My Dear Miss Chancellor

Written by Caitlin Gilman, directed by Elizabeth Hershly
October 23 – November 14, Thurs – Sat at 7:30 pm
PWYC Preview: October 22
PWYC Industry Night: November 2
Opening Night: October 23

First loves, vindictive exes, lavish balls, all the latest fashions-and secret fencing clubs! Janet Chancellor comes to London, giddily anticipating a season of dancing and parlor visits. But once she meets Hazel McGovern, she discovers a world of women living just under the covers of polite society…women who drink, duel, and call each other sweetheart.

“It’s an absolute delight. A witty charmer with very clever dialogue, it brazenly takes on a rather corny, typical romance novel plot of forbidden love, revenge and retribution but does so with great intelligence and an attention to detail…. It’s also aided by astutely confident direction from Elizabeth Hershly who must juggle 13 actors and a lot of set changes on the Annex’s not very large stage, and the usual clever design work from the Annex team including a big effort from the Costume Department for a show with a huge cast and numerous period costume changes. Kudos to Samantha Armitage and her crew. The strong cast brings the story to life and is led with excellent work from leads Sophia Franzella as the new girl in town, the titular Miss Chancellor, who’s come to London to find a husband but instead discovers her Sapphic instincts and is romanced by the proudly fierce renegade Hazel McGovern, superbly played by Tracy Leigh.” – Seattle Gay Scene

“The script is really quite brilliant. There is not a line of unnecessary dialogue and never a moment when we feel like the playwright is working to make the speech sound authentic to the period and the people involved. The action is fast moving and the relationships both touching and believable. Much of that credit should also go to the fine cast and the excellent direction by Elizabeth Hershly. Perhaps what I liked most about this script is that it never felt didactic, but always deeply human. That would only be possible if the performances were equally human.” – Seattle Actor

“…a fantastic production…. This show is recommended for anyone who is ready or eager to see what female liberation can mean…. Samantha Armitage’s costumes are the aesthetic high point of the show. Fancy gowns fall away to high-bosomed corsets and pantaloons when the ladies fight or make love, giving the already scandalous action a peculiar sense of voyeurism.” – Drama In The Hood

Cast:
Alice Bridgforth
Stacey Bush
Alysha Curry
Sophia Franzella
Mike Gilson
Jasmine Joshua
Tracy Leigh
Matthew Middleton
Kendra Pierce
Hannah Schnabel
Steven Sterne
Laurie Utterback
Sarah Winsor

Love’s Tangled Web

written by Charles Ludlam | directed by Ed Hawkins
April 17 – May 16, 2009 | Fri-Sat, 8pm

CAST
Raeanne Avery Adria LaMorticella
Bram Taylor Daniel Wood
Eve Woodville Laurie Utterback
Bertie Woodville Patrick Walrath
Sylvia Woodville Kate Parker
Pastor Fenwick Bates Gerald B. Browning
CREW
Stage Manager Angel Welter
Set Design/Master Carpenter Kit Newman
Light Design/Photographer Ian Johnston
Costume Design Erik Andor
Costume Design Brian Norton
Props Mistress/Set Dresser Fiori Cippoletti
Sound Design Kevin Heard
Sound Design Ed Hawkins
Technical Director Max Reichlin
Production Manager Ellie McKay
Assistant Technical Director David Roby
Hair Consultant Sibyl Darling
Wardrobe Assistant Jen Moon
Graphic Designer/Illustrator Chris Zappala
SPECIAL THANKS

Robert Aguilar, Susannah Anderson, Jillian Armenante, Sibyl Darling, Darren Davis, Josie Gardner & Deborah Skorstadt at Washington School of Drama, Chris Jeffries, Jen Moon, Brian Norton, Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Laurie Utterback, West Seattle Senior Center/Stop ‘n Shop Thrift, Christopher Zinovitch at ArtsWest