Shows I've Seen | Theatre Reviews
Musicals, Plays, Concerts, Oh My! (and other Performing Arts)
Congrats to Prathidhwani and Seattle Public Theater on the opening weekend of their House of Joy play. Performing till 6/8/25. Watch for my full review! #india #indian #southAsian #lesbian #LGBT #dance
Tickets: https://www.seattlepublictheater.org/houseofjoy
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@showsiveseen Rajiv Joseph's "Guards at the Taj" #play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring @Kainkain & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (#sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (#tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. Review: showsiveseen.com/9807 Director: Samip Raval #showsiveseen #theatre #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia ♬ Taaza Hawa Lete Hain – Altaf Raja
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj play at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Starring Varun Kainth & Sumant Gupta. Live music from Sampada Bhalerao (sitar) & Jayant Bhopatkar (tabla). Good horrifying brutal dilemmas. #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Two guards at the Taj Mahal grapple with enforcing the barbaric oppressive edicts of their authoritarian autocratic regime. In the end, they face the ultimate dilemma.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: In 1648 India, two Imperial Guards watch from their post as the sun rises for the first time on the newly-completed Taj Mahal—an event that shakes their respective worlds. When they are ordered to perform an unthinkable task, the aftermath forces them to question the concepts of friendship, beauty, and duty, and changes them forever. GUARDS AT THE TAJ is one of Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s seminal works.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Weekend 9/14/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. This show closes on 10/6/24!
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Few
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few
Static (Stationary) Set? Yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate this more if you’re familiar with Indian history. I was not and I kept wondering “Holy crap, did these historical events really happen?!”
Defined Plot/Storyline: It was more dialogue than story.
Equity Actors: 0
Total Number of Actors: 2
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium
Was there an intermission? No
Length (Including Any Intermission): Less than 90 minutes
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Low to medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
Theatre Company: ArtsWest and Pratidhwani
Venue: ArtsWest
Venue Physical Address: 4711 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Price Range: $46
Dates: September 12 to October 6, 2024
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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Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.
Happy opening weekend to Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at the Taj play (including live sitar/tabla music) at ArtsWest w/ Pratidhwani. Catch the show until 10/6. Stay tuned for my full review! #india #indian #TajMahal #southAsian #southAsia
Tickets: https://www.artswest.org/events/guards-at-the-taj/
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@showsiveseen "#Letters of Suresh" #play by ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani starring Nirvan Patnaik. Ends 5/18! #showsiveseen #theatre #origami #penpals ♬ Letter – Jarell Smalls & Company
Synopsis from the Theatre: Intimate mysteries are revealed as a quartet of souls yearning for connection are brought together through extraordinary correspondence. Across time and oceans, these strangers share letters of faith, letters of family, and letters of love … haunted by a city once destroyed by war. Don’t miss this companion play to ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER!
Attended Performance Date: 5/11/24 – 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 the show closes this weekend.
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Few
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Few
Static (Stationary) Set? Yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re familiar the previous play Animals Out of Paper.
Defined Plot/Storyline: No, it was mostly reciting messages to each other.
Equity Actors: 0
Total Number of Actors: 4
Perceived Pace of the Show: Slow to medium speed
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 Musing(s) and Observation(s)
Theatre Company: ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani
Venue: 12th Avenue Arts
Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Price: Cheap
Tickets: https://www.reacttheatre.org/
Dates: April 24 to May 18, 2024
Seating: General Admission
Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Even if you can find street parking, it often costs more than some parking lots. I highly recommend the paid lot at 1300 E Olive St with the entrance on 14th Ave.
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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Quinlan Corbett.
“Letters of Suresh” play by ReACT Theatre & Pratidhwani. Extended one more week till 5/18/24! Stay tuned for my full review. #showsiveseen #theatre #origami
Final Full Review (Posted 5/16/24): https://www.showsiveseen.com/letters-of-suresh-play-review-react-theatre-pratidhwani/
Tickets: https://www.reacttheatre.org/
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