A dark comedy for the holidays
This week we share an interview with Allison Narver, Marty McFly blasts to the past, and acting classes open at Taproot Theatre.
Seattle Rep sat down with director Allison Narver to talk about all things Blithe Spirit, playwright Noël Coward, and the legacy of producing comedies during challenging times.
Seattle Rep: One of your past standout productions directed at Seattle Rep was Marc Camoletti’s Boeing Boeing (2013), also an uproarious and smart comedy. As a director, what draws you to working with comedic stories?
Allison Narver: The fun thing about directing comedy is that there are rules to follow and rules to break. Comedy depends on rhythm, meter, precision, and pace—particularly with Noël Coward. His language requires both discipline and accuracy and is so fast that the actors can feel like they’re playing a game of ping pong with their scene partners. Their reflexes need to be quick and they must always keep their eyes on the ball.
The rules you get to break are equally fun and can feel like taking a dare. Is it ludicrous enough to be funny, or is it just dumb? Should we go further, or should we pull back? Something that might make us laugh in rehearsal won’t necessarily work on stage. It’s a game of risk, which can feel scary but also thrilling.
There’s a long history of comedies being produced during dark times—and to put it mildly, we’re living through a really difficult one right now. But being able to laugh and find joy anyway can be a powerful force of resistance in the face of it all.
On the Stage
This week on stage is a DeLorean, a magical carpet bag, and a little Christmas tree in need of love.
Back to the Future
Musical Theatre | Broadway at The Paramount
Now – December 22 | Tickets
When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself...back to the future. When Back to the Future hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theatre history forever.
More Events
- Legally Blonde |Village Theatre | Now – December 22 | View the Program
- Blithe Spirit | Seattle Rep | Now – December 22 | View the Program
- A Charlie Brown Christmas | Taproot Theatre Company | Now – December 28 | View the Program
- Mary Poppins | The 5th Avenue Theatre | Now – December 29 | View the Program
Next Line
Move from the audience to the stage with Taproot’s Acting Studio and check off that last name on your list with gifts from Meany Center.
- Taproot Theatre Company has announced their Winter Acting Studio class lineup. Taproot will offer quarter-long classes for students in Pre-K through 12th grade, and Midwinter Break Camps for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, plus a new improv class for adults. The classes each end with a final performance showcasing the work they’ve done all quarter.
- Need a last-minute gift? This holiday, give the gift of the arts, from virtuoso pianists and chamber ensembles to innovative dance companies and genre-crossing musicians, there’s something for everyone on your list at Meany Center.
