The Color Purple – Musical – Review – Village Theatre

@showsiveseen "The Color Purple" #musical at Village Theatre starring @Mariah Lyttle. Strong cast and voices. The church lady gossips (@Melany, @Kataka, & Crystal Hairston) were the highlight of the show! Closes next weekend.  #Review: showsiveseen.com/13329 Production Clips: Nyhuis Creative Director: Timothy McCuen Piggee Stage Mgr: Miranda Mikolaizik Conductor: Tim Symons Choreo: @Nikki Womac #theatre #musicaltheatre #thecolorpurple ♬ Miss Celie's Pants – Original Broadway Cast Of The Color Purple

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Color Purple at Village Theatre starring Mariah Lyttle. Strong cast and voices. The church lady gossips (Melany Bell, Kataka J. Mackenzie, & Crystal Hairston) were the highlight of the show!

Recommendation:
See it, especially if you enjoy melodramatic Lifetime TV scripts depicting abusive relationships.


Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I’ve seen the national tour twice

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not. Three times already might be enough for me!

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Life dealt Celie a harsh hand in intersectionality. She’s Black (in the Deep South), female, ugly, queer, and poor. Despite these compounded barriers, her journey illustrates resilience, self-discovery, empowerment, and reclaiming one’s agency. Against all odds, she finds her own voice in a world determined to silence her. Beauty is found in unexpected places.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: A testament to the healing power of love. With a soul-raising, Grammy Award-winning score infused with jazz, gospel, ragtime and the blues, The Color Purple is a triumphant musical adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker (later turned into films directed by Stephen Spielberg and Blitz Bazawule). In the early 1900s in rural Georgia, a teenage Celie is ripped from her life and forced into an abusive marriage. Despite the anguishing circumstances she endures, she comes to discover her voice, find herself, and celebrate life. This stirring and inspiring show explodes with music, beauty, and hope. Director Timothy Piggee’s (Hello, Dolly!) soaring new production of The Color Purple promises to fill your heart and awaken your soul.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Predominantly dynamic, though austere. The understated scenic design by Carey Wong provided an open canvas that highlighted the performers’ skills, free from the distraction of flashy visuals.

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this show more if you read the book. I haven’t read the book and I remember that the story was difficult to follow the first time I saw the musical more than 10 years ago.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: 9

Total Actors: 17

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Other Rave(s)

  • Church Ladies: The narrating gossips stole the show with their tight harmonies, facial expressions, and poses with attitude. Kataka J. Mackenzie’s powerhouse vocals were reminiscent of Mercedes from the Glee TV show, delivering each belt with flair and conviction.
  • Gospel Music: I don’t remember either of the two national tours I saw delivering a Sunday church service quite like this one. Again, the church ladies brought it. However, it was weird to witness such a spirited, high-energy Sunday church service when I saw the musical on an otherwise sleepy Wednesday evening.
  • Jahmaul Bakare: Jahmaul Bakare (as “Mister” Albert) skillfully shifted his voice between a rich operatic tenor and a smooth, R&B-like tone. He certainly showcased his impressive effortless vocal range.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Pantheism: Every time I see The Color Purple, the show’s overtly pantheistic themes are increasingly apparent. In “The Color Purple” song, Celie declares, “God is inside me and everyone else” which underscores the spiritual worldview where the divine is immanent in all things. I can’t think of another mainstream show that glaringly embraces pantheism. It always strikes me as strange. But I guess the theme is perfect for “woo woo” Seattle. I wonder if pantheism is as pervasive in the original book. If you’ve read the book, let me know what your thoughts in my social media comments!

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre

Venue Physical Address:

  • Village Theatre’s Francis J. Gaudette Theatre: 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA 98027
  • Everett Performing Arts Center: 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201

Price Range: $75-128

Ticket Affordability Options: See the theatre’s official page about discounts and pay-what-you-can performances

Dates:

  • Issaquah: May 27 – June 29, 2025
  • Everett: July 5—27, 2025

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking:

  • Issaquah: Free street parking and certain free parking lots. Lot parking availability is very difficult to find though. I’ve basically given up on that. I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, 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 mostly only locals know about.
  • Everett: Free street parking and some paid parking lots/garages.

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Auston James.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Brandi Birdsong (Nettie) and the company of The Color Purple at Village Theatre. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Jesimiel R. Jenkins (Harpo) and Shermona Mitchell (Sofia) in The Color Purple at Village Theatre. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Mariah Lyttle (Celie) in The Color Purple at Village Theatre. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako (Shug Avery) and the company of The Color Purple at Village Theatre. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Mariah Lyttle (Celie) in The Color Purple at Village Theatre. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Aniah Long and the company of The Color Purple at Village Theatre. Photo by Auston James (2025).
Credits from the printed Encore program.
Credits from the printed Encore program.
Credits from the printed Encore program.

BOOP! The Musical – Mini Review – Broadhurst Theatre

Happy closing show to BOOP! The Musical at the Broadhurst Theatre starring Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty Boop. High octane celebration of color. Showstoppers filled with glitz & glamor. Incredible choreography. Ensemble was on fire!

Info: https://boopthemusical.com/

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Preview Post – Murder on the Links – Play – Taproot Theatre

Congrats to Taproot Theatre on the opening night of their Murder on the Links play production. Extended through 8/16/25. Look out for my full review! #agathaChristie #mystery #comedy #herculePoirot

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2025/murder-on-the-links/

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The Effect – Play – Review – ArtsWest

@showsiveseen Lucy Prebble's "The Effect" #play at ArtsWest. Fantastic futuristic sci-fi vibe from the scenic, lighting, sound, & movement design. Charismatic, disarming male lead portrayal from @Morgan Gwilym Tso.  Closes next weekend! #Review: showsiveseen.com/13278 Photos: John McLellan Director: Mathew Wright  Stage Mgr: Neen Williams-Teramachi, @Alyda Sorm #theatre #showsiveseen #antidepressant #pharma ♬ Tomorrow – Fly By Midnight

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Lucy Prebble’s The Effect play at ArtsWest. Fantastic futuristic sci-fi vibe from the scenic, lighting, sound, & movement design. Charismatic, disarming male lead portrayal from Morgan Gwilym Tso. Closes next weekend!

Recommendation:
See it.


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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Probably

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two volunteers sign up for a clinical trial testing an experimental antidepressant. As the boundaries between science, emotion, and ethics blur, the relationships among the researchers and subjects grow increasingly complex. Will the trial yield a medical breakthrough or a personal breakdown?

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: In this sci-fi thriller by Lucy Prebble (HBO’s Succession), a clinical drug trial is thrown off-course when two young volunteers succumb to the gravitational pull of attraction – is it love or just a side effect? As sexy as it is funny, this riveting play will have you at the edge of your seat.

Type: Play

World Premiere: Yes

Several or Few Scenes: A couple

Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly, yes. But it was more dialogue than action.

Union Actors: 1

Total Actors: 4

Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 100 minutes

Other Rave(s)

  • Vibe: The production exuded a distinctly futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic, with all design elements complementing in strong harmony. Parmida Ziaei’s scenic design evoked the sleek sterility of a modern museum with clean lines, minimalist forms, and a sense of clinical precision. Trevor Cushman’s lighting design beautifully enhanced the stage trim with pulsing neon reminiscent of a hip underground club. Outside of the neon, the lighting was vividly color-saturated and occasionally dramatically shifted. It echoed the lighting design in ArtsWest’s previous production Athena. The sound design (by Sandra Huezo-Menjivar and Conor Fortner) and sound composition (by Greg Fields) reinforced the technological atmosphere with robotic sound effects and synthetic announcements. Even the choreography by Alyza DelPan-Monley aligned seamlessly with the production’s futuristic tone as the test subject characters deliberately moved in an automated way between their scenes.
  • The Real You: Lucy Prebble’s script thoughtfully explored the philosophical question of true identity when a patient uses psychiatric medications. Connie (played by Anna Mulia) compared taking antidepressants to being drunk saying something like, “If you’re drunk and tell me, ‘I love you, you’re my best friend,’ I wouldn’t believe you.” If a chemical (like an antidepressant) alters your mood or thoughts, is what you say or feel still truly you?
  • Revelation and Twist: The final scenes unveiled an unexpected revelation, punctuated by an audacious twist that heightened the drama. Utterly reckless in a good way.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Script: The script presented an intriguing premise, but it moved at a pace that often left me restless. Maybe it’s because I work in the pharmacy field and the topic hits close to home. Or maybe it’s because theatre pieces from the UK tend to move at a slower pace compared to their USA counterparts. Additionally, the script could have more effectively illuminated the dynamic between the two scientists as well as their individual background/development.

Theatre Company: ArtsWest

Venue: ArtsWest

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

Price Range: $46

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the discounts portion of their ticketing policies page.

Dates: 6/19/25 to 7/13/25

Seating: Assigned Seating

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Pictures: See production pictures below by John McLellan.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Photo by John McLellan for THE EFFECT at ArtsWest (2025).
Credits from the printed program.
Credits from the printed program.

Beau the Musical – Review – Out of the Box Theatrics & Theatre 154

@showsiveseen "#Beau the #Musical" at Theatre 154 by @Out of the Box Theatrics starring @Matt Rodin & Chris Blisset. The 8 incredibly talented actors were also the band. Loved the situationship arc. Heartfelt coming of age (and coming out?) story … I even shed a single tear. #Review : showsiveseen.com/13227 Photos: Valerie Terranova Director/Choreo: Josh Rhodes Concept/Book/Lyrics/Music: @Douglas Lyons Music: Ethan D. Pakchar Stage Mgr: Jonathan Bach #offBroadway #lgbt #lgbtq #LGBTQIA #queer #gay #theatre #showsiveseen #musicaltheatre #pride ♬ Runnin' (feat. Matt Rodin) – Lyons & Pakchar

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Beau the Musical at Theatre 154 by Out of the Box Theatrics starring Matt Rodin & Chris Blisset. The 8 incredibly talented actors were also the band. Loved the situationship arc. Heartfelt coming of age (and coming out?) story … I even shed a single tear. #lgbt #queer #gay #pride #lgbtq #LGBTQIA

Recommendation:
See it, especially if you enjoy 1) concert-style productions 2) musicals where the actors are also the band 3) intimate/immersive shows 4) or folk music.


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

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

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A coming-of-age story that follows a queer teenager attempting to bridge the gap with his estranged heart-of-gold grandfather.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Beau features eight actor-musicians telling the story of Ace Baker – a young queer man whose life is forever changed when he discovers his deceased grandfather is actually alive. Family secrets unravel as Ace rushes to make up for lost time with a man who changes his life by putting a guitar in his hand.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: Yes

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: 7

Total Actors: 8

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? No

Length (Including Any Intermission): 1.5 hours

Other Rave(s)

  • Scenic Design: Daniel Allen transformed the space into a convincingly gritty dive bar. They even served drinks before the show, which added to the immersive atmosphere.
  • Music and Band: The cast showcased their impressive versatility when they doubled as the show’s folksy country band. I’m sure that saved this production some money! They played the memorized score with a wide instrument plethora from the expected acoustic/electric guitars, drums, and keyboard to more eclectic choices like the fiddle, mandolin, spoons, cowbell, and bongos. The overall vibe felt like a better version of Girl from the North Country.
  • Romantic Storylines: I loved the bittersweet romantic arcs, especially how the script didn’t linger on them too heavily. Since I deliberately avoid reading synopses beforehand, the sudden introductions of these arcs hit like a bombshell, which makes for good theatre. There’s something alluring (and yes, hot) about a forbidden romance steeped in internalized homophobia.
  • Voices: Matt Rodin (as Ace) brought a smooth, classic crooner tone to the stage. It was also a delight to see a familiar face Amelia Cormack (as Raven) from Hadestown, who delivered a powerhouse vocal moments like during the climactic end of “The Middle.”
  • Past vs Present: Creator Douglass Lyons skillfully intertwined past and present in the script, drawing parallels between Beau’s experiences across time. One example was the mirrored abandonment scenes of those who left Beau in the past versus those who left him in the present. Similarly, the comparison between Beau’s past romantic life and Ace’s present-day relationship deepened the emotional resonance of the piece.
  • Larry: The recurring gag about “this motherfucker” “goofy wack-ass Larry” (played by “fellow” Matt Wolpe) was a consistent comedic relief throughout the show. What initially felt like a creepy (almost pedophile) character evolved into an endearing surprise.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Hook: The show would benefit from diving into the story/action sooner to hook the audience earlier. It began like a band performance with hints of story. So initially, I expected a concert-style musical such as Six the Musical and didn’t anticipate much in terms of narrative. But as the plot unfolded, it gradually revealed a more linear and emotionally engaging journey. At times, I even forgot about the concert framing altogether. While my expectations were low at first from the initial moments of the show, I found myself increasingly impressed as it gained momentum.
  • Queer vs Gay: The show is marketed as a queer musical, but it felt more like a gay (specifically, homosexual male) narrative than the broader, more fluid spectrum that “queer” implies. Maybe that’s just the ignorant gay Texan in me still struggling to grasp all the nuances of the alphabet mafia LGBTTQQIAAPPO2SAA despite being schooled by a reader after my review of Wolf Play. From my perspective, there wasn’t much ambiguity in Beau the Musical regarding gender identity or sexual orientation. The attraction and identity dynamics appeared fairly binary.

Theatre Company: Out of the Box Theatrics

Venue: Theatre 154

Venue Physical Address: 154 Christopher St #1E, New York, NY 10014

Venue Classification: Off-Broadway

Price Range: $45-110

Dates: 6/6/25 to 7/27/25

Seating: Assigned Seating

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Valerie Terranova Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Amelia Cormack and Chris Blisset in Beau The Musical. Photo by Valerie Terranova Photography.
Cory Jeacoma and Matt Rodin in Beau The Musical. Photo by Valerie Terranova Photography.
Cory Jeacoma and Matt Rodin in Beau The Musical. Photo by Valerie Terranova Photography.
Chris Blisset in Beau The Musical. Photo by Valerie Terranova Photography.
Cory Jeacoma and Matt Rodin in Beau The Musical. Photo by Valerie Terranova Photography.
Credits from the printed program.
Credits from the printed program.
Credits from the printed program.