Edge of the World Theatre kicks off its 2008 season with “Weekend Comedy,” an adult romp about rekindling the flames of love after 33 years of marriage.
“Weekend Comedy” runs through Feb. 9 at Edge of the World Theatre in Edmonds.
The plot revolves around Peggy Jackson and her husband, Frank, who has become a grumbling creature of routine with little interest in life. So Peggy plans a super-charged weekend getaway with all the fringes: a crackling fireplace, gorgeous forest setting and sexy lingerie. As the couple rolls around on the floor of their rented cabin, that’s when the other couple who rented the cabin walk through the front door.
And that’s when the real weekend comedy begins.
“Vesta”: Audiences have the chance to see Seattle-based actress Megan Cole, who has been in episodes of “Seinfeld,” “ER” and “The Practice,” celebrate the poetry of life and death when she takes on the role of Vesta Pierson in this intimate look at end-of-life issues.
The production begins tonight and runs through Feb. 3 at Capitol Hill Arts Center in Seattle.
Washington playwright Bryan Harnetiaux took on this tough subject about a decade ago, gaining some help and inspiration from poet Theodore Roethke. Roethke’s moving poem about life and death, “The Waking,” is woven into the play. The poem is used with permission from his estate.
“Vesta” is a 90-minute drama filled with humor and warmth that examines a family’s struggle with the end of life. Vesta Pierson is a grandmother confronting her loss of independence after a stroke. Vesta, her daughter and granddaughter face a series of complex medical, economic and personal issues surrounding her bout with cancer and inevitable death. One of Vesta’s messages is: “Always say goodbye if you can.”
“Vesta” has been embraced by numerous hospice care and end-of-life organizations. This first professional production is directed by actor and director Allen Fitzpatrick (The 5th Avenue’s “Sweeney Todd”) and includes actors Cynthia Whalen, Brittni Reinertsen, Brian Ibsen, Anders Bolang, Terry Edward Moore and Bob DeDea.
“TeenSpeak: The Playwriting Project”: This is the annual playwriting project led by members of Seattle Repertory Theatre who work with high school students to get their written works performed on stage.
This year, the theater teamed up with students from Roosevelt and Woodinville high schools. Staged readings featuring nine 10-minute plays — written and performed by the students and directed by Seattle Rep staff — will be tonight and Tuesday in the Leo K Theatre in Seattle.
The program has generated more than 50 plays in the past four years. This year’s program will add nine more plays to the roster. For the Roosevelt performances, the general theme is “Peril,” in particular, women in peril, and how they rescue themselves from such dangerous antagonists as flesh-eating aliens and their younger sisters. Woodinville’s general theme is “Morals,” where at least one character must make a decision that puts their morals into question.
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