Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Something’s Afoot delightful whodunit musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Luxurious velvet-like set. “Tiny Little Dinghy” song was hilarious. I was certain about the murderer’s identity until unexpectedly proven wrong in the end!
Synopsis from the Theatre: Prepare to laugh until it hurts with this musical spoof of the whodunit genre. Something’s Afoot pokes fun at Agatha Christie murder mysteries; ten people are stranded in an isolated country estate during a raging thunderstorm. One by one, they are picked off by cleverly fiendish devices. As bodies pile up, the survivors frantically race to solve the mystery! Join in the tomfoolery of this farcical, raucous, and outrageous play, that will appeal to lovers of shows like Arrested Development, The Office, and Schitt’s Creek
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/8/24 – 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 3/24/24!
Type: Musical
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Just one – the living room of an old English mansion
Static (Stationary) Set? Yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but it helps to have seen some Agatha Christie plays.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but there’s only so much that can occur in a living room.
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: 10
Total Number of Actors: 10
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 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? Probably not, but it was good.
Rant(s)
Murder Explanations: When the murderer was revealed in the end, the script did not adequately explain how each murder occurred. It seemed like a cop out.
Theatre Company: The 5th Avenue Theatre
Venue: The 5th Avenue Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation. They also usually offer day-of-show rush tickets.
Dates: March 1 to March 24, 2024
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the Hilton garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.
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The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.Anne Allgood and Sarah Rudinoff in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.Brandon O’Neill and Porscha Shaw in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Something’s Afoot musical opening night at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Performing until 3/24/24. Stay tuned for my full review! #mystery #whodunit #AgathaChristie
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Irving Berlin’s White Christmas musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre complete with an audience singalong at the end. Starring Ashley Day & the rich-voiced Cayman Ilika. Showcasing a diverse repertoire of choreography in an old-timey glamour showbiz standards motif. #whiteChristmas
Recommendation
See it, especially if you’re looking for a standard Christmas show … with pop standards!
Synopsis from the Theatre: Based on the beloved, timeless film, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas comes just in time for the holiday season. After World War II, two veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, begin a successful song and dance act, following two singing sisters to their Christmas gig at a Vermont resort lodge. With classic standards such as the titular hit, “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Blue Skies,” and “I Love a Piano,” White Christmas is a stirring and delightful musical that stands the test of time
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 12/1/23 – 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, but I wonder if you’d appreciate the show more if you saw the original film. I didn’t see the original film, but I enjoyed the live show.
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
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? Yes
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Music and Orchestra: From the NYC-like swinging jazzy overture hook, I knew the orchestra and score would be fabulous in this show.
Choreography: This musical was heavy on dance. I was thrilled to discover that my favorite dance modality (tap dancing) filled this show. “Blue Skies” featured clean, tight choreography with a touch of Fosse. Additionally, the dancers in “I Love a Piano” showcased good dance synchronicity. There was also an earlier number in the first act with a little Latin flair.
Rich Voices: Cayman Ilika (as Betty Haynes) has such a rich, developed voice with a slight transatlantic accent quality. It was immediately distinctly noticeable in her first number “Love and the Weather.” I also didn’t know that Candice Song Donehoo (as Martha Watson) could belt it until she sang “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” Unfortunately, her previous role in Cinderella didn’t allow her to show off her pipes like she could in White Christmas.
Snow: Snow wasn’t isolated to just the stage. It also fell throughout the audience. They must spend a lot of time vacuuming after every performance!
Favorite Lines:
While holding her boobs, Betty said, “Am I lopsided?”
“Put up a show in 5 days? Why not. They say God took a week.”
“I told you to work on the second chorus, not the second chorus girl.”
“I will just go to my dressing room and have a scene”
Rant(s)
Theatre Temperature: Just like in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s December show last year The Wiz, the theatre was freezing! I overheard audience members behind me mention the same thing. I ended up wearing my wool coat and gloves during the performance. For tickets that can cost upwards of $200, I imagine one of the premium seats could pay the heating bill for one night!
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Holiday Inn: The premise in White Christmas is so similar to Holiday Inn that it’s almost lazy writing and I felt a little cheated. It’s akin to how Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies blatantly reuse the same old formula with a dash of weak plot conflict. That being said, I enjoyed both shows and I’d see either one again. Plus, I wouldn’t fault the musical’s book author too much since they were just basing the shows on the original films.
Christmas Tree: Why was the Christmas tree moving during “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)?” I kept wondering if someone would jump out for comic relief … which would have been leftfield for a touching scene!
Zac Efron: Is it just me or does Ashley Day look like Zac Efron?
Theatre Company: The Fifth Avenue Theatre
Venue: The Fifth Avenue Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation.
Dates: November 25 to December 24, 2023
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the Hilton garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.
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Phillip Attmore and Taryn Darr in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.Ashley Day and company in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.Ashley Day and Gia Pellegrini in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.Phillip Attmore, Ashley Day, and Brandon O’Neill in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.Cayman Ilika, Taryn Darr, and company in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.The cast of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.Taryn Darr and Phillip Attmore in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Role
Name
Bob Wallace
Ashley Day
Phil Davis
Phillip Attmore
Ralph Sheldrake
Brandon O’Neill
General Henry Waverly
Reginald André Jackson
Ed Sullivan Announcer
Ty Willis
Tessie
Cristin J. Hubbard
Rita
Ania Briggs
Rhoda
Trina Mills
Jimmy
Eric Polani Jensen
Betty Haynes
Cayman Ilika
Judy Haynes
Taryn Darr
Quintet
Cristin J. Hubbard Eric Polani Jensen Charlie Johnson Trina Mills Brandon O’Neill
Train Conductor
John David Scott
Mr. Snoring Man
Ty Willis
Mrs. Snoring Man
Cristin J. Hubbard
Martha Watson
Candice Song Donehoo
Susan Waverly
Beatrice Cramer, Gia Pellegrini
Ezekiel
Sean G. Griffin
Mike
Ty Willis
Regency Room Dancers
Davione Gordon Charlie Johnson Rico Lastrapes Jonathan Luke Stevens
Ensemble
Ania Briggs Kristin Burch Davione Gordon Cristin J. Hubbard Eric Polani Jensen, Charlie Johnson Ashley Lanyon Rico Lastrapes Trina Mills Richard Peacock John David Scott Jonathan Luke Stevens Katy Tabb Jaclyn Wheatley Carolyn Willems Van Dijk Shelby Willis
Bob Wallace Underestudy
Michael Sharon
Phil Davis Understudy
Cayel Tregeagle
General Henry Waverly Understudy
Ty Willis
Ralph Understudy
John David Scott
Betty Haynes Understudy
Miranda Antoinette
Judy Haynes Understudy
Mallory Cooney King
Mr. Snoring Man/Mike/Ed Sullivan Announcer/Ezekiel Understudy
Erlc Polani Jensen
Mrs. Snoring Man/Tessie/Quintet Understudy
Ann Cornelius
Martha Watson Understudy
Cristin J Hubbard
Swings
Maggie Darago Jordan King Katie Marshall Christopher Sweet
Amazing seats to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas musical opening night at The 5th Ave Theatre. Performing until 12/24/23 Christmas Eve. Stay tuned for my full review! #whiteChristmas #xmas #irvingBerlin #showsiveseen #theatre
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band musical at ACT Theatre w/ 5th Avenue Theatre featuring music from Dengue Fever, directed by Chay Yew, starring Brooke Ishibashi & the talented Joe Ngo. Good dialogue, difficult decisions, & poetic/artistic story. Music was so Seattle. #showsiveseen #theatre #Cambodia #KhmerRouge #DengueFever #Cambodian #karma
Recommendation See it, especially if you like rock music reminiscent of Seattle
Synopsis from the Theatre: Guitars tuned. Mic checked. Get ready to rock! This darkly funny, electric new play with music tells the story of a Khmer Rouge survivor returning to Cambodia for the first time in thirty years, as his daughter prepares to prosecute one of Cambodia’s most infamous war criminals. Backed by a live band playing contemporary Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies, this thrilling story toggles back and forth in time as father and daughter face the music of the past. Lauren Yee brings us an intimate rock epic about family secrets set against a dark chapter of Cambodian history.
Attended Performance Date: 10/5/23 (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, but you’d probably enjoy this more if you’re familiar with Cambodian history or Dengue Fever songs.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes, the actors were the band
Equity Actors: 6
Total Number of Actors: 6
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow, especially with the heavy dialogue
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 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?: Probably not, but it was good
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts
Versatile Talent: Almost all the actors were also part of the band. Special shout out to Joe Ngo (who played Chum) with his many character personas.
Well-written Dialogue: I especially enjoyed the argument at the twist reveal, which BTW I’m proud to have predicted!
Asian Representation: I’m always thrilled to see shows that feature Asian actors or Asian stories since we’re so underrepresented in entertainment. This musical realistically depicted the interactions between first- and second-generation Asian family members, especially with the parental disapproval!
Rant(s)
Subtitles: The songs were in desperate need of subtitles since some lyrics were in Cambodian and the music genre was that muffled grungy Seattle-esque rock. The audience needs to understand the lyrics in a musical, so the songs add significance to storyline. Imagine how much the audience would miss if they didn’t understand the lyrics to “Part of Your World” in The Little Mermaid.
Hook: The musical began like a rock concert with two songs. In my eyes, this was akin to two musical overtures where you start losing the audience at the second song especially if they don’t even know the song. I suggest cutting or moving the second song.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Dancers: Who were the random people that danced on-stage at the end of the show?
Preventable Problems: It’s a bit unsatisfying when a major calamity the main character experienced was easily preventable. But I guess a story often needs a calamity to be interesting!
Loose Ends: I feel like the Comrade Duch’s story was left unresolved.
Theatre Company: National Tour Brought by ACT Theatre and 5th Avenue Theatre
Venue: The Falls Theatre at ACT Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 700 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101
Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select lower ticket prices on the ticketing website. Also, check out the the theatre’s official discounts page.
Dates: September 29 to November 5, 2023
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. If I don’t walk to this theatre, I park in the Convention Center garage with the entrance between Seneca and Pike. There is indoor access from the garage to the ACT Theatre walking through the old convention center.
Brooke Ishibashi and Joe Ngo in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Margot Schulman.Joe Ngo, Brooke Ishibashi, Abraham Kim, Jane Lui and Tim Liu in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Margot Schulman.Brooke Ishibashi, Jane Lui, Abraham Kim and Tim Liu in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Margot Schulman.Joe Ngo and Tim Liu in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Margot Schulman. Joe Ngo, Abraham Kim, Brooke Ishibashi, Jane Lui and Tim Liu in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Margot Schulman.Francis Jue in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo by Margot Schulman.
