Post Type – Shows I've Seen

Aladdin – Musical – Review – Paramount Theatre

@showsiveseen @Disney's "#Aladdin" #musical at Paramount Theatre w/ @Seattle Theatre Group & @BwayAmerica starring Adi Roy & @senzel 🫶🏼. @Marcus M. Martin's #Genie gave Robbin Williams a run for his money. Clever comedic relief jokes w/ Middle Eastern references. Closes on 4/28! #theatre #showsiveseen #princessjasmine #disney @Disney on Broadway ♬ Friend Like Me (From "Aladdin") – Geek Music

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Disney’s Aladdin musical at Paramount Theatre w/ Seattle Theatre Group & Broadway Across America starring Adi Roy & Senzel Ahmady. Marcus M. Martin’s Genie gave Robbin Williams a run for his money. Clever comedic relief jokes with Middle Eastern references.

Recommendation
See it, especially if you enjoyed the movie.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Attended Performance Date: 4/24/24 – Get you tickets now since the tour is only in-town for one week till 4/28/24.

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’d probably appreciate this more if you’ve seen the original film.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: 31

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I saw the national tour in 2017, also at Paramount Theatre. Plus, I saw the movie countless times.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Two times seeing the national tour is probably enough for me. But obviously, the production value is inherently good since it’s a national tour.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Cave of Wonders: The show’s energy felt off a couple of times in the beginning until the cave of wonders segment. The scene had a dazzling set, an alluring premise, and tap dance! It was an entertaining introduction to the Genie character (played by the delightful Marcus M. Martin).
Comedic Relief: The jokes were funny … if not a bit corny. One of my favorites was “She [Princess Jasmine] is a beauty what with the hair and the belly button.” Most other jokes were Middle Eastern-themed (like “Tom, Dick, and Hassim”) that frequently mentioned Arabic food.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

“Price Ali” Song: This would have been a better pre-intermission showstopper than a second act opener.
“Proud of Your Boy” Song: Every time they sang this song, I kept thinking about how the Proud Boys adopted it as their anthem. It’s ruined for me!
Dance Synchronicity : Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the last national tour (MJ: The Musical) that I saw at the Paramount Theatre, but it felt like the choreography could have been tighter.
Honest Guards: The guards could have rubbed the lamp when it was handed to them at the end!
“A Whole New World” Song: It was definitely not as epic as the movie’s classic hit song. But the magic carpet stage effects was pretty cool to see. Side note, the magic carpet could be likened to a car. How high school cliche is it for a girl to fall for a guy after she finds out he has a new fancy car!

Theatre Company: National Tour Brought by Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway Across America

Venue: Paramount Theatre

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

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://seattle.broadway.com/shows/disneys-aladdin/.

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: April 24 – 28, 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 and in video above by Deen van Meer.

Senzel Ahmady and Company in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Marcus M Martin and Company in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Jake Letts, Ben Chavez, Adi Roy, Colt Prattes in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Arabian Nights Men in *Aladdin* on Broadway. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Anand Nagraj and Aaron Choi in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Adi Roy in *Aladdin* Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

English – Play – Review – ArtsWest & Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble

@showsiveseen Sanaz Toossi's #English #play at ArtsWest w/ Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble starring Vahishta Vafadari. Clever accent switching dramatic device. Thoughtful contrasting commentary on ethnic/racial identity in an English-dominated global society. Closes this weekend. Sold out, waitlist only! #ethnicity #race #language #ESL #theatre #showsiveseen #TOEFL #iranian #Farsi #Parsi #Persian #bilingual #identity #accent ♬ Get Ready – SUPER-Hi & NEEKA

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): English play at ArtsWest w/ Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble. Clever accent switching dramatic device. Thoughtful contrasting commentary on ethnic/racial identity in an English-dominated global society. Closes this weekend. Sold out, waitlist only! #ethnicity #race #language #ESL #theatre #showsiveseen #TOEFL #iranian #Farsi #Parsi #Persian #bilingual #identity #accent

Recommendation
See it if either 1) you’re bilingual, 2) you have immigrant connections, 2) or you’re okay with plays that are mostly dialogue and less action.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Two words set in motion award-winning playwright Sanaz Toossi’s intricate and profound New York debut: “English Only.” This is the mantra that rules one classroom in Iran, where four adult students are preparing for the TOEFL — the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Chasing fluency through a maze of word games, listening exercises, and show-and-tell sessions, they hope that one day, English will make them whole. But it might be splitting them each in half.

Attended Performance Date: 4/19/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Since the remaining show run (ending 4/28/24 this weekend) is sold out, read how to join the waitlist here.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One – a classroom

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this more if you’re not Caucasian American/British/Commonwealth.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not really. It was more a collection of exercises and discussions in a classroom throughout a semester.

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 5

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 1.5 hours

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

Accent Switching: In the first scene, I immediately noticed the actors delivered their lines switching between an Iranian and an American accent. Initially, I thought this was bad acting and breaking character. But after a couple of minutes, I realized their American accent portrayed that they were speaking Farsi (Persian) while their Iranian accent portrayed that they were speaking English. This novel approach effectively conveyed distinct languages to an English-speaking audience without using subtitles.
Recording: Another clever theatre device was the English recording the Iranian characters listened to. The recording was intentionally difficult for the audience to understand. This effectively portrayed how non-English speakers hear English.
Ethnic Identity: As a second-generation immigrant, it was comforting to observe the dynamic commentary on internalized racism, the subsequent resentment of colonialism, and ethnic identity. It brought to light many conscious and unconscious questions I asked myself while growing up in the USA as a child of first-generation immigrant parents. Like why does the English accent of my people sound ugly? Why are all the “desirable accents” from Caucasian countries? If I was born in the USA, why do I still sometimes feel like a foreigner? What would it be like to live outside this ethnic limbo since I didn’t grow up with people who look like me? What would it have been like to grow up in a society where I was part of the majority? Similarly, one of the play’s characters posed the question, what would global society be like if the Persian empire was still the dominant superpower?
Favorite Line: “Our mothers get to name us. Not foreigners.” This quote reminds me of immigrants who have an American name in addition to their original name.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Unanswered Questions: I still don’t understand why the teacher Marjan (played by Vahishta Vafadari) left the UK and Omid (played by Emon Elboudwarej) left the USA.

Theatre Company: ArtsWest and Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble

Venue: ArtsWest

Venue Physical Address: 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

Price: Cheap to Medium

Tickets: The remaining show run is sold out! See how to join the waitlist here.

Dates: April 4 – 28, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: There are paid lots and free street parking. I usually park on 44th or 45th Ave behind the theatre.

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https://www.artswest.org/events/english/

Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Jenny Crooks and John McLellan.

ArtsWest presents *English* by Sanaz Toossi, directed by Naghmeh Samini. Running April 4 – April 28, 2024. Photo by Jenny Crooks.

ArtsWest presents *English* by Sanaz Toossi, directed by Naghmeh Samini. Running April 4 – April 28, 2024. Photo by John McLellan.

Preview Post – English – Play – Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble & ArtsWest

English play by ArtsWest & Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble. Entire performance run (ending 4/28/24) is now sold out. Arrive 1 hr before each remaining show to get on the waitlist. Stay tuned for my full review! #showsiveseen #theatre #iranian #Farsi #Parsi #Persian #language #bilingual #identity #accent

Final Full Review (Posted 4/23/24): https://www.showsiveseen.com/english-play-review-artswest-seda-iranian-theatre-ensemble/

Tickets: https://www.artswest.org/events/english/

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Preview Post – Fat Ham – Play – Seattle Rep

Fat Ham play opening night at Seattle Rep. Performing until 5/12/24. Stay tuned for my full review! #bipoc #black #hamlet #Shakespeare #Queer #LGBT #poc

Tickets: https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202324-season/fat-ham/

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How to Write a New Book for the Bible – Play – Review – Taproot Theatre

@showsiveseen "How to Write a New Book for the Bible" #play at @TaprootTheatre starring Pam Nolte & Richard Nguyen Sloniker. Digs into the sad process of caring for ill, #aging, #dying #parents. Oh lawd, don't let me get old or sick! #children #family #theatre #showsiveseen Review: showsiveseen.com/8370 Photos: Robert Wade Director: @Bretteney Beverly Stage Manager: @nik! ♬ Fine Wine – Devin Kennedy

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): “How to Write a New Book for the Bible” play at Taproot Theatre. Digs into the sad process of caring for ill, aging, dying #parents. Oh lawd, don’t let me get old or sick! Closes this weekend. #children #family

Recommendation
See it if you’re okay with sentimental or downer shows.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Playwright and Jesuit priest Bill Cain moves home to care for his strong-spirited mother. Through his eyes we witness his long-dead father, a brother coming to terms with his service in Vietnam, baseball games, and birthday pumpkins. In this bracingly personal and frankly funny play, Cain shows us why the details in our lives matter.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/22/24 – 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 it closes this weekend on 4/20/24!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not really. It was more a collection of flashbacks.

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Rant(s)

Physician Coat Length: If an actor portrays a physician (even an intern or resident), they shouldn’t wear a hip-length coat. Only health care professional students (like medical school or pharmacy school students) wear white coats that short. It’s surprising how many theatres incorrectly dress their physicians as if they were medical students.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Moral of the Story: What was the message the playwright was trying to convey? “Aging sucks?”
Bible Reference: Why was the bible mentioned in the play’s title? The narrator briefly touched on it, but it seemed like a far-reaching connection. There were random biblical references through the play like “Do you know what commandment follows ‘Honor your father and mother?’ ‘Thou shalt not kill.'” But the religious references were too few to merit mentioning “bible” in the title. The play’s title attracts Christian audiences to buy tickets, but the script ultimately doesn’t deliver enough religious themes. At the same time, the play’s title deters secular audiences from attending the show. This weird religiously-themed title reminds me of A Case for the Existence of God.

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

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

Price: Medium

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/how-to-write-a-new-book-for-the-bible/

Dates: March 20, 2024 – April 20, 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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