Is She Dead Yet?

(a white comedy)
Written and directed by Brandon J. Simmons
July 31 – August 22, Thurs-Sat at 8 pm
PWYC Preview: July 30
PWYC Industry Night: August 10
Opening Night: July 31
Free Lecture Series Aug 6, 14, 20

What happens to white privilege when there are no more black people?

Annex Theatre invites you to the town of Mini-Salt-Lake-in-the-North-Woods, where the local cloud factory has produced “quality clouds for over half a century.” This is a world in which the whites are immortal, where Death itself is running for high political office, and where there is always an abundance of pink cake.

“Is She Dead Yet?” updates Euripides’ tragicomedy “Alcestis”—about a young wife who sacrifices herself to save her husband from death—into an absurd exploration of American whiteness. In this adaptation, the young wife turns out to be the last black person on earth, and her sacrifice will render the planet entirely white.

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Written and directed by Brandon J. Simmons, with music by Christen Audio Group, choreography by Noah Duffy and featuring the talents of Page Clark, Hannah Victoria Franklin, Soren Gillaspy, Yesenia Iglesias, Alex Matthews, Dani Suder, Shane Regan, Carol Thompson, Tom Wisely and John Wray.

Don’t miss this topical, hysterical, “white comedy”!

“…a vitally important drama for all of us at this very distressing time in American race relations…It is about the human condition, about justice and equality, about racial arrogance and insensitivity, about love and how it defines everything that matters in our individual lives…it’s the best locally written play that I’ve seen this year. Don’t let it get past you.” – Seattle Actor

CAST
Yesenia Iglesias Aretha
Alex Matthews Adam Brad
Hannah Victoria Franklin Auntie/Klea
Carol Thompson Janice/Handmaid
John Wray Old Adam
Dani Suder Reporter/Doctor
Soren Gillaspy Chorus
Paige Clark Chorus
Tom Wiseley Chorus
Shane Regan Chorus
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager Maureen Webb
Lighting Designer Ryan Dunn
Set Designer Keny Dutton
Original Music and Sound Design Christen Audio Group
Props Designers Keny Dutton and Adam Zopfi-Hulse
Costume Designer Adam Zopfi-Hulse
Choreographer Noah Duffy
Dance Captain Yesenia Iglesias
Technical Director Ian Johnston
Production Managers Katie McKellar and Noelle Wilcox

Balconies

Written & Directed
by Scotto Moore

August 1-30
Thurs-Sat at 8pm | Mon, Aug 11 industry night
All Thurs PWYC
$20 general/$18 advance tickets
$12 senior, military, TPS / $5 student

The creators of the hit mobile game “Sparkle Dungeon 5: Assassins Of Glitter” are celebrating their latest success with a wild costume party for artists, agitators and hackers. But in the condo next door, a Senate campaign fundraiser is coming to town, attracting politicos, CEOs and media celebrities. As the two events spill out onto neighboring balconies, can an unlikely romance succeed in the midst of steadily increasing mayhem? A screwball comedy from the playwright of “Duel of the Linguist Mages” and “A Mouse Who Knows Me.”

“The setup indicates a Noël Coward–style farce for the 21st century, and that’s what we get as a parade of oddballs from either side of the cultural divide fight, flirt, and baffle each other… ‘Balconies’ has an enthusiastic, I’ve-got-a-barn-let’s-put-on-a-show kind of feel, with the pleasure of watching a band whose members aren’t exactly masters of their instruments but are consistently entertaining. Special mentions go to Jason Sharp for his unctuously graceful performance as Lonso, and Mike Gilson for his marvelous deadpan as the senator’s head of security, Brick.” – The Stranger

“You should go. It’s complicated–and hugely entertaining, dealing with competing parties, cults, video game devs, revenge, and more… ‘Balconies’ gets under the skin of Seattle and pokes all the raw nerves. Required viewing for all start-ups, all indie devs. Required viewing for cult members. Big laughs, big payoffs… Go see it.” – Wonder and Risk

“Moore has a gift for setting up a great joke, then riffing on it; and by its conclusion, the farce finally delivers on its promise. At its best moments, Moore’s work reminds you of Joss Whedon’s ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ or ‘The Avengers’: He juggles an array of characters while still driving the plot forward and giving everyone a moment to shine. Having strong actors in key roles certainly helps. Katherine Karaus is warm and winning as Annalise, the condo owner whose mother’s political ambitions may be her undoing.” – Seattle Weekly

“If gaming is your thing and you can’t wait for Comicon, you’ll find much to like in this hip new play… Just as ‘Book of Mormon’ does a number on the Mormon Church, this play makes fun of the Scientologists… it also has something to say about politicos and the unseemly collaborations they sometimes make all in the effort to be reelected… It’s a funny play studded with clever lines…” – Arts Stage-Seattle Rage

“”This is smart and funny theater and a great choice for summer fun. The description of Sparkle Dungeon makes me long for someone to really create the game…” – Miryam Gordon

PRESS PHOTOS

CAST
Andy Buffelen Whisper
Evelyn DeHais Sophie
Zane Exactly Morning Bell/Tad
Mike Gilson Brick/Mayor
Arika Gloud Monica/Jordon
Laura Hanson Violet
Drew Highlands Cameron
Justin Ison Gridstation
Katherine Karaus Annalise
Tadd Morgan Cody
Pilar O’Connell Gabby/Emily
Jason Sharp Lonso
Jessica Stepka Cordelia/Cynthia
Raymond Williams DJ Luscious/Chief
CREW
Playwright/Director Scotto Moore
Stage Manager Maureen Webb
Light Designer Carolina Johnson
Set & Prop Designer Robin Macartney
Sound Designer Kyle Thompson
Costume Designer Cami Funk
Graphic Designer Evelyn DeHais
Featured Music Fog People (Rachel Jackson &
Michael Hayes)
Production Manager Katie McKellar
Technical Director Ian Johnston