Preview Post – Something Rotten! – Musical – Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Lucky to have a ticket to the sold-out closing weekend of Something Rotten! #musical at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. Last performance tomorrow. Stay tuned for my full review! #showsiveseen #theatre

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The Taming – Play – Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Taming play at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. A lesbian republican, Miss #America, and a liberal social justice warrior are trapped together in a hotel room to debate USA politics/history. Pleasantly surprised that Girl Scouts sold cookies in the lobby. How American! #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: In this hilarious, raucous, all-female “power-play,” Miss America contestant Katherine has political aspirations to match her beauty pageant ambitions. All she needs to revolutionize the American government is the help of one ultra-conservative senator’s aide on the cusp of a career breakthrough, and one bleeding-heart liberal blogger who will do anything for her cause. Well, that and a semi-historically-accurate ether trip. Here’s lookin’ at you, America.

Reviewed Performance: 3/3/23 Evening – Opening Night

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Few – Only 3

Defined Plot/Storyline: No

Recommendation: See it if either 1) you like supporting community theatre 2) you’re into American politics/history 3) you reveled in the educational parts of Hamilton 4) or if you enjoyed What the Constitution Means to Me

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

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

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 3

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

  • Curtain Call: I liked that they let the stagehands take a bow. The stage crew is one of the many undercelebrated essential elements in live theatre.

Rant(s)

  • Lip Sync Segment: Needs to be removed or shortened. Lip synching on-stage is one of my pet peeves.
  • Scene Changes: The props and set furniture movement was distracting between scenes. However, I acknowledge the budget constraints of community theatre.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Comedic Props: The codpiece was a funny addition, but I was originally under the impression those were more popular in England during an earlier time period. I wonder if the codpiece and the shake weight were part of the script or if they were added by the theatre company.
  • Controlled Chaos: Props were falling and rolling everywhere! There were lots of over-the-top reactions and fight choreography.

Theatre Company: Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue: Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue Physical Address: 9315 State Ave #J, Marysville, WA 98270

Price: Cheap

Dates: March 3 to 19, 2023

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Free lot parking in the strip mall where this theatre is located.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video by Kenny Randall

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and video below

@showsiveseen "The Taming" #play at @redcurtainarts by #LaurenGunderson. A lesbian ultra conservative, #MissAmerica, & a liberal social justice warrior are trapped together in a hotel room to debate #USA #politics/#history. How #American that Girl Scouts sold cookies in the lobby! Review: showsiveseen.com/4146. #theatre ♬ original sound – Shows I've Seen
Grace Helmcke as Bianca, Katie Wallace as Katherine, and Britta Grass as Patricia reluctantly agree to work together in “The Taming,” running March 3-19 at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave. #J in Marysville.
Katherine (Katie Wallace) prepares for the Miss America pageant in “The Taming,” running March 3-19 at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave. #J in Marysville.
RoleName
Katherine Katie Wallace
Patricia Britta Grass
Bianca Grace Helmcke
DirectorScott B. Randall
PlaywrightLauren Gunderson
Stage ManagerDavine Sholdez
Fight Choreographer Rowan Gallagher
DramaturgJeryn Pasha
Props & Set Dressing Courtney Calkins
Costumes/Dresser Laura Klein
Set Design Scott B Randall
Set Construction LeadWerner “Randy” Randall
Set Construction Scott Randall, Mike Pieckiel, Aiden Pieckiel, Spencer Greer
Lighting DesignScott Randall
Lighting Technician Layton Gaskins
Light Board OperatorAiden Pieckiel
Sound Design Daniel Hanlon
Sound Board Operator Mike Pieckiel
Spotlight OperatorsPaula Van Dalen, Sarah Tallman
Stage Crew Andy Wallington, Krista Patt, Layton Gaskins, Krishan Aggarwal, Paul Grass
Promotional PhotosKenny Randall
Marketing & Publicity Beckye Randall
Bar ManagerMichele Beito
Concessions ManagerKim Shumway

Deathtrap – Play – Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Deathtrap play at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. Well-written & well-executed (no pun intended). Thrilling fight choreography. Definitely a promising candidate for my top shows of 2023. Thanks, Layton Gaskins, for making my day with the shoutout in your cast bio! #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: Comfortably ensconced in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college—a thriller that Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway smash. Sidney’s plan, devised with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student for co-credit. Or is it? Deathtrap provides twists and turns of devilish cleverness, and offers hilariously sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be spellbound until the very last moment.

Reviewed Performance: 1/22/23 (Opening Weekend) – Sorry for the late review. I was busy with my dad was in town.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Awards: Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Play in 1980

Film: Produced into a 1982 movie after the stage premier

Defined Plot/Storyline: While the number of scenes (not to mention the single setting) were probably too few to qualify for a full-fledged epic story, each act had a thrilling climax.

Recommendation: See it! This production is worth the long drive up to Marysville. My dad usually naps a couple minutes during each show I take him to, but he didn’t sleep a wink during this play.

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

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now: Yes, if it was an Equity production

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

Equity Actors: None but they were very good

Number of Actors: 5

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Intermission: Yes

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts

  • Actors: Layton Gaskins seemlessly shifted his character from wide-eyed, nervous, awestruck innocence to cunning confidence. I was also already looking forward to seeing the talented Mary Leedy and Jag on-stage again. I previously saw Jag in 12 Angry Jurors at SecondStory Rep and Dashing Through the Snow at Phoenix Theatre. Mary was the female lead in Ghost-writer at Woodinville Repertory Theatre. Her shaken emotional freakouts contrasted well with Jag’s nonchalant sociopathy.
  • Shoutout: I typically don’t read playbill actor bios since there’s usually not enough time before the show. I’m so glad we that arrived early and that I didn’t miss the shoutout from Layton Gaskins. It made my day, and I sent a picture all my friends … and enemies 😛 . Now, I’m wondering if I missed any other mentions in other Puget Sound playbills from this past year!
  • Thrilling Twists: While the play started out a little slow/dry/stilted, it quickly progressed to shockingly thrilling with its crosses, double crosses, action, and climaxes. The play kept me wondering “Will they do it? Will they not do it?” several times throughout the show. At the end of the first act, the audience was left with a cliffhanger and I thought “Holy cow, did that just really happen?”
  • Fight Scenes: Fight choreography was well-executed and well-designed. The blood took me by surprise and could have landed on us in the audience front row! Side note, I saw some blood unintentionally on one of the actors’ pants in a subsequent scene that took place days later. Get another pair from the Goodwill behind the theatre!
  • Wall Art: The walls were decorated with a thoughtful collection of showbiz posters mentioned throughout the play. There was also a wide plethora of weaponry mentioned throughout the show. I wonder where they all came from.

Rant(s)

  • Typing: The typewriter typebars kept getting stuck together so it didn’t look like the typist was actually writing a play.

Other Thought(s)

  • Foreshadowing: Carol Richmond provided the comedic relief as an old mysterious Ukranian woman with ESP. If I learned anything in theatre, never doubt prophetic foreshadowing!
  • LGBT: There were gay themes in the play, but they were too subtle. I actually didn’t even initially recognize them. But I’ll give the play a pass since it was written in the 1970s, which was a different time. I mean, one of the male actors wore groovy bell bottoms.

Theatre Company: Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue: Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue Physical Address: 9315 State Ave #J, Marysville, WA 98270

Price: Cheap

Dates: January 20 – February 5, 2023

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Free lot parking in the strip mall where this theatre is located.

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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video and in video by Kenny Randall.

Cast and Production Team: See below pictures

@showsiveseen #Deathtrap #play at @redcurtainarts. Well-written & well-executed (no pun intended). Thrilling fight choreography. Definitely a promising candidate for my top shows of 2023. Thanks, Layton Gaskins, for making my day with the shoutout in your cast bio! Review + Photo Credit: showsiveseen.com/3539 #theatre ♬ Dangerous – The Red Collective
Sidney Bruhl (Jag) encourages his wife Myra (Mary Leedy) to read a student’s play manuscript in Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, running Jan. 20 through Feb. 5 at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave. #J in Marysville.
Clifford (Layton Gaskins – standing) is anxious to hear the opinion of successful playwright Sidney Bruhl (Jag) in Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, running Jan. 20 through Feb. 5 at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave. #J in Marysville.
Clifford (Layton Gaskins) and Sidney (Jag) struggle to gain control of a deadly ax in Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, running Jan. 20 through Feb. 5 at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave. #J in Marysville.
NameRole
Jag Sidney Bruhl
Mary Leedy Myra Bruhl
Layton GaskinsClifford Anderson
Carol Richmond Helga ten Dorp
Dawn Cornell Porter Milgrim
Ira LevinPlaywright
Scott Dittman Director
Daniel Hanlon Assistant Director
Haylie ConchelosStage Manager
Lee Ann Hittenberger Fight Choreography
Courtney CalkinsProp and Set Dressing
Celeste Jackson-Moody Costumes
Scott B RandallSet Design
Werner “Randy” Randall Set Construction Lead
Scott Randall
Mike Pieckiel
Aiden Pieckiel
Spencer Greer
Set Construction
Scott Randall Lighting Design
Layton Gaskins Lighting Technician
Andi Leach Light Board Operator
Daniel Hanlon Sound Design
Mike Pieckiel Sound Board Operator
Aiden Pieckiel
Paula Van Dalen
Stage Crew
Kenny RandallPublicity Photos
Beckye Randall Marketing and Publicity
Michele Beito Bar Manager
Kim Shumway Concessions Manager

Miracle on 34th Street – (Radio-ish?) Play – Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Miracle on 34th Street radio-ish-play-within-a-play at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. Actors perform a play based on the classic movie over Zoom (set during the height of Covid) live in-person on-stage. Great stage set scenic design. #play #xmas #Christmas #Santa #santaClaus

Synopsis from the Theatre: Do you believe in Santa Claus? Adapted and directed by Red Curtain’s artistic director, Scott B Randall, this “modern radio play” is set in December 2020. When Jessie’s elderly father goes into the hospital with COVID, her theatre friends gather on a video call to cheer her and her daughter, Kara, by doing a sort of readers’ theatre performance over Zoom. Being performers, the story is a mix of the true story (as portrayed in the classic movie), improvised lines, and pop culture references, sure to help bring out the feelings of closeness and joy associated with the season. In this fully-staged production, we’ll see each character in their own “homes,” plus the projected Zoom call high above the stage. This is a unique way to present the classic tale of friendship tinged with holiday magic, perfect for the entire family. Rated G.

Reviewed Performance: 12/4 Afternoon

Type: Play

World Premiere: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Sort of … one of the actors (Bill Kusler) provided some instrumental music on certain parts of the show.

Recommendation: See it if you like radio plays or staged readings.

Equity Actors: 0

Length: 2 hours?

Intermission: Yes

Theatre Company : Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue: Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts:

Venue Physical Address: 9315 State Ave #J, Marysville, WA 98270

Price: Cheap

Dates: November 25 to December 18, 2022

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Free lot parking in the strip mall where this theatre is located.

Social Media Posts About this Performance from Shows I’ve Seen: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

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Other Video +/- Pictures: Pictures in video and under video are by Layton Gaskins.

@showsiveseen “Miracle on 34th Street” #radioPlay within a #play at @redcurtainarts. Actors perform a play based on the classic movie over #Zoom (set during the height of Covid) live in-person on-stage. Great scenic design. Review + Photo Credit: showsiveseen.com/2627 #play #xmas #Christmas #Santa #santaClaus #theatre ♬ Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town – Mariah Carey
Ben St. Hilaire (as Michael), Shaylyn Reed (Jessie), Gwynn Hawley (Kara), Jay Jenkins (Nick), Bill Kusler (AJ), and Drew Sage (Caleb). Not pictured: Codie Wyatt as Beth.
Jay Jenkins plays Nick, who has to convince a judge that he is the “real” Santa Claus
Kara (Gwynn Hawley) and her mom Jessie (Shaylyn Reed) connect with friends over Zoom

Rocky Horror Show – Musical – Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Rocky Horror Picture Show musical sold out night at Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts. Complete w/ audience props & heckling. Energetic audience & cast. Great talent from Magenta, Frank, & Columbia. Brad & Rocky definitely looked the part. Awesome community theatre production! #cultClassic #camp

Synopsis from the Theatre: Oh, Rocky! In this cult classic, wholesome sweethearts Brad and Janet take refuge from a storm in the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is stripped away, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including Frank-N-Furter’s latest creation — a muscle man named Rocky. This deliberately kitschy rock ‘n roll sci-fi gothic musical by Richard O’Brien encourages audience participation.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Recommendation: See it! Especially if you like supporting community theatre.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now?: Of course!

Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4.25 stars

Other Rant(s)

  • Sound balancing between the actors and the band needed improvement.
  • One of the main characters was a bit tone deaf.
  • The heckling wasn’t in-sync enough so it was a little hard to understand. I also suggest the actors on stage not do it. It’s better if there are audience plants so it seems more spontaneous for those who haven’t seen the movie or musical.

Other Rave(s)

  • Maybe I’m a little biased since it’s my favorite song in the show but Magenta (Lauren Hayes) did a great job on “Science Fiction, Double Feature.”

Theatre Company : Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue: Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts

Venue Physical Address: 9315 State Ave #J, Marysville, WA 98270

Price: Cheap

Dates: October 21 to November 6, 2022

Seating: General Admission

Parking and Cost: Free lot parking in the strip mall where the theatre is located.

Social Media Posts: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Link(s):

Other Video/Pictures: Scroll under the table below. Photos in video and photos below video are by Kenny Randall.

Cast and Production Team Leadership:

Narrator Ivan Hodder
Brad Majors Layton Gaskins
Janet Weiss Katie Wallace
Riff Raff Kendall Collins
Magenta Lauren Hayes
Columbia + Dance Captain Krista Patt
Dr. Frank N Furter Josiah C Miller
Eddie & Dr. Scott Garrison Whaley-shartp
Phantoms (Ensemble) Daniel Hanlon, Ely Skywater, Briar Scott, Andi Leach, Gayle D Staker
Director Robert Bogue
Music Director Stephanie Phillips
Stage Manager Kate Wallington
Assistant Stage Manager Andy Wallington
Choreographer Gayle Staker
@showsiveseen#RockyHorror Show” #musical sold out night at @redcurtainarts. Complete w/ audience props & heckling. #Energetic audience & cast. Great talent from Magenta, Frank, & Columbia. Brad & Rocky definitely looked the part. Awesome community #theatre production! Review & Photo Credit: tinyurl.com/5fw6c3dh #campy #cultclassic ♬ original sound – Shows I’ve Seen
Columbia (Krista Patt), Magenta (Lauren Hayes), Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Josiah C. Collins), and Riff Raff (Kendall Collins)
Handyman Riff Raff (Kendall Collins), mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Josiah Miller) and crazed domestic Magenta (Lauren Hayes)
Frank-N-Furter (center, played by Josiah Miller) leads guests Janet Weiss (left, played by Katie Wallace), Brad Majors (right, played by Layton Gaskins), and creation Rocky (far right, played by Kennan Miller)