The Seattle Traveler

The Sound of Music, the much loved movie set in the Austrian Alps, was released over 43 years ago, yet still gains new fans with each generation.
Who hasn’t found themselves humming one along to the title theme song, or Do, A Deer, or even Edelweiss? 
Celebrate the New Year with a special showing of the movie at the 5th Avenue Theatre, as they present Sing-A-Long Sound of Music.
This is participatory theater at its finest, with moviegoers encouraged to come in costume.  Cheer for the Von Trapp’s, Boo the Nazi’s, and sing-a-long to all your favorite tunes.  Don’t know the words?  …read more

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Fans of David Sedaris’ irreverent sense of humor will find The Santaland Diaries a hilarious escape from the warm fuzziness of the holiday season.
The one-man play tells the story of a man’s experience working as an elf at the New York’s Macy’s Santaland, and the crazy behavior of people under the spell of the Christmas Spirit.  If you’ve read any Sedaris books, you have to know that this story is going to be full of unpredictable twists and turns.
The Santaland Diaries was originally aired on NPR with Sedaris reading this essay.  From that first broadcast, Sedaris parlayed his …read more

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In these turbulent times of financial difficulty, complicated cultural relationships, and fear running rampant through society, it was clear Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was the breath of fresh air that the audience was looking for.  Now running at the 5th Avenue Theatre, this musical comedy is sure to leave you feeling light-hearted.

Based on a 1954 musical of the same name, the story is based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet.  The movie was a big hit, receiving 7 Oscar nominations, winning two – for Best Music and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.  The movie was then …read more

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Enjoy a little winter fun this weekend as Seattle Center’s Winterfest 2008 opens on Friday with a performance of seasonal music by the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Opening ceremonies follow this kick off performance, and thus begins five weeks of music, dance, and other festivities celebrating the holiday and winter season.
This annual event is designed to brighten the holiday and winter season by providing multi-cultural and multi-age entertainment and activities in a family-friendly FREE environment. 
Here are some ideas of what you can see during Winterfest: ice sculpture, Northwest Boychoir, Winter Solstice Fire Festival, Senior Holiday Ball, Circus Contraption …read more

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The hottest theater ticket it town right now is for the 25th annual staging of The Nutcracker by the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Whether you’ve seen it every year, or this is your first, the story of a little girl’s magical dream world is sure to charm you.  The story centers around the classical theme of good triumphing over evil.  As the lines of reality and fantasy get blurred we are introduced to beautifully costumes characters dancing about on an incredibly designed stage, all set to Tchaikovsky’s evocative score.
This wonderful performance is made up of a ballet corps that features local …read more

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A 2008 study by the Americans for the Arts found that Seattle has the most artist-related business (per capita) in the entire U.S.  To those of us who live here, this comes as no surprise, but if you haven’t been to Seattle recently, you’ve got an amazing assortment to choose from.
And let’s not forget that there’s much in the way of arts to offer the children of the community as well.
Seattle Children’s Theatre has a great line up of performances for its 2008-09 season:

Bluenose – October 17th – December 14h.  A pirate story with an underlying message of tolerance …read more

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As we head into fall, theaters are starting their new seasons, and the Seattle Repertory Theatre launches a season of old favorites as well as some choices that they hope will become your new favorite.
Take a look at the eclectic season:

September 25th – October 26th – The Night Watcher
October 9th – November 15th – The Three Musketeers
November 13th – December 14th – Boom
November 28th – January 3rd – You Can’t Take it With You
January 15th – February 14th – Waiting for Godot
February 5th – March 8th – Rollick
February 26th – March 28th – The Seafarer
March 26th – April 26th …read more

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At an average of 10,000 feet above sea level, Tibet is often called the “roof of the world,” although all that many of us know about the country is the political conflict between it and China, and the Potala Palace, traditional home to the Dalai Lama.
There’s lots more rich history and culture to be discovered about Tibet, and much of it will be on display at this weekend’s Tibet Fest.
The purpose of Tibet Fest is to preserve many of the centuries old traditions of the Tibetan people, and to celebrate both the ancient and modern history of the country …read more

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Another local community theater announces its 2008-09 season — this time  Federal Way’s Centerstage Theatre.
What’s in store?  A four-performance season that includes:
Always…Patsy Cline (Based on a True Story) – September 26 – October 12, 2008.  The show is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan who befriended the star in a Texas honky tonk in 1961.
Aladdin – An English Panto – November 28 – December 21, 2008.  Traditional English Panto that includes girls who play guys. Guys who play girls. Topical jokes and ancient gags. Slapstick comedy and audiences belting out choruses of familiar songs.
Crucifer …read more

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Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera comes to the Seattle Paramount Theatre as part of the Broadway Across America Series.
The story is adapted from the novel by Gaston Leroux, and tells the tragic love story of Christine, a beautiful young opera singer, and the Phantom, a young composer living beneath the opera house, hiding away because of his physical appearance.  Add in Raoul, another suitor, and the classic love triangle is complete, eventually leading to drama, tears, and a bittersweet ending.
The first time I saw The Phantom of the Opera was many years ago at the Queen …read more

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