Seattle’s ACT Theatre opens its 41st season on Wednesday with “Bach at Leipzig,” a historical comedy about a group of struggling musicians all trying to become the next church organist in the city of Leipzig, Germany.
This is a coveted position, so much so that a farcical competition ensues: Think today’s “Survivor” back a couple of centuries.
Although the action and characterizations of “Bach at Leipzig” are fictional, Itamar Moses’ play is inspired by an actual event. In 1722 the organist and musical director at Thomaskirche, a prominent church in Leipzig, died. Soon organists and composers from all over Germany came there to compete for the coveted and prestigious post left vacant by his death.
ACT artistic director Kurt Beattie directs this West Coast premiere of “Bach at Leipzig,” which runs through May 29 at ACT mainstage in downtown Seattle.
”’ Bach at Leipzig’ is intellectual comedy at its best, a grand farce with the energy and giddiness of the Marx Brothers,” Beattie said. “At the same time it has something very real to say about ambition and the outrageous, ridiculous things people will do in an effort to control their own destiny and achieve success, and how that pettiness and silliness is exposed when real genius walks into the room.”
The cast includes some of Seattle’s favorite actors – Laurence Ballard, Todd J. Bjurstrom, Max Moore, David Pichette, John Procaccino, Daniel Rappaport and R. Hamilton Wright.
Also in the 2005 season are monologist Mike Daisey’s “The Ugly American,” which deals with sex, class and London’s fringe theater scene; Garson Kanin’s comedy “Born Yesterday”: the Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece “The Night of the Iguana”; “Vincent in Brixton” by Nicholas Wright; and “Flight” by Charlayne Woodard.
ACT’s traditional production of “A Christmas Carol” closes the season.
“Enchanted April”: Snohomish County’s newest theater company has chosen as its inaugural production the stage version of a movie that enchanted audiences when it played theaters more than a decade ago.
“Enchanted April,” which will have four performances this weekend in Snohomish, is the story of four Englishwomen who abandoned their husbands for a month’s vacation in a villa in sunny Italy. What happens to these women, their husbands and various others in the enchanted setting of a castle, makes for a pleasant comedy-drama.
Adagio Players is the new theater company that was started by Snohomish residents Lisa Benson and Amy Codispoti; Benson directs the cast of eight with all the actors coming from the county.
Adagio Players plans to present drama that’s “family friendly” – plays that are suitable for the entire family.
“Enchanted April” is “something I fell in love with in 1992 and wanted to do ever since,” said Benson, who has worked in community theater for years. “It’s so perfect and funny.”
“Choreography Showcase”: Whidbey Dance Theatre’s dancers perform in genres including ballet, modern dance, jazz and lyrical in its annual “Choreography Showcase” tonight and Saturday in Langley.
Choreographers whose work is featured include guest choreographers Andrea Binder, Dean Speer and Olympic Ballet’s Daniel Wilkins, resident choreographers Susan Vanderwood and Susan Campbell Sandri, co-artistic director of Whidbey Dance Theatre, and emerging choreographers Andrea Burr and Ayesha Fuentes.
A highlight is a return performance of “The Sacred Feminine,” Sandri’s dance inspired by the novel “The DaVinci Code.” And the performances mark the final ones for principal dancers Katelyn Candalario and Alexis Daly as company members.
Where to see it:
“Bach at Leipzig”: Thursday through May 29 at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. $10-$15, 206-292-7676, www.acttheatre.org.
“Enchanted April”: Inaugural production of Adagio Players, presented at 8 tonight, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 1012 Fourth St., Snohomish.Suggested donation $5; 425-327-4700 for reservations.
Where to see it
“Bach at Leipzig”: Thursday through May 29 at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. $10-$15, 206-292-7676, www.acttheatre.org.
“Enchanted April”: Inaugural production of Adagio Players, presented at 8 tonight, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 1012 Fourth St., Snohomish.Suggested donation $5; 425-327-4700 for reservations.
“Choreography Showcase”: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at South Whidbey High School Theatre, 721 Camano Ave., Langley. $15, $10 youth 9 to 18, 8 and under free with paid admission. 360-341-2221, www.whidbeydancetheatre.org, or at the door.
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