Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Miss You Like Hell musical w/ Strawberry Theatre Workshop at 12th Ave Arts, starring Maggie Carrido & Stephanie Roman, directed by Nicholas Japaul Bernard. Best part was when an audience member loudly exclaimed, “Oh no!” Didn’t end like I expected. Pilar O’Connell rocked! Craved a tamale after the show.
Recommendation
See it if you were affected by American immigration laws.
Synopsis from the Theatre: A teenager and her estranged mother—an undocumented Mexican on the verge of deportation—embark on a road trip across the United States to mend their frayed relationship. Combined with the musical talent of Erin McKeown, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes artfully crafts a story of the barriers and the bonds of family, while also addressing the complexities of immigration in today’s America.
Attended Performance Date: 10/14/23 (Opening Night) – See my previous preview posts here.
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
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: 1
Total Number of Actors: 9
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours
Was there an intermission? No
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes and it was also my first time attending a musical by Strawberry Theatre Workshop. I’ve only previously attended their plays, which are typically good.
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Maybe if it was a full-fledged professional production
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts
Pilar O’Connell: Pilar’s singing and acting stole the show as Mo, a gay dude in leather chaps.
Beatriz: I think this was my first time seeing Maggie Carrido on-stage. Her unique sultry voice served her well for a role (Beatriz) that was originally portrayed by Daphne Rubin-Vega in NYC. Honestly, I prefer Maggie’s voice!
Favorite Lines: This musical was filled with lines that were shocking and funny. Sorry if the following examples are not quoted 100% verbatim!
“I was crying so much my mascara was down to my ankles”
Olivia told her mom “You’re a MILF”
“My boobs were like snow cones”
“My parents weren’t married. So, technically I’m a bastard.”
“I thought I was bleeding from my pussy”
Clerk Scene: The best part of the show was when an audience member loudly exclaimed “Oh no!” and passionately nearly stood up during a scene where a deliciously unlikable court clerk (played by Olivia Sutherland) rudely spoke to the main characters.
Rant(s)
Book and Music: Since this musical’s score and book is inherently tepid, it won’t appeal to wide audiences, especially if the production isn’t from a full-fledged professional theatre company. I’m curious how audiences received the original NYC production because the original cast soundtrack didn’t sound too impressive.
Sound Balancing: Hopefully this was only an issue on opening night, but the non-ensemble characters were not equally mic’ed. For example, a major character wore a microphone but I’m not sure that it was even on. Like I recently mentioned in my last review of Seattle Public Theater’s Macbeth production, try to sit away from the band so it’s easier to hear the singers. Unfortunately, that means you’ll sacrifice a little on the view.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Stage Layout: I’m not a huge fan of the parallel-style seating arrangement in the image below. The audience ends up seeing too many actors’ backs. An okay alternative is when the seating is more U-shaped.
Sullen Teenager Trope: I’m also not a huge fan of the sullen “nobody understands me” teenager trope. It’s tired and annoying. I want to tell these characters, “Oh boo hoo! Grow up, get over yourself, and join the real world!”
Vocal Range: Again, like I recently mentioned about Seattle Public Theater’s Macbeth production, gender-inclusive casting (though well-intentioned) often needs transposition when an actor sings a part that was written for the opposite gender in mind. Without transposition, the performer either sounds like they’re singing too high or too low.
Theatre Company: Strawberry Theatre Workshop
Venue: 12th Avenue Arts
Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave #203, Seattle, WA 98122
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Your best luck would be East of Cal Anderson Park on 11th or 12th Ave. Cheapest paid lots are on 11th Ave next to the park. I highly suggest parking far away or taking the bus since the lots are expensive in Capitol Hill.
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Dream Hou$e play by Eliana Pipes at 12th Ave Arts w/ Washington Ensemble Theatre starring Antonieta Carpio & Adriana Hillas. Commentary on gentrification, identity, & heritage in the frame of a reality TV game show. Loved Holly Vander Hyde’s TV host character! #Spanish #Latino #Hispanic
Synopsis from the Theatre: Set in a rapidly changing neighborhood, two sisters sign up for a reality tv show to sell their childhood home after the passing of the family matriarch. As Julia and Patricia perform for the camera, they confront their own desires, aspirations, and the sacrifices they are willing to make to achieve them. What is the cultural cost of progress in America? Is cashing in always selling out?
Attended Performance Date: 9/8/23 (Opening Night)
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Just a house
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You should be familiar with reality TV and TV game shows
Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes but there’s only so much that can occur in a house
Equity Actors: 0
Total Number of Actors: 6
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium
Length (Including Any Intermission): 1.75 hours
Intermission Included: No
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: I’m not sure … *maybe* if it was produced by an Equity theatre
Recommendation: See it especially if you enjoy reality TV or TV game shows
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts
TV Host: Holly Vander Hyde’s TV host Tessa character was a delight to watch. There’s something alluring about a squeaky-clean personality on the outside despite what’s on the inside. When I heard/saw her TV anchor laugh at the beginning of the play, I knew I’d like this character.
Powerful Scenes:
One of the last scenes when Tessa asked Patricia (played by Adriana Hillas) to sell various belongings
One of the middle scenes when Patricia showed Julia (played by Antonieta Carpio) their mother’s feeding tube
Favorite Quotes:
Something like “I want to be so rich that I can send my steak back to the chef”
Something like “White people are the only people who say ‘latinX'”
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Scenic Design: The set was more austere than what I’m used to seeing with Washington Ensemble Theatre.
Weird Factor: This play felt more mainstream than the typical edgy weirdness I associate with Washington Ensemble Theatre shows like Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, Arlington, or Tin Cat Shoes. Don’t get me wrong though … I actually prefer mainstream!
Sentimentality vs Pragmatism: I definitely identified more with Patricia’s pragmatism. I was a little annoyed with Julia’s sentimentality. Gurl, sell out and take the money!
Crew: I felt bad for the camera crew actors since they didn’t have any speaking parts.
Theatre Company: Washington Ensemble Theatre
Venue: 12th Avenue Arts
Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Price: Cheap
Dates: September 8 to 25, 2023
Seating: General Admission
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Your best luck would be East of Cal Anderson Park on 11th or 12th Ave. Cheapest paid lots are on 11th Ave next to the park. I highly suggest parking far away or taking the bus since the lots are expensive in Capitol Hill.
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Cost of Living play at Sound Theatre Company + 12th Ave Arts by Martyna Majok, directed by Teresa Thuman. Starring Drew Hobson, Teal Sherer, Viviana Garza, and Gerald Waters. People need people! #homeHealth #theatre
Synopsis from the Theatre: Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play will leave you breathless. Co-Artistic Director Teresa Thuman (Gaslight (Angel Street), Peeling) returns to the director’s seat for this deeply touching drama about isolation, alienation, and the yearning for human connection. Majok does not shy away from the truths of our world today, yet paints a beautiful portrait of four individuals across stratas of disability, race, gender, immigration status, class, care-giving and care-receiving. In the late-COVID times, this story is prescient. In it, we may discover small pockets of tender humanity when we extend a helping hand.
Reviewed Performance: 6/10/23
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: A couple
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Around four
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No
Defined Plot/Storyline: It was more dialogue and less storyline
Recommendation: See it if you like plays that explore what it means to be human
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show: Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Probably not but it wasn’t bad
Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value: 4.25 stars (Out of 5 Stars)
Equity Actors: 0
Total Number of Actors: 4
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours
Intermission: No
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts
Scenic Design: I love the way Bryan Boyd designed John’s apartment. I’m always a sucker for modern designs. There was even a functioning shower with water!
Multitasking Dialogue: The shower/dress scene reminded me of the mesmerizing cakemaking scene in Seattle Public Theatre’s recent Hometown Boy. It was an enlightening to see how cumbersome simple activities of daily living can be for someone who relies on home health care. We take mundane things for granted!
Climactic Moments (No Spoilers): There were two gasp-worthy incidents toward the end of the play. One scene made the audience audibly gasp and the person sitting next to me muttered “Where the hell is he?!” The other scene was a deliciously cringy slow-moving car crash of rejection.
Rant(s)
Opening Scene: While well delivered, the rambling soliloquy-like opening scene was too long and wasn’t a good audience hook. However, I’d be interested to see it again through the lens of what I know from the entire show.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
People Need People: It was ironic that the characters who seemingly needed others the most were opposite of who I initially expected.
Theatre Company: Sound Theatre Company
Venue: 12th Ave Arts
Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Price: Cheap
Ticket Affordability Options: Self-select ticket prices as low as $5 depending on your financial situation in the online ticketing website
Dates: June 8 to July 1, 2023
Seating: General Admission
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Your best luck would be East of Cal Anderson Park on 11th or 12th Ave. Cheapest paid lots are on 11th Ave next to the park. I highly suggest parking far away or taking the bus since the lots are expensive in Capitol Hill.
@showsiveseen "Cost of Living" #play at Sound Theatre Company + 12th Ave Arts by Martyna Majok, directed by Teresa Thuman. Starring Drew Hobson, Teal Sherer, Viviana Garza, and Gerald Waters. People need people! Photos by Aaron Jin and Nikeesha Gooding. Review: showsiveseen.com/5891 #homeHealth#theatre#isolation♬ THATS WHAT I WANT