TeenTix Blog by TeenTix

Review of Luminous: The Art of Asia @ Seattle Art Museum by Chloe L.

Double Indemnity @ ACTdou·ble in·dem·ni·ty: a provision in a life-insurance or accident policy whereby the company agrees to pay twice the face of the contract in case of accidental death John Bogar as Walter Huff in Double Indemnity. Photo by Chris BennionSet in the dusty 1930's in Los Angeles, join Walter Huff, an insurance agent who's got the blues and decides to do something about it. Double Indemnity follows him as he searches for a new life, full of lust, intrigue, and cliffhanging twists. Want to learn more? ACT put together a study guide for the audience members who desire to delve deeper into the slang, the history, and the genre. You can view it here.Double IndemnityThrough November 20ACT

Review of Love Stories @ PNB by Naomi T. The Pacific Northwest Ballet heats up the frosty Seattle autumn with Love Stories, it’s second mixed-bill production of the season. Love Storiesfeatures some of ballet’s greatest moments from its many tales of love, the Balcony pas de deux from Roméo et Juliette, the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, and Aurora’s Wedding from The Sleeping Beauty. Also on the program were two PNB premiers, George Balanchine’s Divertimento from “Le Baiser de la Fée,” and Jerome Robbins’s Afternoon of a Faun.

Hairspray @ Seattle Musical TheatreJoin SMT for this status-quo-smashing, fun-as-heck 60's style musical that reminds us all to be who we really are. Tracy Turnblad just wants to dance for the Corny Collins show, but once she gets her big chance she becomes aware of the startling discrimination surrounding her and the TV business. See Tracy fight for equality (and fall in love with Link Larkin, the dreamiest dancer on the show) accompanied by some of the craziest dancing and biggest hair you've ever seen. You can't stop the beat of Hairspray!HairsprayNovember 11 - December 11Seattle Musical Theatre

After Hours @ EMPThe moon rises over EMP Museum on November 12 for After Hours, an all ages dance party designed by teens for teens. An evening of monsters, music, and madness, this killer dance party honors EMP’s new exhibit Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film.Deadly attire is encouraged, so hit the Halloween clearance aisle and break out your scariest wares. (We recommend Value Village!) Prizes awarded for Best Blood Sucker, Best Shapeshifter, and Most Killer Costume. Horror makeup masters will be on hand to help release your inner monster. Plus, hear some groovy live music! All Ages Dance Party: Vampires vs WerewolvesSaturday November 12, 2011 at 7:30pmExperience Music Project

Review of ¡Carnaval! @ Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture by Iman B.Vibrant colors, playful masks, and music. What do they have in common? Well, they are all parts of the celebration of life from every corner in the world.The Carnival exhibit provides an entry way for an exhibit attendee to become engulfed in the fun imagination of festival participants. And through the intimidating knowledge of the exhibit assistants, the exhibit gives information and background about the different festivities and how they pertain to each city’s culture. The various forms of cultural art further enhance the beauty of each celebration.But, the best part of the exhibit is the area for trying on the masks. It allows one's identity to be stolen away to something surreal. The wide variety of masks keeps one pondering what it must've been like to wear one in the middle of a cultural celebration. You can put one on and lose yourself to the mask's identity. The diverse examples of carnivals are euphorically colorful. However, it reminds the attendee that no matter where you are from, how you party, what color scheme you prefer, or what instrument you play, it is necessary for people to take a break and understand that the concept of letting loose in order to celebrate life is universal. This exhibit is for any art fan or individual that wants to see a lot of color and feel ready to let loose. ¡Carnaval!Through January 8Burke Museum

Review of Circle Mirror Transformation @ Seattle Repertory Theatre by Joyce R.Confession: I have developed a tiny crush on a man more than twice my age. Scandalous, I know, but after seeing Michael Patten in Circle Mirror Transformation, I think it is perfectly understandable.Set in a summer theater class, the junction of the lives of five very different people, we see characters develop beyond their superficial personalities, and remind us that everybody, from the most exuberant to the most awkward, has problems. Patten plays Schultz, an awkward, recently divorced man. He really shines in this part and I love his cadence of speech. The rhythm he talks with is so distinct, and so seamlessly pulled off that I can’t even imagine how he would talk in real life. His comedic timing is so great, and his presence kept me deeply amused throughout the entire play.Photo by Keri KellermanThat being said, the play is a little slow; too slow for my tastes, and too long to go without an intermission. Maybe it is the “impatient teenager” part of me speaking, but the development of the characters dragged, and the long awkward pauses, where the characters just stared at each other, only added to this never-ending feeling. Playwright Annie Baker said that “when it feels like nothing is taboo anymore — we can have sex and violence on stage and no one blinks an eye — I think the one thing left that really makes people uncomfortable is empty space and quiet.” Well, she definitely succeeded in making me feel uncomfortable, but is that really a good thing? Does anybody go to the theatre to feel uncomfortable for 2 hours?Also, there were times when the characters struck me as obnoxious. Only at times, and not enough to make me not like the play, but even though I know a story doesn’t need to have likeable characters in order to be a good story and that a character’s likeability is subjective, it was difficult for me to root for these characters when in reality, I didn’t want to befriend any of these people, not even Schultz, who has a special place in my heart. Because of this, I wasn’t completely with them when they overcame their challenges, and I found it difficult to really sympathize with them. Unfortunately this made the moments where the characters reveal their insecurities, when we are supposed to feel for them and connect with them, fall a little flat for me.Regardless, I did like the play. As I said before, Michael Patten was very funny, and Elizabeth Raetz, playing the “hooping” Theresa, also had her moments of hilarity. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience.Circle Mirror TransformationThrough November 20Seattle Repertory Theatre

Sad news: We've just heard that Flamenco, playing in the Recital Hall at Seattle Symphony on November 4 and 5 are SOLD OUT.That means there will be no Teen Tix tickets available to this performance.But you can still see this:Isabelle Faust Performs Schumann's Violin ConcertoThomas Dausgaard, conductorIsabelle Faust, violinSeattle SymphonySchumann: Violin Concerto in D minor Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major Saturday 11/5 at 8pm and Sunday 11/6 at 2pm.Wyckoff Masterworks Season concerts are part of the Seattle Symphony’s new Family Connections program, which offers free companion tickets for up to two children between the ages of 8 and 18, when accompanied by a paying adult. Companion tickets are available by phone or in person through the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office in Benaroya Hall, beginning three weeks prior to the concert.

I appreciate this review for the honest opinion. Understandably, certain shows may not appeal to everyone, however, I wanted to offer a different perspective on a point that was made. SCT's audience is definitely young, but the organization is driven to bring thought-provoking and sophisticated theatre to these young audiences, despite the complex and sometimes taboo nature of the message. By opening the minds of young people to different cultures, ideas and problems around them, theatre becomes one of the strongest art forms because it forces the viewer to think and feel about a subject perhaps unbeknown to them. The current version of Robin Hood at SCT touches on some socioeconomic issues that are a very real concern in our community. Sometimes theatre is about complex interests, but that's part of the education that SCT strives to bring to the stage. I'd be interested to hear other opinions, and how theatre has opened doors or provoked a viewpoint in you. Thanks!

Review of Janie Jones @ SIFF Cinema by Anna M.Janie Jones, which opened at Seattle International Film Festival on Friday, tells the tale of Ethan Brand (Allesandro Nivola), a washed up, drunken, unsuccessful indie rock musician and his new-found, 13 year old daughter Janie Jones (Abigail Breslin). Breslin’s character is brash and worldly, no doubt from the negligence of her drug addicted mother (Elizabeth Nivola) who most recently disappeared, leaving her with Ethan. The story develops as Ethan is thrown out of his band, leading him to further resent the presence of his daughter Janie. Eventually they both bond over their mutual musical talent, etc., etc. Sound familiar? It should. This movie is predictable from the beginning, with the cliché and overused plot surrounding an angry and out of touch musician; enter redemption agent, in this case his daughter Janie. Furthermore, this movie dropped f-bombs like Halloween candy, to the point where the powerful word loses its potency and becomes obnoxious. At base, Janie Jones explores the relationship between parent and child, and the shifting of generations. It does so in an, albeit creative but nonetheless ineffective way.Abigail Breslin in Janie JonesThat being said, it wasn’t all bad. To start out, Breslin, as usual lights up the screen. Her acting brings the inherently exaggerated and annoying character of Janie to the point of being tolerable. This could be said for all the actors; well portrayed but hackneyed characters. I was also surprised to find that Breslin is an awesome singer, which is highlighted throughout the film in multiple solos and duets. In fact, I’ve been humming what I would call the indie/easy listening soundtrack all day. This movie also has some really nice lighting effects and is aesthetically pleasing.All in all, I would rate this movie six out of ten. If you need something to do in the coming cold, wet, Seattle November, it’s worth seeing, if only for the music and the always lovable Abigail Breslin. But bear in mind that although the movie is not rated, there is an array mature, drug related, content and offensive language.NOTE: Contains mature content. Recommended for ages 17+.Janie JonesThrough November 3SIFF Cinema

Review of Evil Dead: The Musical @ ArtsWest by Iman B."Guess who's evil now!” is both the proclamation and the loud, obvious, and in your face statement that a character would shout after being consumed by the evil dead. The simplicity of the most frequent line in the play exemplifies the smart aleck vibe the play has. Ash, the main character, his girlfriend, his best friend, his best friend's hook up, and Ash's sister go out to an abandoned cabin in the woods over spring break for some fun. What could go wrong? The set up is one for a cliché horror story. Frankly, the story is a cliché horror story, but the horror story turns into a smart aleck approach to horror; Going all the way back to the roots of horror – humor. Instead of scaring you to death, the actors cause the audience to laugh to death.The small cast is able to transition from scene to scene in the intimate theatre where the front row audience members are drenched in fake blood; just a tease of some of the “horror" in the play. Ryan Demerick, Elise Campella, James Padillo, EmilyRose Frasca, and Lisa Hill in Evil Dead: The MusicalThe script is loaded with quirky references to everyday life, other plays, and movies that keep the audience roaring with laughter. It also in a way keeps you on your toes, not with suspension, but rather with the script’s ability to scream out the implied when you thought it was implied. The thrown at your face rhetoric keeps you guessing what is going to happen next because, frankly, you can't tell what to expect: the expected or the unexpected. If it's expected, will I have to just mentally imply it, or will the actor colorfully yell it at me? Also, the unexpected constantly switches from cliché responses to original and outlandish statements that keep the audience on their toes and never allows them to get bored.The songs are hilarious. Based around everything you wouldn't expect them to say when using their vocal cords, but manage to do so anyway. They take tid bits of the script, load them into the song and present them in a profane and unconventional way that will keep any audience "deathly" content. Kate Jaeger and James Padilla in Evil Dead: The MusicalWalking away from the play you realize, “Heck I should enjoy life and every moment of it because, to be morbid, who knows when evil is going to sweep me up and take me to the afterlife.” This play is a fun and funny experience for anyone looking to go and have a good laugh. Granted, I must give playgoers a fair warning: make sure you are going with weathered ears and mature individuals. Evil Dead: The MusicalThrough November 20ArtsWestNOTE: This play contains mature material. Suitable for ages 15+.

Review of Robin Hood @ Seattle Children's Theatre by Bethany B. As a toddler my parents took me to Seattle Children’s Theatre at least twice a year. It was a big, exciting excursion, and in the plays we saw magic come alive, and adults become the children they portrayed. SCT has and probably always will be one of my favorite play houses in Seattle for just those reasons. It’s arts just for kids. It’s magical and everyone is always entertained, whatever the age. Robin Hood was different. To start, the things I enjoyed about the production. For one, the actors did a simply stunning job of their roles. There were only four actors for over fifteen roles, and all the characters made clear distinctions in an amazing way. The only issue was Maid Marian, who occasionally dressed up as a boy, the actress who played her also had a role as one of Robin’s Merry Men. Believe me; it’s even more confusing in real life. The stunts were incredibly impressive, what with sword play, tricks, and climbing and sliding all over the set. It made the whole play more explosive and exciting, and gave even more credit to those talented actors. Speaking of the set, the play gets major cool points for that too. In the beginning, it seems like a basic stage, but as the play unfolds, the stage becomes more complex. The secrets of the set were slowly told as each part was climbed over, spun, and crawled under. In truth, casting, set, lights, and costumes were all incredibly well done, with precise expertise.

Carmen @ Seattle OperaThis opera is one of the most sensual, dangerous, and thrilling of them all. Plus we've all heard this song! Carmen is Bizet's tale of the ultimate femme fatale. See this temptress's fatal love story at Seattle Opera before it's gone. CarmenThrough October 9Seattle Opera

Review of A Midsummer Night's Dream @ Seattle Shakespeare Company by Jennifer K.It’s yet another production of the world-renowned Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it’s absolutely amazing how each director seems to interpret the play differently from one another. In this rendition by Sheila Daniels, the play is slightly skewed by the replacement of the character Lysander. Hermia’s lover is now Lysandra, a woman. No prior knowledge of this revision could confuse some viewers, but the similarity in name makes the connection instantaneous. Amy Thone as Titania and Todd Jefferson Moore as Bottom. Photo courtesy of Seattle Shakespeare CompanyThe casting of a woman for Lysander makes this version of Midsummer Night’s Dream much more contemporary. With the recent legalizations of gay marriages in several states, this could act as a tribute to homosexual relationships. Before attending, be sure to read a synopsis of the story, or even just read the entire play! It’ll save you from a hefty amount of confusion, since it’s often difficult to make out the plot when it’s told in inverted Shakespearean language. Chris Ensweiler as Puck and Reginald Andre Jackson as Oberon. Photo courtesy of Seattle Shakespeare CompanyEach of the actors and actresses in the cast seem incredibly fitting for their roles. Theseus demands a certain amount of respect with his large stature and booming voice, while Helena and Bottom are hilarious in their own right. The background music and setting truly create an eerie ambience to represent the magical woods. Overall, this is an excellent and humorous rendition of a classic which is sure to elicit many laughs from any audience. The play is recommended for an audience 12 years old and up, mainly due to several implicit and explicit sexual references.A Midsummer Night's DreamThrough November 13Seattle Shakespeare Company

Review of Sci-Fi at the Pops @ Seattle Symphony by Emma M.Most everyone knows music science fiction. Even if you don’t like Star Wars, I bet you can recognize the theme. The sweeping melodies and dramatic crescendos are as integral to sci-fi as shiny spacesuits. Doing an evening of sci-fi music at the symphony sounds like a great idea. And it is! It needed a little help in the actualization to make it truly an “evening amongst the stars”.When you first sit down in the grandiose Benaroya Hall and flip to the section in your program that is devoted to Sci-Fi at the Pops, you’re in for a bit of a surprise. There seems to have been a mistake at the printer, for along with sci-fi staples like E.T., Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars, you find Ghostbusters (say what?). And unless we now believe that Michael Jackson was either an alien, or abducted by aliens, I really don’t see what a mash-up of “Thriller” and “Beat It” has got to do with anything. Conductor Victor VanacoreAs the lights dim and the show begins, we start off with “The Star Spangled Banner”— which isn’t random at all! But the show doesn’t really get started until Jonathan Frakes walks out onstage. Because you know half the audience has come to see Commander Riker. He’s old, balding, wears glasses, and has the same dopey jokes in his script as every other emcee, but we all love him. He has a beautiful voice which rumbles out into the hall, and manages to take the jokes with a grain of salt, making them much more bearable to the audience. The other main attraction, visiting conductor Victor Vanacore, is another matter. It was a bit like watching a human metronome. After waving his arms around like that for a couple hours, I bet he was quite sore! It’s unclear how affective it was either. In the sweeping phrases in between the familiar melodies, it lacked gusto. The strings were very soothing, almost inviting you to take a nap. Jonathon Frakes back in the good ol' daysAs a conductor he didn’t really get into the swing of things until he started playing his arrangement/mash-up of “Thriller” and “Beat It”. All my fears and bad memories of pop songs gone symphonic vanished as the song took off. It also didn’t hurt that we had the distraction of a couple dozen dancers dressed up as zombies dancing on the edge of the stage. Perhaps there wasn’t enough space on the edge of the stage to do justice to their dance. Or perhaps the iconic “Thriller” dance should just not be tackled, because let’s face it; no one will do it better than Michael. Whatever the reason, it was not enjoyable. Awkwardly shuffling zombies isn’t exactly the kind of high art that you expect to go along with your forty dollar ticket. Fortunately things get much better in the second half. The orchestra and Vanacore seem to have come to some understanding and things become much more engaging. That is until we get to “Name that Sci-Fi Theme”, and Vanacore plays themes from shows like I Dream of Jeanie, and Bewitched. This is the point at which you realize that this show was really not about sci-fi. But what was it about? Even now I’m trying to figure that out. If you are going to call a show “Sci-Fi at the Pops", it should be about sci-fi. Needless to say it really needed some cohesive direction.Despite all of the crazy selections and the uncertainty of what you might hear next (Vanacore kept mentioning Bonanza, was he going to play that theme song next? Where is this going? Cowboys and Aliens?! At least that’s sci-fi), the show was quite enjoyable. How can you not help feeling great and a little like Han Solo or Luke Skywalker when listening to the swelling melody of John William’s Star Wars? It also didn’t hurt that Frakes instructed us to all “live long and prosper” on our way out, and all trekkies in the disguise of symphony goers went wild. It was fun. It was silly. It wasn’t high art, it wasn’t even that great of a line up what with the Bewitched theme song and a slightly rock ‘n roll version of 2001: A Space Odyssey theme (somewhere a kettle drum player is weeping), but the audience liked it. We brought them back for an encore. And we all left the hall with “Raiders March” from Raiders of the Lost Ark hopelessly stuck in our heads and a smile on our face.Sci-Fi at the PopsCLOSEDNext at the Seattle Symphony:Halloween Hooray

A Midsummer Night's Dream @ Seattle Shakespeare CompanyThe Quarrel of Oberon and Titania by Sir Joseph Noel PatonFear not this Shakespearean comedy! This hilarious romp through the forests of Athens is one of the most clear and accessible of the Bard's plays and it will leave you laughing for more. When two pairs of young lovers attempt to escape their families' tyrannical rule, they instead fall prey to a love potion set in motion by the mischievous inhabitants of the woodland netherworld. Simultaneously, a less-than-perfect theatre troupe is sabotaged by the same inhabitants. Watch the hilarity unfold in the shadows of the trees at the Seattle Shakespeare Company. A Midsummer Night's DreamOctober 20 - November 13Seattle Shakespeare Company

Review of Khaled Hosseini @ Seattle Arts and Lectures by Safaa D.Picture a girl of a little over average height (due to the aid of heels) racing down the hall of Benaroya Hall and skidding to a halt in front of the box office. I had a panicky feeling that they would not let me in but to the best of luck they did.I was about ten minutes late but Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) still allowed me in to slide down the ramp to my seat where I could sit and listen to Khaled Hosseini speak.Hosseini is a world renowned, best selling author. His first book, The Kite Runner, has sold over seven million copies -not counting boot legged - and has inspired a film and charity.Hosseini originally had no intention of becoming a writer. Born in Kabul to a father who worked at the foreign ministry and a mother who was a principal at a school he grew up watching cinema from all around the world and enjoyed lots of eastern and western reading. When his family relocated to California he enrolled in Santa Clara University, where he earned a degree in biology and would later go to school for a medical degree. In this lecture he communicated the fact that his writing, in the beginning, was a good way for him to de-stress from his day job as an internist at a hospital. Getting up at 5:00 AM to write until 8:00 AM may or may not sound pleasant to you but it helped him eventually become a full time writer, which he would do after completing The Kite Runner, going on to write Land of 10,000 Suns and more recently produce a graphic novel for The Kite Runner.This lecture is definitely not the best I've ever been to and probably the first SAL event I've not been 100% satisfied with. The interviewer, along with some of the audience members, seemed more interested in learning how to write a best seller rather than questioning about culture and perspective on politics.I was very much looking forward to a talk centered more on culture and activism but alas, it was not meant to be. I still do enjoy Hosseini’s work and SAL events are still not to be missed. SAL brings people from around the world and from all walks of life to Seattle. This can leave lasting impressions and give incentives to get out in your community. So go to a Seattle Arts & Lectures event. Even if they’re hit and miss, you can’t take a chance at missing the good ones.Khaled HosseiniCLOSEDNext up at Seattle Arts and Lectures: Stacy Schiff

Hosseini was really boring. I found it insulting that he "spoke" in front of so many people without planning anything interesting to say. His performance really brings down the quality of SAL.

Luminous: The Art of Asia @ Seattle Art MuseumA few highlights of the exhibit's tour in JapanFor almost 80 years many of the treasures from this exhibit have belonged to the Seattle Art Museum, and now in an epic creation of history are coming together to become Luminous. There was a recent tour of these historically rich items in Japan where they were eagerly received--just as well as their homecoming will be. The best part of Luminous, though, is the video installation by Do Ho Suh, including a commentary on the richness and value of the artifacts themselves and how they relate to our current world. This display is an enlightening celebration of genius cultural works, and will mark the first time in SAM history to have a major exhibition of Asian art in the downtown gallery space.Luminous: The Art of AsiaOctober 13 - January 8Seattle Art Museum

The 16th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival @ Three Dollar Bill CinemaIt's here! It's queer! It's the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival at 3DB, and this year's lineup ranges from the bizarre to the heartwarming.A few titles we're loving right now:-Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads profiles a semi-famous drag queen from New Orleans in this mockumentary as she attempts to create an educational program for children.-Married in Spandex is a documentary about two women who travel to Iowa from Philadelphia to tie the knot (in spandex lamé, of course) while trying to gain acceptance from their families and the world.-Saturgay Morning Cartoons is a series of short animations and classics we all know and love. 3DB encourages you to wear your PJs to enjoy the FREE cereal they'll be serving up with your 'toons.There are TONS of other films (some more appropriate than others). We suggest going to 3DB's website and browsing the titles and descriptions to see which films will be best for you and whoever you bring with you. No matter what you choose, you're sure to have a fabulous time!The 16th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film FestivalOctober 14 - 23Three Dollar Bill CinemaPLEASE NOTE:Films contain mature themes and language. Appropriate for ages 18 and up.Many of the films take place at different theatres, and you can find a full list of them here.