Everything's coming up Classic!

Here at The Merc, our Artistic Director Ki spends a good deal of time thinking about our season and planning what shows we will produce. Many factors contribute to the decision: cast size, cost of production, set size, costumes, what we've produced in the past..the algorithm to figure it all out is staggering.  That said, sometimes in the middle of all the planning, serendipity steps in and provides us with amazing opportunities.  Such is the case with some of our upcoming events that center around a common theme we didn't necessarily intend, but that we plan to maximize:  CLASSICS!

You may have noticed that at the moment we are diving deep into Shakespeare.  Don't be afraid!  Shakespeare is awesome!  I might be an English teacher that will never let go...but really, if you digest it the way we like to offer it - Shakespeare is fun, entertaining, totally understandable, and not to be missed at The Merc. Trust us...you'll love it.

Our Shakespeare fever got started with the raucous cowboy-themed version of Twelfth Night that we offered last summer. It was a great production full of confused identity, bawdy jokes, and scheming tricksters. Classic, laugh-out-loud Shakespeare that audiences enjoyed.

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After Twelfth Night, we teamed up with a Shakespeare expert to direct our Children's Theater production this year.  It seemed natural to present kids' Shakespeare in the season following our adult production.  Rod Molzahn joined us to direct As You Like It and we are certain you'll love what he and the cast are doing with this production.  We'll be blogging some details on the plot and characters closer to the production to help you prepare for what you'll see onstage and fully engage with the all-kid cast.  They are hard at work in rehearsals now.  As You Like It opens on March 6th and runs two weekends.

Then, along came another Classic opportunity.  Director Rod Molzahn is a stellar, award-winning performer himself. He brings Shakespeare to life onstage in a one man show he created called A Visit with Will.  In the midst of directing our children's show, he agreed to a benefit performance for one night only at The Merc.  Join us February 13th at 7:00 PM to see him in action as The Bard.

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The Classic fun doesn't stop there.  Even after we planned all of this, The Seattle Shakespeare Company contacted us to bring a touring production to The Merc. We had to accept their offer when we learned the lead actress is Terry Weagant who performed The Amish Project here last year and has local family ties in the Methow. The Seattle Shakespeare company will bring Macbeth to our stage on May 16th at 7:00 PM and Terry will be playing Lady Macbeth.  You do not want to miss this!  Again, plot and character details forthcoming.

What could possibly be next?  Another Classic opportunity.  This spring at Seattle University, where she is the Theatre Department Chair, Ki is directing a production of Picnic, the classic play by Inge (Bus Stop & Splendor in the Grass). Through a generous grant from Seattle University, Ki will bring the production on tour to The Merc's stage.  We are very excited for yet another opportunity to present a theatre classic to our friends and audiences.  Picnic will be onstage Friday and Saturday, May 22nd and 23rd to round out the Memorial Day Weekend festivities.

There is something for everyone in all of these upcoming productions that we have scheduled.  Stay tuned for further details on each production, plus discounted ticket deals!

See ya at The Merc!
Missi