ACT Contemporary Theatre – Page 3 – Shows I've Seen

Preview Post – Stew – Play – ACT Theatre

Stew play opening night at ACT Theatre. Performing until 3/31/24. Stay tuned for my full review! #food #family #hungry #bipoc #black

Final Full Review (Posted 3/29/24): https://www.showsiveseen.com/stew-play-review-act-contemporary-theatre/

Tickets: https://acttheatre.org/2023-24-season/stew/

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A Case for the Existence of God – Play – Review – ACT Theatre

@showsiveseen Samuel D Hunter's "A Case for the Existence of God" beautiful #play at @ACT Theatre Seattle starring Nate Tenenbaum & Conner Neddersen. Surprising how little the show mentioned religion or God. In the spirit of the script's male vulnerability theme, I actually shed a tear during the last scene. Review: showsiveseen.com/7936 Director: John Langs Stage Manager: JR Welden or Bret Torbeck #friendship #friends #fatherhood #parenthood #parents #showsiveseen #theatre #adoption ♬ My Father – Melaner

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Samuel D Hunter’s A Case for the Existence of God beautiful play at ACT Theatre starring Nate Tenenbaum & Conner Neddersen. Surprising how little the show mentioned religion or God. In the spirit of the script’s male vulnerability theme, I actually shed a tear during the last scene.

Recommendation
See it if you’re okay with plays that are more dialoge and less action.

Synopsis from the Theatre: Inside a small loan brokerage in Idaho, two men — a study in opposites — struggle to make a place for their families in the American dream as they balance parenthood, financial security, desire, and empathy. This award-winning play, with a revelatory ending, leads audiences on a journey of intrigue and reckoning as the two fathers’ lives intertwine in a powerful narrative about what it means to be human.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Weekend 2/9/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since the show ends this weekend!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this play more if you’re a parent …. bonus points if you know the pain of being a single parent or the painful process of adoption. That being said, I don’t have kids and I’m not even sure I want kids, but I still enjoyed the play.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Mostly yes, but the script was mostly dialogue and less action. While I typically don’t prefer dialogue plays, this one was actually not bad.

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 2

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, but it was good.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

Favorite Line: Something like “I’m not a weepy gay man who needs to be held by a straight man.”
Nate Tenenbaum: Kudos to Nate Tenenbaum (who played Keith) for tearing up on-demand. His climactic chaotic tantrum scene was good too.
Awkward Moments: There were several deliciously uncomfortable awkward moments. In hindsight, they remind me of The Office TV show.
Male Vulnerability: This play uniquely portrayed vulnerable everyday men without appearing limp wristed (Relax, I’m gay!). It normalized the fact that men can also experience anxiety attacks and depression. It also showed that deep plutonic friendships between straight and gay men are possible.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Religion: The title led me to assume this play was about Christianity. Unless I missed the symbolism (which is very possible), there was nothing in it about religion. However, the actors described the mortgage processes in a way that could have touched on religion though. If you’ve seen this show, comment in my social media links below why you think “God” is in the title.

Theatre Company: ACT Theatre

Venue: The Falls Theatre at ACT Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 700 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://acttheatre.org/2023-24-season/a-case-for/

Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the the theatre’s official discounts page or TodayTix/Goldstar.

Dates: February 2 to February 18, 2024 – Previews started the 2nd and opening press night was the 8th.

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 theatre if you walk through the old convention center.

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Pictures: See pictures below by Dai Ross Art and Photography.

ACT Contemporary Theatre presents Samuel D. Hunter’s *The Case for the Existence of God* featuring Nathaniel Tenenbaum (Keith) and Conner Neddersen (Ryan), directed by John Langs. Photos by Rosemary Dai Ross. (2024).

Preview Post – A Case for the Existence of God – Play – ACT Theatre

A Case for the Existence of God play opening weekend at ACT Theatre. Don’t wait for my full review if you want to buy tickets since they’re performing until 2/18/24!

Final Full Review (Posted 2/14/24): https://showsiveseen.com/7936

Tickets: https://acttheatre.org/2023-24-season/a-case-for/

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Preview Post – Vial Man (The Apothecary’s Story) – Play – ACT Theatre

Steven Dietz’s Vial Man (The #Apothecary’s Story) play reading at ACT Theatre’s inaugural NW2 (New Works Northwest) Festival. One night only! Stay tuned for my full review. #shakespeare #RomeoAndJuliet

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Cambodian Rock Band – Musical – ACT Theatre & 5th Avenue 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

Price: Medium to Expensive

Regular Tickets: https://acttheatre.org/2023-24-season/cambodian-rock-band/

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.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures in video and under video by Margot Schulman

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and/or video below

@showsiveseen Lauren Yee's "Cambodian Rock Band" #musical at @ACT Theatre Seattle w/ @The 5th Avenue Theatre featuring music from #dengueFever, directed by Chay Yew, starring Brooke Ishibashi & the talented Joe Ngo. Good dialogue, difficult decisions, & poetic/artistic story. Music was so Seattle. Review: showsiveseen.com/6905 #showsiveseen #theatre #Cambodia #KhmerRouge #DengueFever #Cambodian #karma ♬ Family Business – Dengue Fever

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.

Role	Name
Neary/Sothea	Brooke Ishibashi
Rom/Journalist	Abraham Kim
Ted/Cadre/Leng	Tim Liu
Pou/S-21 Guard	Jane Lui
Chum	Joe Ngo
Duch	Phil Wong
—	—
Neary/Sothea/Pou/S-21 Guard (u/s)	Kelsey Angel Baehrens
Ted/Cadre/Leng/Rom/Journalist (u/s)	Alex Lydon
Duch/Chum (u/s)	Vi Tran
—	—
Director	Chay Yew
Playwright	Lauren Yee
Music Supervisor & Co-Music Director	Jane Lui and Matt Macnelly
Khmer Vocal Coach	Sokunthary Svay
Scenic Designer	Takeshi Kata
Co-sound Designers	Mikhail Fiksel & Megumi Katayama
Fight Director	Aldo Uribe
Costume Designer	Linda Cho
Associate Director	Graham Schmidt
Stage Manager	Merrick A B Williams
Lighting Designer	David Weiner
Projection Designer	Luke Norby w/ Five Ohm Productions
Associate Lighting Designer	David Shocket
Associate Sound Designer	Ben Truppin-Brown
Assistant Stage Manager	Quy Ton
Production Assistant	Max Zamorano
Wig Designer	Tom Watson
Associate Scenic Designer	Robin Vest
Production Consultant	Charles M. Turner Ill
Carpenters	Meghan Boyle, Robin Logerstadt
Assistant Lighting Designer	Casey Price
Electricians	Kaitlyn Lawrenz, Dave Misner
Sound Engineer	Robert “Max” Langley
Dressers	Imelda Daranciang, K.D. Schill
A1	Valerie Turos
Stagehands	Robin Logerstadt, Martin Sisk
Associate Costume Designer	Herin Kaputkin