In 1954, the playwright N. Richard Nash published one of his seminal works: “The Rainmaker.” The play centered on an intriguing character and concept: A man arrives in a town devastated by drought, promises to make it rain in exchange for $100 and consequently captures the attention of a single young woman and her family. Two years later, the play was successfully adapted into a film, the screenplay for which was also written by Nash, starring Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster. Over the next few years, Nash put a new spin on the play and brought a musical adaptation to Broadway, titled “110 in the Shade.” The musical has continued to be produced in the decades since, notably by the New York City Opera in 1992 and, more recently, in a Broadway revival in 2007 that earned it four Tony nominations. On March 16, Reboot and Seattle Public Theatre are bringing “110 in the Shade” to Seattle audiences with a fresh and relevant take on the ’50s classic that reexamines traditional and expected gender roles. The production, which runs until April 9, is directed and choreographed by Scot Charles Anderson.
If you’re a fan of “Reservation Dogs,” the groundbreaking hit that is widely hailed among the best shows on television right now (seriously, watch it. It’s that good), then you can’t miss “Between Two Knees,” opening at the Bagley Wright Theater on March 3. The play — which has already generated quite a buzz and is sure to be one of Seattle Rep’s highlights this year — is the first by The 1491s, the intertribal sketch comedy troupe behind the TV show. The play is a journey through historical events from the 1800s to the late 1900s, serving as a subversive and entertaining education about the Native history that is erased from most textbooks. With their keen eye for storytelling and commitment to telling these stories through a Native lens while celebrating Indigenous talent, The 1491s have gained the appreciation and loyalty of fans and critics alike. This production of “Between Two Knees,” running through March 26, is directed by Eric Ting and choreographed by Ty Defoe.
Seattle Shakespeare’s “Drum and Colours” series has injected new life and meaning into the works of our greatest playwright. This season, “Henry IV” will come to the Seattle stage in all its tragic and complicated glory, as S Franco gets behind the directing wheel to interpret a story of power and corruption that remains as relevant today as it was over four centuries ago. This is the first time Franco, who previously starred as an actor in multiple Seattle Shakespeare productions, will be directing for the company’s mainstage. Reexamining Shakespeare’s work is a passionate endeavor for Franco, and as they explore how “these classic, epic, beautiful, poetic stories belong to [artists in the global majority]”, along with an all-BIPOC cast and production team, this tale of privilege, power, and sacrifice is bound to be a riveting affair. SSC’s “Henry IV” will run from March 14 to April 9.
Lastly, one of the reasons to get excited for theater in March is a limited run that will certainly be a joy to experience — the kind of event that we’d usually have to wait until June for, but that so many of us wish we could enjoy year-round. SPU Theatre is celebrating queer voices and stories with a series of one-act plays, live for one week only at the Studio Theatre, from March 7 to 11. Pride is year-round, and this is one of many opportunities this year to celebrate and listen to queer storytellers.
Johannes Saca is a writer living in Seattle. Instagram/Twitter: @JohannesSaca
Read more of the Mar. 1-7, 2023 issue.