In such natural disasters as Hurricane Katrina, chaos ensues on a mythic scale. At the Seattle Repertory Theatre, the disaster is personalized in three unique stories from survivors of the storm in the production of “The Breach.”
The show opens Thursday and runs through Feb. 9 at Seattle Rep, 155 Mercer St., Seattle.
“The Breach” is a story of what happens to a city when it is devastated by a natural disaster. Three playwrights weave these three separate survival perspectives while tapping the conspiracy theories and the ideas of loss and hope.
The three playwrights are Catherine Filloux, who has been writing about genocide, human rights and social justice for the past 20 years and is co-founder of Theatre Without Borders, a volunteer organization engaged in international theater exchange; Tarell McCraney, whose plays include “The Brother/Sister Play,” and Joe Sutton, whose plays include “Voir Dire,” “As It is in Heaven,” “The Third Army, Special Interests” and “Restoring the Sun.”
Seattle Rep is also providing several opportunities for public debate and discussion about the impact of Katrina using “The Breach” as a catalyst for dialogue. The programs include an appearance by Chris Rose, a New Orleans Times-Picayune journalist and author of “1 Dead in Attic,” at 6 p.m. Thursday at the theater, and a reading with Rose and the playwrights at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at Elliott Bay Book Co. in Seattle. There also will be post-play discussions at 2 p.m. Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at the theater.
“Chamber Julius Caesar”: In this drama of blood and revolution, don’t be surprised if you hear a few sing-a-longs also.
Seattle Shakespeare Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s play opens tonight and runs through Jan. 27.
Directed by Gregg Loughridge, the story takes place during the faltering republic of Rome when a new leader emerges. He has the kind of charm, charisma and compassion that threatens the old world order of rigid discipline. Though there are outcries for the common good and freedom, two political factions vie for the attention of the citizenry, which spins out of control and into war.
The company is also producing the West Coast premiere of “Swansong” by Patrick Page, opening Monday and running Sundays through Wednesdays through Jan. 23 in conjunction with “Julius Caesar.”
Nominated by the American Theatre Critics Association for best new play, “Swansong” is the comedic story about Ben Jonson and William Shakespeare’s friendship. The Bard of Avon has been dead for seven years and the public has all but forgotten him. On orders from King James, Jonson wrestles with feelings of guilt, envy and fear that history will forget his own work as he attempts to compose a poem for the first Folio of his friend’s great plays. Directed here by Stephanie Shine, “Swansong” is a story of love, loss and regeneration that allows us to imagine one of the most extraordinary friendships of all time.
“Late Nite Catechism”: This irreverent romp is billed as part catechism class and part stand-up comedy routine. It’s an interactive comedy that’s been spreading dogma for more than 10 years.
The hour-and-a-half show opens tonight at ACT Theatre in Seattle and runs through March 30.
“Late Nite Catechism” is a show that you don’t have to be Catholic to love; it’s entertaining for all faiths. And it could give you quite an education, as the audience is part of Sister’s catechism class. You will learn all about the days of Mass held in Latin, fish Fridays and how the ruler still ruled across the knuckles.
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