STAGE NOTES
The WICA Blog
DjangoFest Northwest Gets Animated
Drew Christie
Originally posted to djangofestnw.com
Anyone who has attended DjangoFest Northwest (DFNW) knows how lively things can get in the little seaside town of Langley. This year, though, the annual gypsy jazz festival promises to be even more animated, thanks to the work of esteemed animator, illustrator and filmmaker Drew Christie.
Christie, a Langley resident, has won wide acclaim for his innovative, hand-drawn style. His short film Song of the Spindle screened at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in 2012, and his animated work regularly appears online for The New York Times, Vanity Fair and other top outlets. He is currently producing a short piece for DFNW that highlights master guitarist Django Reinhardt’s personal triumph over tragedy, which led to his creation of the gypsy or “hot” jazz guitar technique.
For Christie, the project was a natural fit. “Music is one of the most important things in my life,” he says, “so everything I make in some way revolves around music I love. Making something about Django is the perfect embodiment of that because of the combination of beautiful music and inspiring human story.”
A guitarist himself, Drew has previously attended the festival, and his work includes numerous illustrations of instruments as well as a much-admired tribute to JJ Cale for The Times’ Op-Docs.
“I've been wanting to make an animation about Django Reinhardt ever since I first heard his music,” he adds, “so this is basically a dream project.”
Originally hailing from Seattle, Christie developed an interest in visual art while attending Skyline High School in Sammamish, then honed his filmmaking skills at The Film School headed by actor Tom Skerrit and other industry leaders. Drawn by Whidbey’s laidback attitude and artistic spirit, Christie moved to Langley in 2013 with his now fiancé Amanda Moore. The two opened Kalakala Co. Animation and sister company Kalakala Co. Mercantile, a hybrid craft beverage bar and curio shop that offers handmade items for the kitchen, home and body, as well as exclusive artworks.
Look for Christie’s animated DFNW piece later this summer. In the meantime, you can check out his many other projects at www.drewchristie.com. And while you’re in Langley, be sure to stop by Kalakala Co. (138 2nd Street) to say hello and sip a seasonal brew or cool vinegar drink on the back patio.
First Annual "One Act Fest Northwest" Line-up Announced
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts steps into the realm of one-act plays with its first ever “One Act Fest Northwest,” featuring British playwright Peter Shaffer’s “Black Comedy.” The comedy will be the highlight of a festival that will also showcase a handful of published and original one-act plays.
Directed by local thespian Tristan A.B. Steel, “Black Comedy,” is the epitome of a British farce — a classic tour-de-force — which is staged with a reverse-lighting scheme. In other words, the play opens on a darkened stage, and a few minutes later the show is “short circuited” and the stage is illuminated to reveal the characters in a “blackout.”
Ken Stephens, Gail Liston, David Mayer, and Brian Plebanek in rehearal
“For the rest of the play, the audience can see the characters, but the characters can’t see themselves,” Steel explained, and so the quirky hijinks ensue.
Steel called the play a “rollicking comedy,” which gives you some idea of its pace, and may explain why the director first fell in love with the play as an eighth-grader on a field trip to see University of Washington acting students tackle it.
Shaffer (of “Amadeus” and “Equus” fame) is good at employing the tricks of his trade and “Black Comedy” has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. In this play, Steel noted, the playwright uses dramatic irony to bolster the audience’s engagement.
Think of what Shakespeare does so well: Juliet isn’t really dead, but poor Romeo hasn’t been told, and the audience leans in. “We know something the characters themselves don’t,” Steel said. “In my experience, audiences enjoy having this inside knowledge. They become more involved in the show, which builds their anticipation for both the expected and the unexpected.”
The cast of “Black Comedy” includes: David Mayer, Kent Junge, Melanie Lowey, Lucy Pearce, Gail Liston, Brian Plebanek, and Ken Stephens.
Winning plays selected to be included in ‘One Act Fest Northwest’ are:
- Baby Food by David Lindsay-Abaire - Directed by Matthew Gregory
Originally written as part of ‘The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway’, Baby Food is a contemporary comedy about an off-kilter couple desperately searching for godparents for their newborn infant. "It's a raucous, foot-stomping evening which redefines fresh." - Black Book
- The Universal Language by David Ives - Directed by Jennifer Bondelid
A newspaper ad brings together Dawn, a young woman with a stutter, and Don, the creator and teacher of Unamunda, a wild and comic language. Their lesson sends them off into a dazzling display of hysterical verbal pyrotechnics - and of course, true love. "The writing is not only very funny, it has density of thought and precision of poetry." - The New York Times
- Self-Adhesive by Richard Evans – Directed by Taylor Harrison
Setting: a post office sorting room with a table, slotted compartments, a bare work light, and bags of mail about. On the table is an electric hotplate with a steaming tea kettle. At rise: Postal Worker #98236 works alone sorting mail, stops, holds an envelope to the light, and then steams it open over the kettle... From the rich mind of our local, beloved playwright Richard Evans, this world premier is not to be missed.
- A one time reading of Chemistry by Max Cole-Takanikos and Katie Woodzick
When Ann Druyan was falling in love with Carl Sagan, she went to a laboratory and recorded her brainwaves and heartbeat, and that data was turned into sound... So begins this thought provoking look at the science behind love by Whidbey Island's own Max and Katie. Join us in the piano bar prior to an evening of one-acts to hear them read their witty, original piece.
Performances for One Act Fest Northwest will take place at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays; April 10 to 19. Don’t miss the festival closing party following the 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19 performance.
Tickets: Adult $22 / Senior $18 / Youth $15 / Matinee $15.
Click Here for Online Purchases. Online tickets are available until noon the day of the show. For tickets by phone, call the Box Office at 800.638.7631 or 360.221.8268. You can also buy tickets in person at the Box Office at 565 Camano Ave in Langley between 1 and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, or two hours before any show.
In review
Other Desert Cities
There have been so many wonderful comments about the production and cast of Other Desert Cities. We want to share some of them with you.
And from the entire cast and crew
Thank you for coming to the show and sharing your thoughts with us.
It's what we are here for.
Photos are by Lucy Pearce.
“Go see this. Tonight. Or tomorrow. Andrew Grenier shows himself a master of two crafts, as he directs and appears in this superbly written play. A stunning set provides a sharp, clean backdrop for the unraveling humanity of a family ready to be devoured by its own past and secrets. Shelley Hartle, David Mayer, Heather Ogilvy, and Deana Duncan round out a powerhouse ensemble that reminds us how contemporary theater should be performed. ”
“You and the entire cast of “Other Desert Cities” just blew it away tonight! Wow! That was the best performances I’ve ever seen at WICA. Thanks to all the cast and crew. Don’t miss this show, folks!!! ”
Brooke Wyeth played by Deana Duncan. Photo by Lucy Pearce
Lyman Wyeth played by Andrew Grenier. Photo by Lucy Pearce
“We were riveted and SO impressed...masterful.”
“GO SEE IT! Its wonderful!”
“BRAVO!!!!! “Other Desert Cities” at WICA now through February 28. Totally awesome performance last night by Deana Duncan, Shelley Hartle, Heather Ogilvy, David Mayer, and Andrew Grenier. Absolutely the best evening of theater I have seen for a very long time! Script by Jon Robin Baitz is absorbing, set magnificent, direction masterful, stage management impeccable, the whole production astounding and riveting. BE SURE TO SEE IT! ”
“I don’t do a lot of posting on facebook but the play that I saw at WICA tonight is worth commenting on. Andrew Grenier (director and actor) as well as the rest of his cast were incredible tonight! The play is “Other Desert Cities”... Tonight was opening night so plenty of time but you might want to see it more than once!”
In rehearsal
Other Desert Cities
Other Desert Cities in rehearsal
Cast:
Deana Duncan: Brooke Wyeth
Shelley Hartle: Polly Wyeth
Heather Ogilvy: Silda Grauman
Andrew Grenier: Lyman Wyeth
David Mayer: Trip Wyeth
Under the direction of Andrew Grenier, this cast is outstanding. What the photos don't tell you is that these actors are completely believable as a family unit coming together after years of being both physically and emotionally distant.
Balanced on a razor’s edge of affection and aggression, this studied cleverness is what allows them to continue to communicate with one another. But, years of deep seeded animosity and resentment are about to come to the surface as Brooke Wyeth (Deana Duncan) forces everyone to face reality… her reality. Niceties are put aside as they finally reveal themselves, their secrets.
I was allowed to click away during rehearsal. The only thing that bothered me (and I’m sure the actors as well) was the click, click, click interrupting the completely compelling story that was being played out on stage.
