A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical – Review – Roundabout Theatre Company’s Studio 54

@showsiveseen "A Wonderful World: The #LouisArmstrong #Musical" at @Roundabout Theatre Company's iconic Studio 54 starring @james monroe iglehar w/ @James T. Lane performing select nights. Tons of tap dance. The ex-wives characters were vocal powerhouses! #jukebox Review: showsiveseen.com/10204 Book: @aurinsquire Director: Christopher Renshaw Choreography: Rickey Tripp and @Dewitt Fleming Jr Stage Managers: RL Campbell, Jen Ash, Alex Luong #theatre #showsiveseen @A Wonderful World Broadway ♬ What A Wonderful World – Live At The BBC – Louis Armstrong

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical at Roundabout Theatre Company’s iconic Studio 54 starring James Monroe Iglehart with James T Lane performing select nights. Tons of tap dance. The ex-wives characters were vocal powerhouses! #jukebox

Recommendation:
See it if you like 1) shows with race as a significant theme 2) or shows with an old timey Southern New Orleans feel.


My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A basic biopic jukebox musical about Louis Armstrong, with all the familiar elements you’d expect from the genre.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Join Tony Award® winner James Monroe Iglehart and a talented ensemble cast as they bring Louis Armstrong’s incredible journey to life, from New Orleans to worldwide fame. This full-scale musical features a rich tapestry of characters, including the extraordinary women who helped shape his remarkable life and career. Be captivated by Armstrong’s timeless hits like “What a Wonderful World” and “When You’re Smiling,” performed by a large, dynamic cast. Don’t miss this spectacular celebration of music, filled with vibrant dance numbers, stunning sets, and unforgettable performances. Get your tickets now for an unforgettable night that honors the iconic man who defined an era.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes and no, you could argue either way.

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’ll obviously appreciate this show more if you’re familiar Louis Armstrong’s hits. I was only familiar with a scant few, but I still enjoyed the show.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: All

Total Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Mainstream Appeal: Medium to high

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Tap Dancing: I love tap dancing in musicals, and I wasn’t expecting to see much of it in this show. But to my surprise, there was a lot more tap dancing than I anticipated. What stood out even more was that the tap numbers were often performed by few dancers, rather than a large ensemble, which is more typical in most musicals.
  • Personal Advocacy: It was inspiring to see Louis Armstrong’s second wife (Lil Hardin played by Jennie Harney-Fleming) fight for his finances and advocate for his talent’s true worth. This reminded me of how many skilled people in the workforce settle into complacency without advocating for themselves. Too often, they don’t ask for a promotion, request a raise, or explore opportunities elsewhere that might better compensate their talent. Closed mouths don’t get fed!
  • Favorite Line: Something like “I’m wearing two pairs of underwear cause my lips are so chapped!”

Rant(s)

  • Ushers: I understand that the ushers were just doing their jobs, but their rough demeanor was totally unnecessary. Am I just not used to East coast ushers?
  • Venue: This was my first time at the venerable Studio 54 and I was surprised how rundown the performing space was. I guess this is expected of a historical landmark?

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Rotating Stage: Often when a production utilizes a rotating stage, they tend do overuse the effect like in Hamilton. Thankfully, this show judiciously showcased the rotating effect.
  • Louis Armstrong’s Music: I’m generally not a fan of Louis Armstrong’s music and I definitely don’t like his voice. It’s sacrilege, I know. I personally think Louis Armstrong’s voice sounds like cookie monster. Kudos to James Monroe Iglehart and James T Lane for subjecting their voices to this extra cookie monster strain! Of note, I feel like the script didn’t explain well enough or dwell enough time on the cause of Louis Armstrong’s unique vocals.

Venue: Roundabout Theatre Company’s Studio 54

Venue Physical Address: 254 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019

Venue Classification: Broadway

Price Range: $69-308 plus the Criterion Ticketing fees if you’re not buying at the box office.

Ticket Affordability Options: See the show’s website for information on rush tickets. You’ll likely also find discount tickets at the TKTS booth.

Dates: Opening night was 11/11/24. As of 11/11/24, the ticketing website offered performances up to 5/4/25.

Seating: Assigned Seating

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Pictures: See pictures below by Jeremy Daniel.

Cast and Production Team: See pictures below.

Darlesia Cearcy as Lucille Wilson and Company in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. © Jeremy Daniel
DeWitt Fleming Jr. as Lincoln Perry, and at back, James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong and Ensemble in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. © Jeremy Daniel
James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong with Jodeci Milhouse, Alysha Morgan, Kate Louissaint in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. © Jeremy Daniel
James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong and Gavin Gregory as King Joe Oliver and Company in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. © Jeremy Daniel
James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong and Company in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. © Jeremy Daniel

Wicked – Musical – Review – Paramount Theatre

@showsiveseen Stephen Schwartz's "Wicked" musical at the Paramount Theatre from @Seattle Theatre Group & Broadway Across America. Starring @laurensamuels & Austen Danielle Bohmer. Dazzling light, sets, & costumes. Timely commentary on modern society (esp the USA). Performing till 12/1/24. Review: showsiveseen.com/10100 Director: Joe Mantello Stage Managers: Dawn Fenton, Michelle Dunn, Joseph Heaton Conductor: Faith Seetoo Photos: Joan Marcus @WICKED the Musical #witch #witches #WizardofOz #wicked #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Defying Gravity – Jennifer Owens

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked musical at the Paramount Theatre courtesy of Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway Across America. Starring Lauren Samuels and Austen Danielle Bohmer. Dazzling light, sets, and costumes. Timely critical commentary on modern society (esp the USA). Performing till 12/1/24. #witch #witches #WizardofOz

Recommendation:
See it!


My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Prequel to The Wizard of Oz exploring the relationship between Elphaba (the wicked witch of the West) and Glinda (the good witch of the North).

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: So much happened before Dorothy dropped in. WICKED, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, WICKED—the untold true story of the Witches of Oz—transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story. “If every musical had the brains, heart and courage of WICKED, Broadway really would be a magical place” (Time Magazine).

Attended Performance Date: 11/7/24 – Opening Night

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? No

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’ll appreciate this show more if you’re familiar with The Wizard of Oz story.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: All

Total Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed, but the first act felt pretty long

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I’ve seen it at least 2 times prior including once at the Paramount Theatre a couple years ago.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? I don’t know … 3 times is a lot already.

Mainstream Appeal: High

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Lighting Design: The Kenneth Posner designed a dazzling light show especially during “One Short Day” in the green city of Oz. The slightly prismatic/rainbow white lights converging on Elphaba during “Defying Gravity” was also pretty spectacular.
  • Societal Commentary: The script poignantly criticizes modern society, which is timely for the recent election results and the divisive nature of USA politics. There were are many quoteworthy statements like “The truth is not a thing of fact or reason, the truth is just what everyone agrees on. Where I’m from, we believe all sorts of things that aren’t true. We call it – ‘history.'” It’s disappointing that the societal criticisms from when this musical was written 20 years ago still apply today. Colorism obviously sticks out as a negative theme with Elphaba being scorned for her skin color. It reminds me of how the rules of chess dictate white always goes first. Also, I’m not sure if it was intentional, but the script also seems to call out modern slacktivism when “Galinda” became “Glinda” in faux solidarity/outrage of animal discrimination. It reminded me of past social media trends like when users blacked out their profile pictures to support “Black Lives Matter” or changed their profile pictures to cartoons to protest child abuse. Call me a cynic, but these slacktivist actions are lazy, ineffective, and narcissistic just like Glinda.
  • Fiyero: Xavier McCinnon was an interesting choice to portray Fiyero, offering a fresh take that stood apart from typical Fiyero castings. McCinnon’s interpretation and voice was smooth and effortless, which perfectly complemented the character’s personality. Of note, he was significantly taller than his female costars and it was glaringly apparent in “As Long as You’re Mine.”
  • Belonging: I love how Elphaba, who was ostracized for her green skin, found a city (Oz) that celebrates all things green. It reminds me of small-town theatre kids who visit Manhattan or middle-of-nowhere-USA Asians who visit Los Angeles.

Rant(s)

  • Obstructed Views: I often complain about the Paramount Theatre’s terrible seat staggering and short slope incline contributing to frequently obstructed views. It is the most likely theatre in Seattle where the person sitting in front of you could block your sightline. I strongly recommend that ticket buyers prioritize seating options highlighted in this link to ensure the best viewing experience. That being said, ever since the Seattle Theatre Group replaced the seats, I’ve noticed less risk of this.
  • Microphones: The singing in this production seemed less energetic than the previous 2-3 productions I’ve seen. It was definitely more tepid than the original cast recording. I think increasing the lead performers’ microphone volume would solve this issue.
  • Boq: While I’m glad to see Asian inclusivity in theatre, did they really need to cast an Asian actor as the short “beta-male” munchkin? This casting decision perpetuates negative stereotypes that we Asians would like to move away from.

Theatre Company: National tour brought to Seattle by Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group

Venue: Paramount Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Price Range: $80-300 plus the insane Ticketmaster fees. Buy your ticket at the box office to avoid the exorbitant fees. Down with the Ticketmaster Live Nation monopoly!

Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are eligible for an organization discount.

Dates: November 6 – December 1, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.

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Pictures: See pictures below by Joan Marcus.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Xavier McKinnon as Fiyero in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024.
Xavier McKinnon as Fiyero in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024.
Blake Hammond as The Wizard in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024.
Aymee Garcia as Madame Morrible in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024.
Austen Danielle Bohmer as Glinda and Xavier McKinnon as Fiyero in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024.
Austen Danielle Bohmer as Glinda and Lauren Samuels as Elphaba in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024
Alex Vinh as Boq and Erica Ito as Nessarose in the National Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus 2024.

Funny Girl – Musical – Review – Paramount Theatre

@showsiveseen "Funny Girl" classic #musical from Broadway Seattle & @Seattle Theatre Group at Paramount Theatre. Starring @Hannah Shankman w/ her effortlessly powerful steady voice. Mister Arnstein understudied by Travis Ward-Osborne. What a spectacle of costumes, (tap) dance, & showstoppers! Closes tomorrow w/ only 4 more performances left! Review: showsiveseen.com/9850 Director: Michael Mayer Choreography: @✨Ellenore Scott✨ & @Ayodele Casel Conductor: Elaine Davidson Stage Manager: Jovon E. Shuck & Kyle Dannahey #funnyGirl #theatre #showsiveseen @FUNNY GIRL ♬ Don't Rain on My Parade (Glee Cast Version) – Glee Cast

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Funny Girl classic musical from Broadway Seattle and Seattle Theatre Group at Paramount Theatre. Starring Hannah Shankman with her effortlessly powerful steady voice. Mister Arnstein understudied by Travis Ward-Osborne. What a spectacle of costumes, (tap) dance, and showstoppers!

Recommendation:
See it!


My Synopsis (No Spoilers): An average-looking funny girl tries to make it in show biz and win the affections of a rich man. This story is based on the real-life Fanny Brice.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Featuring one of the most iconic scores of all time by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and direction from Michael Mayer, this love letter to the theatre has the whole shebang! The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 9/24/24 – Get your tickets now since this national tour leaves Seattle 9/29/24!

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? No

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate the jokes more if you’re Jewish American.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I attended a community theatre production at the San Pedro Playhouse in San Antonio.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? I think so

Mainstream Appeal: High

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Vocals: Hannah Shankman’s (who played the main character Fanny Brice) voice was an effortlessly steady powerhouse (if not a tad too nasal). I would love to hear her sing jazz standards. She really shined in “Cornet Man,” “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance.”
  • Showstopping (or “Show-pausing?”) Applause: There were several extended ovations throughout the show when the actors paused longer than normal till the crowd finished clapping like after “I’m the Greatest Star,” “The Music That Makes Me Dance,” and Eddie’s tap dance solo.
  • Stage Bulbs: The light bulbs surrounding the stage opening conveyed an old timey showbiz vibe that perfectly complemented the story’s subject matter.
  • Costumes: Costume designer Susan Hilferty curated an expansive, diverse, and visually captivating repertoire. Additionally, it was a wise artistic decision to showcase the costumes from each major song at the show bookends.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Casting: The Fanny Brice main character role is best suited for an actress who is more homely or at least awkward. Hannah Shankman fit neither of those requirements since she was prettier than average, and she portrayed her role with confidence like the quirky Zooey Deschanel. The character would have been more convincing if Hannah roughed up her face or sold the awkwardness to the audience more. She redeemed herself a bit during the standing ovations when she humbly accepted the audience’s applause.
  • “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” Song: Fanny’s extreme reluctance to perform this song was incredibly puzzling. She’d have to look like a disfigured dog to merit the extraordinary efforts taken to avoid performing the song. The assholes who sang “If a Girl Isn’t Pretty” gave her this complex!
  • Gender Commentary: The script is a wonderful commentary on binary gender roles. Society internalizes obsession with women’s appearances while men aren’t examined with the same scrutiny. (Even my previous two bullet points were about a woman’s appearance!) It was refreshing to see moments of Fanny’s resilience and positivity despite society’s expectations pulling her down. While the show ended on an empowering feminist note, the misogynistic pathway to get there was sometimes painful to watch. The first verse to “You Are Woman, I Am Man” embodied this pathway encouraging women to make themselves smaller so their insecure partners can feel like big men. Fanny was a strong independent woman who don’t need no man!

Theatre Company: National Tour from Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group

Venue: Paramount Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

Price Range: $40-150 plus the insane Ticketmaster fees. Buy your ticket at the box office to avoid the exorbitant fees. Down with the Ticketmaster Live Nation monopoly!

Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are eligible for an organization discount.

Dates: September 24 to 29, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.

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Pictures: See pictures below by Matthew Murphy from MurphyMade.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below. In the 9/24/24 performance, Travis Ward-Osborne played the Nick Arnstein character, Vinny Andaloro played the Mr. Renaldi character, Emily Anne Nester played Alex Hartman’s track, and Sean Seamus Thompson played Mathew Fedorek’s track.

First national touring company of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
Hannah Shankman and Izaiah Montaque Harris in the first national tour of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
Hannah Shankman and Stephen Mark Lukas in the first national tour of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
Melissa Manchester and Izaiah Montaque Harris in the first national tour of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
Jackson Grove, Hannah Shankman, and Jack Bianch in the first national tour of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
First national touring company of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
Melissa Manchester and Hannah Shankman in the national tour of Funny Girl. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.

Preview Post – Camelot – Musical – Village Theatre

Congrats to Village Theatre for opening night of their Camelot musical production. Catch the show until 10/13 at Issaquah & 11/10 at Everett. Stay tuned for my full review! #kingArthur #lancelot #Guinevere #excalibur #loveTriangle

Tickets: https://villagetheatre.org/shows/camelot/

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Damn Yankees – Musical – Review – Reboot Theatre Company & Theatre Off Jackson

@showsiveseen "Damn Yankees" #musical by @Reboot Theatre Company & Theatre Off Jackson. Starring Jessie Selleck & Vincent Milay. Delightful choreography by Mackenzie Malhotra. Wonderful "A League of Their Own"-like costumes & #baseball player ensemble. Review: showsiveseen.com/9657 Photos: Colin Madison Director: Brad Lo Walker Music Direction: Aimee Hong Stage Manager: Valerie Reid #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, Mo. – 1994 Original Cast Recording – "Damn Yankees" 1994 Broadway Cast

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Damn Yankees musical by Reboot Theatre Company & Theatre Off Jackson. Starring Jessie Selleck & Vincent Milay. Delightful choreography by Mackenzie Malhotra. Wonderful “A League of Their Own”-like costumes & baseball player ensemble.

Recommendation
See it, especially if you like baseball.


My Synopsis (No Spoilers): An older man makes a deal with the devil (hence “damn” in the title) to become a young baseball superstar so he can win the pennant for his favorite team.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Put summer into extra innings with Reboot Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Damn Yankees! This sporty musical comedy is a true American classic, packed with baseball, unforgettable music, high-energy dance, and devilish charm. Don’t miss Reboot’s twist on this Broadway mega-hit! Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd, trades his soul to the Devil, also known as Mr. Applegate, for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young baseball sensation, Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life that he’s left behind.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 9/6/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Show closes on 9/21/24!

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might enjoy this more if you’re familiar with baseball.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: None

Total Number of Actors: 15, which is pretty large for such a small stage

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Yes

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Songs and Choreography : There were many memorable songs, such as “You’ve Gotta Have Heart,” “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo,” “The Game,” “Two Lost Souls,” and “Six Months Out of the Year.” This was largely due to Mackenzie Malhotra’s choreography and the exceptional baseball player ensemble. Of course, the well-crafted music played a significant role as well.
  • Devil and Gags: Mr. Applegate (the devil character played by Vincent Milay) was comedically well-written and well-executed. Additionally, the script contained several cute jokes related to the Satan or hell. For example, Mr. Applegate couldn’t swear on the bible in court because it burned him. Or when someone asked him “Are you anybody?” he replied “not a soul.”
  • Costumes: Chloe Cook designed nostalgic women’s baseball player outfits similar to the costumes in A League of Their Own movie as shown below.
    The Washington Senators in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.

Rant(s)

  • Sound Balancing: It was difficult to hear some solo performers since they sang too soft and there were no microphones.
  • Resolutions (No Spoiler): The script resolved some conflicts at the end unsatisfyingly. The solutions felt random and lazily conceived.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Gender-conscious Casting: Like their previous shows, Reboot Theatre Company cast several roles with performers differently gendered than the original characters. Interestingly, their characters also often didn’t conform to traditional gender roles. For example, female performers played male baseball players characters but still sometimes acted feminine. They wrapped their hair in a towel in the locker room or screamed excitedly after a game like “woo girls.” It was certainly a show full of gender bending.
    • Vocal Range: I was a little worried that that the gender inclusive casting would force the performers to sing unnaturally and unpleasantly too high or too low. Fortunately, I didn’t hear any weird vocal ranges in this production. It made me wonder if they transposed any songs.
  • Temperature: I was also worried about attending this show on a hot day. As I’ve often mentioned in the past, Theatre Off Jackson is too hot in the summer. Fortunately, the A/C valiantly and successfully cooled the room adequately during the performance.

Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre Company and Theatre Off Jackson

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

Venue Physical Address: 409 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

Price Range: $30

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $5 inclusion rate on the ticketing website

Dates: September 6 to 21, 2024

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Paid street parking is usually available north of the theatre on the hill close to the park. You can also try free parking on Jackson Street under/past the I-5 bridge, though it’s a dodgier area. As usual, there are paid parking lots nearby as well.

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Pictures: See pictures below by Colin Madison.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Sophie J. Sen (center) as Gloria Thorpe with the ballplayers in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.
Ellen Dessler Smith as Meg Boyd and Jessie Selleck as Joe Hardy in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.
Jessie Selleck as Joe Hardy and Salem Salma Wahab as Lola in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.
Vincent Milay as Applegate and Salem Salma Wahab as Lola in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.
The company of DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.
Kiki Werner as Van Buren, Annalisa Brunchmann as Rocky, Eleanor Withrow as Smokey, and Stefanie Meifang Van Rafelghem as Sohovik in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.
Ed Robison as Joe Boyd and Vincent Milay as Applegate in DAMN YANKEES at Reboot Theatre Company. Photo by Colin Madison.