Our Big Picture High School intern, Bryan Charles, has created another Flash-animated movie trailer in his ongoing “3 Frog Bros.” series.

As we mentioned before, Bryan is a budding young artist/animator, has a passion for comics, cartoons and humor, and his storytelling and Flash skills are coming along quite well.

Here’s what he has to say about this week’s “3 Frog Bros. Movie Trailer 3,” for which he does all the writing, animation and editing, in, as he says, “over 43,000 frames of animation”:

“This is the second to final trailer for my fantastic Flash movie, which has been 95% scripted and planned out.

I hope this trailer will tide my fans over…”

- Bryan Charles
Writer/Animator/Actor

To see more of Bryan’s work, click here.

by Shawn Underwood

While working on a humorous story the other night I received a text:

Lori: “ru walking the c2c tomorrow” (In text speak=”Are you walking the Cove to Clover race tomorrow?”)

Me: “Forgot all about it. What time?” (Notice my perfect punctuation, unlike my friend’s…)

I won’t bore you with the details of the 22 text messages discussing the C2C race. Why we didn’t just call each other is beyond me, because I’m really super slow at texting. I can just imagine Lori looking at her cell phone impatiently and wondering about the ten minutes between each text.

Next order of business—my Cove to Clover race day attire. Something green, comfortable, and zany, because since I certainly won’t be fast, I may as well be fun.

Tom, my husband and our chauffeur dropped us off near the top of Snake Hill. Mr. Big and Mr. Small (sporting their green scarves) yapped and marked everything in sight and checked several ‘pee-mails’ for good measure. Neither of us wanted to fight the crowds (or walk down, then up Snake Hill) so we started walking and talking. Less than 50 feet into our walk (we’re in the enviable position of first place because the race hasn’t actually started), and I notice my hand is bleeding. I’m not kidding. Fortunately the medic truck is right in front of us. Lori watches as Mr. Big and Mr. Small take advantage of the situation and tangle their leashes. Perhaps Lori will fall over the tangled leashes and scrape her knee. She is looking rather envious of all the attention I am receiving from Mr. Handsome—the medic.

Another 50 feet puts us in front of the first drink stop. Naturally, we’re their first customers because the real runners have yet to make it up Snake Hill. At this point my dear friend is becoming rather exasperated with my slow pace, although I assure her I’m just getting into my rhythm. We’ve just reached a perfect walking synchronicity when shouts alert us to the first runner.

And then he’s gone. We barely had time to dash to the side of the road before he breezed past us. I must say his outfit was rather brief but then maybe real runners actually need to dress light in order to run faster. I wouldn’t know but I’m pretty sure my yellow and green lady bug top would hamper my running ability. And need I say—it was so hard to focus on the task at hand—walking, when there were distractions everywhere.

Young folk, old folk, stroller baby folk, big dogs, small dogs, costumed dogs, you name it, they were all there. All 950 of them, running for a charitable cause. Last year it rained costumed cats and dogs and the run was still a huge success.

Burien has come a long way in the 20 years that I’ve lived here. You can call it Beercan or B-Town. I call it home.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We’d like to extend a hearty “cngrts” (Text Speak for “Congratulations”) to Shawn, who will be releasing her first book this spring, called “Mommy Are we French Yet?“

We’ll be posting more on this exciting news, but for now here’s a blurb on it:

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country for a year with your children, in Mommy, Are We French Yet? you will discover that it is not an insurmountable task.  But it’s made doubly rewarding when the day-to-day chores and challenges are approached with humor. Shawn Underwood moved her family, her husband and three kids along with her sister’s family, to the south of France to experience the joys and frustrations of living abroad first hand.

Whether running headlong into the language barrier, where faux pas are a given and the best way to communicate is with a smile or just trying to shop at the local market, keeping a sense of humor is the key to overseas success!  As she and her extended family travel in France and throughout Europe and Egypt among other countries, they learned that being a good ambassador for your country is worth its weight in gold.  Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions!

Come along with Shawn and her family as they learn to embrace the local culture, even if it means eating pig intestines or trying to cook turkey American style.  Whatever happens, the chocolate is sublime in any language!

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

Our intern, Bryan Charles, of Big Picture High School, has created another Flash-animated cartoon in his “3 Frog Bros.” series.

As we mentioned before, Bryan is a budding young artist, has a passion for comics, cartoons and humor, and his Flash skills are growing quite rapidly.

Here’s what he has to say about this week’s “3 Frog Bros.,“:

“Good news from the Frog Brothers universe!!

After a recent hard drive failure, lots of animation is being redone, this however does mean quality is at a minimal compared to the originals, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be as awesomely funny and epic, so to show you what I’ve recently achieved, here is a preview of the 3 Frog Brothers Movie in high definition!!”

- Bryan Charles
Writer/Animator/Actor

To see more of Bryan’s work, click here.

Burien Little Theatre has teamed up with local business The Jungle Gym to offer a “Kids Night Out” on Friday, March 5th so parents can easily attend a performance of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

“Midsummer” is Arne Zaslove’s 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which continues at BLT through Sunday, March 21st (read our previous coverage here).

According to a press release:

Want a night at the theater and can’t find a babysitter? Problem solved! The Jungle Gym has teamed up with Burien Little Theatre to offer a “Kids Night Out” in conjunction with the theater’s performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream on Friday, March 5.

On March 5 before the show drop the kids off for 3 hours of free play, games, snacks and a movie! The Jungle Gym is located at 191 S.W. 152nd Alley, Burien, WA 98166 and the cost is $25 per child from 7:45-11:00 p.m. This place is full of fun and exciting things for kids ages 3 and up to do, like the zip line, tumble track trampoline with pit, beams, bars and much more!  Reservations are required, and kids must be potty-trained to attend.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is set in a gymnasium at Athens High School on graduation day 1957, and in a neighboring forest. A group of magical fairies intervene and meddle with the lives of two young couples for whom “the course of true love never did run smooth.” A live band and rockin’ tunes make this a treat for all ages!

Show dates & times:

• Feb. 26 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• Feb. 27 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• Feb. 28 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 5 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• March 6 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• March 7 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 12 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• March 13 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• March 14 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 19 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• March 20 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• March 21 at 2:00 p.m.  Sunday Matinee

For $25 per child parents get a three-hour break so they can have a date night to see a great, funny play – to reserve a space at The Jungle Gym on the evening of March 5, call 206-248-3547.

For tickets to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream, go to wwww.burienlittletheatre.com or call (206) 242-5180.

Burien Little Theatre’s classic, 50s-themed rockin’ version of Arne Zaslove’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” continues at the Burien Community Center this weekend, with shows Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.

Tickets are $7-$20 online (click here to order) and $17-$20 at the box office, with the $10 student ticket price in effect until the end of the month.

The show runs through Sunday, March 21st.

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a video promo that shows off the production – check out the costumes, slicked back hair and big sideburns:

Read our previous coverage here.

by Shawn Underwood

Yes, it’s rainy.

Yes, the wind is howling and the 2010 Olympic flame is blowing sideways, leaving my umbrella to resemble a closed tulip, but the enthusiasm for the Olympic games is infectious.

The minute we stepped off the Skytrain we are greeted with a chorus of  welcomes.

“Good morning!” said one Mapleleaf-clad young woman.

“Good morning!!” said another.

“Good morning!!!” said a third.

Oh my gosh, I’ve got to move to this friendly city – I’ve already got three friends in less than one minute. Just think, by the time I get to my hotel, let’s say ten minutes or so – I’ll have 30 new friends. I did notice a lot of my new ‘friends’ were wearing bright green coats and badges.

Hmmm…

At our centrally-located hotel, Rosedale on Robson in Vancouver BC, the staff personnel practically fall over each other with their welcomes. I love this place. I can’t wait to tell my old college friend, Deb, how much I love her country. Deb moved here 20+ years ago and never left. She probably has loads of friends.

The phone rings five minutes after we settle into our room.

“I’m downstairs,” said my old friend (what, no “Good morning!”? So much for a friendly country…).

I quickly put on some lipstick and run downstairs.

“Damn girl, you look the same as you did in college!” I said.

Waiting, waiting, waiting for similar reply. Guess I’m not looking as fresh as I thought. Oh well, things could be worse.

“Deb, everyone here is soooo dang friendly.”

“Oh yeah, we’ve been barraged with public announcements before the Olympics – stuff like, ‘remember you are a representative of Canada, go out of your way to be friendly.’”

I’m rather deflated by this statement. Maybe I don’t have quite so many friends as I imagined. Maybe they are paid to be nice!

“What about all the people in green jackets?” I ask.

“Oh, those are volunteers, they don’t get paid unless their empolyers pay for their time off to help with the Olympics,” she said as we walked towards the waterfront to see our first ever ‘live in person’ Olympic flame.

Sunday–we hope to be first in line at The Bay department store–the only place in Vancouver which sells Olympic souvenirs. The line was three blocks long today. I don’t want the popular mapleleaf mittens that bad.

Monday–Off to Cypress to watch Tom’s relative, Nate Holland, a “five-pete” X Games champion.

Hopefully I’ll be wearing my new souvenir mapleleaf mittens – you know, the kind that make you smile and say “GOOD MORNING!!!!”?

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

Although the high school setting may be different than what you remember from the William Shakespeare classic, the story remains the same; and once the 1950s music kicks in, Burien Little Theatre’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” really rocks.

“Midsummer” kicks off spring with the right note in Burien Little Theatre’s 2009-2010 “escape” themed season. The classic romantic Shakespeare comedy is retold in a musical adapted by renowned Seattle actor/director Arne Zaslove, and featuring 1950s rock and roll.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens at Burien Little Theatre on Friday, Feb. 12th, and will run through March 21st. Tickets are $7-$20 online and $17-$20 at the box office.

During the month of February all student tickets are available for $10, thanks to a grant from the City of Burien (read our previous coverage here).

In addition, Burien Little Theatre will be hosting free bonus readings of Donald Margulies’ Dinner with Friends, a bittersweet comedy about marriage, during the run.

A performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices is available at www.burienlittletheatre.com or call the ticket office at 206-242-5180.

The Story and Production
Arne Zaslove opens his 1950s rock and roll adaptation of the Bard’s classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the gymnasium of Athens High School, on graduation day, 1957. This comedy of magic potions, misled lovers and mistaken identities works well in Zaslove’s high school setting, complete with toe-tapping, finger-snapping numbers from the 1950s that include “Don’t Be Cruel,” “I Will Follow Him,” and Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender,” among others.

Updated in 2008, Zasloves’ seamless adaptation from Shakespeare’s timeless setting to the more contemporary 1950s allows the audience to experience the characters in familiar roles. In Zaslove’s version, Theseus is the mature high school principal and the lovely Hippolyta is the friendly and well liked drama/gym teacher. Lysander, the hero, is described as “Mister Popularity,” and Hermia is cute, the quintessential homecoming queen. There’s also a knockout, a charmer, a clown: all characters familiar in every high school yearbook. The score, sung by the characters, allows them to tell the story in a contemporary, upbeat way, in a language the audience can relate to – rock ’n’ roll.

Since its premiere in 1968 when Zaslove was teaching theater classes at the University of Washington, this musical version of A Midsummer’s Night Dream has offered audiences a unique, current staging of one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. And, as Lysander so aptly states in the play, while “the course of true love never did run smooth,” in this adaptation it never sounded better!

The Cast
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is directed by Maggie Larrick and features the diverse acting talents of:

• Claire Fernandez (Starveling/Fairy Mustardseed)
• Toni Guidry (Helena)
• Kris Hambrick (Puck)
• Russ Kay (Peter Quince/Egeus)
• John Mallory (Demetrius)
• Kate Moyer (Titania)
• Jennifer Pierce (Snug the Joiner/Fairy Peasblossom)
• Lynne Randall (Hermia)
• Kevin Schilling (Francis Flute)
• Caleb Slavens (Lysander)
• Sara Sorden (Snout/Fairy Cobweb)
• Don Speirs (Nick Bottom)
• James “Tuq” Tucker (Theseus)
• Brad Walker (Oberon)
• Laura York (Hippolyta)

Free readings of Dinner with Friends
During the run of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Burien Little Theater will also host free Saturday afternoon readings of Dinner with Friends, a bittersweet comedy about marriage, fidelity, infidelity and friendship written by Donald Margulies. Please join Burien Little Theatre at 2 pm on the following Saturdays to enjoy this unique opportunity:

• Feb. 20
• March 6
• March 20

About Burien Little Theatre
Exciting live theater has been a tradition in Burien since 1955. Incorporated in 1980, Burien Little Theatre (BLT) has been a leading producer of quality live theater serving residents of the Seattle and south Puget Sound areas.

Burien Little Theatre is committed to being an entertainment leader by producing intriguing professional shows. The company’s mission is to treat audiences to productions of the highest artistic integrity that excite, engage and involve both the local and expanding theatrical communities in the Puget Sound region.

BLT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity and operates on revenue from ticket sales, donations, grants, sponsorships and volunteers.

Schedule for A Midsummer Night’s Dream:

• February 12 at 8:00 p.m. Friday – Opening Night – Let’s HOP!
• February 13 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• February 14 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee - $7 Dollar Sunday
• February 19 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• February 20 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• February 21 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• February 26 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• February 27 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• February 28 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• March 5 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• March 6 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• March 7 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• March 12 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• March 13 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• March 14 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• March 19 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• March 20 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• March 21 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee – It’s dawn and the dream is over – although you are still humming the tunes!

Theater Location:

The Theater at the Burien Community Center Building
425 SW 144th Street
Burien, WA 98166-1545
(206) 242-5180

The Community Center is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of 4th Avenue Southwest and Southwest 146th Street in Burien.
Directions available at www.burienlittletheatre.com.

Ticket Prices & Packages:

ONLINE TICKET PRICES: 
Purchase online and save!

• General Senior/Student
First Weekend:        $16.00        $13.00
Middle Weekends:        $18.00        $15.00
Last Weekend:        $20.00        $17.00
• TICKETS AT THE BOX OFFICE: 

                General        Senior/Student 
All Shows:            $20.00        $17.00
• Special Discount: During the month of February, Student Tickets are just $10 (City of Burien Grant)
• NEW THIS SEASON: SEVEN DOLLAR SUNDAY 
The first Sunday Matinee of every run is just $7.00!
• PLAY with YOUR FOOD DINNER PACKAGE: This package includes a two-course meal at Mark Restaurant & Bar plus a ticket to the show; cost is $35 per person.

To Purchase Tickets:

• Show tickets may be purchased online at www.burienlittletheatre.com or call 206-242-5180.
• Fabulous Four-Packs are available for the 2009-2010 Season!

During the month of February, all students are eligible for reduced ticket prices of just $10 for Burien Little Theatre’s production of Arne Zaslove’s 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Recently the City of Burien and the Arts Commission awarded Burien Little Theatre a grant, which will be used to reduce student ticket prices during the first three weeks of BLT’s latest show. Students can expect to pay just $10 per ticket on the weekends of Feb. 12-14; Feb.19- 21; and Feb. 26-28 (in March student ticket prices go back up to $17 at the door.)

Last fall, BLT applied for and received a 2010 Arts & Culture grant worth $20,000 from the City of Burien.

From the city’s website:

“The purpose of the City’s Arts and Culture Fund is to support both arts and heritage organizations as well as artists who will enhance cultural opportunities for City residents while also attracting regional artists and audiences that can contribute to Burien’s identity as an arts and culture-oriented City.”

Burien Little Theatre applied for funding for its production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This musical comedy with a live rock n’ roll band and 22 fun songs from the 50s is blast for the whole family. No student should miss this very accessible version of a classic romantic comedy!

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is set in a 1950s gymnasium at Athens High School on graduation day 1957, and in a neighboring forest. A group of magical fairies intervene and meddle with the lives of two young couples for whom “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Botched love spells, hilarious characters and 1950s rock ‘n’ roll make this show a treat for young and old, those in love and those between love.

Midsummer opens Feb. 12th and runs through March 21st. Shows are Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

Show Dates & Times:

• February 12 at 8:00 p.m.     Friday
• February 13 at 8:00 p.m.     Saturday
• February 14 at 2:00 p.m.     Sunday Matinee - Seven Dollar Sunday
• February 19 at 8:00 p.m.    Friday
• February 20 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• February 21 at 2:00 p.m.    Sunday Matinee
• February 26 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• February 27 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• February 28 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 5 at 8:00 p.m.          Friday
• March 6 at 8:00 p.m.          Saturday
• March 7 at 2:00 p.m.          Sunday Matinee
• March 12 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• March 13 at 8:00 p.m.        Saturday
• March 14 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee
• March 19 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• March 20 at 8:00 p.m.       Saturday
• March 21 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee

Email or call for a reservation at tickets@burienlittletheatre.org, or via phone at (206) 242-5180.

For more information about BLT please visit www.burienlittletheatre.com.

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”

Our intern, Bryan Charles, of Big Picture High School has created another cartoon in his “3 Frog Bros.” series.

As we mentioned before, Bryan is a budding young artist, and has a passion for comics, cartoons and even creating his own Flash animations (some of which you’ll be seeing here very soon).

He also has a twisted sense of humor and a sharp observational eye, and here’s this week’s “3 Frog Bros.,“:

To see more of Bryan’s work, click here.

Just in Time for Valentine’s Day fun, and priced at an affordable $14 (for two!), Burien Little Theatre presents Arne Zaslove’s 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll musical romantic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Here’s more info from a press release:

This Valentine’s Day do something exciting for your sweetheart and take your honey to a matinee at the Burien Little Theatre for just $14. That’s right, Feb. 14, St. Valentine’s Day, is “Seven Dollar Sunday” at BLT! That means all tickets are just $7 on Feb. 14: Better live theater at a low low price. Add dinner after the show with The Mark Restaurant and Bar’s dinner and a show package, and you have a complete Valentine’s Day event for two for just $54. Valentine’s Day simply can’t get any sweeter. So get out your poodle skirt, find your rotary phone, call up your sweetheart and make a date for Feb. 14th. But hurry, Seven Dollar Sunday is always a sellout and when it falls on St. Valentine’s Day, tickets will be gone before you can eat a box of chocolates.

Directed by Burien Little Theatre’s own Maggie Larrick, this Midsummer will have you singing along with star-crossed lovers during this romantic comedy from Feb. 12 through Mar. 21.

“It’s the most approachable of Shakespeare’s shows,” said Larrick. “And the musical numbers in each scene really tell the story.”

The play is set in a 1950s gymnasium at Athens High School on graduation day 1957, and in a neighboring forest. A group of magical fairies intervene and meddle with the lives of two young copuples for whom “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Botched love spells, hilarious characters and 1950’s rock ‘n’ roll make this show a treat for young and old, those in love and those between love.

Midsummer opens February 12 and runs through March 21. Shows are Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

Show Dates & Times:

• February 12 at 8:00 p.m.    Friday
• February 13 at 8:00 p.m.    Saturday
• February 14 at 2:00 p.m.    Sunday Matinee - Seven Dollar Sunday
• February 19 at 8:00 p.m.    Friday
• February 20 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• February 21 at 2:00 p.m.    Sunday Matinee
• February 26 at 8:00 p.m.   Friday
• February 27 at 8:00 p.m.   Saturday
• February 28 at 2:00 p.m.   Sunday Matinee
• March 5 at 8:00 p.m.          Friday
• March 6 at 8:00 p.m.          Saturday
• March 7 at 2:00 p.m.          Sunday Matinee
• March 12 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• March 13 at 8:00 p.m.        Saturday
• March 14 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee
• March 19 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• March 20 at 8:00 p.m.       Saturday
• March 21 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee

Tickets are available online at www.burienlittletheatre.com, by email at tickets@burienlittletheatre.org or by phone at (206) 242-5180.

For more information about BLT, please visit www.burienlittletheatre.com.

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”

by Theresa Frasch

I emailed the link from The B-Town blog to my friend Pam a few days ago and said, “You are the only one I know that would do this with me. Want to?” After a little cajoling and the promise of boxers, she and her daughter agreed.

We were in the first group to get on the light rail. Everybody was assigned different stops to “de-pant.” We were stop number two. There were two guys sitting in our section looking very nervous. One of them said to the other, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to do this.” I asked which stop they were and he said, “Two.” “Well, so are we – so we’ll all do it at the same time. Remember, when the doors close”

At stop number two we were prepared. Just as the doors were closing and we were preparing to de-pant we heard a lady walking toward us. She was saying, “That is highly inappropriate.” She walked through our car repeating that phrase as we were taking our pants off. Guy number two lost his nerve! He regained it at stop number three with a little help from his new found friends.

All five of us got off at the Beacon Hill stop to mix it up a little and wait for the next train. That was pretty safe – it was underground. Then we got off at Columbia City – out in the real world, but still pretty protected. The ultimate test was the Rainier Beach stop – right in the middle of the street, nowhere to hide, traffic coming from both directions.

The train was rolling to a stop. We girls said we were going to do it. The guys said they weren’t. I told them they’d regret it if they didn’t. “Next year,” they said. The doors opened. “Come on,” I said. They protested. Finally I grabbed one and just pulled him out the door with us and the other one followed. We had so much fun watching the passersby faces! When we got back on for our final destination our new friends thanked us for “making” them go with us.

Thanks to Emerald City Improv for giving us such a good laugh and a chance to have some fun.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of Sunday’s “No Pants!” pics, taken by various Flickr Photogs:

Click to View Photo Slideshow

Here’s a video from today’s “No Pants!” Subway ride in NYC:

Read our other coverage here.

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

Sometimes when we hear about a comedy idea that’s as brilliant and hi-flippin-larious as this, we just have to post it and encourage all our Readers (or at least the ones with an actual sense of humor) to participate – we’re talking of course about the first annual “No Pants! Link Light Rail Ride” which is coming to our area this Sunday, Jan. 10th from Noon – 3pm.

The “No Pants!” idea comes from a group in New York City called “Improv Everywhere,” which puts on a “No Pants! Subway Ride” there every January. And now it’s coming to the northwest.

Ironically, or perhaps by design, this first annual pantsless event will also serve as a Seattle Singles Meet-Up. What better way to meet someone new than whilst riding pantsless on our new transportation service?

To participate, it’s quite simple – just show up on Sound Transit’s new Link Light Rail system between Noon and 3pm on Sunday, Jan. 10th. Have your pants on if you’re there early, then simply take them off while you’re riding, all the while keeping a straight face and acting like nothing’s different.

There’s a Facebook Page set up for the event here (thanks Julie Bradley for the link!).

Here are videos of the last two years of the “No Pants!” prank NYC that will give you a better idea of what to expect:

More details:

WHAT: Emerald City Improv invites you to participate in our first annual “No Pants Seattle! Light Rail Ride.”

WHEN: This SUNDAY, JANUARY 10th, from Noon – 3pm.

WHERE: Most participants will start in Downtown Seattle (most likely the Westlake Station), then ride Link Light Rail to SeaTac and back; we suggest that you board either at the Tukwila Station (which has parking) or the new SeaTac/Airport Station and ride roundtrip, thus boosting their original group.

COST: No fee other than a roundtrip ticket on Link Light Rail, which is $5.00; okay, the other cost may be your dignity, but it’s all in the name of senseless entertainment, which the world certainly needs more of…

INFO: From the Seattle Singles Meetup Group website:

Tell and invite your friends!! We want this to be epic!

Every January, Improv Everywhere in New York stages their annual “No Pants! Subway Ride.” Cities around the globe participate.

This year, Emerald City Improv in Seattle invites you to participate in our first annual “No Pants Seattle! Light Rail Ride.”

This event will occur SUNDAY, JANUARY 10th, from 12:00- 3:00.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

1. Willing to take pants off on light rail
2. Able to keep a straight face about it

WHERE TO MEET:
Meet at the plaza at 4th Ave and Pine St, across from Westlake Center, at noon.

Oh, and if you do participate, please take pics (and/or video) and email us about your experience!

The B-Town Blog’s “B-Town Breakdown With Amy Bouska” video this week features a rather unique interview with Burien’s own Manuela Horn, known to many as the 6′2″ “Yodeling Dominatrix” who got das boot from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” last summer.

Manuela’s also a professional actress and multi-talented performer who has done gigs not only for local events like Burien’s own Oktoberfest, Brat Trot, but Seattle’s Teatro Zinzanni, Yahoo in New York City and many others.

She’s also a Mom (!) and lives in Burien (!!), and here’s the interview:

From her website:

The Yodeling Dominatrix’ name is “Hildegard van Schlag.” She stands 6 foot 10 inches tall and dominates her subjects with yodeling. Unfortunately her dungeon is completely full and has no availability for new subjects (so sorry). “Hildegard van Schlag”, is available to reign over special events as imported royalty or MC and loves subduing audiences with a 15-minute set of earbending yodels. Her list of requirements is extensively extreme. If you think you have a community worthy of her attention or want to invite her to an event she will happily send two of her minions to inspect it.

Here are some other vids of Manuela:

“Whipping Bells” by the Yodeling Dominatrix:

Beer Drinking Song at Oktoberfest:

Manuela Horn at Teatro Zinzanni:

If you’d like to book Manuela for a holiday party, email her here.

Read our previous coverage of Manuela here.

View Amy’s previous “B-Town Breakdown,” a video interview with local artist Rebecca Miller here.

We’re proud of our latest Intern, Bryan Charles of Big Picture High School, who’s not only learning new things about storytelling, but has been teaching himself Flash and making numerous animations, all based around his original “3 Frog Bros” cartoon.

Here’s his latest creation, “3 Frog Bros Episode 5” in which the Frog Bros have a close encounter of the strange, and oftentimes funny, kind (keep in mind that he drew and animated this entire thing himself, with the only help coming from friends doing voices):

Have a cartoon idea for Bryan? Email him here!

Our good friends at Burien Little Theatre have sent us this video promo for their campy, kitschy production of “Christmas With The Crawfords,” which opened Friday, Nov. 27th, and continues through Dec. 20th (see the full schedule here, including how to buy tickets online).

If you don’t know already, the synopsis of “Christmas With The Crawfords” is:

Featuring Hollywood’s most famous dysfunctional family, this musical comedy pays tribute to and parodies Tinseltown’s “Golden Age.”

To revive her ailing career, Joan Crawford arranges a live radio broadcast in her home on Christmas Eve, 1944, but uninvited celebrity guests hog the spotlight to sing their Holiday favorites.

A surprise hit since 1992.

Here’s the video:

A few months ago, The B-Town Blog posted a request from the Burien Little Theatre for a baby grand piano to be used on stage for “Christmas with the Crawfords,” the campy new musical comedy that opens this Friday, Nov. 27th.

BLT had four people kindly offer their baby grand, and thanks to BTB Reader Kathy Reed, on Monday, Nov. 23rd, her piano was delivered. BLT of course paid for professionals to move the piano in and back out, and BLT will have the piano tuned now that it is in the theater space and again when the piano gives up the stage and returns home.

“This is the first time in BLT’s 29 seasons that a baby grand has graced the stage,” said Eric Dickman, Artistic Director. “We are all very excited.”

Ann Sager, the music director for “Christmas with the Crawfords,” who will play the piano during the run of the show says, “Since the first day of rehearsal I have been looking forward to sitting down at the baby grand and playing my heart out for the audience.”

Managing Director Maggie Larrick adds: “This is Joan Crawford’s house on Christmas eve 1944.  Joan would not have a lowly upright.  The script called for a baby grand, and thanks to our supporters we have a baby grand on stage.”

“Christmas with the Crawfords” opens this Friday, Nov. 27th, and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm.

For ticket information, show times and dates, click here.

To purchase tickets quickly and securely online, click here.

DON’T FORGET there are FREE readings of “a Christmas Story” at 2 pm this Saturday, Nov. 28th, as well as Dec.12th.  That’s right, FREE readings!

Breeders Theater’s newest production is “Snowbound,” where the pass is closed (both ways), and the guy in the next room might be a killer.

Written by local playwright T.M. Sell, Directed by BTB Photographer Michael Brunk, with music by Nancy Warren, Breeders’ latest comedy premieres Friday, Jan. 15th at E.B. Foote Winery in Burien.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Snowbound. The pass is closed. Both ways. And the guy in the next room might be a killer.

WHEN: Premieres Friday, Jan. 15th; Doors open Fri/Sat/Wed/Thur at 6:30 p.m./show starts at 7 p.m.; 1:30 p.m./2 p.m. Sundays:

• 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

WHERE: E.B. Foote Winery, 127-B SW 153rd St., Burien 206-242-3852

INFO: Written by T.M. Sell. Music by Nancy Warren. Directed by BTB Photographer Michael Brunk.

TICKETS: Just $20, including hors d’oeuvres and tasting of E.B. Foote wines.

Tickets available at E.B. Foote Winery (127-B SW 153rd St., Burien; 206-242-3852) and at CorkyCellars (22511 Marine View Dr., Des Moines; 206-824-9462)

More information available at www.breederstheater.com.

Payment options: Cash, check, or credit card* (*Credit cards accepted with a $5 fee per ticket in addition to the $20 ticket price.
OR 
Your credit card can guarantee the tickets, and you can pay at the door with cash or a check.  
If your card is charged, you will be charged a $5 fee per ticket in addition to the $20 ticket price).

Tickets available:

• E.B. Foote Winery
  127-B SW 153rd St.
  Burien, WA
  206-242-3852
• Corky Cellars
  22511 Marine View Drive
  Des Moines, WA
  206-824-9462

Refund policy: No refunds. Exchanges on availability for the run.

by Shawn Underwood

I’m a procrastinator.

I won’t ask for a show of hands from people who have the same problem because, well first of all I can’t see your hands because I’m here in my son’s room—recently converted to an office until said son returns from college and all Hell breaks loose, because I’m using his room.

As I was saying before I started going off track with the converted office bit—I have no doubt there would be a sea of procrastinating hands, too numerous to count.

For instance, who has yet to take down their Halloween decorations?

Today as I drove around the neighborhood (putting off writing yet another revision for my editor of a ‘grabber’ beginning for my book), I noticed numerous pumpkins with barely recognizable faces, long overdue for the yard recycle or where ever dead pumpkins go after the holidays. Strings of orange Halloween twinkle lights festooned some trees and even some Jack o’ Lantern pumpkin lights still dangled on a charming white fence.

You know who you are!

A picture says a thousand words but my daughter, Leslie said. “Mom, I don’t think everyone else thinks leftover Halloween displays are as funny as you do. I don’t think you should take a picture. What if something happened in the family and they haven’t had time to take down the displays or what if they are on vacation?” Her list went on and on until even I felt guilty for my paparazzi-like behavior. So no pics but like I said—you know who you are!

It’s possible orange twinkly lights can linger through Thanksgiving but the pumpkin lights have got to go—pronto. Now I’ve got to go trash my own pumpkins which still sit on my porch, and then of course there’s the scarecrows . . .

On a final note. I can’t resist a cupcake. Have a look:

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

“Christmas with the Crawfords,” Burien Little Theatre’s holiday production, begins Nov. 27th, and it sounds hilarious – imagine actress Joan Crawford and other assorted (yet highly dysfunctional) Hollywood celebrity guests stuck at Crawford’s home on Christmas Eve doing a radio show.

Now throw in men in drag, funny original music, a great cast and the fact that it’s local and you’ve got this show.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Christmas With The Crawfords” musical comedy

WHEN: Begins Nov. 27th and continues through Dec. 20th; 12 shows total so you’d better order tickets soon!

• November 27 at 8:00 p.m.     Friday
• November 28 at 8:00 p.m.     Saturday
• November 29 at 2:00 p.m.     Sunday Matinee -  $7 Sunday
• December 4 at 8:00 p.m.        Friday
• December 5 at 8:00 p.m.        Saturday
• December 6 at 2:00 p.m.        Sunday Matinee
• December 11 at 8:00 p.m.      Friday
• December 12 at 8:00 p.m.      Saturday
• December 13 at 2:00 p.m.      Sunday Matinee
• December 18 at 8:00 p.m.      Friday
• December 19 at 8:00 p.m.      Saturday
• December 20 at 2:00 p.m.     Sunday Matinee

WHERE: Burien Little Theatre, located at the Burien Community Center at the intersection of 4th SW and SW 146th.

INFO: Here’s copy from the BLT press release:

Featuring Hollywood’s most famous dysfunctional family, this musical comedy pays tribute to and parodies Tinseltown’s “Golden Age.”

To revive her ailing career, Joan Crawford arranges a live radio broadcast in her home on Christmas Eve, 1944, but uninvited celebrity guests hog the spotlight to sing their Holiday favorites.

Ticket prices are $20 general admission and $17 for students and seniors.

Click here to order tickets, which are priced better online.

On Sunday, Nov. 29th all tickets are just $7 – but hurry, these tickets sell out fast!

On a personal note, this show was created by Richard Winchester and written by Mark Sargent.

Waaay back in the ’80s, Sargent was lead singer in a campy Seattle band called Mondo Vita. We were big fans of ‘em, and once we saw his name attached to this show we just had to re-live those days – here’s the only video from them we could find, and while Sargent doesn’t sing the lead, he’s the shorter backup singer:

It appears that Sargent continues to do camp, as between writing plays, he’s also the lead singer for The Ethel Merman Experience in San Francisco.

This is the absolute last weekend of “Psycho Beach Party” at Burien Little Theatre, and here are the Top 10 Reasons not to miss “Psycho Beach Party” during its last weekend:

10. Once the tide comes in the beach is gone forever.

9. Let me get this straight – “Psycho,” “Beach” and “Party” with girls in bikinis and buff surf bums and you haven’t seen it yet?

8. The party is nothing without you.

7. Years from now when your grandkids ask, “Did you see get to see ‘Psycho Beach Party’ live?” What will you tell them?

6. Anyone in a Hawaiian shirt gets a free item from concessions.

5. 54 degrees and rain or escape to sunny California for a few hours without having to deal with TSA.

4. Laughter is the best medicine for SADS.

3. The woodie is gassed up and packed, but you can still catch a wave this weekend.

2. All good things must end, and “Psycho Beach Party” must end November 1.

And the number 1 reason to see “Psycho Beach Party” at Burien Little Theatre during its final weekend:

1. Night of the dead or a beach party – Dude, think about it!

No, this list didn’t come from Letterman, as he was “too busy with an assistant”…but here are the Top 10 Reasons to see “Psycho Beach Party” at Burien Little Theatre this weekend:

10. Everyone deserves a little Escape this time of year.

9. Everyone cool is doing it.

8. Plenty of free parking.

7. Talk amongst yourselves. I’ll give you a topic. Psycho Beach Party, it’s neither Psycho, nor a Beach, nor a Party. Discuss.

6. The lighter side of mental health awareness!

5. Girls in Bikinis.

4. See what everyone is talking about!

3. Because “Wicked” already closed.

2. It’s better live theater!

And the #1 reason to see “Psycho Beach Party” at Burien Little Theatre this weekend:

1. They can’t have the Party without You!

Here are the showtimes for this weekend – and remember, you can purchase tickets easily online by clicking here:

• Friday, Oct. 9th – 8pm
• Saturday, Oct. 10th – 8pm [BONUS at 2pm FREE presentation of “Two Wheels North” in conjunction with Book-It Repertory Theater and Highline Historical Society]
• Sunday, Oct. 11th – 2pm Matinee

More info, as well as other showtimes, are available here.

Burien Little Theatre’s latest production, “Psycho Beach Party,” opens this Friday night Oct. 2nd at 8pm at the Burien Community Center, and below are photos taken of a recent rehearsal to give you an idea of what to expect (just be sure to mentally add costumes, great music and a professional production):

Click to View Burien Little Theatre’s Photo Slideshow

“Psycho Beach Party” is described as:

“Gidget” meets “The Three Faces of Eve” in this 1987 comic send-up of those 1960s beach party movies.

Chicklet, a perky Malibu teenager, joins a group of beach bums to learn to surf.

Unfortunately, she has multiple personalities, including that of a sinister vamp out to conquer the world.

Welcome to Malibu Beach 1962 style on the set of Psycho Beach Party, the first play in Burien Little Theatre’s 2009-2010 “escape” themed season. Psycho Beach Party, written by Charles Busch, is a 1987 spoof of those popular and campy 1960s beach party movies. Busch’s send-up blends ”Gidget” with “The Three Faces of Eve” through the story of Chicklet, a perky Malibu teenager, who joins a group of beach bums to learn to surf. Unfortunately, Chicklet has multiple personalities, including that of a sinister vamp out to conquer the world. Watch out, the surf’s up!

Psycho Beach Party will run at BLT from Oct. 2 through Nov. 1. Tickets at the box office are $17 to$20, except on Seven Buck Sunday Oct. 4 when all tickets are just $7. Significant savings are available by buying online at www.burienlittletheatre.com. Shows are Fridays and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., except there will be no performance Oct. 16. As a special bonus, BLT will provide FREE readings on four Saturdays during the run. A full performance schedule is available at www.burienlittletheatre.com/page2.html.

The Story
Playing off the classic beach party theme – Psycho Beach Party features Chicklet, our heroine – a Gidget-like character who adores surfing and abandons her lifelong friend to take surfing lessons with the Great Kanaka, the king of the surf bums. But while she learns to surf odd things happen on the beach. People are knocked out and shaved, and not just their heads end up missing hair! Who wields the razor? And who is Ann Bowman, the seductive dominatrix? At the biggest party of the year, the luau, all is revealed. Join BLT and the fun-loving cast of Psycho Beach Party for bikinis, surfing and madcap mayhem.

The Author and Production
Charles Louis Busch, author of Psycho Beach Party, is an American actor, author, dramatist and female impersonator known for his many appearances on film and in off-Broadway productions. Busch was nominated for a Tony Award in 2001 for his play The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. Busch’s other awards include a Sundance Special Performance Award for Die, Mommie, Die, and in 2006 he won Honorable Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival for A Very Serious Person.

Psycho Beach Party was first performed in 1987, and featured the author in the title role of Chicklet. In 2000 the play was adapted for film by Robert Lee King, and featured Lauren Ambrose as Chicklet and Amy Adams in the role of Marvel Ann.

The Cast
Psycho Beach Party is directed by Zachariah Robinson, with Melissa Malloy as assistant director. The show features the comedic talents of:

• Adam Hegg (Yo Yo)
• Miranda Sita (Dee Dee)
• John Mallory (Nicky)
• Greg Brandell (Provoloney)
• Jon-Erik Hegstad (Start Cat)
• Kris Hamberg (Chicklet)
• Rhys Henley (Kanaka)
• Emily Elkins (Berdine)
• Jackie Greybill (Marvel Ann)
• Anna Richardson (Mrs. Forrest)
• Alex Novotny (Bettina Barnes)

BONUS – Special Performances:
During the run of Psycho Beach Party, Burien Little Theatre is proud to present three free Saturday afternoon readings of The Undescended, a new work by Christopher Bailey. This haunting psychological tale is full of twists and turns. Please join us at 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays to enjoy this unique opportunity: Oct. 3, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. There will be question-and-answer sessions with the author after the readings.

On Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m., Burien Little Theatre, in association with Book-It Repertory Theater and the Highline Historical Society will also host a free performance of the world-premiere adaptation of the book Two Wheels North, by Evelyn McDaniel Gibb. The story has been adapted for the stage and directed by Annie Lareau. Two Wheels North is a timely true tale of two young men and the cycling trek of a lifetime: it’s 1909 and roads are rough as they make their way from their home in Santa Rosa, Calif., to Seattle for the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition. A prize awaits, but the real reward is the adventure!

About Burien Little Theatre:
Theater has been a tradition in Burien since 1955. Incorporated in 1980, the Burien Little Theatre (BLT) has been a leading producer of quality live theater serving residents of the Seattle and south Puget Sound areas. As the company grows in exciting new directions right along with the City of Burien, Burien Little Theatre’s Mission is “to be an entertainment leader by producing intriguing professional shows. Our audience will be treated to productions of the highest artistic integrity, which excite, engage and involve both the local and expanding theatrical communities in the Puget Sound region.”

BLT is a nonprofit 501c3 entity and operates on revenue from ticket sales, donations, grants, sponsorships and volunteers.

To reserve tickets, email your reservation to tickets@burienlittletheatre.com, call BLT at (206) 242-5180, or purchase them online here. More ticket info available online here, including discounts on group purchase.

You can also “Play With Your Food” (dinner and a show) – for just $35.00 per person you get a fantastic two-course dinner that includes several choices for an entree and either salad or dessert at the Mark Restaurant and Bar and you get a ticket to that night’s performance! (You save on the price of dinner and on the ticket! Double the savings and enjoy a night out. You deserve it!) See BLT’s Play With Your Food web page for full details.

Parokya ni Edgar is considered the “Best Rock Band” in The Philippines, and they’re bringing their unique blend of hard rock, grunge and humor, along with “Kamikazee,” Seattle’s “Best Singer/Dancers” to Burien’s Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Oct. 3rd, starting at 7pm.

This will be a “Band Fiesta,” featuring Parokya ni Edgar & Kamikazee, and ticket prices range from $35, $50 and $75 (VIP).

And, according to their press, these guys were heavily influenced by Seattle bands Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, so a lot of their music will sound familiar to all you ex-grungers who call Burien your home.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Band Fiesta featuring Parokya ni Edgar & Kamikazee

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 3rd, starting at 7pm

WHERE: Highline Performing Arts Center, located at 401 South 152nd, next to Highline High School

TICKETS: $35, $50 and $75 (VIP), available at www.brownpapertickets.com or by phone at 1-800-838 3006.

INFO: “The most awaited and requested concert, Filipino Band Parokya ni Edgar & Kamikazee with extraordinary talent will keep U upbeat with OPM music. 1 night only LIVE in Seattle Burien!!!”

For more information call Ray or Elsa at 425-647-8471

From their MySpace page:

Ang Pambansang Banda ng Pilipinas Parokya ni Edgar is a bunch of guys, six to be exact, who unexpectedly find themselves in a proper band, with a proper recording contract with a proper record company (Universal Records), which gives them a proper”recording career”. Parokya ni Edgar is Chito Miranda and Vinci Montaner on vocals, Darius Semaña and Gabriel CheeKee on guitars, Buhawi Meneses on bass and Dindin Moreno on drums. But beneath the silly gags and the punchlines, the Parokya Band has matured musically. Chief lyricist and frontman Chito Miranda once declared: “Nagti-trip lang talaga kami, eh.” But by jokester/slacker standards, this band is already an overachievers: six albums with an endless string of hit singles (including one that inspired a movie), loads of music awards, and a fan base that extends all the way from Aparri to Tawi-Tawi. What could be a greater feat than have the whole country chanting: “Hoy-hoy-hoy-hoy-hoy-hoy!”? Countless Gold and Platinum Record Sales Awards, MTV Awards and Awit Awards trophies later, PnE is showing no signs of slowing down with their latest release Halina Sa Parokya . Like any other Parokya album; comic skits, spoofs and heaps of classic Parokya humor abound in Halina Sa Parokya. The idea for their album artwork was inspired partly by the Department of Tourism thrust to promote various tourist destinations and local festivities via their Wow Philippines campaign (if you can recall the TV advertisement which featured Regine Velasquez). The album was also inspired by both the popular children’s TV show Sesame Street and its local counterpart Batibot . Taking aloook at the album cover alone, you will laugh at the colorful characters Chito, Buwi, Vinci, Gab, Darious and Dindin portray! And surely, too, it will be more obvious to tell why Parokya ni Edgar has been dubbed as “Pambansang Banda ng Pilipinas.”

Other blurbs:

The band is best known for its novel rock songs which are often satirically twisted covers of popular songs. The music band has since experimented with musical styles of one song with another substituting alternative rock for pop rock, rapcore for funk and so on, much to the comic relief of their audience. They called themselves “Skembergs” at first, when their band consisted of three local vocalists- Gabrielle”Gab” Ignatius Chee-Kee, Alfonso Miranda “Chito” aka, Jr, Francis Vincent Montaner “Vinci”, and two guitarists, Jerick and Miko. They would practice after-school to perfect their talents in music before playing at the Eraserheads concert. The Eraserheads concert success propelled them to add a bassist and a drummer – Buhawi Meneses and Dindin Moreno and also rename the band as Parokya ni Edgar. The guitarists Jerick and Miko left the band after high school to take up other career interests. This paved the way for guitarist Darius Semaña to join the band.

Parokya ni Edgar (English translation: Parish of Edgar) is a Filipino band that was formed in 1993 by a group of Ateneo de Manila High School students. The band is famous and most lauded for its original rock novelty songs and often satirical covers of famous songs. The band has since transcended musical genres, varying styles from one song to another – alternative rock to pop rock, funk to rapcore, and so on – while providing comic relief to their listeners.

The band soon started playing at the legendary local band hub, Club Dredd. Coming out during the height of the Pinoy rock explosion, with the Filipino rock community giving in to the influence of especially grunge acts such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, Parokya ni Edgar played like no other. Their jokes, silly antics, and outrageous performances paved the way to the popularity that they currently enjoy.

Eventually, the late managing director of Universal Records, Bella Dy Tan, signed them as contract artists after witnessing one of their performances at Club Dredd. Soon their initial recordings such as Buloy, Trip and Lutong Bahay were heard across the nation. Their first album, Khangkhungkherrnitz became a triple platinum hit in the Philippines having sold 120,000 units. The other 3 albums include Buruguduystunstugudunstuy (triple platinum), Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow (gold), and Gulong Itlog Gulong (platinum).

Here are some videos of the band showcasing their wide range of music styles:

Parokya Ni Edgar featuring Kamikazee “Ordertaker” (this song appears to be about ordering food in a restaurant, it ROCKS, has had 905,148 views on Youtube; and after viewing you’ll be chanting “Waiter! Order!” over and over):

“Buloy“:

“Halaga”

For more info, check out their MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/parokyaniedgar

Burien Little Theatre has scheduled show dates and times for their upcoming comedy “Psycho Beach Party,” which has been described as:

“Gidget” meets “The Three Faces of Eve” in this 1987 comic send-up of those 1960s beach party movies.

Chicklet, a perky Malibu teenager, joins a group of beach bums to learn to surf.

Unfortunately, she has multiple personalities, including that of a sinister vamp out to conquer the world.

Here are the show dates and times:

• October 2 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• October 3 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – BONUS at 2:00 p.m a free reading of “The Undescended.”
• October 4 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee – Seven Dollar Sunday
• October 9 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• October 10 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – BONUS at 2:00 p.m. a free presentation of “Two Wheels North” in conjunction with Book-It Repertory Theater and Highline Historical Society
• October 11 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• October 16 at 8:00 p.m. Friday – NO SHOW TONIGHT
• October 17 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday
• October 18 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• October 23 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• October 24 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – BONUS at 2:00 p.m a free reading of “The Undescended.”
• October 25 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee
• October 30 at 8:00 p.m. Friday
• October 31 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday – BONUS at 2:00 p.m a free reading of “The Undescended.”
• November 1 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Matinee

Advance ticket prices:

• General Senior/Student
  • First weekend: $16.00 /  $13.00
  • Middle Weekends: $18.00 / $15.00
  • Last Weekend: $20.00 / $17.00
• TICKETS AT THE BOX OFFICE:
  • All shows: $20.00 / $17.00
• NEW THIS SEASON: $7 SUNDAY – The first Sunday Matinee of every run is just $7.00!!!

To reserve tickets, email your reservation to tickets@burienlittletheatre.com, call BLT at (206) 242-5180, or purchase them online here. More ticket info available online here, including discounts on group purchase.

You can also “Play With Your Food” (dinner and a show) – for just $35.00 per person you get a fantastic two-course dinner that includes several choices for an entree and either salad or dessert at the Mark Restaurant and Bar and you get a ticket to that night’s performance! (You save on the price of dinner and on the ticket! Double the savings and enjoy a night out. You deserve it!) See BLT’s Play With Your Food web page for full details.

As a recognized news organization, we here at The B-Town Blog get emails and press releases from all over the place, including a daily one called “What happened at the council?” (link here) from the King County Council.

Here’s an actual sentence that was included in Tuesday’s (Sept. 8th) update:

“Approved an ordinance implementing the District Court Redistricting Committee’s amendment to the districting plan implementing provisions to increase the number of judges in the District Court. (Ordinance 2009-0453)”

We’ve never been one to particularly enjoy politicspeak, and this here sentence will now go down as Exhibit A in our prosecution of the abuse of technical, wonky jargon usage.

Your witness.

by Shawn Underwood

I know I have written about swim meets previously, but the swim meet parents provide such incredible fodder that I simply cannot pass up this opportunity.

After my friends and I suffered through a very loooong swim meet at Normandy Park, our friendly announcer said we were in for a treat. What? It’s almost 10pm, and I’m about to turn into a frosty pumpkin. Swim meets really take it out of me.

The parents from Gregory Seahurst pool and the parents from the Normandy Park pool actually want to have their own college-daze swim relay. I simply can’t believe that any grownup with a lick of common sense would want to squeeze into a skin-tight Speedo, and jump into a barely-tepid pool. A humiliating event to be sure. Well, for me it would be mortifying, maybe not for these studly parents.

Men and women dashed about looking for swimsuits and goggles from the older kids. Believe it or not, a total of six relay teams quickly assembled. Twenty-four adults dawned tight-fitting swimsuits and just as quickly wrapped towels about themselves. As I watched a few floundering adults, I mentally prepared myself for a possible water rescue. The stroke and turn judge from Gregory Seahurst and his wife said they were actually looking forward to the race. So much so that, “the judge” squeezed into my sons size 28 speed suit. I am not kidding. The judge is a fit man, but my son’s suit is stinkin’ small!

As the teams begin to line up, the announcer from the other pool blusters through the microphone. “Wait, hold on, we have a ringer in lane three.” I guess he doesn’t abide by the rule we always tell our young children. “No one’s keeping score Kipper, the race is just for fun.”

BANG— the starter gun begins the race. The belly flops commenced, along with some expert dives. The sides of the pool can’t hold the immense overflow created from the tidal wave of dives. We are witness to a water-follies of sorts, and by far the best physical humor ever. I’m just glad it wasn’t me in the pool.

Tonight there are some story-worthy swimmers. One fellow in particular appears to be in need of rescue. He has that peculiar style I’ve observed with beginner swimmers. Stroke, glub, stroke, cough, stroke. He holds his head above the water as he makes a valiant effort at the freestyle stroke — and then he tried to do a flip turn. In my opinion, flip turns require acrobat-like skill. Claps for him. His flip turn looks very similar to mine — the body in a crooked position with legs kicking water all over the place. Sort of like an upside down fountain. My friend Susie, can’t contain her laughter, I myself am simply speechless. This swim-challenged participant is remarkable, and such a good sport. He was the “anchor” for his team — in hindsight, perhaps not a suitable position for his abilitites. I really feel for him, that could be me, if I were brave enough to participate and if the side-stroke was an option.

What ever happened to the old swim style of the “side-stroke?” Now that was a winner stroke. Effortless, you could keep your face out of the water as your legs preformed the scissor kick practically on their own.

Ahhhh, the good old days.

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

Burien Little Theatre is seeking adult actors to play characters ranging from age 2 to 49 (including some cross-dressers) to audition for the musical comedy “Christmas with the Crawfords” on Monday, Aug. 24th and Tuesday, Aug. 25th.

Auditions will be:

• Monday, Aug. 24 from 7pm to 10pm
• Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 7pm 10pm
• Callbacks are Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 7:30pm to 10:30pm

“Christmas with the Crawfords,” was created by Richard Winchester and written by Mark Sargent.

SYNOPSIS:

Featuring Hollywood’s most famous dysfunctional family, this musical comedy pays tribute to and parodies Tinseltown’s “Golden Age.” To revive her ailing career, Joan Crawford arranges a live radio broadcast in her home on Christmas Eve, 1944, but uninvited celebrity guests hog the spotlight to sing their holiday favorites. A surprise hit since 1992.

SCHEDULE:

• Performances will be at Burien Little Theatre in Burien weekends from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20, 2009.
• Rehearsals begin Sunday, Oct. 18.

Stage director is Steve Cooper and music director Ann Sager.

PAY:

• $100 stipend provided.

AUDITION DETAILS:

• For auditioning, please prepare two short contrasting songs (serious/comedy; ballad/patter) and a short comic monologue under two minutes long. Accompanist will be provided.
• Please also bring headshot and resume.
• Actors invited to callbacks will do cold readings from the script and working with music from the show.
• Please make an audition appointment: audition@burienlittletheatre.com or call Burien Little Theatre at 206-242-5180.

LOCATION:

• Auditions and callback will be in Studio 2 at the Burien Community Center, located at the intersection of S.W. 146th St. and 4th Ave. S.W. in Burien. For directions, go to www.burienlittletheatre.com.

CHARACTERS (*Note: Traditionally, many of these are cross-dressing roles, particularly Joan Crawford, but we are open to either gender):

• Joan Crawford – Traditionally, a gender-bending role, but we are open to either gender, age 39, famous movie star, desperate to revive her ailing career
• Christina Crawford – Female role, age 5 (but played by an adult), Joan’s daughter, actress and author, who became best known for writing “Mommie Dearest,” an expose of alleged child abuse by Joan Crawford
• Christopher Crawford – Male role, Joan’s son, age 2 (but played by an adult)
• Shirley Temple – Female role, age 16, famous movie star, she’s a sugar-coated tough cookie
• Jane Crawford – Female role, age 36, Joan’s “sister,” actually a younger version of Baby Jane as played by Bette Davis in “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”
• Andrews Sisters – famous singing trio who also appeared in several films
• Laverne – Female role, age 33
• Maxene – Female role, age 28
• Patty – Female role, age 26
• Hedda Hopper – Female role, age 59, film actress and famous Hollywood gossip columnist
• Judy Garland – Female role, age 22, famous movie star and singer
• Gloria Swanson – Female role, age 45, famous movie star on the downside of her career
• Hattie McDaniel – Female role, age 49, African-American signer and film actress, best known for her role as Mammie in the film “Gone with the Wind”
• Carmen Miranda – Female role, age 35, Portuguese-born Brazilian samba singer and famous star of stage and screen
• Ethel Merman – Female role, age 36, famous stage actress

And while we’re not in charge of these auditions, we’d recommend NOT bringing any wire hangers…ever!

Burien’s Hi-Liners are presenting “Thoroughly Modern Millie” beginning with special weekend “preview” shows Sept. 12th & 13th at Renton’s Carco Theater, then continuing for the two weekends of September 19th/20th and Sept. 26th/27th at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 South 152nd Street.

What do you do after a show like Peter Pan? That was the sixty-four dollar question for The Hi-Liners and their Artistic Director Kathleen Edwards.

“Every year our big fall MainStage show is the highlight of our season. After “flying” Peter Pan all over the Highline Performing Arts Center last year, we were not sure how we were going to top a show like that. Thoroughly Modern Millie is a “newer” Broadway musical that we believe will challenge our kids and our organization to keep moving forward, in other words, just the show we are looking for!”

Taking Broadway by storm in 2002, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is based on the Oscar-winning film starring Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore. This romantic musical is filled with tremendous dancing that captures the style and mood of the roaring twenties. Bring your tap shoes and tap back to Manhattan at the height of the Jazz Age when women were just beginning to enter the workforce, raising their hemlines and rewriting the rules of love.

This feel good performance directed by Kathleen Edwards and choreographed by Taryn Darr, (most recently seen in the 5th Avenue Theater’s production of “Catch Me If You Can”) will have you humming “everything today is thoroughly modern” for weeks!

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” will have a special “preview” weekend performance at the Renton Carco Theater on September 12th and 13th, then will play for just two more weekends – September 19, 20, 26 & 27 at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 South 152nd Street, Burien.

SNEAK PREVIEWS:

• Saturday, Sept. 12 – 7:30pm Renton Carco Theatre
• Sunday, Sept. 13 – 1:30pm Renton Carco Theatre

MAIN PERFORMANCES:

• Saturday, Sept. 19 – 7:30pm Highline PAC
• Sunday, Sept. 20 – 1:30pm Highline PAC
• Saturday, Sept. 26 – 7:30pm Highline PAC
• Sunday, Sept. 27 – 1:30pm Highline PAC

And here’s a special offer from the Hi-Liners:

Introducing, our best discount ticket offer ever… Millie Madness Pricing!
Purchase 4 or more tickets and receive $5.5 off per ticket!
Purchase 12 or more tickets and receive $7.5 off per ticket!
Purchase 20 or more tickets and receive $10 off per ticket!
(discount pricing valid for Highline Performing Arts Center performances only)
Click HERE to purchase tickets!

For tickets and information please visit www.hi-liners.org or phone 206-617-2152.

The Hi-Liners MainStage produces two major Broadway musicals each year featuring a live orchestra and high-end production values. Students ages 9-22 participate in a rigorous audition and rehearsal process based on the Actors Equity Association model. Members of the cast are mentored and supported by local professionals in all fields of the theatre arts. In these productions we strive to meet the highest artistic standards in every way, and to provide our young actors with a truly memorable, quality experience. The Hi-Liners, South King County’s premier youth theatre, is dedicated to the advancement of fine arts opportunities through live, high-quality musical theatre and education for young people.

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

For the third year in a row, Burien Arts is sponsoring two free Shakespeare in the Park performances at Dottie Harper Park – “King John” on Saturday, July 25th and “The Comedy of Errors” on Saturday, August 1st.

Both performances will begin at 7pm.

GreenStage, the Puget Sound’s premier outdoor Shakespeare company, will be performing the plays at Dottie Harper Parks’ “bowl,” and all are welcome to bring a blanket, picnic dinner and enjoy the shows for no charge! GreenStage has been performing in regional parks for 21 years, and Burien Arts says they’re “thrilled to be able to bring such a notable theatre company to our local audience!”

The July 25th performance of “King John” offers the opportunity to see this rarely produced play in an intimate, exciting atmosphere.  In “King John,” the 13th Century has just begun and the English crown is being contested – both France and Austria are threatening war. Disagreement is at the core of a story filled with political intrigue, assassination plots, unfortunate accidents and the never-ending conflict between England and France. Combining the ruthlessness of Richard III, the antics and moral uncertainty of Hamlet and the raw familial relationships of King Lear, you may find yourself in the world of a play that seems strangely familiar.

On August 1, GreenStage returns to give Burien residents the opportunity to relish in the distressing events of a life that is not yours with “The Comedy of Errors.” Forget what you know and delight in what you see! With two pairs of identical twins wandering around the same town, misunderstandings and confusion are the order of the day. Antipholus of Syracuse travels to a foreign land to find himself well known, while Antipholus of Ephesus becomes a stranger in his own home. Shakespeare’s idealized adaptation of a farce by Plautus is a dizzying comedy classic that anyone can lose themselves within. With a gender swapped cast, this production invites you to go with what you know, trust in what you see, and believe in whatever you wish!

Burien Arts is a local non-profit with a more than forty-year history and a commitment to bring innovative and creative arts programming to local residents. In addition to sponsoring the Shakespeare in the Park performances, Burien Arts also runs the Burien Art Gallery, produces the Highline Vintage Jazz Festival and partners with other civic and non-profit organizations to ensure the arts thrive in our community.

Dottie Harper Park is located at SW 146th and 4th Ave, and all performances will take place in the park’s “bowl.” Parking is readily available in the old Burien Library parking lot.

For more information about these performances, or about Burien Arts, please contact Erin Williamson at Burien Arts, or visit their website at www.burienarts.org.

Have you ever acted? Have you ever dressed in drag? Are you psycho? Love the beach? Like to party?

Well then, you’d better get yourself down to Burien Little Theatre’s open auditions for the over-the-top gender-bending comedy “Psycho Beach Party” on Monday, July 27th and Tuesday, July 28th!

BLT is seeking actors to play characters ranging in age from 15 to 45 for this Charles Busch comedy.

Here are the details:

SYNOPSIS:

“Psycho Beach Party” is an over-the-top, gender-bending spoof of the beach party movies of the ‘60s. Get down with this sexy, multiple-personality, coming-of-age comedy. Chicklet, a perky Malibu teenager, joins a group of beach bums to learn to surf. The hilarity ensues when her multiple personalities wash up to the surface, including “Anne Bowman,” a sinister vamp out to conquer the world.

Performances will be at Burien Little Theatre in Burien from Oct. 2nd through Nov. 1st, 2009.

AUDITION SCHEDULE:

• Monday, July 27th from 7pm to 10pm
• Tuesday, July 28th from 7pm to 10pm
• Callbacks are Wednesday, July 29th from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Rehearsals begin on Sunday, Aug. 23rd.

SALARY:

• $100 stipend provided

REQUIREMENTS:

• For auditioning, please prepare a comic monologue.
• Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script.
• Please also bring resume and headshot.
• Please make an audition appointment: audition@burienlittletheatre.com or call Burien Little Theatre at 206-242-5180.
• Auditions will be in Studio 1 and callbacks in Room 4 at the Burien Community Center, located at the intersection of S.W. 146th St. and 4th Ave. S.W. in Burien. For directions, go to www.burienlittletheatre.com.

CHARACTER LIST:

• Yo-Yo — Male role, age range late teens to early 20s: Handsome male surfer who has a thing for hair stylings and food. Best friends with Provoloney.
• Dee Dee —Female role, age range late teens to early 20s: Sexy chick in a bikini.
• Nicky – Male role, age range late teens to early 20s: Handsome male surfer.
• Provoloney – Male role, age range late teens to early 20s: Scrappy little surfer. Friends with Yo-Yo.
• Star Cat – Male role, age range early 20s: Handsomest of the male surfers. Dropped out of college to stick with his true calling, being a beach bum.
• Chicklet – Traditionally a gender-bending male role, but we’re open to either gender, character is age 15: Perky high school girl determined to learn to surf even though it’s a male-only sport. Also has multiple personalities–including a dominatrix who plans to take over the world, a black grocery store clerk and a psychiatrist—triggered every time she sees the color red.
• Kanaka – Male, age range early to mid 20s: Macho Big Kahuna of the surfers.
• Berdine – Female, age 15: Hopelessly nerdy, but spunky. Chicklet’s best friend.
• Marvel Ann – Female, age range 15 to 16: Gorgeous high school vamp. It’s all about what men can do for her.
• Mrs. Forrest – Female, age range 32 to 45: Spitting image of Joan Crawford. Chicklet’s mother. Harshly protective, controlling of Chicklet.
• Bettina Barnes – Female, age range mid-20s to 35: Incredibly glamorous movie star. Hiding out at the beach after running away from the set of her latest cheesy sexploitation film. Plans to head to New York to study “serious” acting with Lee Strasberg.

So come on all you talented yet psycho gender-bending partyin’ B-Town Blog Readers – get your stuff together and go audition! Maybe if you get the part we’ll even let you write a first-hand experience blog about it…

by Shawn Underwood

I recently returned from The National Society of Newspaper Columnists Conference, which was held in Ventura, California.

My new writing group BFF, Karen Rinehart, award-winning humorist and author, cajoled me into attending and I have to say I enjoyed every minute—except for that one time I waited in a long line for a drink, ordered a delicious beverage only to find I had no money, but I digress.

I’d like to say that I hung with all of my contemporaries at the Crown Plaza Hotel, but reality bit when I met Jeff Zaslow from The Wall Street Journal and co-author of “The Last Lecture.” I mean really, I write the humor column for The B-Town Blog (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and I don’t recall winning any awards recently or for that matter have any other credentials that allowed me entrance to such an esteemed society. But times are hard and Karen said:

“It doesn’t matter, they need people to fill the conference room, all the newspapers are shutting down or going Chapter 11, you could be a graffiti tagger and they’d let you in.”

So I went.

What a treat, let me tell you about it.

I loved Bruce Cameron who created “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” He’s a hoot and so generous with his vast knowledge. He wants me to write a screenplay about Mr. Big and Mr. Small (my two dogs.) He said so—honest.

“Anyone can write a screenplay, it’s easier than writing a book, you just have to have an interesting premise and a dynamite protagonist,” he said.

Heck, how easy would that be? Mr. Big and Mr. Small, also known as Gus and Jack, don’t even talk—unless you count the fabricated storylines that my husband Tom comes up with.

Jeff Zaslow, the Wall Street Columnist that I mentioned earlier is my other new BFF. He doesn’t know it yet but we are gonna be tight. I could tell he liked me after I questioned him about his writing methods. I’m not sure why he walked away so quickly after I gave him my pitch—he’s very important and most likely had another appointment.

Steve Lopez, one of the keynote speakers brought tears to my eyes when he discussed the plight of the homeless. His columns featuring the homeless violinist, Nathaniel Ayers morphed into a book, and then the movie, “The Soloist.” I could go on about my “contemporaries” and such, however I don’t want any of my readers to get the idea that I’m bragging—as if!

Maybe some of the creative magic will rub off on me—I don’t know. I’m seriously contemplating the “Mr. Big and Mr. Small” screenplay. I just can’t decide who should play the lead. Mr. Big does a mean imitation of beggar-dog at least I think he’s playing a part when he sits at my feet each night as I wolf down dinner. And Mr. Small—well he’s just so stinkin’ cute and smart. For years, I’ve blamed Mr. Big for the pee stains on the family room carpet. Last week I caught Mr. Small doing the deed with a guilty look on his face. Smart—like a fox, he could certainly memorize a few different dialogue barks. Lassie has nothing on him. Heck, he should have attended the conference (Mr. Small that is, not Lassie.)

That’s all for now from your humble roving humor reporter for The B-Town Blog.

I’ve got to get to my screenplay.

Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.

All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.

Or something like that.

Read more of her humor at her website here.

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.

Burien Little Theatre took part in the 88th Annual 4th of July Parade last Saturday, and they sent us this photo slideshow of them preparing for the event, in costume promoting their upcoming play “Psycho Beach Party” which opens Oct. 2nd.

“Psycho Beach Party” (you can buy tickets online now) is “Gidget” meets “The Tree Faces of Eve” in a 1987 comic send-up of those 1960s beach party movies. Chicklet, a perky Malibu teenager, joins a group of beach bums to learn to surf. Unfortunately, she has multiple personalities, including that of a sinister vamp out to conquer the world:

Click to View Burien Little Theatre’s Photo Slideshow

BTB Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery will host the new T.M. Sell play “The Last Magician,” beginning Friday, July 10th, and here are highlights of a recent rehearsal in a slideshow by Photographer Michael Brunk, who also happens to be in the play:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Breeders Theater launches its 16th production with a new show, “The Last Magician,” which is a comedy with music.

“The Last Magician“ is an environmental parable about sacrifice and responsibility. Book and lyrics are by T.M. Sell with music by Nancy Warren. Teresa Widner directs, with costumes by Melissa Sell.

The cast features:

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

Shows are July 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 at 7 p.m. and July 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

All performances are at E.B. Foote Winery, located at 127-B SW 153rd Street in Burien, 206-242-3852.

Tickets are available at the winery or at CorkyCellars in Des Moines, located at 22511 Marine View Drive, 206-824-9462.

More information is available online here, and tickets are just $20 and include wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets are available at E.B. Foote Winery (206-242-3852) or at Corky Cellars in Des Moines (206-824-9462).