Seattle Spotlight: July 2007

A pair of world premieres highlight this month’s many theatrical offerings. The renowned Intiman Theatre presents the world premiere of Prayer for My Enemy (July 27-August 26), written by associate artistic director Craig Lucas. The play explores the connections between childhood friends Tad and Billy who are unexpectedly reunited as adults when Tad returns home divorced and Billy is about to be sent to Iraq. Tony Award nominee (and Intiman artistic director) Bartlett Sher directs.

ACT serves up the world premiere of First Class (July 27-August 26), David Wagoner’s depiction of nationally known local writer and teacher, Theodore Roethke, with John Aylward in the central role.

Summer brings with it lots of productions from the youth of our fair city. ArtsWest is presenting Hair (July 12-29), with all of its songs intact — but no nudity, from a cast of 15-21 year olds. Seattle Public Theatre gives us Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy from its high schoolers (July 13-21). Studio East teens are showing Thoroughly Modern Millie (July 27-29).

Outdoor Shakespeare is another hallmark of the summer months. GreenStage’s Shakespeare in the Park will present Richard III (July 14-August 18) and Two Gentlemen of Verona (July 13-August 18), while Eclectic Theater Company’s al fresco offering is Twelfth Night (July 18-August 4). Wooden O Theatre Productions give us The Merry Wives of Windsor (July 11-August 4) and The Merchant of Venice (July 11-August 5).

Taproot Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (July 13-August 11), the Broadway musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that musically tells the biblical story of Joseph, his jealous eleven brothers, and the crafty Pharaoh. Breeder’s Theater opens the musical Out of the Nest, in a winery (July 13-29).

Meanwhile, The Underpants by Steve Martin will be peeking out from SecondStory Rep (July 13-August 4), as Germans in 1910 go crazy for a look at a woman’s undergarment. White Cat Productions premieres The Blackmailer (July 13-28), in what seems like an ordinary story of a girl and her uncle, but quickly turns to danger. The New Space Theater offers The Zoo Story (July 13-28), Edward Albee’s classic play about two people meeting in Central Park.

You never know what you’ll get this month as 24 Hour Theater is hosted by Eclectic Theater Company & Absurd Reality Theatre on July 7. It features six writers, six directors, 25 actors, and six new plays, all created in one 24 hour period. Also, Theater Schmeater debuts an audience-participation play with Joseph Scrimshaw’s Adventures in Mating (July 19-August 25). Does the couple on a first date get married or kill each other? Your choices change the evening.

Parents can bring their kids to the park to see The Reluctant Dragon, a new adaptation developed by Theater Schmeater (July 7-August 12, all performances at Volunteer Park) about the dragon who turns out to be scared rather than scary. Out of town productions for families include Beauty and the Beast at Tacoma Musical Playhouse (July 6-August 5) and Dames at Sea at Paradise Theater in Gig Harbor (June 22-July 8).