Category: Village Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): How to Break hip hop Latino mashup dance musical at Village Theatre. Interesting to attend the final concept after already seeing as a developing beta musical years ago. Cleaver lyrics. #dancing #theatre #Cancer #Latin

Synopsis from the Theatre: An electrifyingly innovative world-debut Mainstage production of new work developed by Village Theatre! Featuring a dynamic kaleidoscope of music, poetry, breakdancing, and beatboxing, How to Break follows two hospitalized teenage hip-hop dancers and how they navigate their adolescence in the confines of a hospital room, finding ways to love and learn amidst IV bags and chemotherapy as inspired by real-life events in writer Aaron Jafferis’ time as an artist in residence at a children’s hospital. Part commentary on the American health care system, part moving autobiography, and part profound journey through the joy and pain of growing up, How to Break reveals just how resilient the human spirit is in the face of change and transformation.

Reviewed Performance: 3/31/23 Opening Night – Sorry for the late review! But in my defense, you have about 2 months to see it. 🙂

Type: Musical

World Premiere: Yes

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings: Several

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but most (if not all) of the scenes took place in a single hospital ward and there’s only so much that can occur unless it’s a TV show like Grey’s Anatomy!

Live Band/Orchestra: I don’t think there was a live band especially since they didn’t credit a band in the program. I assumed it was mostly pre-recorded synthesized music. However, Olivia Griffin’s character played the guitar and John Kent Rickenbacker Jr’s character beatboxed, which was a unique mashup.

Recommendation: See it if either

• You like musicals with substance
• You like stories about poor inner-city teens like in Sister Act 2 and Freedom Writers
• You liked the hip-hop and rapping portions of Hamilton
• Or you’re not triggered by adolescent cancer

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: No, I previously saw this as a developing beta musical.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: No, I think twice is enough for me. In my defense, I’d say the same thing about Hamilton. I know, sacrilege!

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 3

Total Number of Actors: 6

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours, which seemed a bit long especially without an intermission

Intermission: No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Beatboxing: John Kent Rickenbacker Jr’s character was a nurse who provided the beat and sound effects in this musical. He uniquely did not speak any lines and it was fun guessing what he was saying when he beatboxed his responses to other characters in “dialogue.”
• Stage Design: The scenic design was simple with clean lines but still dramatic. Ironically, it reminded me of the Loony Toons concentric circles stage background. See the stage in my video below.
• Stagehand Costumes: I appreciated that the stagehands wore scrubs when they performed their duties on-stage so they didn’t look out of place.
• Powerful Voices: Talia Thiesfield and Olivia Griffin frequently showcased their showstopping voices in this production.
• Favorite Line: When Maddy asked the Aana to join yoga or some other new age holistic therapy, Ana responded something like “if my family walks in, they’ll think we’re worshiping the devil.”
• Medical Accuracy: As an oncology healthcare professional, I was impressed by the many correct aspects of cancer treatment they explained to the audience like the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia chemotherapy regimen consisting of an anthracycline, vincristine, and a glucocorticoid. For the record, they could have included pegaspargase though. Also, I’ve never seen an oncologist participate in yoga or chess with patients. Maybe they do that in pediatrics?

Rant(s)

• Downer Show: As I alluded to previously, this musical has substance. But usually that means it’s a downer. They present an important perspective in this show, but I personally see musicals as an escape. Who wants to escape to sick kids? It didn’t help that a little too much silence and a little too much runtime (with no intermission) contributed to the slow pace. This was Village Theatre’s annual world premiere production where they choose one beta developing show from the last season. I much rather would have preferred Village Theatre to choose The Passage (which was also about cancer) than How to Break, since The Passage had more comedic relief and was overall less serious.
• Inner-city Teen Trope: I mentioned this in my previous review, but I’m not a fan of stereotypical inner-city teen characters with nobody-understands-me rude attitude. It’s a tired old annoying trope.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Be the Match: This show inspired me to get on the ball and sign up for Be the Match. This nationwide non-profit helps match you with patients that need bone marrow transplant. It is especially important that people of color (like me) sign up since it’s usually difficult for POCs to find matching donors (like the main character). Bone marrow donation is similar to donating blood and does not require surgery. I’ve been meaning to sign up but always never get around to it. This musical is a perfect opportunity for Village Theatre to promote Be the Match.

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre – Issaquah

Venue Physical Address: 303 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027

Price: Medium

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out their discount tickets page. TodayTix and Goldstar usually offer good options too.

Dates: Issaquah March 29 – April 30, 2023 | Everett May 5 – May 28, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Free street parking and some free parking lot. Lot parking is pretty difficult to find availability though. I’ve basically given up on that. I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, I think you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that most non-locals don’t know about.

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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://villagetheatre.org/shows/how-to-break/
• Program

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video below

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen "How to Break" #hipHop #Latino mashup #dance #musical at Village Theatre. Interesting to attend the final concept after already seeing as a developing beta musical years ago. Cleaver lyrics. Photos: Angela Sterling. Review: showsiveseen.com/4676 #dancing #theatre #cancer #Latin #theatre ♬ Girl That Was Perfect – Alina Smith

Role	Name
Ana	Cheryse Dyllan
Joel	Cristian Rodriguez
Dr. Aden	Talia Thiesfield*
Nurse Bowen	John Kent Rickenbacker Jr.
Maddy	Olivia Griffin*
Mr. Ramos	Andrés Lopez-Alicea*
—	—
Ana u/s	Ash Fetherbay
Joel u/s	Dan Haile
Dr. Aden u/s	Charles L. Simmons*
Nurse Bowen u/s	Edward-Vincent Montemayor Bantasan
Maddy u/s	Jasmine Joshua
Mr. Ramos u/s	Quetzie Taborga
—	—
Director	Logan Vaughn
Writer and Lyricist	Aaron Jafferis
Composers	Jacinth Greywoode, Rebecca Hart, and Kiriakos “Yako 440” Prodis
Conceived by the Mixing Texts Collective	Aaron Jafferis, Adam Matta, Christopher Edwards, Gabriel “Kwikstep” Dionisio, & Ana “Rokafella” Garcia
Scenic Designer	Jack Magaw
Projection Designer	Elizabeth Barrett
Choreographer	Kevin Boseman
Lighting Designer	Robert J. Aguilar
Sound Designer	Andrea Allmond
Music Director	Jacinth Greywoode
Costume Designer	Pete Rush
Stage Managers	Miranda C. Pratt, Erin B. Zatloka
Assistant Stage Manager	Isabella Marziello
Director of Breaking	Jerome Aparis
Dramaturg	Morgan Smart
Associate Director	Tré Cotten
Intimacy Choreographer	Moises “Moy” Hinojos
Assistant Projection Designer	Hannah Gibbs
Associate Lighting Designer	Casey Price
Original Projection Content	Marcy Suarez
Production Assistant	Kimberly Le
NYC Casting	Base/Valle Casting (Gama Valle and Harriet Bass)
—	—
Head Stage Carpenter (Issaquah)	Whitman Paylor
Head Stage Carpenter (Everett)	Chris Mikolaizik
Head Sound Engineers (Issaquah)	Lisa Finkral, Abigail Graham
Head Sound Engineer (Everett)	Josh Blaisdell
Lead Stagehand — Deck (Issaquah)	Justin Babbitt
Lead Stagehand — Deck (Everett)	Kyle Morgan
Lead Stagehand — Props	Chandler Eichele
Head Electrician (Everett)	Brandon Cullinan
Head Electrician (Issaquah)	Paul Arnold
Head Wardrobe (Issaquah)	Kate Simpson
Head Wardrobe (Everett)	Courtney Kessler-Jeffrey
Head Projection Techs	Derick Avitt, Hannah Tran
Programmer	Zac Andersen
Followspots	Casey Leugemors, Olof Sander
Scenic Painter	Gabrielle Duong
Scenic Carpenter	Blake Whitmore

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Miss Step throwback musical at Village Theatre by Kit Yan and Melissa Li. Feel good love letter to the 80s that emphasized the “T” in LGBT! Bodacious dance ensemble. Totally tubular spandex aerobic-inspired choreography/costumes. Jane Fonda would be so proud.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Pam Carter is an unremarkable trans woman, working as a toll collector on the New Jersey turnpike. When a family tragedy uncovers her late father’s secret passion for competitive aerobics, Pam decides to step into her father’s sneakers and vault herself on a remarkable journey. This sweet, fun, 80’s throwback musical is a comedy for family members of all ages and genders. So slap on that spandex, throw on a headband, and get ready to clap your hands for MISS STEP!

Reviewed Performance: 2/16/23 Evening – Sorry for the late review. Since this wasn’t a press ticket and there were only two more shows left on this short run, I didn’t prioritize the review.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: “Pre-World Premiere” – It’s still in the development phase as part of the Village Originals Beta Series

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes – There was only a keyboardist and a drummer. I didn’t even notice there were so few musicians during the show. I was shocked there were only two band members listed in the playbill I read after the show.

Recommendation: See it!

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Absolutely! I’d love to compare and contrast this developmental production with the final world premiere production.

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.5 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: 9

Total Number of Actors: 14

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours but it felt like the perfect length

Intermission: No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

• Transgender/Queer Representation: This musical normalized LGBT+ characters/actors especially those who are trans. I like how the song “Unremarkable” punctuated how commonplace it was to be trans in this world. However, it felt like the cast was missing a bisexual character and it wouldn’t hurt to add another trans man. I thought it was interesting when an audience member from the aftershow talkback pointed out the juxtaposition between an older trans woman character who subscribed to traditional gender binary roles while her child supported a more modern non-binary gender role.
• Cassi Q Kohl: I didn’t know Cassi Q Kohl (who played Cindy) had such a powerful voice! I’ve only seen her in Village Theatre’s previous production Cinderella where she played the fairy godmother. I guess her previous role didn’t let her showcase her voice as much.
• Ending Reveal: The revealing twist at the end with the father was pretty cleaver.
• Emcee: I previously saw Joel Domenico on-stage in Verlaine and McCann’s Land of the Sweets – The Burlesque Nutcracker as the charismatic emcee. He reprised a similar role in Miss Step as the competition emcee and as part of the energetic dance ensemble.
• 1980s Theme: As someone born in the 80s, it was fun being reminded of elements that were popular in my childhood like Michael Bolton, John Stamos, kazoos, Operation boardgame, ankle warmers, headbands, Madonna, leotards, New Kids on the Block, wrist slappers, corny humor, the ThighMaster, and effortless plot resolutions.
• Second Act Ballad: Janet (played by Bobbi Kotula) sung a wonderful ballad with a lovely melody. The playbill said the song was called “He Was My Trophy” but I thought it was called “It Wasn’t Me.” Since this was a dynamically-changing beta musical still in development, they might have added/changed the ballad after the playbill went to press.

Rant(s)

• Microphone Queuing: There were numerous instances when the microphone turned on late. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that it was because of the dynamically-changing nature of a beta musical in development.
• Accompaniment Key: There were 1-3 songs in the beginning that felt like the accompaniment key didn’t match well with the transgender performers’ best vocal range. The song(s) need(s) to be transposed.
• Deadbeat Reasons: The show didn’t explained well why the dad left his family. The few potential reasons I gathered during the second act didn’t seem like compelling enough reasons to leave a family.
• First Act Ballad: There was a slower song that Pam (played by MJ Rawls) sang in the beginning that either started too abruptly from a more energetic scene or ended too abruptly to a more energetic scene. I don’t remember.

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre – Hunt Family Theatre First Stage

Venue Physical Address: 120 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027

Price: Cheap

Ticket Affordability Options: Pay-what-you-will on 2/16/23

Dates: February 11 to 19, 2023

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Free street parking and free lot parking. If you park in the lot, make sure the spot is not reserved for a business. As a last resort, you can always find parking at the library (10 W Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027) but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that most non-locals don’t know about.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:
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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20230129204532/https://villagetheatre.org/shows/miss-step/ – Village Theatre took down the original page after the show’s run
• https://www.missstepmusical.com/

Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen "Miss Step" throwback #musical at Village Theatre by @kityanpoet & Melissa Li. Feel good love letter to the #80s that emphasized the "T" in #LGBT! Bodacious dance ensemble. Totally tubular #spandex #aerobic-inspired choreography/costumes. Jane Fonda would be so proud. Review: showsiveseen.com/4076. Photos by @nikkilong_. #theatre #aerobics #1980s ♬ Jump (Originally Performed by Van Halen) [Instrumental] – Backing Track Central

Role	Name
Gail	Kathryn Van Meter *
Pam Carter	MJ Rawls *
Janet	Bobbi Kotula *
Cameron Carter Sr	Ethan Carpenter *
Cindy	Cassi Q Kohl *
Rachel Weissman	Bridgid Abrams *
Eli	Vincent Milay
Pauline	Irene Rising *
Topaz	Leah Sainz-Jones
Jay	Tom Avery
Ensemble	Joel Domenico Mackenzie Mathotra Nehemiah Hooks * Tori Gresham *
—	—
Keyboard/Conductor	Elisa Money
Drums	Scot Sexton
—	—
Director & Co-Choreographer	Connor Gallagher
Co-Choreographer	Jay Jackson “Laganja Estranja”
Writer/Composer	Kit Yan and Melissa Li
Scenic Designer	Jason Sherwood
Costume Designer	Chelsea Cook
Lighting Designer	Chih-Hung Shao
Sound Designer	Erin Bednarz
Projection Designer	Ahren Buhmann
Stage Manager	Jessamyn Bateman-Iino
Gender Consultant	Josephine Kearns
Dance Arrangements	David Dabbon
New York Casting	Judy Bowman
Music Director	Elisa Money
Assistant Director	Charlie Johnson
Assistant Stage Manager	Kallen Pishue
Assistant Scenic Designer	Jeremy Hollis
Production Assistants	Liam Nellis, Lainie Schwartz
Vocal Coach	Danny Kam
Head Stage Carpenter	Andrew Long
Head Lighting Engineer	Zac Andersen
Head Sound Engineer	Alex Wren
Wardrobe Lead	Malena Langlie
Projection Technician	Ahren Buhmann