Here’s news from Seattle’s performing arts community and beyond.
The Seattle Children’s Theatre recently announced their 2017-2018 season. It includes The Little Prince and naked mole rats. You can learn more, here.
Here Lies Loveis nearly here. The Seattle Rep is excited about the production. Here’s an interview with the creator of the show, the famed David Bryne. And here’s another interview with him.
Dry Powder is on the Seattle Rep stage right now. It’s “sharp.”
Seattle Opera’s chamber opera, The Combat, is getting rave reviews. It’s “exquisite” and staged for the “right audience.”
The Pacific Northwest Ballet is excited to bring back dancer Lucien Postlewaite back onto the stage.
For Harmony Arnold, the costume designer for the production Murder for Two, currently being staged at ACT Theatre, in collaboration with the 5th Avenue Theatre, it’s about exactly that—harmony. “My job is to work with an actor to achieve character.” It’s that character development she appreciates most in costuming actors. “I love the collaborative process.”
Arnold knows something about collaboration. She just recently worked with the 5th Avenue Theatre in their production of The Man of La Mancha. She’s done work with Seattle Repertory Theatre (Buyer & Cellar, Venus in Fur, Bo-Nita), INTIMAN Theatre Festival (Lysistra), Village Theatre (Snapshots), an ACT Theatre/5th Avenue Theatre collaboration (Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris), and other theatre companies. Arnold has also recently done designs for film (Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel, Perfect 10) and has done much more, including advertising and commercial work. She also is an Associate Professor, Performing Arts & Art Leadership (Theatre, Costume) at Seattle University.
“It is a team sport,” she says sitting in ACT’s lobby, taking a break for a few minutes from the production of Murder for Two to talk about the show and her process.
Murder for Two at 5th Avenue Theatre/ACT
The team of actors in Murder for Two is a small one—two actors. One plays a crime investigator—Chris DiStefano. One—Richard Gray—plays ten different suspects and, together, the pair make up the entire orchestra. This is all done in a fevered 90 minutes with no intermission. How do you costume someone who doesn’t have time for a costume change?
The show is very busy and fast-paced and it’s a challenge, to be sure, for someone like Arnold. “The whole show could be done with a piano and a hat.” But it’s not that simple. It’s a challenge to create characters in such a whirlwind environment and, together with DiStefano and, particularly, Gray, it’s an opportunity to work together to create characters through movement, voice, and clothes.
It all starts, of course, with a deep read of the script. the actors have their ideas about costuming as they read the script, just as Arnold does. They meet. They discuss. They collaborate.
With a creative team that includes director Daniel Knechtges, scenic design by Carey Wong, lighting design by Rich Paulsen and sound design by Christopher Walker, the feel and, specific to Arnold’s job, the look is sussed out. They begin to build a structure based on the ideas garnered from those meetings.
“The production meetings,” Arnold enthuses, “including laughing, brainstorming and collaboration. If you bring a good care-free attitude to them, a lot can get done.”
What Arnold has to get done—to harmonize an actor’s wants and needs on stage with a director’s vision. Add to that, the visions of the other creative staff.
For Murder for Two, the inspirations that immediately came to mind included the Victorian era and Edward Gorey. Add to that small colorful flourishes. The fashions of the 1970s harken back to the Victorian era, Arnold noted, but with more color—the textures and patterns. Arnold began working up this idea, looking deeper in 1970s culture—All in the Family episodes, Phyllis Diller, Elton John, the boardgame Clue, Velma from the Scooby-Doo cartoons. These ideas showed up on Arnold’s character boards.
Even though there’s no time for Gray on stage to change costumes, Arnold created a character board for each of them to inform not only the actor, but the show as a whole. By fleshing out the characters, one helps flesh out the show. For DiStefano it was somewhat straight forward. A simple, drab 1970s-looking detective outfit. Think Columbo. For Gray, there were many boards and for both genders (Chevy Chase, Tom Selleck, Barbara Streisand). For one character Gray plays, Dahlia, Arnold finally got to go all-out on a costume. She describes it this way—“If Elton John and RuPaul conceived a child while watching Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, you have Dahlia.”
Of course, in the making of these costumes, it’s not Arnold working alone. There are cobblers, drapers, shoppers and craft artisans constructing the visions the creative team have. And, to keep in mind, you can’t go to a vintage store and just buy an old brown suit. You need multiples of each costume. Actors sweat. Actors do dance numbers on their knees. Actors move around the stage. Actors play the piano vigorously. There are several identical costumes per show that can, and will, be used. Actors are at work in these costumes and the costumes have to work.
Luckily, working with both in mind is Harmony Arnold.
Here’s news from Seattle’s performing arts community and beyond.
Seattle’s ACT Theatre is on the forefront of making theatre accessible to those that are deaf or hard of hearing. Learn more about their efforts, here. They recently concluded a run of Tribes, a coming-of-age story about a young deaf man. It received rave reviews. The young deaf man is the young deaf actor, Joshua Castille. Here’s a brief interview with him.
The Seattle Repertory Theatre is eager to put on Here Lies Love soon. A preview can be found, here. Currently on stage at the Seattle Rep is Dry Powder. It’s “punchy.”
The Seattle Opera is putting on a chamber piece called The Combat. Learn about it, here.
Also, the Seattle Opera had to cut some staff recently. They’re also closing their scene shop in Renton. More information about that, here.
The Seattle Symphonyperformed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 last weekend to stellar reviews. This coming weekend, they’re performing Rachmaninov. It was the anniversary of the great Russian composer’s death this week.
Seattle Children’s Theatre is presenting a one-woman show. Seedfolksflourishes. Here’s a brief interview with the star of the show, Sonja Parks.
Finally, do you know how much the arts contributes to our nation’s economy, as Trump considers cutting the NEA? About $704 BILLION.
One of the most feel-good musicals ever written, Mamma Mia!, is at the Paramount Theatre from March 28th through April 2nd. Playing the role of Sophie is Lizzie Markson. We recently sat down with her to talk dancing, Hamilton, and literally running around Seattle.
When did you realize that you wanted to be an actor?
I’ve mainly been dancing since I was little with a little bit of theatre, here and there. But, once I got into high school, I started getting much more involved with theatre and realized that it was my true passion. Once I know how I felt about acting, and singing, and dancing, I knew I couldn’t turn back.
What artistic performance (musical act, theatrical production, you name it) are you excited about seeing and why?
Anything. Everything. Hamilton, of course—if I ever get a ticket—because it’s so revolutionary. I know those raps now pretty well, if I do say so myself. I also cannot wait to see Bandstand when it opens on Broadway. I love swing music and dancing. Also, my friend is in it, which is pretty exciting.
What do you do to prepare right before you hit the stage?
I exercise to get my blood flowing. I warm up my voice. I eat food to give me energy. I put on my makeup and get in costume. I usually listen to relaxing music while I put on my makeup to ease my mind into the present. That’s been a lot of Jason Mraz lately. I get to the stage five minutes before the show starts to breathe into the present moment with gratitude. Then, I’m ready to launch into the show and get lost in the fun!
What piece of art (musical act, theatrical production, you name it) has always inspired you and why?
Joni Mitchell. Her music, her voice, her lyrics. Every song of hers is straight from her soul and it’s uniquely her. I’ve always been so moved and inspired by her.
What are you looking forward to do during your visit in Seattle?
Everything. I’ve been jazzed about Seattle since this tour started, so I’ve accumulated a laundry list of things I want to do and places I want to eat. I’m a runner and heard that Seattle is one of the top running cities in the country. I’m pumped for that. I’ll also have a bunch of my family in Seattle and I’m excited to spend time with them in a city I’ve never experienced before!
Here’s news from Seattle’s performing arts community and beyond:
Spring is beginning to spring. What arts events should you take part in? Here are some thoughts. And here are some more thoughts.
Congratulations to the Seattle Shakespeare Company. They just announced their new season.
ACT Theatre is presenting Tribes. It’s garnering a lot of great reviews. It’s “artful” and “needle-sharp.” Here’s an interview with one of the stars of the show, Joshua Castille.
Pacific Northwest Ballet is teaming up with Pixvana to explore virtual reality.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet is also exploring the artwork of Georgia O’Keeffe. Learn more about that performance, here.
A Muslim warrior is in love with a Christian knight. Seattle Opera is presenting a The Combat soon. Learn more, here.
The Seattle Shakespeare Company just announced their coming season. Let’s take a brief look, shall we?
Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare
September 13 – October 1, 2017
After the adoring public raises the charismatic Caeser to power, political factions question the leader’s motives and growing influence. Whispers of mutiny rumble through the corridors of power. Brutus and Cassius reach a dire conclusion that will set their country on the edge of collapse.
The Government Inspector
by Nikolai Gogol
October 24 – November 19, 2017
When small town officials mistake an inventive clerk for an undercover inspector sent to root out corruption, the whole village flies into a tailspin. A comic web of bribery, lies, and rampaging self-destruction entangles everyone in chaos.
Timon of Athens
by William Shakespeare
January 9 – February 4, 2018
The popular and wealthy Timon has hordes of friends, but only when the wine is flowing. When his money runs out, Timon turns to his friends for help. One by one they refuse him, and the carefree philanthropist turns to reclusive misanthrope. When fortune shines on him again, will Timon find out who his true friends are?
The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
March 20 – April 15, 2018
The wealthy heiress Portia is forced to set her suitors a challenge for her hand in marriage. In order to woo her, Bassiano finances his plan with money borrowed from his friend Antonio. All would be fine except Antonio has taken out a loan from the moneylender Shylock on the assurance that his ships will make it back to the city. They don’t, and Shylock demands repayment with a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
Shakespeare in Love
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
May 2 – June 3, 2018
Young Will Shakespeare is in dire need of inspiration. His next play is on deadline and the only thing he’s come up with is the title: Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter. Then he meets Viola, a smart and beautiful woman who desperately wants to perform on the stage, even though it’s forbidden. Will is smitten and gets inspired to write the greatest love story the world has known.
There will also be touring productions of Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet throughout March, April and May 2018.
Here’s news from Seattle’s performing arts community and beyond:
On International Women’s Day – we need more female composers heard.
The Seattle Symphony has heard that call. It has commissioned Alexandra Gardner to write a piece, working with LGBTQ youth who have experience with homelessness, as part of the symphony’s Simple Gifts initiative.
The 5th Avenue Theatre will be presenting The Secret Garden soon. Casting is being finalized. It includes a Tony Award-winner and, also, Broadway star Tam Mutu.
ACT is presenting Tribes. Here’s an interview with one of the show’s stars, Joshua Castille.
Joshua Castille, who is playing Billy in the new ACT product of Tribes, was just recently in a new commercial for HP. On stage, he was in the Broadway revival of Deaf West’s Spring Awakening as Ernst. A 22-year-old from Louisiana, we sat down with him to talk musicals, zoning out and the eclectic nature of Seattle. Tribes runs March 3rd through the 26th.
When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?
I realized I wanted to be an actor when I saw the movie, Chicago. I obsessively watched it and wanted to do musicals. My mom eventually put me in acting classes so I would stop moving the shower curtain into the hall.
What performance are you excited about seeing?
Whoo! This is a hard question because as I am seeing more and more theatre the more I’m getting into experimental theatre. I really want to see some of the greats on stage, like Bette Midler, Audra McDonald and Bernadette Peters. I am really sad I missed seeing Todrick Hall in Kinky Boots.
What do you do to prepare right before you hit the stage?
I usually just zone out and think of my track. Sometimes, I’ll pick showtunes that match my character’s emotions before I go onstage.
What artwork (piece of music, theatre piece, whatever) has always inspired you?
Right now, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Sleep No More are two pieces of work that I constantly think about. [Curious Incident… will be at the Paramount Theatre in July]. I’m very curious about how the Deaf community can create something unique and push the envelope even more than we did with Deaf West’s production of Spring Awakening.
What do you like about Seattle’s arts community?
I love that it’s so supportive and unaffraid to be different. I love the eclectic nature of Seattle. I truly see that the heart of Seattle’s arts community allows people to tell their story while pushing them to reach higher standards.
Here’s news from Seattle’s performing arts community and beyond.
Congratulations, Village Theatre, on your coming 2017-18 season!
The Seattle Repertory Theatre is presenting Well, written by Fun Home writer Lisa Kron. The show is “fun” and discussed, here. The show’s star, Sara Rudinoff, is interviewed, here.
The Seattle Opera is presenting the Czech musical, Katya Kabanova. It is “searing.” Learn more about the cast, here.
Book-It Repertory Theatre is presenting with Cafe Nordo a theatrical culinary experience of A Moveable Feast. It’s “peppy.”
There’s a few days left to catch 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Pajama Game. It’s “steaming hot.” Here’s a profile of the director of the show, Bill Berry. A cast member, Kyle Robert Carter, is interviewed, here.
The Upstream Music Fest is coming soon to Seattle. You can read the lineup, here. Encore’s own Ryan Devlin, lead singer of the Smokey Brights, is set to perform during the festival.
Finally, will the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities survive during the Trump administration? Arts groups are worried.
