AN OCTOROON
Apr 19 – May 13 2018
Lamar Legend. Photo by John McLellan.
April 19 – May 13
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Brandon J. Simmons
In 1859, the handsome George arrives as heir apparent to Terrabonne, his late uncle’s slave plantation. There he quickly falls in love with Zoe, a beautiful “octoroon” – someone who is one-eighth Black – but the evil overseer M’Closky has other plans for both Terrebonne and Zoe. Nothing is sacred in this genre-bending work: race, identity and time are bent by the whims of AN OCTOROON’s audacious storytelling. Racial stereotypes both past and present are shattered in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ bold, imaginative re-envisioning of a 19th century antebellum drama as an urgent message for today.
Winner – 2014 OBIE Award for Best New American Play
“Super oxygenating—despite moments of palpable fear and disquiet, we leave feeling somehow healthier, as though the theater has given us a violent shake and a pep talk.” —Time Out (New York)
*Content note: this production features strong and racially charged language, depictions of violence, suggestive content, sudden and very loud noises, water-based haze, and strobe effects.
HIR
Feb 28 – Mar 25 2018
Evan Barrett (Isaac), Charles Leggett (Arnold), and Gretchen Krich (Paige). Photo by John McLellan.
February 28 – March 25
By Taylor Mac
Co-produced with Intiman Theatre
Directed by Jennifer Zeyl
Somewhere in the suburbs, Isaac has returned from the wars to help take care of his disabled father, only to enter a different warzone: a household in revolt. His mother, liberated from an abusive marriage – with Isaac’s newly out transgender sibling as her ally – is on a crusade to dismantle the patriarchy. But in Taylor Mac’s sly, subversive comedy HIR, annihilating the past doesn’t always free you from it.
“…sensational—in all senses of the word…[an] audacious and uproarious black comedy…Mac has his own gloriously skewed vision of the toxins fouling the American family from within, and in its avowedly loopy way HIR reflects current concerns about the decline of the middle class, as well as the trauma war veterans endure…brilliant writing…” —New York Times
*Note: Hir features the use of strong language, violent content, loud noises and pulsating lights.
Runtime is approximately 2 hours 10 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.
TALKBACKS
All Talkbacks are free for ticket holders to that evening’s performance of HIR, and take place in the theatre after the performance.
Friday, March 9 – Patriarchy & Toxic Masulinity
Friday, March 16 – Domestic violence
Friday, March 23 – Military service & PTSD
Co-produced with
PEERLESS
Jan 18 – Feb 11 2018
Corinne Magin (M) and Maile Wong (L). Photo by John McLellan.
January 18 – February 11, 2018
By Jiehae Park
Directed by Sara Porkalob
*SOLD OUT*
Asian-American twin sisters M and L will do whatever it takes to win the one coveted affirmative action spot at “The College.” But when the thick acceptance envelope falls into the hands of D, a white male colleague who is 1/16th Native American, the sisters will stop at nothing to take back what is rightfully theirs – and eliminate anyone who stands in their way. Jiehae Park’s clever and incisive adaptation of Macbeth explores how the drive to succeed can become an all-consuming – and deadly – obsession.
“Though you’ll guess what will happen, you won’t guess how, and the manifold shocks—both the twists of the plot and the provocation of the subject matter—are exhilarating.” – Seattle Magazine
“Peerless is…a propulsive, immensely entertaining production directed by Sara Porkalob. This is a carefully honed play, internalizing its inspiration’s thoughts on power grabs and fated ends, and leavening them with a darkly comic perspective on privilege, race and societal expectations.” – Seattle Times
Content note: Characters in this play make active use of offensive and derogatory language toward each other and other marginalized groups.
ARTSWEST HOLIDAY CAST PARTY
Dec 01 – Dec 23 2017
December 1 – December 23, 2017
Join us this December as we ring in the holidays ArtsWest-style, with music, merriment, and a heaping dash of the unexpected! Hosted by Mathew Wright and featuring a revolving lineup of beloved ArtsWest stars – see below for the full list – every night will be packed with song, surprise, and celebration in the timeless tradition of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Grab a drink, get toasty, and join us for a rousing evening of pure entertainment!
Hosted by Mathew Wright | Music Direction by Chris DiStefano
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
Bobbi Kotula & Corinna Lapid Munter
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
Ben Gonio & Justin Huertas
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
Brenna Wagner & Brian Lange
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22
EmilyRose Frasca & Jessi Little
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23
Jordan Iosua Taylor & Kirsten DeLohr Helland
Adult: $32 | Senior: $28 | Student: $19
Cabaret Table for Two (with complimentary libations): $99
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS INDIVIDUAL DONORS
David & Ann Mann
