t.v. personalities materialize from the small screen to offer friendly admonishment. If only I hadn't seen this play on closing weekend- I would have made everyone I care about go see it for themselves.
