My Lord, What a Night – Play – Review – Taproot Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): My Lord, What a Night play at Taproot Theatre. Starring Kataka Corn & Mark Emerson. Engaging dialogue, beautiful juxtaposition of opposites, timely message, thought-provoking quotes, and good exploration of dilemmas. Mah lawd! Closes next weekend.

Recommendation:
See it if you enjoy plays that are more dialogue than action.


My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two famous opposites (Albert Einstein and Marian Anderson) meet and become friends. Together they struggle with the best way to respond to racism.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Based on the real-life friendship between famed contralto Marian Anderson and physicist Albert Einstein. Marian Anderson is denied lodging after delighting a sold-out Princeton audience. When her long-time fan, Albert Einstein, invites her to stay in his home, the two begin a lifelong friendship. Watch as they grapple with their responsibility as an artist and scientist in a world plagued by racial segregation and a looming world war.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 9/20/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since this production ends 10/19/24!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: I think there were only 2-3 scenes

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One – Albert Einstein’s living room

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate the play more if you’re familiar with Albert Einstein, Marian Anderson, or western world history.

Defined Plot/Storyline: No, it was mostly dialogue

Equity Actors: 3

Total Number of Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 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: Low to medium

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Juxtaposition: The unexpected friendship between an eccentric scientist and an artiste blossomed beautifully on-stage. It was also refreshing to see two people, famous in their own realms, admire each other despite their opposite passionate pursuits. The right and left brains unite!
  • Dialogue: While I’m usually not a fan of plays heavy on dialogue and low on action, the discourse between the characters was engaging. I especially enjoyed the way Marlette Buchanan delightfully delivered Mary Church Terrell’s lines. However, a part of me wondered if that character was pandering too much to the audience as a stereotypical colorful older black woman caricature.
  • Hair and Makeup: Throughout the entire first act, I didn’t realize Mark Emerson played Albert Einstein until I saw his picture in the lobby. This transformation reminded me of how I didn’t recognize Cassi Q Kohl in Taproot Theatre’s The Hello Girls.
  • First Act Song: There was a lovely segment in the middle of the first act when Marian Anderson (played by Kataka Corn) entranced the audience with a vision and an acapella song.
  • Dilemmas: The script explored the arguments for/against each action (or inaction) well. There were seemingly no correct answers. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
  • Quotes: There were several thought-provoking quotes throughout the script. One example was something like “the treatment of the Negro is no different than the treatment of Jews” and it stood out the most since I disagree. Both groups were treated terribly throughout history (and I know it’s not a competition), but one group arguably had/has it way worse.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • First Act: Like many shows, the first act was better. But the first act also could have probably afforded to end earlier.
  • D Flat: Anderson and Einstein’s obsession with D flat was kind of weird. This is coming from someone who plays the piano and sings.
  • Marian Anderson’s Music: I’ve never heard of Marian Anderson or her music before attending this play. After the show, I curiously searched for what her music sounded like, and I’d have to say it was boring and stuffy. The music in my TikTok reel was the most upbeat song I could find. But this is coming from someone who’s favorite artist is Lady Gaga and favorite genre is showtunes. 🙂

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage

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

Price Range: $25-62

Dates: September 18 to October 19, 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 by Robert Wade.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Marlette Buchanan and Kataka Corn in My Lord, What a Night at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.
Kataka Corn and Mark Emerson in My Lord, What a Night at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.
Andrew Litzky, foreground, with Mark Emerson and Kataka Corn in My Lord, What a Night at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.
Andrew Litzky and Mark Emerson in My Lord, What a Night at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.
Mark Emerson and Kataka Corn in My Lord, What a Night at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.

Preview Post – The Skin of Our Teeth – Play – Seattle Rep

Happy opening night (last night) to Seattle Rep’s public works production of The Skin of Our Teeth play by Thornton Wilder. Performing till 10/20/24. Stay tuned for my full review! #civilization #humans

Tickets: https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202425-season/the-skin-of-our-teeth/

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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 – My Lord, What a Night – Play – Taproot Theatre

Happy opening night to Taproot Theatre’s My Lord, What a Night play production. Performing till 10/19. Stay tuned for my full review! #AlbertEinstein #Einstein #MarianAnderson #civilRights #racism

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/my-lord-what-a-night/

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Guards at the Taj – Play – Review – ArtsWest & Pratidhwani

@showsiveseen Rajiv Joseph's "Guards at the Taj" #play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring @Kainkain & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (#sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (#tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. Review: showsiveseen.com/9807 Director: Samip Raval #showsiveseen #theatre #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia ♬ Taaza Hawa Lete Hain – Altaf Raja

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring Varun Kainth & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia

Recommendation:
See it if you’re okay with 2-person shows with mostly dialogue.


My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two guards at the Taj Mahal grapple with enforcing the barbaric oppressive edicts of their authoritarian autocratic regime. In the end, they face the ultimate dilemma.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: In 1648 India, two Imperial Guards watch from their post as the sun rises for the first time on the newly-completed Taj Mahal—an event that shakes their respective worlds. When they are ordered to perform an unthinkable task, the aftermath forces them to question the concepts of friendship, beauty, and duty, and changes them forever. GUARDS AT THE TAJ is one of Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s seminal works.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Weekend 9/14/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. This show closes on 10/6/24!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Few

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate this more if you’re familiar with Indian history. I was not and I kept wondering “Holy crap, did these historical events really happen?!”

Defined Plot/Storyline: It was more dialogue than story.

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 2

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): Less than 90 minutes

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: Low to medium

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Traditional Live Music: Sampada Bhalerao played the sitar while Jayant Bhopatkar played the tabla before the show and during the show. They also added some mild sound effects as well during the play.

Theatre Company: ArtsWest and Pratidhwani

Venue: ArtsWest

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

Price Range: $46

Dates: September 12 to October 6, 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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Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.