On the Market – Play – Burien Actors Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): On the Market play w/ Burien Actors Theatre. Light modern romantic comedy w/ funny caricatures. Second chances are possible during middle age with love and life! #comedy #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: A former singer, now realtor, struggles with the modern dating scene after becoming a widow two years ago. Her life is turned upside down when she finds a mysterious note from her dead husband telling her it’s okay to “move on.” A touching modern, romantic comedy for grown-ups about love, loss, and finding your Forever Home.

Reviewed Performance: 2/25/23 Evening

Type: Play

World Premiere: No but almost. This play was first produced in Fall 2022. I looked it up since I was surpised how many modern references were in the show. For example, I’ve never seen a show that mentioned steaming services like Hulu Plus.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Recommendation: See it if you like supporting community theatre

Was This the First Time I Saw a Production of this Show: Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Maybe if it was produced by an Equity theatre

Rating Compared to Other Shows with the Same Production Value:
4.25 Stars (Out of 5 Stars)

Equity Actors: None

Total Number of Actors: 4

Length (Including Any Intermission): 90 mins

Intermission: No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

  • Cutting Insults: The “mean girl” in me loves to watch tense scenes where someone figuratively cuts a friend to the knees with insults. It was very “you’re a virgin who can’t drive.” But not to worry, this negative energy was only in a brief scene and was not the focus of the play.

Rant(s)

  • Transitions: The scene transitions sometimes felt a little awkward. It may have something to do with the frequent lack of transition sounds or weird light queuing.
  • On-stage Costume Changes: There was one scene where the actors hastily distractingly changed costumes several times on-stage in the background. I was a confused why they didn’t change costumes off-stage like in all the other scenes. UPDATE 3/4/23: A reader let me know that this “circusy” montage was actually written into the script to feel messy and improvised. I’m curious if the scene execution in this production was what the playwright envisioned.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Mid-life Inspiration: I worry my dreams and ambitions are less realistic the more I age. This play inspired me to believe that middle age isn’t too late for dreams that will bring major life changes.

Theatre Company: Burien Actors Theatre

Venue: Kennedy Catholic High School

Venue Physical Address: 140 S 140th St, Burien, WA 98168

Price: Cheap

Dates: February 10 to March 5, 2023

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Huge free parking lot adjacent to the high school

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

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen “On the Market” #play w/ Burien Actors Theatre. Light modern #romanticComedy w/ #funny caricatures. 2nd chances are possible during middle age w/ love & life! Review: showsiveseen.com/4048 #comedy #theatre ♬ Til There Was You (as made famous by The Beatles) – Abbey Road Players
From left to right, Excited Girlfriend (Amy Anderson) and Excited Boyfriend (Jalyn Green) discuss the loft space realtor Charlotte (Karin Rogers) is showing, with actor John Dugaw changing into another character in the background.
From left to right, Charlotte (Karin Rogers) doesn’t believe her Grief Counselor (Jalyn Green).
From left to right, Charlotte (Karin Rogers) listens as Frank (John Dugaw) opens his heart.
From left to right, James (Jalyn Green) reads his letter to Charlotte (Karin Rogers), with Nice Husband (John Dugaw) and Nice Wife (Amy Anderson) seated in background.
From left to right, a young James (Jalyn Green) takes a photo of a young Charlotte (Karin Rogers) on their first date.
From left to right, Eccentric Wife (Amy Anderson) and Eccentric Husband (John Dugaw) arrive early, before the scheduled start time for a real estate open house run by realtor Charlotte (Karin Rogers).
RoleName
Diane, Eccentric Wife, Rustic Wife, Excited Girlfriend, Nice Wife Amy Anderson
Frank, Date #2, Date #4, Eccentric Husband, Chatty Husband 1, Rustic Husband, Nice HusbandJohn Dugaw
CharlotteKarin Rogers
James, Grief Counselor, Date #1, Date Mark, Chatty Husband 2, Excited Boyfriend, Delivery GuyJalyn Green
Stage DirectorsRochelle Flynn, Maggie Larrick
PlaywrightJason Odell Williams
Production ManagersEric Dickman, Maggie Larrick
Stage ManagerHeather Bernadette
Fight ChoreographerJohn Lynch
Set DesignerMaggie Larrick
Properties DesignerCyndi Baumgardner
Lighting DesignerDave Baldwin
Sound DesignerEric Dickman
Costume DesignerMaggie Larrick
Set Dresser Cyndi Baumgardner
Vocal CoachAimee Hong
Head Builder Scott Barker
Set Builders/Painters Eric Dickman, Luise Frishholz, Paul Gould, Maggie Larrick, Devin Rodger
Light & Sound Operator Heather Bernadette
Poster/Marketing Art DesignStevie VanBronkhorst
PhotographyMichael Brunk
ProgramMaggie Larrick
WebmasterLance Bowman
Box OfficeEric Dickman, Jessica Lester
Usher Managers Maggie Larrick, Elaine Puderbaugh
Concessions ManagersBarbara Reamer, Maggie Larrick