See Great SW Washington Theater This Weekend, Before It's Too Late

See one of these great shows this weekend before they are gone and a new batch opens in November. 

Look for our post about the four new shows we'll be reviewing next week.

WAIT UNTIL DARK at Love Street Playhouse

Review: http://swwastar.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-dont-wait-to-see-love-streets.html

SOMETHING TO HIDE at Magenta Theater

Review: http://swwastar.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-magenta-theaters-something-to.html

REVIEW: Magenta Theater's "Something To Hide" is Really Something

"Something To Hide," a British murder mystery by Leslie Sands and directed by Jaynie Roberts, opened last night at the Magenta Theater, 606 Main St. in downtown Vancouver.  It runs through Saturday, October 27. Check their website www.magentatheater.com for complete details.

Murder Most Foul

You've got to hand it to the Brits, they do, indeed, have a corner on the market for murder mysteries. Probably the best mystery writer in the world was Agatha Christie. And  this play is very much in line with her complex plots and twists in the story.

The time is the 1950s, and the setting, a vacation house in England. It is the home of the Holts: Karen (Brenda McGinnis), the purse-strings of the family and her gad-fly husband, Howard (Glenn Chipman). He is having an affair with Julie (Suzanne Vannatter) and, well, this accident happens and all their lives are never the same again.

Something to look forward to

If I seem vague about the plot, it’s because I don’t want to give too much away, as it would spoil the several twists along the way. Let’s just say there is a nosy neighbor, a greasy garage mechanic, a bothersome maid and a Columbo-like detective that add to the intrigue of the convoluted plot. But it does have all the ingredients of the traditional thriller: Blackmail, deception, larceny, and, of course, murder.

Something "rawther" lovely

The highlight of the show was Shaye Eller as Inspector Davies. She, alone, is worth the show! The Columbo mannerisms were perfect for the character, even down to the rumpled overcoat in one scene. Davies continues to tie up those little, seemingly insignificant, loose ends until the whole plot is revealed. And, with Eller at the helm, you are cheering for her every step of the way.

Also, quite good, is Brenda McGinnis, as the long-suffering wife, Karen. She does well in showing the complexities and changing moods of the character. And Glenn Chipman, as the rotter of a husband, is a thoroughly "dislikeable" chap. One wants to boo the character off the stage.

Something blimey

The play is wordy and overlong, but that is the nature of these classic English mysteries. But the Director, Jaynie Roberts (also Magenta’s founder and Artistic Director), keeps the action flowing so that you always have to be on the alert for what comes next. And the British accents are spot on, which is refreshing. Doesn’t hurt to have a Director that is also from “merry ole…”

There did seem to be a mixing of genres, which was not altogether successful. At times a character might play it like a melodrama, then another character would play it as a complete, comic farce. It plays best, I think, which was most of the time, as just a straight British thriller. Eller and McGinnis played it just that way and were most successful.

The set by Dave Roberts, was very functional in such a constricted space. And the music from the '50s also helped set the mood. It should be noted that the house was nearly full on opening night and many of them were first-timers. This is a great compliment for Magenta after 10 years in the  biz. Congrats!

Show Dates:
October 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
October 20 and 27 at 2 p.m.

Review by Dennis Sparks. Mr. Sparks was formerly a Portland theatre reviewer for the Vancouver Voice (now defunct), and is currently a free-lance reporter with his own blog site for Portland and Ashland theatre reviews: www.dennissparksreviews.blogspot.com

     

COMING SOON: Reviews for Magenta's "Something to Hide" and Love Street's "Wait Until Dark" (10/13/2012)

Two thrillers open this coming weekend to run through the Halloween season. 

SOMETHING TO HIDE

Magenta Theater
By Leslie Sands
Directed by Jaynie Roberts
PHONE: 360-635-4358

LOCATION: 606 Main St. Vancouver, Wash.

Set in the English weekend home of novelist Howard Holt and his wealthy publisher wife, Karen, this disarming mystery/thriller will keep audiences guessing at each turn. After Karen unexpectedly arrives at the house and inadvertently runs over Howard's young mistress with her car, the couple agrees to dispose of the body The situation becomes more complicated with the arrival of an unconventional detective and the interference of the village residents.

A cast of seven from the Vancouver/Portland area, featuring Brenda McGinnis as Karen. Brenda was most recently seen as the mouthy Juror Seven in "Twelve Angry Women."  Glenn Chipman as Howard. Glenn was seen in "Pride and Prejudice" as Mr. Darcy. Also featuring Shaye Eller who recently starred in "The 39 Steps."

Show Dates:
October 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
October 20 and 27 at 2 p.m.

Tickets Available Now! - Click Here

WAIT UNTIL DARK

Love Street Playhouse

Directed by Dave Roberts.
Produced by Melinda Leuthold

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, October 12 - 28 with a special HALLOWEEN performance, October 31st at 7:30 p.m. 

PHONE: 360/263-6670
EMAIL: info@lovestreetplayhouse.com
LOCATION: 126 Loves Ave, Woodland Wash.

[Left] Thugs Carlino (John McCamish), Roat (Paul Segren) and Mike Talman (Scott Clark) get ready to make their attack on the blind housewife Susy Hendrix (Dorinda Toner) and neighbor girl Gloria (Doris McCamish). But just wait until dark...

A sinister con man and two ex-convicts are about to meet their match. Having traced the location of a mysterious doll, to the apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy, a woman is murdered and the situation becomes very urgent. 

The con man and ex-convicts, through a cleverly constructed deception, convince Susy that the police have implicated her husband in the woman's murder, and the doll, which she believes is the key to his innocence, is evidence. She refuses to reveal its location, and with the help of a young neighbor, figures out she is the victim of a bizarre charade. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. And Susy knows the only way to play fair is by her rules, so when darkness falls she turns off all the lights leaving the others to maneuver in the dark until the game ends. 

Tickets Available Online Now

AUDITIONS: Magenta Theater Will Hold Auditions for TWO Upcoming Shows June 26

Magenta Theater announces open auditions for two upcoming productions, "Something to Hide" and "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!"). Auditions will take place 6:30 p.m., June 26 at the theater, 606 Main St., Vancouver, Wash.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts and English accents will be required. Bring in a headshot and personal calendar.

A theater resume is optional.

For more information visit the Magenta website or call 360-606-0033.

AUDITIONS: Magenta Announces Auditions for Last Two Shows of the Season

Magenta Theater will hold auditions for the final two shows of 2012, June 26, 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Actors may audition for one or both of the plays.

"Something to Hide" 

by Leslie Sands
Directed by Jaynie Roberts
Set in the late 1950s, England

"Something to Hide" is set in a small English village in the part-time home of the successful novelist Howard Holt and his wife and publisher, Karen. When Karen arrives unexpectedly late one night, she inadvertently runs over Howard’s mistress with her car, and kills her. Howard and Karen agree to dispose of the body and from this point on, the true relationship between husband and wife begins to emerge as they cross and double-cross each other at every turn. The arrival of a detective, called to investigate seemingly unrelated matters, slowly tightens the net around the couple, and when the true outcome of Howard’s mistress is discovered by a surprise denouement, their own fates are finally sealed.

All parts are available. Ages are provided as a guideline. Actors should be able to portray these ages.

Roles:

• Howard Holt (the husband, 30+)
• Julie (the young mistress, 20s)
• Karen Holt (the wife, 40+)
• Inspector Davies (middle-aged man)
• Mr. Purdie (older man/car mechanic)
• Stella (maid of any age)
• Miss Cunningham (tweedy, middle aged woman)

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No monologues are required. Headshot is MANDATORY (non-professional is fine). Theater resume preferred but not required. Bring personal calendar with you to auditions so you can alert director IN ADVANCE about any schedule conflicts. This is a compacted rehearsal schedule and every rehearsal will be important. English accents will be required. Contact director at director@magentatheater.com for questions about AUDITIONS. As this is a community theater production, actors are not paid.

Optional accents classes will be provided through Magenta Theater Academy on August 14 & 28, 6:30-9 p.m. Details will be posted on the Magenta Theater Academy page of website.

Rehearsals:
No weekend rehearsals in August. All rehearsals 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Mondays, August 13, 20, 27
Wednesdays, August 15, 22, 29
Thursdays, August 16, 23, 30

Wednesday, September 5, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 6, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Saturday, September 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, September 17, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 20, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, September 24, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 25, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday, October 1, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. DRY TECH – No Actors
Thursday, October 4, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. WET TECH
Friday, October 5, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mon-Thur October 8 - 11 Tech Week 6 - 9:30 p.m. every night
Refresher rehearsal Weds Oct 17, 6:30

Performances:
October 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 evenings
October 20, 27 matinees

"Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)"

written by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez
Directed by Amanda Goff

Instead of performing Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told -- plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season!

Roles:

• Michael
• John
• Jim

Rehearsal Schedule:
June 27
September 27, 28
October 4, 5, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
November 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29

Performances:
Nov 30th
Dec 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 (matinee & evening), 12, 13, 14, 1

For more information and details on how to prepare for auditions see the Magenta Theater website.