Last week was a “C” week with Candide and Cancer and Ciderhouse Rules…this week we move up in the alphabet with new productions of Lanford Wilson’s Angels Fall and Yasmina Reza’s Art by two fringier theater companies.
Angels Fall is one of Lanford Wilson’s smaller works; he’s best known for Fifth of July, Talley’s Folly and Burn This, but Angels Fall is still an important work by a major American playwright. The story of two couples stranded at a remote mission church in New Mexico following a nuclear accident, and the elderly priest in charge and his Native American foster son, it’s familiar Wilsonian territory of troubled, quirky, frequently funny people who have come to a crossroads in their lives and have to make some life altering decisions. Directed by Julie Beckman and featuring some fine local actors, including Todd Jefferson Moore, Alyson Scadron-Branner, and Jason Sharp, the show runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm at the Theater Off Jackson, in the International District, now through June 26. No advance tickets; it’s pay what you will at the door.
Reza’s Tony and Olivier Award winning play, Art established the French playwright as a major new theater voice that was only confirmed by the success of her next play, God of Carnage (at Seattle Rep next season) which added to her collection of Tony and Olivier awards. The story of three male friends and the reactions of two of the friends towards the other friend’s purchase of an all-white painting for a large sum of money, Art is a comedy that examines relationships between men as well as debating the age old question, “What is Art?” This production of the play is being staged by a new group (that doesn’t seem to have a website…really, it’s not that hard to create one!) that’s being staged at an actual art gallery, the Fetherston Gallery at 818 E Pike St right by the alley that leads to the Neighbors bar entrance. The show is running now through June 26 and you can get tickets HERE.
It’s weekend two for On The Board’s New Works Festival with a whole new lineup so if you went last week, you can see all new stuff THIS weekend. You have your choice of the mainstage showcase, which is a little more dance/music oriented, or the studio showcase which is more theater-centric…or, do BOTH! I’m checking out the theater showcase this weekend and the line-up for both showcases, is as follows:
Weekend 2 | Studio Theater Showcase
June 11 at 8pm & June 12 – 13 at 5pm
The Satori Group – Theater
Erin Leddy – Theater (Portland)
Lily Verlaine – Dance
Charles Smith – TheaterWeekend 2 | Mainstage Theater Showcase
June 12 – 13 at 8pm
Lingo – Dance
The Offshore Project – Dance
Corrie Befort – Dance | Live Music
Laara Garcia/Pseudopod Interactive – Dance Theater
For more info/tickets go to the website.
Money is tight these days for EVERYONE but especially for arty non-profits. The good folks at Open Circle Theater, 2222 Second Ave, above Shorty’s and Buddha Bar, need to raise some rent money so they are staging a benefit on Saturday, June 18 at 9pm with some great performers including Sylvia O’Stayformore & Tor, Anna Rexia, Otter Pop, Miss Kitty Baby, Mitzy 666 and Va Gina Velvet for a night of burlesque naughtiness. There’s also an auction with some zexy prizes. To buy an advance ticket for SOB II (short for Save Our Butts, Please), go here. If you DON’T help them out, then this fine theater company might have to CLOSE, then where would you go to see their upcoming production of Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters, hmmmm?
-Michael Strangeways
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
