May 2024 – Shows I've Seen

Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position – Play – Review – Taproot Theatre

@showsiveseen Margaret Raether's "Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position" #mystery #play at @TaprootTheatre. Strong cast doubling & comical portrayals from Nathan Brockett & Sophia Franzella. Audible gasps from the audience during the unexpected twists at the end! #showsiveseen #theatre #sherlockholmes ♬ Retro Shimmy – Amy Rider

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position mystery play at Taproot Theatre. Strong cast doubling and comical portrayals from Nathan Brockett & Sophia Franzella. Audible gasps from the audience during the unexpected twists at the end! #sherlockholmes

Recommendation
See it, especially if you enjoy British comedy or mystery plays.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Corsets, crowns, and a missing royal jewel set the stage for a battle of wits in this tale of deception, suspense, and deduction. When the bookish Perkins sisters approach Sherlock Holmes with a case, they unveil a theatrical scheme of encyclopedic proportions. Four actors play multiple characters and the mystery turns deadly.

Attended Performance Date: 5/18/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? There was a small rotating stage device that allowed distinctly transitioning between scenes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No, but it was good

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: $25-62

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/sherlock-holmes-and-the-precarious-position/

Dates: May 15 to June 22, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Robert Wade Photography.

Nathan Brockett and Sophia Franzella in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position at Taproot Theatre*. Photo by Robert Wade.

Calder Jameson Shilling and Nathaniel Tenenbaum in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position at Taproot Theatre*. Photo by Robert Wade.

Calder Jameson Shilling with Nathaniel Tenenbaum and Sophia Franzella in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.

Nathaniel Tenenbaum and Calder Jameson Shilling in *Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position* at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.

Unrivaled – Play – Review – Seattle Public Theater & SIS Productions

@showsiveseen Rosie Narasaki's "Unrivaled" #play by @seattlepublictheater & SIS Productions. #Rival #frenemy writers in classical #Japan! Endearing empress portrayal from Adele Lim. Ending next weekend 6/2! #showsiveseen #theatre #poetry #haiku #asian #japanese ♬ Confidence (sped up – full song) – Ocean Alley

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Rosie Narasaki’s Unrivaled play by Seattle Public Theater and SIS Productions. Rival frenemy writers in classical Japan! Endearing empress portrayal from Adele Lim. Ending next weekend 6/2. #poetry #haiku #asian #japan #japanese

Recommendation
See it if you’re familiar with Japanese history, you’re a Japanophile, or you want to support Asian American live theatre.

Synopsis from the Theatre: 11th century ladies-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon are, to this day, two of Japan’s most beloved writers. They also kind of hated each other. Unrivaled is about friendship, heartbreak, and what it means to be a female artist. And no matter how much things change, the more they stay the same… even after a thousand years.

Attended Performance Date: 5/10/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since the show closes 6/2.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re familiar with Japanese history.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Empress Teishi: Adele Lim portrayed an endearing nice-girl Empress Teishi, with energy similar to her previous role as an endorphin-overloaded sentient cloud in Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea. I also loved the Sailor Moon-like hairpiece in her Unrivaled costume.

Rant(s)

Floor Sitting: I know it’s customary to portray traditional Japanese characters sitting on the floor, but it’s difficult for the audience to see lower actors. I suggest that they elevate the stage one foot higher.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Hand Fans: The frequent handheld fan usage gratuitously milked the non-Asian perception of cliche Japanese culture. However, I’m not Japanese (but I am Asian), so if this hand fan overuse is an accurate depiction of Japanese culture, leave a comment on my social media!
Crab Mentality: The story reminded me of crab mentality, which is basically a zero-sum competitive mindset that resents others’ successes rather than supporting and celebrating them. This mindset is prevalent in some Asian cultures. I blame our tiger (grand)parents!
Betrayal: I wish the script explored the betrayal theme more. That’s when the storyline was getting delicious!

Theatre Company: Seattle Public Theater and SIS Productions

Venue: Greenlake Bathhouse Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 7312 West Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.seattlepublictheater.org/current-production

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select $10 price-accessible seats on the ticketing website.

Dates: May 10 to June 2, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Free plentiful parking lot of Greenlake Park, which is adjacent to the theatre.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Kathy Hsieh and Rick Wong.

Pearl Lam & Adele Lim. Photo by Kathy Hsieh.

Alanah Pascual & Pearl Lam. Photo by Kathy Hsieh.

Alanah Pascual & Pearl Lam. Photo by Rick Wong.

Alanah Pascual, Pearl Lam, & Adele Lim. Photo by Rick Wong.

Preview Post – Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position – Play – Taproot Theatre

Sherlock Holmes & the Precarious Position mystery play opening weekend at Taproot Theatre. Performing until 6/22. Stay tuned for my full review!

Final Full Review (Posted 5/27/24): https://www.showsiveseen.com/sherlock-holmes-the-precarious-position-play-review-taproot-theatre/

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/sherlock-holmes-and-the-precarious-position/

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Preview Post – Once on This Island – Musical – Village Theatre

Once on This Island musical opening night at Village Theatre. Performing until 6/16 in Issaquah and 7/14 in Everett. Stay tuned for my full review! #showsiveseen #theatre #Caribbean #theLittleMermaid

Final Full Review (Posted 6/18/2024): https://www.showsiveseen.com/once-on-this-island-musical-review-village-theatre/

Tickets: https://villagetheatre.org/shows/once-on-this-island/

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Letters of Suresh – Play – Review – ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani

@showsiveseen "#Letters of Suresh" #play by ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani starring Nirvan Patnaik. Ends 5/18! #showsiveseen #theatre #origami #penpals ♬ Letter – Jarell Smalls & Company

Recommendation
See it if you like introspective thinking, soliloquies, religious discourse, sermons, audio books, or podcasts.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Intimate mysteries are revealed as a quartet of souls yearning for connection are brought together through extraordinary correspondence. Across time and oceans, these strangers share letters of faith, letters of family, and letters of love … haunted by a city once destroyed by war. Don’t miss this companion play to ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER!

Attended Performance Date: 5/11/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since the show closes this weekend.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Few

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re familiar the previous play Animals Out of Paper.

Defined Plot/Storyline: No, it was mostly reciting messages to each other.

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Actor Interactions: There was uniquely very little interaction between actors in this play, like a show full of soliloquies. I think there was only one brief scene where the script prompted the characters to actually talk directly to each other through a phone call.

Theatre Company: ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani

Venue: 12th Avenue Arts

Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.reacttheatre.org/

Dates: April 24 to May 18, 2024

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Even if you can find street parking, it often costs more than some parking lots. I highly recommend the paid lot at 1300 E Olive St with the entrance on 14th Ave.

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https://www.reacttheatre.org/

Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Quinlan Corbett.