BTB Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery wants our Readers to know that this is the final week for Breeder Theater’s “Snowbound,” which ends its run Sunday, Jan. 31st.

The only shows with tickets available are this Wednesday (Jan. 27th) and Thursday (Jan. 28th), so you’d better act fast (you can order online here).

Written by local playwright T.M. Sell and directed by BTB Photographer Michael Brunk, the story is set at a lodge in the Washington mountains (see our Review here and our Non-Review here). As winter snows block the passes stranding the guests, the local sheriff stops by with troubling news about an escaped convict:

• Could one of the guests be the suspected killer?
• Can any of them really be trusted?
• And just how many references to Alfred Hitchcock titles are in the show anyway?

“Snowbound” also features music by Nancy Warren. The stage manager is Andrew Pogue. The cast includes Andrew Smith, Laura Smith, Teresa Widner, Steve Scheide, Kelly Johnson, Scott Green, Martin J. McKenzie and Brenan Grant.

Here’s the schedule:

• Friday Jan. 15
• Saturday Jan. 16
• Sunday Jan. 17
• *Wed. Jan. 20 (benefits Highline College Foundation)
• Friday Jan. 22
• Saturday Jan. 23
• Sunday Jan. 24
• Wed. Jan. 27 – TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
  
• Thursday Jan. 28 – TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
• Friday Jan. 29 – SOLD OUT!
• Saturday Jan. 30 – SOLD OUT!
• Sunday Jan. 31 – SOLD OUT!

Tickets are just $20, and include the play, hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting by E.B. Foote.

You can purchase them at the winery (127-B SW 153rd in Burien; 206-242-3852), at CorkyCellars in Des Moines (206-824-9462) or online here.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• And Now, Our Actual Reviewer Reviews “Snowbound”
• Non-Reviewer Doesn’t Review Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”
• PHOTOS: Behind-The-Scenes Peak At Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”
• The Pass May Be Closed, But Tickets Are Now On Sale For Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”

by Gina Bourdage

Set in the familiar location of Snoqualmie Pass, an unlikely group of travelers find themselves trapped by the snow-closed passes in “Snowbound,” which opens Friday, Jan. 15th at BTB Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery.

In the solitude of a quaint local inn, each guest is faced with conflicting personal struggles, not only with themselves but with the other guests as well. Learning that the local sheriff (a guy reminiscent of Barney Fife, played by Scott Green) is looking for an escaped convict only adds to their heightened sense of self preservation and sends each person seeking answers about who they can trust and what they are really looking for.

The cast of this Breeders Theater production showcases an array of experienced talent, all of whom holds your attention and keeps you guessing. Each actor brings a unique perspective to their role, including:

• Binky (played by Brenan Grant) the “emo” young man who relishes in his own misery.
• Lovely (played by Teresa Widner) whose out of control hormones seem to be too much for even her to handle at times let alone her trail of conquests.
• Ike (played by Martin J. Mackenzie) the innkeeper who had such a convincing of role of the friendly small town fellow whose trustworthy and friendly nature draws people to him.
• Glenda (played by Kelly Johnson), Binky’s mother, shows hints of a 50s sitcom housewife whose traditional values are challenged by raising a rebellious young man.
• Hank Thompson (played by Andrew Smith) the seemingly sincere, reliable and at times dryly sarcastic chef finds himself thrown into uncomfortable positions of his fellow traveler’s dilemmas.
• The young couple “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (played by Stephen Scheide and Laura Smith) who find themselves in a suspicious bind that even they are unsure of how to resolve.

Each guest is presented with the overwhelming concern of not only wanting to avoid an encounter with the escaped convict, they have to question; could the convict be among them? Distracted by only their own egotistical veils, each person reveals humorous and deeper struggles among each other.

While I found each performance to be well played, I struggled with the level of general air-headedness that most of the women and at times the men possessed. Being confused is one thing, but as the script rolled along the naivety prevailed leaving me to question the characters’ intended intelligence.

The lack of an actual set was at first distracting for me; however the actors/characters got and kept my attention quickly enough for me to get past it. The theater in the round, or more like “audience as bookends,” might be new for some viewers, but brings a complete perspective to the show and allows you to see each scene as if you were actually there.

All in all this TM Sell play directed by Michael Brunk was humorous, charming and engaging while bringing a level of the traditional whodunnit to an unsuspecting ending that I can only say was jarringly layered and thought-provoking.

I would recommend not missing this performance of “Snowbound,” especially for Alfred Hitchcock and Twilight Zone fans, as the references are abundant…just be sure to bring a coat.

No, seriously – it can get a little chilly at E.B. Foote Winery this time of year.

Tickets are $20, and include the play, hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting by E.B. Foote.

You can purchase them at the winery (127-B SW 153rd in Burien; 206-242-3852), at CorkyCellars in Des Moines (206-824-9462) or online here.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Non-Reviewer Doesn’t Review Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”
• PHOTOS: Behind-The-Scenes Peak At Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”
• The Pass May Be Closed, But Tickets Are Now On Sale For Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”

by Mark Neuman

We had a regularly scheduled staff meeting at The B-Town Blog’s dorm room-like offices Wednesday morning, where a non-regularly scheduled question was asked.

“Hey Neuman. Can you do a review of the dress rehearsal of the comedy ‘Snowbound’ at E.B. Foote Winery (BTB Advertiser) tonight?”

“Well, uh, I’ve never actually reviewed an actual play before,” I stammered.

“Good,” said Blog Editor Scott Schaefer. “I’ll expect your review in the morning.”

Great. What do I do now?

Honesty is the best policy I reminded myself, so hours before I arrived at the winery, home of many Breeder Theater’s productions over the past several years, I “pre-wrote” my opening review paragraphs, which I now present, for the reader’s approval:

In the spirit of full disclosure it should be noted that, first of all, in addition to never having reviewed a play before, I met ‘Snowbound’s’ author, playwright T.M. Sell, almost a third of a century ago, while hanging out at the Highline Community College newsroom, where my pals would, late at night, put the school newspaper, The Thunderword, to bed, as they say in the biz.

Second, I intended the above paragraph to be as run-on-ish as it appears.

Third, I was lucky enough to have made the pleasant acquaintance of ‘Snowbound’s’ director, Michael Brunk, last year. He is a brilliant Photographer, and we work together with Schaefer on the blog.

Michael’s skill with the camera is amazing. He reaches the summit on his photographic mountain climbs so amazingly frequently that we blog staffers just stare skyward and declare: ‘Good Brunksmanship!’

And fourth, speaking of E.B. Foote Winery, I actually know THE E.B. Foote. The Footes were among my best friends growing up, going way back to first grade. Chris Foote and I visited his parents as they were just finishing building out their first winery, in South Park, also about a third of a century ago.

Okay. Full disclosure is out of the way.

At the winery Wednesday night, minutes before the house lights did what house lights do just before a play is about to start, I looked over and Thank Goodness there was my blog colleague Gina Bourdage, with her friend Jack, who reminds one of a quiet and calm Jack Black.

“I’ll be doing the review of the play tonight,” said Gina, confidently. Wisely, Schaefer had recalculated the assignment.

“And I’ll just tell the story of a Regular Joe such as myself who never sees theater,” I responded.

“Fine,” smiled Gina as she and Mr. Black moved on.

Relieved, to say the least, that Ms. Bourdage would handle the rough stuff, I felt free to muse over and note such things as the jar full of multicolored M&M’s at the table of hors d’oeuvres.

“M&M’s at the hors d’oeuvres table!” I said to myself, because, well, no one else was within earshot. “Clearly Sell’s and Brunk’s contracts demanded the confection. And just as clearly, the winery refused to be limited to just one color, Led Zeppelin style. Or was it The Who? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Well, anyway.”

Gina will provide details of the play under a different headline, but let me give you a thumbnail of “Snowbound”:

Dean Martin plays an airline pilot who has an affair with a beautiful flight attendant, played by Jacqueline Bisset…

Then…oops, sorry…those are my notes from the first film I reviewed, “Airport,” for the Lafayette Elementary School Gazette back in 1970.

Let’s see here. Lemme get a little better organized. Okay. Here we go:

“Snowbound” is a mirthful production that concerns a group of unique personalities stuck in a lodge near the pass, just off I-90, in a wicked snow storm. The roads are all closed for the foreseeable future. And wouldn’t you know it? An inmate has escaped from the state pen in Monroe. A killer, perhaps? Is he among those stuck in the lodge?

What will T.M Sell think of next? See the play (it starts this Friday, Jan. 15th), and find out. It’s terrific, especially for the $20 price, which includes wine tastings, hors d’ouevres and of course, a great and entertaining play chock full of lots of Sellishness and Brunksmanship (you can buy tickets online here).

Stage Manager, Andrew Pogue, when asked before the show what advice he gives to anyone about to stage manage their first play, said: “Don’t start out with ‘Annie.’ And use checklists. Lots and lots of checklists.”

When asked after the dress rehearsal by this reporter what advice he had for anyone wanting to write their first play, T.M. Sell said “Know what you want to write, and stick with it. The initial writing part is relatively easy. It’s the rewriting process that can be difficult.”

He then said “Now Neuman, please go away and don’t contact me again for another third of a century.” (Just kidding, folks.)

Nancy Warren arranged the music and sang beautifully. Word is that regular Breeder Theater goers complain if Nancy does not sing somewhere during a performance.

An audience member, who I will refer to as “Becky” because, well, her name IS Becky, said “Of the four Breeder Theater plays I’ve seen, ‘Snowbound’ is the funniest. I laughed repeatedly.”

Kelly Johnson, who plays Glenda, the mother of Binky, has been acting since childhood. She has advice for prospective actors about to read for their first part: “Go bravely,” said the auburn beauty.

Go, ready to enjoy yourself, to “Snowbound.” I heartily recommend it. It runs through January 31st.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• PHOTOS: Behind-The-Scenes Peak At Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”
• The Pass May Be Closed, But Tickets Are Now On Sale For Breeders Theater’s “Snowbound”

Story & Photos by Michael Brunk

Coming soon to Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery is Breeder Theater’s latest production: “Snowbound,” which opens Friday, Jan. 15th

Written by local playwright T.M. Sell, the story is set at a lodge in the Washington mountains. As winter snows block the passes stranding the guests, the local sheriff stops by with troubling news about an escaped convict:

• Could one of the guests be the suspected killer?
• Can any of them really be trusted?
• And just how many references to Alfred Hitchcock titles are in the show anyway?

The cast and crew have been hard at work since the end of November preparing the show for its debut on January 15th. The process includes extensive scene rehearsals as actors work with the director and stage manager to refine their movements on stage, their characterization and the all-import line memorization. In collaboration with the author, the script is also put through a final scrubbing as it is finalized for the show. The schedule for “Snowbound” was especially challenging logistically with interruptions for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

All of the hard work will soon pay off as the production concludes the final technical rehearsals this coming week and is finally performed in front of a live audience. This is the part that makes the effort worthwhile, as the audience feedback lets the cast know how well they’ve done their job.

“Snowbound” is directed by The B-Town Blog’s own Michael Brunk with music by Nancy Warren. The stage manager is Andrew Pogue. The cast includes Andrew Smith, Laura Smith, Teresa Widner, Steve Scheide, Kelly Johnson, Scott Green, Martin J. McKenzie and Brenan Grant.

The show will open on January 15th and run through January 31st with twelve performances. Show times are 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. In addition there are 7pm performances on the 20th, 27th and 28th.

Here’s the schedule:

• Friday Jan. 15
• Saturday Jan. 16
• Sunday Jan. 17
• *Wed. Jan. 20 (benefits Highline College Foundation)
• Friday Jan. 22
• Saturday Jan. 23
• Sunday Jan. 24
• Wed. Jan. 27
• Thursday Jan. 28
• Friday Jan. 29
• Saturday Jan. 30
• Sunday Jan. 31

*Jan. 20 show benefits Highline College Foundation

Tickets are just $20, and include the play, hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting by E.B. Foote. You can purchase them at the winery (206-242-3582) and also at Corky Cellars in Des Moines (206-824-9462).

For more information please visit www.breederstheater.com.

For more info on E.B. Foote Winery, their website is here.

And of course, since “Snowbound” is Directed by Photographer Michael Brunk, you know we just have to include his Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

by Gina Bourdage

Wizards, Witches, Demons, a Princess and a King. Lies, deceit, greed, ignorance and kidnapping…yes “The Last Magician” has it all. An important story which begs each viewer to consider in their own terms the potential consequences of the impact they have on situations they may have been too naïve to realize, begging the question:

What would you give up if you could save the world?

Taking a deep subject matter, adding a twist of humor with pop musical numbers interjected gives light to subject matter that could otherwise be taken as mundane.

The Breeders Theater’s production at TM Sell’s play at E.B. Foote Winery has found a way to reach out through a not only entertaining but skilled cast to tell a story of what is being called an “environmental parable about sacrifice and responsibility.”

Each cast member brings a quite unique perspective to the characters, including local references…they were actually able to seamlessly improv a Mariners score update for those of us who missed the game attending the matinee. The King, a strong and noble man (played by The B-Town Blog’s Photog Michael Brunk), the “silly” wizard (J Howard Boyd), a loveable yet wise centerpiece, even demons both friendly and intimidatingly strong to fight for a cause.

The cast also features:

• Adrienne Grieco
• Eric Hartley
• Steve Scheide
• Nathan Hicks
• Laura Smith
• Brenan Grant
• Doug Knoop
• Kelly Johnson
• Pamela Mohn

The show is directed and choreographed by Teresa Widner, with music by Nancy Warren and costumes by Melissa Sell.

If you’re of legal age, accompanying the performance you will receive six wine tastings courtesy E.B. Foote, along with hors d’oeuvres, all for $20.

Please note that there is a special discounted price of just $15 for the Wed., July 22nd and Thurs., July 23rd shows!

The setting for the play is in the charming, working (which means the temp is cool) wine cellar and performed in the round for the audience.

Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7pm. Sunday shows start at 2pm and the doors open at 1:30pm.

E.B. Foote Winery is located at 127-B SW 153rd Street in downtown Burien.

Tickets are available at the winery, 206-242-3852 and at Corky Cellars, 22511 Marine View Drive, Des Moines 206-824-9462.

For more information please visit www.breederstheater.com.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the cast in action:

Click to View Slideshow

We’d like to part the curtains and reveal our latest Advertiser: Breeders Theater’s “The Last Magician,” a musical comedy that starts this Friday, July 10th at E.B. Foote Winery (at a bargain price of just $20, which includes the play, wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres).

This will be the company’s 16th production at the winery, following on the heels of its critically acclaimed winter show, “Prairie Heart.”

“Prairie Heart was reality, and this is fantasy,” says local playwright T.M. Sell. “It’s a parable, and it will be interesting to see what people take away from it.

“It’s an idea I’ve had for a long time, but I couldn’t write it until I really knew what it was about,” Sell says. “I hope it works in multiple levels.”

The show is directed and choreographed by Teresa Widner, with music by Nancy Warren and costumes by Melissa Sell.

The cast features:

• Adrienne Grieco
• Eric Hartley
• J Howard Boyd
• Steve Scheide
• Nathan Hicks
• Laura Smith
• Brenan Grant
• Doug Knoop
• Kelly Johnson
• Michael Brunk
• Pamela Mohn

Show dates at E.B. Foote Winery are:

• July 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 24, 26

Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7pm. Sunday shows start at 2pm and the doors open at 1:30pm.

Performances will be at E.B. Foote Winery, which is located at 127-B SW 153rd Street in downtown Burien. The show includes tasting of E.B. Foote’s award-winning wines and hors d’oeuvres, still for only $20.

Tickets are available at the winery, 206-242-3852 and at Corky Cellars, 22511 Marine View Drive, Des Moines 206-824-9462.

FEATURED PERFORMER:
J Howard Boyd

J Howard Boyd has been with Breeders Theater almost from the very start — in a staged reading of Malpygion/Piglet at Highline College in 2000.

Since then, he has appeared in Waiting for Merlot; Murder in the Newsroom; Piglet; Arctic Jack Klondike; both episodes of Justin Time, Space Commander; Love’s Painful Itch; Truffles Chantrelle and the Curse of the Singing Mummy; Viva Zavada!; Soap Bubble; Grape Expectations; Out of the Nest; Crazy/Naked; and Prairie Heart.

In addition, he directed Justin Time 2.0; Truffles Chantrelle; Rescues, Inc.; Viva Zavada!; and Grape Expectations.

Boyd first met BT founder T.M. Sell in playwriting class at Western Washington University.

“Howard was the guy everybody wanted to read their work,” Sell recalls. “He had game.”

Some years later, they reconnected through a mutual friend, and when BT was founded, TMS thought of Howard immediately.

“I’m a fourth generation entertainer. I first set foot on stage at the tender age of 5 years as Astayanax in The Trojan Women (and I’ve been dying on stage ever since),” Boyd says.

“God gave me talent and blessed me with a family that nurtured it. It is my duty to use that talent in service to God and community. Art, in all its many variations, is an essential component to human existence. I am not very good at creating art from nothing, but I hope I can play a small part in bringing art into the world as an interpreter through acting, directing and singing.”

Favorite roles over his long career include Allan in Play it Again, Sam; Otto von Bruno in Bullshot Crummond; Doc in Come Back, Little Sheba; Rev. Cannon Chasuble in The Importance of Being Ernest; and Maj. Gen. Stanley in Pirates of Penzance.

Favorite parts for BT have included the other Carbuncle from the Justin Time saga; Scottie the Pressman in Murder in the Newsroom; “the many roles I played in Crazy/Naked;” and Cacciatorre in Out of the Nest.

“And most recently, I am really having fun with Silly Sylvanus in The Last Magician,” Boyd says.

Boyd says the positive experience of working with BT keeps him coming back.

“I like TM and Nancy a lot. They are good people, and I like working with them. I am very impressed that they have been able to make a go of this crazy business we call ‘Show’ without losing their house, day jobs or marriage,” Boyd says.

“Nine years ago they decided to see if they could find a way to showcase TM’s plays, and nearly a decade later they, with the generous assistance of Sherrill at E.B. Foote Winery, have established a well-loved community event in beautiful Burien.”

Please note: to keep ticket prices at an affordable $20, Breeders Theater does not accept credit cards. You can reserve tickets with a credit card, but you will need to pay by cash or check at the door. If you have to charge your credit card, there is a $5 fee per ticket. Otherwise, they do not take credit cards at the door.

Remember, E.B. Foote is a working winery. In winter, that means dress warmly, but in summer, it means think layers. It can get pretty warm in the winery, as we have to turn the air conditioning off during the show (or you wouldn’t be able to hear the actors).

“We’re always thinking ahead, and we’re already thinking about the winter 2010 show. Tentatively, we’ll be doing Snowbound,” Sell said. “It’s a mystery set at a snowed-in inn in the Cascade Mountains. We’ve already had one read-through, and the cast had a lot of suggestions, so there’s some more work to be done.”

For more information on The Last Magician, including where and how to buy tickets, please click here.

Tickets are now on sale for Breeders Theater’s next show, “The Last Magician,” which starts at 7pm Friday, July 10th and continues through July 26th at E.B. Foote Winery, located at 127-B SW 153rd in Burien.

“The Last Magician” was written by prolific local playwright TM Sell, with music by Nancy Warren, direction by Teresa Widner, costumes by “Magical” Melissa Sell, and starring J Howard Boyd, Eric Hartley, Michael Brunk (yes, our Photog is in this!), Nathan Hicks, Kelly Johnson, Adrienne Grieco, Steve Scheide and Brenan Grant.

According to Mr. Sell, “It’s either an environmental parable or another bit of fun with music: You decide.”

Tickets are still just $20 and include hors d’oeuvres and wine tastings, and are available at E.B. Foote Winery or at CorkyCellars in Des Moines.

Showtimes are:

• Friday July 10 at 7pm
• Saturday July 11th at 7pm
• Wednesday July 15 at 7pm
• Friday July 17 at 7pm
• Saturday July 18 at 7pm
• Wednesday July 22 at 7pm
• Thursday July 23 at 7pm
• Friday July 24 at 7pm
• Saturday July 25 at 7pm
• And matinees on Sunday July 19 and Sunday July 26 at 2 p.m.

More information available at the Breeders Theater website.

Harald (Steve Scheide) dances with Ingrid (Adrienne Grieco) in Prairie Heart, which opens at E.B. Foote Winery Friday, Jan. 16th.

Ingrid (Adrienne Grieco) and Anders (Eric Hartley) dance in Prairie Heart.

Prairie Heart Director Alan Wilkie.

BTB Advertiser “Prairie Heart,” an original musical comedy by area Playwright TM Sell, opens Friday night, Jan. 16th at Burien’s E.B. Foote Winery, with doors opening at 6:30pm and the show starting at 7pm.

Tickets are just $20 per person and include wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and the play.

The winery will be chilly so dress warmly and casually.

Tickets are available at E.B. Foote Winery and at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive, Des Moines; phone: 206-824-9462. Visit the winery or call for tickets, 206-242-3852 or check out breederstheater.com.

Tickets can also be ordered online at E.B. Foote’s “Current Releases” page here, and Sherrill will call you to confirm a date and other details (credit cards accepted with a $5 fee per ticket OR your credit card can guarantee the tickets, and you can pay at the door with cash or check.)

The B-Town Blog is proud to welcome our latest Advertiser: Breeders Theater’s “Prairie Heart,” a new romantic comedy playing at E.B. Foote Winery starting Jan. 16th!

Love blooms unexpectedly in “Prairie Heart,” written by local Playwright T.M. Sell. The plot revolves around Scandinavian pioneers in North Dakota in the 1890s.

“That’s about the time my great-grandparents homesteaded there,” says Sell.  “The story is based on the kinds of stories their descendants used to talk about when I was a kid.  But I think it’s an immigrant experience that a lot of people will be able to relate to.”

The show is directed by Alan Wilkie with music by Nancy Warren, choreography by Teresa Widner and costumes by Melissa Sell.

The cast features:

• Adrienne Grieco
• Luke Amundson
• Eric Hartley
• Melissa Grinley
• J Howard Boyd
• Steve Scheide
• Melissa Malloy

Show dates are:

• Friday, Jan. 16
• Saturday, Jan. 17
• Sunday, Jan. 18
• Wednesday, Jan. 21
• Friday, Jan. 23
• Saturday, Jan. 24
• Sunday, Jan. 25
• Wednesday, Jan. 28
• Thursday, Jan. 29
• Friday, Jan. 30
• Saturday, Jan. 31
• Sunday, Feb. 1st

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday performances, doors open at 6:30pm, and the show starts at 7pm.

Sunday shows start at 2pm and the doors open at 1:30pm.

The annual “Escape from Super Bowl Sunday” show is Sunday, Feb. 1 and starts at 1pm.

Proceeds from the Jan. 29 show go to benefit the Highline College Foundation.

Each performance includes tasting of E.B. Foote’s award winning wines and hors d’oeurves, still for only $20.

Tickets are $20 per person and include wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and the play. The winery will be chilly so dress warmly and casually.  Tickets are available at E.B. Foote Winery and at Corky Cellars, located at 22511 Marine View Drive, Des Moines; phone: 206-824-9462. Visit the winery or call for tickets, 206-242-3852 or check out breederstheater.com.

Tickets can also be ordered online at E.B. Foote’s “Current Releases” page here, and Sherrill will call you to confirm a date and other details (credit cards accepted with a $5 fee per ticket OR your credit card can guarantee the tickets, and you can pay at the door with cash or check.)

For more information, contact T.M. Sell at breederstheater@aol.com.

And now, a quick Q & A with T.M. Sell:

Q: What is “Prairie Heart” about?
A: “Prairie Heart” is about Scandinavian immigrant farmers in North Dakota in the 1890s.  From what I’ve heard and read, life was a bit of challenge then, so it’s about what people went through when they got there.  It’s also about the difficulty of romantic life.

Q: How is this different or similar to your previous work?
A: It’s similar in that there’s romance; it’s different in that there’s no mutant aliens, no talking animals, no gods descending from heaven; just fairly normal folks trying to get through life.  But I hope it’s still funny.

Q: Why 1890s in North Dakota?
A: That’s where my great-grandparents homesteaded, near Minot.  We visited there this summer, and it was very interesting.   So parts of the story is based on their stories.

Q: Are there any parallels to modern-day life in the general Burien area?
A: At some level all of our ancestors were immigrants who went through some struggles to get there.  And at some level, most of us have struggled with romance and relationships and trying to figure how to say the right thing to the right person, while hoping that he or she doesn’t laugh in your face.

Q: Tell us about your cast.
A: Luke Amundson plays Ole, a bachelor farmer; he played Tom Monroe in Crazy/Naked last year.  Adrienne Grieco plays Ingrid, a young woman who ends up alone and basically penniless in his town.  Eric Hartley and Melissa Grinley play a more settled, successful farm couple; Steve Scheide plays another young man who is interested in Ingrid; J Howard Boyd plays a narrator who helps explain the story as it unfolds.   It’s a very strong cast and I feel very lucky to get work with them all once again.

Q: I understand you’re doing a benefit show – details please?
A: Jan. 29 is our annual fundraiser for an arts scholarship that we created at Highline College.  We’ve been able to help a dozen students with tuition assistance in the eight years we’ve been doing the scholarship.

Q: Let’s talk about the important stuff now – the wine – what’s on tap for this production? And do the cast members get to imbibe during the show?
A: Sherrill will be tasting six wines, featuring her reds, of course.  I can’t speak for how medicated the cast might be for a show, but they do tend to take their work very seriously.

Q: As 2009 begins, do you have any predictions for Readers of the B-Town Blog?
A: More crazy weather; more timely local news; perhaps more awareness that we really do live in a very nice part of town.

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Coriander, a “spicy little parable about policy” opens next Friday (July 11th) at E.B. Foote Winery (a BTB Advertiser), located at 127-B SW 153rd in downtown Burien.

From their press release:

A tunnel?  A surface street?  A bridge?

Watch the Gods and the Greeks debate policy in Coriander

BURIEN — Breeders Theater offers a spicy little tale about urban policy in its new show, Coriander. 

In the ancient Greek city-state of Aurora, where the living is above-average and housing prices are high, they might need a road to open up some new land.  The road would have to pass through the Garden of the Oracle, raising the ire of people of faith.  Meanwhile, some folks favor a surface street; some a tunnel; and some a bridge. 

In the middle of this is Coriander, chief administrator of the government, caught between the factions (including Tentacles, the developer, and the passionate radical Antagone), angry Gods, and the city council, led by Dimes, Draco and Ricotta, who are deep in the land of process.   And wither old King Freon?

The script and lyrics of Coriander are by T.M. Sell, with music by Nancy Warren.  Martin J. Mackenzie directs, with choreography by Teresa Widner and costumes by Melissa Sell.

Scott Green stars as Coriander, with Eric Hartley, Doug Knoop, Steve Scheide, Adrienne Grieco, Melissa Malloy, Julie Wenzel, Marianne Everett, Steve Coffey, Amber Rack, Jackie Graybill and Mark Wenzel.

The show will be at E.B. Foote Winery in Burien, 127B SW 153rd St.

The show runs July 11-12, 16, 18-20, 23-27.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with show time at 7 p.m., and 1:30/2 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 and 27. 

Tickets are still only $20, which includes wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres.

Visit the winery or call for tickets: 206-242-3852 or check out breederstheater.com. (Credit cards accepted with a $5 fee per ticket OR your credit card can guarantee the tickets, and you can pay at the door with cash or check.)

Here’s a Q&A with Coriander’s prolific local Playwright TM Sell, who also serves as a Professor of Journalism and Political Science at Highline Community College:

Q: Why is your new play named after a spice? Will you be serving any cilantro during the play (cilantro is derived from Coriander)?

A: As often happens, I start with a title.  I can’t tell you why.  I like good titles, not that mine are.  Then I see what’s either going on in the world, or something that’s been bugging me, and try see where the title gets me to saying something about that topic.  Coriander sounds like an old Greek name, and the Greeks were one of the inventors of theater, so that gave me a way of creating a situation that, as it turns out, has parallels to ours.

Q: What is Coriander about?

A: This play is about a couple of things: the public policy process and the nature of religion.  Politics and religion are two of my favorite subjects, which most people don’t want to talk about.  So if I get them to laugh, perhaps they’ll think about it a little more.

In the Ancient Greek city-state of Aurora, a developer wants to put a road to some fresh land for more housing, and Aurora, as the most desirable place in Ancient Greece in which to live, is short of housing.  But the road will go through the Garden of the Oracle, a disused but very holy site.  And in Aurora, that means you need a hearing, and public debate, and a lot of process.  In the middle of this is Coriander, a civil servant and a virtuous man, caught between various factions within the city and the city council.  Meanwhile the Gods are deciding whether to intervene.

Q: Any parallels to the “real world” to this topic?

A: Very strong parallels between our own political process, and the attitudes of some people about the world and how it should be.

Q: Any parallels to the “old Greek” drama world to this?

A: We do have a Geek chorus, though I haven’t used it quite like the Greeks would have.

Q: Was there ever a viaduct in Greece?

A: No, but the Romans built a lot of aqueducts.

Q: Talk about your writing process – how do you come up with story ideas? How do you then go about writing an entire play? How many drafts before you’re happy? Does anyone review/edit your work? etc.

A: The first thing I need is an idea.  Then I make notes about the plot.  When I’ve got that figured out, and if I have uninterrupted time, I just start writing.  I get pretty deep into that process, and I really enjoy it.  The first draft won’t take more than three or four days.  I then have to go over it a few more times, with less major surgery on each succeeding draft.  And then we read it, and members of the company make comments.  And even then, in the rehearsal process, people will think of things they like or that don’t make sense, or I’ll hear a line that’s just wooden or a joke that gets in the way, and revisions happen.

Q: You seem to be a very prolific writer – how many plays a year do you churn out?

A: Two a year.

Q: In April, we posted an audition notice for Coriander – how did the auditions go? Anyone new/interesting? Anything unusual?

A: Auditions are always odd and interesting.  You never know who will show up.  We didn’t get many men this time, but we got some very good women, and we did OK in filling what we needed filled.  Most of the company are people who have worked with BT before, and it helps to know somebody to get in.  Group chemistry is very important.  We don’t make enough money to deal with people who are high maintenance.

Q: Will the alleged, impending recession affect theaters? Why/why not?

A: Spending on entertainment is discretionary spending, so yes, of course, that makes it harder to sell tickets.  But I think we tend to fall into the category of an affordable luxury, and at $20 the tickets are cheap enough.  Also, the economy in King County is so far in much better shape than it is in other places.

Q: Should people bring jackets to EB Foote or will it not be so cold this time?

A: The winery has air conditioning for summer, which gets turned off during the show.  So it should be fairly comfortable.

Q: On a more important note, what is your take on the B-Town Blog’s progress and rising popularity?

A: Are you getting lots of traffic?  Then there’s room for more venues for information.  That’s the good news.  The other news is, in my limited understanding, if finding a way to make internet information sites profitable.  At least your costs are lower than those of a full-fledged newspaper.

This Reporter previously enjoyed a wonderfully fulfilling and entertaining “cheap date” out for TM Sell’s previous play Crazy/Naked, held at E.B. Foote last fall. We recommend it highly.

E.B. Foote Winery is located at 127-B SW 153rd in downtown Burien:

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Tickets are now available for the upcoming Breeders Theater production of an original TM Sell musical play Coriander, which opens at the E.B. Foote Winery in Burien on Friday July 11th:

According to our friend, the talented playwright Dr. T.M. Sell:

In the ancient Greek city-state of Aurora, where the living is above-average and housing prices are high, they might need a road to open up some new land.  The road would have to pass through the Garden of the Oracle, raising the ire of people of faith.

Meanwhile, some folks favor a surface street; some a tunnel; and some a bridge.

In the middle of this is Coriander, chief administrator of the government, caught between the factions (including Tentacles, the developer, and the passionate radical Antagone), angry Gods, and the city council, led by Dimes, Draco and Ricotta, who are deep in the land of process.  

And wither old King Freon?

The script and lyrics of Coriander are by T.M. Sell, with music by Nancy Warren.  Martin J. Mackenzie directs, with choreography by Teresa Widner and costumes by Melissa Sell.

The cast includes:

• Scott Green as Coriander
• Eric Hartley
• Doug Knoop
• Steve Scheide
• Adrienne Grieco
• Melissa Malloy
• Julie Wenzel
• Marianne Everett
• Steve Coffey
• Amber Rack
• Jackie Graybill
• Mark Wenzel

Coriander will play at E.B. Foote Winery in Burien, which is located downstairs at 127B SW 153rd Street. Keep in mind that this is a working winery, so despite the warm July weather, you might want to bring a light jacket or sweater.

The show runs July 11-12, 16, 18-20, 23-27.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with showtime at 7 p.m., and 1:30/2 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 and 27.

Tickets are still only $20, which includes wine tasting and hors d’oeurves [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a bonafide bargain folks – great humorous, musical entertainment, snacks and outstanding locally-produced wine...for $20 dolla? Get outta town! Okay don't do that since that'd mean you'd miss this event...].

Tickets are available at the E.B. Foote Winery: (206) 242-3852, and at Corky Cellars in Des Moines, 22511 Marine View Dr. South: (206) 824-9462.

More info at the Breeders Theater website.

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Breeders Theater will hold auditions for its summer show, Coriander, a new play by TM Sell, with music by Nancy Warren, on Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at E.B. Foote Winery, 127B SW 153rd St., Burien.

Roles are available for adult men and women.

Please bring a short, comic monologue, but dress comfortably, as this is a working winery.