TeenTix Blog by TeenTix

Review of Landscape of the Body at UW School of Drama by Sam H-A.Photo by Frank RosensteinThe stage is dark except for one guardrail. A woman stands, feverishly looking over her shoulder, frantically writing on sheets of paper. Stuffing them in a bottle. Throwing them over the edge. A man comes up behind her and you are swept up in a conversation that has no meaning to you. Words like "confession" and "yes." Short and curt. Until the woman finally blows up. Launching into a monologue about her son. Blackout. We switch settings to an interrogation room. We soon find out the woman is a suspect in her son's murder. Another woman, with a voice from "above" is talking now. Explaining everything that's going on. Her death, her nephew's death. You are then launched into a story of love, loss, heartbreak, and sorrow. Laughter. Tears. All while finding out the gut-wrenching past history of Bert, a teenage boy from Maine whose mother is mourning the loss of her sister while trying to raise him. All the while--in the present--she's trying to find out who murdered and decapitated him. Seems gory, right? It's not. Beautifully staged and incredibly acted, director L. Zane tells this heart-wrenching story beautifully, and this show will definitely bring you to tears of laughter, joy, and sorrow. Landscape of the BodyUW School of DramaMeany Studio TheatreThrough November 18Watch the Landscape of the Body video:

PNB's All Premiere showcases four world premiere works on one program. Although it seems rather ambitious, the ballet company manages to pull together four distinctly beautiful pieces.

Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Antony and Cleopatra is the young Arnold Schwarzenegger of theater: it’s dramatic, sexy, romantic, it sounds kind of funny, and it sure knows how to pack an awesome punch. In terms of all other plays I have seen prior to this, Antony and Cleopatra is truly the full package. It does for theater what Carmen does for the world of musical performance.

Congratulations to all of you!

Friday, October 19th marked the first of the Seattle Symphony’s ‘Untuxed’ Series, and it will definitely not be the last. Waiting for the musicians to enter the stage, I had forgotten about the ‘Untuxed’ part of the concert and was taken aback by the wash of colors that flooded the stage. The normal-but-still-nice clothing donned by the musicians made the atmosphere much more comfortable than with their usual formal attire. I loved it – it made the entire performance relaxed and enjoyable. It’s hard to understand why they don’t do every performance this way.

As all you old school Teen Tixers know, Pacific Northwest Ballet's wildly popular Nutcracker ballet is the only PNB show all year that is not Teen Tix eligible. Sad face. However, every year, because they love us so much, PNB puts aside a little stash of Teen Tix tickets for one Nutcracker performance. Happy face! This year's Teen Tix-able Nutcracker show is Thursday, December 27th @ 5:30.There are NO companion (2 for $10) tickets available, just regular Teen Tix tickets. These tickets will be available in person at PNB's McCaw Hall box office starting at 4:00 pm on the 27th only. There are a limited number of Teen Tix tickets available, and they always sell out, so plan to arrive early.We heart you, PNB. BFFs 4eva.For more information about the Nutcracker, please visit PNB's website.

Wow wow wow. Last night was awesome. Last night the Seattle theatre community got all dressed up and celebrated itself at the Gregory Awards(they're kind of like our very own local Tony Awards). It's always a fun, heartwarming event, but last night was especially special for us because last night included the first ever presentation of the Gregory Award for Outstanding Teen Critic, recognizing an outstanding contribution to local theatre criticism by a member of the TeenTix Press Corps! And the recipient of the (first ever) TPS Gregory Award for Outstanding Teen Critic is... Reanne Wong, for her review of Hedda Gabler at Intiman Theatre Festival

Review of The Ramayana at ACT Theatre by Chloe L. Once upon a time there was a prince named Rama. His story is called The Ramayana.

Review of Fefu and Her Friends at Cornish College of the Arts by Tracy M.

Review of No Look Pass at Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival by Sam H-A.A senior at Harvard, Emily Tay is the only women's backetball player at her school. She's trying to make it in the big leagues and make her immigrant family proud, all while keeping a secret. No Look Pass is a real documentary in which you feel so close to Emily, it brings tears to your eyes.Living with her best friend, but about to graduate, she faces everything from championship games to fights with her best friend to the crazy college dating life. After getting to know her personally, you start learning slowly about what her life is like. Not only is she a first generation American, but she's also a hard worker who has to train women in another language, in another country, on work ethic and the basics of women's basketball.This powerful documentary makes you laugh, cry, and everything in between. The Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival runs through this Sunday, October 21.Recommended films for this weekend include:THE DANCE OF TWO LEFT FEETTonight, Friday, 10/19 at 7:30 at Central Cinema more info hereRecommended for ages 16+The screening of the short films from the Reel Queer Youth program: MAKE YOUR OWN MONTAGE, PARANOIA, and SPACE IS A LONELY PLACE, followed by a Q&A with filmmakers. The program also includes the eye-opening and inspiring short film POSITIVE YOUTH. Tomorrow, Saturday 10/20 at 1:00 PM at Pacific PlaceMore info here

Review of Mississippi I Am at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival by Jessika G.

ALERT: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Review of Pullman Porter Blues at Seattle Repertory Theatre by Anika M.Photo by Chris BennionI’ll just come right out and say it: go see Pullman Porter Blues. This show manages to be refreshing and fun with exciting blues music performed by the best I’ve ever seen, while still addressing important issues with the respect and tone required. Pullman Porter Blues opens the Seattle Repertory Theatre’s 50th season; so I was surprised and albeit a little wary that it’s a musical. For those of you who are frequenters of the Rep, you know that musicals aren’t a particularly common show choice, and because of this, I worried that the acting and plot would be overlooked and overshadowed by flashy, empty music numbers taped together by quick, empty dialogue. I was wrong.Pullman Porter Blues follows three generations of Pullman porters and racial oppression. The all-star cast plays and sings blues songs in a way that everyone can appreciate and enjoy, and presents the story and themes with artistry that I have never before experienced in a musical. Every aspect of the show works in sync with the others forming a cohesive experience. Often shows seem to have one sole focus, whether it is the acting, the singing, or the aesthetics; but no part of this show is overlooked and it manages to do something that few shows can achieve: be completely fun and hilarious to watch while still presenting themes and ideas that can be hard to understand and discuss.Photo by Chris BennionThis show, a world premiere, is hard to pass up; you’ll find it to be full of heart, song, and emotion performed by some of theatre’s best. Pullman Porter Blues at the Seattle Repertory Theatre runs until October 28th, so be sure to catch it before it moves on.Pullman Porter BluesThrough October 28Seattle Repertory TheatreMore info at seattlerep.orgNOTE: Contains brief mature content

Review of Tchaikovsky & Sibelius at Seattle Symphony by Alyssa T.

We are super excited to announce that this year's Theatre Puget Sound Gregory Awards (sort of like our own, local Tony Awards) will feature a brand new category: Outstanding Teen Critic! The award will recognize an outstanding contribution to local theatre criticism by a member of the TeenTix Press Corps. That's right! The folks who write for this very blog have been nominated for a big, fancy award. How about that?The four nominees for this year's award are:Callan Carow, for her review of An Ideal Husband at TaprootChelsea Dole, who was nominated for two separate reviews, Pitmen Painters at ACT Theatre, and Or, at Seattle Rep.Reanne Wong, for her review of Hedda Gabler at Intiman Theatre Festival andJenny Singer, for her review of Spring Awakening at Balagan Theatre.The submissions were reviewed by a panel of local arts critics: Laura Dannen (Arts Editor for Seattle Met magazine), Leah Baltus (Editor of CityArts magazine), Omar Willey (Editor of The Seattle Star), Brendan Kiley (Theatre Editor for The Stranger), and youth representative Tucker Cholvin, a former TeenTix Press Corps member who is currently a sophomore at Georgetown University. The recipient will be revealed and the award presented at the Gregory Awards ceremony, October 29 at ACT Theatre.Congratulations to our four nominees, and to all the fantastic writers on our Teen Press Corps, keep on doing what you do! You are (honestly) amazing. By the way, if you are interested in joining the TeenTix Press Corps, we'd love to have you. You can get more info on that here.

Review of The Cocktail Hour: Music of the Mad Men Era at Seattle Symphony by Iman B.Betty and Don enjoy some tunesGuest conductor Steven Reineke's shiny tie and suit set the tone for Seattle Symphony's "Mad Men era" show that took every listener back to the high-class parties of the 1950s and 1960s. The performance was filled with bossa nova tunes that were lighthearted and fun.The baby-faced guest performing group Vocalpoint! added youth to a set list that was visiting the past. While guest performer Hugh Panaro was almost all you could ask for in a male singing the era's music, his voice lacked the tenderness that is often found in the pieces that the likes of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra made famous.Broadway star Hugh Panaro is almost all you could ask forBy far, the highlight of the night was the high energy performance of the Symphony and not its guest singers. Entertainingly, the orchestra's liveliness could be traced back to its conductor, Reineke, who at times conducted more with his hip movements rather than with his baton.Conductor Steven Reineke swings his hipsHowever, the concert did not remain stuck with its TV show-inspired 50s theme, because concert-goers were brought back to recent times by the Symphony's performance of Amy Winehouse's You Know I'm No Good. All in all, this fun pops concert was one that everyone and anyone could thoroughly enjoy. And if you didn't catch this concert make sure you catch the next pops line up the Symphony puts together, because as Hugh Panaro sung, you'll be "Feeling Good" by the end of the concert. The Cocktail Hour is over, but you might be interested in Sonic Evolution, brand new symphonic compositions inspired by Alice in Chains, Blue Scholars and Yes. Friday, October 26 at 8:00 PMMore info at seattlesymphony.org

Review of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at ArtsWest by Chelsea D.

Review of Cinderella at Pacific Northwest Ballet by Bethany B.

Knights! Wizards! Thieves! Scholars! You are invited! On Friday, September 14th, you and your friends are invited to take over Unexpected Productions' Market Theatre for TeenTix night at Final Fantasy: The Improvised Adventures. Come hang out at a sweet pre-show party just for TeenTix members with cupcakes, a costume contest, and a quick improv workshop (Be brave! Or just watch!) and then see the show FOR. FREE. Yep, that's right. It's free. Free cupcakes, free awesome party, free show. Free free free. Because we love you and so does Unexpected Productions. (Oh no, love triangle. AWK-WARD.)For over 20 years, Final Fantasy has ruled the video game world with some of the most epic storytelling in the medium. Now the improvisers at Unexpected Productions will apply their sword-like wit to a hilarious tribute to the series. Using only suggestions from the audience and their own imaginations, the actors will band together in a completely improvised tale of swords and sorcery that will culminate in an epic struggle for the fate of the world.Okay, so, what?TEENTIX NIGHT AT FINAL FANTASY: THE IMPROVISED ADVENTURESWHEN? Friday, September 14th, 2012WHAT TIME? 7:30 - PRE-SHOW COSTUME PARTY WITH CUPCAKES! AND AN IMPROV DEMO! 8:30 - FINAL FANTASY: THE IMPROVISED ADVENTURESWHERE? Unexpected Productions' Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley in the Pike Place MarketHOW MUCH? Free for TeenTix members, $5 for guestsWHAT ELSE? To get your free ticket, you must RSVP to teentix@seattle.govby 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 12. A limited number of free tickets are available. RSVP NOW why don't you? Limit 1 free ticket + 1 guest ticket ($5) per Teen Tix member. Guest tickets may be used by adults or teens. Remember to tell us how many tickets you are reserving in your email. A NOTE ABOUT CONTENT: While Unexpected Productions always strives to present material that is generally appropriate for teen and adult audience, due to the unpredictable and audience participatory nature of improvisation, it is impossible to guarantee content. Please also note that, although the pre-show party is TeenTix exclusive, general audience will be present during the show.

Review of Romeo & Juliet at Intiman Theatre Festival by Abigail A.Friar Lawrence (Allen Fitzpatrick) and Romeo (Quinn Franzen)Photo by Chris BennionI’m going to try the best that I can to tell you about the Romeo and Juliet play at the Intiman Theatre from a non theatre-literate perspective. Okay, let’s go. Number one: don’t believe your friend who told you that it would be boring; in fact it will be very entertaining. When you go to this play (which you will because my amazing review will persuade you), you will laugh at jokes that you originally did not even think would make you chuckle. This is not only because of the great chemistry between the actors in this play, but also because of the way it’s presented. When Romeo (played by Quinn Franzen) pronounces his love to Juliet during the famous balcony scene, Franzen is running up and down the stairs in the theater and interacting with the audience. It is truly amazing.Second, Shakespearean language is not that hard to understand. If you paid attention in class for about an hour you probably won’t have much trouble interpreting it into "easier" vocabulary. Even if you are in the unfortunate situation where you have no idea who Shakespeare is, you’ll understand what is being said, just be prepared for an ancient type of speech. Juliet (Fawn Ledesma) and the Nurse (Marya Sea Kaminski)Photo by Chris BennionNumber three, this interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is not dated; it gives a fresh approach to a classic tale. The music being played in the background gives me a sort of Michael Jackson Thriller vibe, especially during the party scene at Mr. Capulet’s house. The costumes are interesting, I was intrigued by the color differences for each household (Capulets and the Montagues). The set alone tells a story, with pictures of dead family members, showing the bloodshed on both sides. Did I mention Mercutio’s wit and charm, (and interesting leggings, I suspect Urban Outfitters)? If I can do it, you certainly can. Go see Romeo and Juliet at the Intiman Theatre this summer and see the classic love story.Romeo & JulietIntiman Theatre FestivalThrough August 26More info at intiman.orgAges 13+