Seattle Gay News
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Issue 19, Volume 43, May 8, 2015
Seattle Opera flirts with perfection...Twice!
Katie Travis as Christine Daaé and Chris Mann as The Phantom – photo by Matthew Murphy
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer PHANTOM OF THE OPERA PARAMOUNT THEATRE Through May 10 Sir(s) Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh’s musical [pop] opera The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running Broadway show in history. Running for 27 years (and still remaining on the Great White Way) the musical has under-
gone renovation and is currently touring under the heading of “spectacular new production.” After a four-year absence, Phantom has returned to Seattle and the Paramount Theatre. The musical tells the Gothic romance story of a Parisian opera house that is haunted by an unseen specter. Monsieurs Firmin and André have bought the opera house without knowing of the ghost’s existence. After another of the phantom’s acsee phantom page 7
Ariadne (Marcy Stonikas) and Zerbinetta (Rachele Gilmore) in Seattle Opera’s Ariadne auf Naxos – photo by Elise Bakketun
by Rod Parke SGN A&E Writer SEATTLE OPERA ARIADNE AUF NAXOS MCCAW HALL May 2-16 One of the joys of seeing both casts at a new show at Seattle Opera (opening night and the subsequent Sunday matinee) is seeing how the different singers handle the same role. Anyone interested in the art (and science?) of singing appreciates
the incredibly complex mixture of native physical gifts, musicality, intelligence and acting chops that it takes to make a successful opera singer. When the roles are as demanding as the principal singers in Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, one seldom experiences perfection in the whole cast. With the current production, you not only get near perfection on opening night, but you also get it in the matinee cast the next day. Seattle Opera’s skill in fielding two such casts is truly exceptional. see ARIADNE page 8
Little Bee stings with real life drama
John Patrick Shanley – www.facebook.com
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer Sydney Andrews as Sarah and Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako as Little Bee – photo by John Ulman
by Miryam Gordon SGN A&E Writer
LITTLE BEE BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE Through May 17 If you’re like me, you probably don’t know all that much about Nigeria and the relationship with international oil conglomerates. The attempt to control the valuable
oil resources of Nigeria has created undeniable danger for residents of areas on top of oil. Book-It Repertory Theatre’s latest production is based on the fictionalized plight of one young teenager, but there is no mistaking the desire for the novel writer, Chris Cleave, to help us realize the truth of the Nigerian situation. Little Bee is the name of the play and the name of the main character, played
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OUTSIDE MULLINGAR SEATTLE REPERTORY THEATRE April 24-May 17 John Patrick Shanley has written for the stage, screen and opera platforms. His work has garnered him Academy Award and Tony Award wins and the honor of winning the prestigious Pulitzer Prize Award for Drama. His screenplay of Moonstruck gave us a glimpse into his prolific writing style and his highly acclaimed Doubt: A Parable
March May13, 8, 2015
assured his recognition as one of America’s greatest playwrights. When sitting down to chat with Mr. Shanley it is an easy-going experience at complete leisure, and easy to enjoy his eloquent way of speaking about his work, his family and his latest work, Outside Mullingar, currently on stage at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Eric Andrews-Katz: Who were your earliest writing influences? John Patrick Shanley: When I was twelve years old I attended Cardinal Spellman High School. I worked on the school production of Cyrano de Bergerac. In the see shanley page 8
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