Category: ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Corinne Park-Buffelen’s and Mathew Wright’s Snowed In lite holiday show at ArtsWest. Intimate Xmas musical revue with clever songs between sketches. Cozy set with warm lights.

Synopsis from the Theatre: ArtsWest has sent four incredible artists on a cozy retreat to write the most perfect holiday show the world has ever seen. But when a blizzard hits and tensions rise, the crumpled up notebook pages start to pile up even faster than the snow. Will they finish the show in time? Or will they have to rely on a sprinkle of holiday magic to pull the whole thing off? Inspired by classic holiday TV specials and musicals about putting on a musical, witness the birth of a new Seattle theater tradition as four of the city’s most beloved musical theater stars take you on a journey of song, dance, friendship, family, and the true meaning of the holidays. Featuring original music by Rich Gray, Corinne Park-Buffelen, and David Taylor Gomes & original musical arrangements by Riley Brule, Aaron M. Davis Norman, and David Taylor Gomes

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 12/9/23 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts so you see earlier notification of shows I’ve seen.

Type: Musical Revue w/ Sketches

World Premiere: Yes

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One – the living room of a remote cabin

Static (Stationary) Set?: Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably enjoy this more if you’re familiar with holiday cliches.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not really

Live Band/Orchestra: Live accompaniment on the piano from associate music director Riley Bruley

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 4

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

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

• “Happy Being Hosted”: My favorite song was this early jazzy number sung by Sarah Russell and written by Richard Gray about preferring to be a lazy guest than a host. I could totally relate!
• “Joy to The World”: Aaron Norman’s arrangement of this classic song exuded Sister Act energy.
• “The Perfect Christmas Song”: Corinne Park Buffelen’s and David Taylor Gomes’s song was a good deconstruction of cliche Christmas songs.
• “In the Bleak Midwinter”: At first, I thought this song was an original parody of biblical Christmas songs. But I discovered in the program that it was actually an old traditional song later arranged by David Taylor Gomes.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• “Your Recipe is Perfect to Me”: Throughout this entire cabaret-like song, I thought it was strictly about fruitcake but the characters later alluded that the song was about gays. I’m such an oblivious gay! Now I wish I could hear it again.

Theatre Company: ArtsWest

Venue: ArtsWest

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

Price: Cheap to medium

Tickets: https://www.artswest.org/events/snowed-in/

Dates: November 30 to December 23, 2023

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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Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://www.artswest.org/events/snowed-in/

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

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

@showsiveseen @Coco P-B's & Mathew Wright's "Snowed In" lite #holiday show at ArtsWest. Intimate #xmas #musical #revue w/ clever songs between sketches. Cozy set w/ warm lights. Review: showsiveseen.com/7665 #Christmas #theatre #showsiveseen Director: Kelly Kitchens Musical Director: @David Taylor Gomes ♬ O Christmas Tree (a) – Stuart Roslyn, Matthew James Foundling

Role	Name
Performers	Rachel Guyer Mafune Christian Quinto Nik Hagen* Sarah Russell*
—	—
Director	Kelly Kitchens
Associate Music Director & Pianist	Riley Brule
Choreographer	Shadou Mintrone
Concept and Book	Matthew Wright (Artistic Director) Corinne Park-Buffelen
Composers	Rich Gray, Corinne Park-Buffelen, & David Taylor Gomes
Stage Manager	Leila Cheung*
Additional Music Arrangements	Aaron M Davis Norman
Sound Designer	Spencer Behm
Production Technical Director	Andrew Long
Lighting Designer	Trevor Cushman
Props Master	Adair Maccormack
Music Director	David Taylor Gomes
Rehearsal Stage Manager	Christopher Kehoe
Costume Designer	Jae Hee Kim
Scenic Designer	Brandon David Riel
Board Operator	Daisy Bower
Master Electrician	Robert Mitchell
Scenic Charge Artist	Bella Rivera
Sound Technician	Conor Fortner
Assistant Stage Manager	Hana Oh
Production Manager	Zenaida Rose Smith
Carpenters	Michael O’Neill and Peter Ryer
Managing Director	Inji Kamel
Other Key Volunteer	Mike West