Slog - Comments on The Unluckiest Show in Seattle

Comment by Greg

Greg — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:54:36 -0800

What exactly is the deal with DJs who think it is their God-given right to pound the eardrums of everyone and anyone around them with 100 decibel beats?

Comment by flamingbanjo

flamingbanjo — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:10:03 -0800

Having the play you're watching at CHAC be underscored by a constant throbbing beat coming through the walls/floor/ceiling isn't bad luck, it's standard operating procedure.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:25:05 -0800

ohmigoodness! A theatre production wracked with confusion, chaos and artistic egos and peculiarities! Who would have thought?

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:41:54 -0800

Um, but don't these kind of people live for drama - and tend to seek it out in their own lives?

At least that's what the Stranger Student Guide said ...

Comment by COMTE

COMTE — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:13:46 -0800

Sounds like there's plenty of blame to go around, but Jeebuz, after everything she'd already been through, you'd think Mortenson would have had enough foresight to do a walk-through of Walrus (nee: Annex) BEFORE committing to the space. That's just plain sloppy.

@1:

Isn't that precisely WHY people listen to this type of music; for the loud-than-loud thumpy-thumpy?

Comment by Alissa Mortenson

Alissa Mortenson — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:51:28 -0800

Hey, Brendan!

Thanks for the writeup, but there's something inspiring going on here that I think you've missed. Of course things are often chaotic putting theatre together, and I don't think this show is alone in that regard. (As Michael Strangeways says above, "Who would have thought?") What's awesome about it is the will, good humor, and energy that goes into getting a show up and on its feet, despite setbacks.

Every one of these events that cropped up en route to opening was something that was tackled with grace and enthusiasm by the humbling group of people who are working with us on this show, and none of these was such a disaster that we didn't have fun putting something together that we hoped would reach folks. The fact is that the Seattle fringe theatre community is one that looks at un-promising circumstances and unlikely odds, shrugs cheerfully, and says "looks like it's worth a try!" And that makes me stoked to get to live here and work with these people.

This ain't a tale of woe, it's a story about a rather inexperienced theatre company who made a few mistakes, had a few bad breaks, had some compensatory really amazing luck that didn't fit the confines of this article, and kept moving forward. It's really cool that that's possible here.

Comment by Brendan Kiley

Brendan Kiley — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:53:59 -0800

In fairness to them, Comte, I think Nebuwhatsit was doing a production of Medea Knows Best in San Francisco at the time, so they didn't have the luxury of a walk-through.

And when they got there, the set (a giant TV screen) didn't fit...

Comment by Glenn Fleishman

Glenn Fleishman — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:57:53 -0800

I saw Mike Daisey's Monopoly at CHAC several weeks ago, and someone in an adjacent space started practicing the drums shortly before the monologue ended. Mike was a true professional (though his face was a quiet mask of white-hot rage after the audience and then assorted well-wishers left). I have to say that Mike is compelling enough that only part of my brain noted the drum kit, because I was so focused on the conclusion of the show. A number of audience members told him later they hadn't "heard" any drums.

Comment by NapoleonXIV

NapoleonXIV — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:28:49 -0800

When this show closes, maybe the can stage The Unhappiest Fella

As a contest!