Let The Record Show
Annex Theatre · № 40.5 · 40th Season · 2027
I’m Sorry, Jon
Written by Andrew Shanks
Directed by Lucien Oberleitner
Oct 14 - 30, 2027
A cosmic horror comedy about one lonely cartoonist, one very large cat, and the end of all things.
Jon is a cartoonist in a nice, completely forgettable suburban house. Lately he's been withdrawing from everyone, for reasons he'd prefer to keep to himself. His sister Jennifer thinks he should see someone. Jon has a better idea: he adopts a cat.
Garfunkel is lethargic, unbothered and strangely charismatic for an animal that sits by the window all day. And he seems to be good for Jon. The comic strip about him is finally getting traction (as much as anything can, now that nobody reads newspaper comics). Jon's agent Davis wants him to think bigger. His landlord Link, a clout-chaser half his age, wants a piece of it.
Then, on his way out for more cat food, Jon hears Garfunkel speak. Really speak. With his new best friend's advice, things are going great. Until they aren't: Garfunkel's plans pull Jon down a spiral of bloody murder, body horror, gods of cosmic mischief and manosphere podcasts, and the cat on the windowsill turns into something much, much bigger.
Part creature feature, part dark comedy, I'm Sorry, Jon is a world premiere about the male loneliness epidemic, the friends and family who enable us with the best intentions, and the monsters we feed instead of asking for help.
Tickets
Every ticket gets you the same seat in the same room, so pick the price that works for you.
Friend of Annex — $40: $40 for 40 years: $40 for 40 years: fuel new work, balance pay-what-you-can tickets, and support the Annex mission.
Standard Admission — $25: Our standard price, kept low so more people can come.
Pay What You Can — from $5: Price shouldn’t keep anyone from art
Can’t make it in person? Every mainstage is also live streamed at the same prices.
At a glance
Run time: TBD
Seating: General Admision - first come, first served
Recommended for: 16+
For fans of: The Thing, Little Shop of Horrors, Evil Dead: The Musical, Beau Is Afraid, Hereditary and every cursed comic you've ever wished you could unsee.
The bar
Our bar is open on show nights, before the show and at intermission (dependent on show duration). Drinks are 21+ and ID is required. Every sip supports Annex.
Getting here
Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122, at the corner of 11th and Pike on Capitol Hill, entrance on 11th. Look for the little blue door on 11th Ave; we're on the second floor, up two flights of stairs. Box office: (206) 728-0933 · boxoffice@annextheatre.org. (venue info)
Accessibility
Annex is up a two flights of stairs; there is no elevator available. If you have access needs, email info@annextheatre.org before your visit and we’ll do what we can to make it work
Questions?
Content warnings
Recommended for ages 16+. I'm Sorry, Jon contains:
Murder and graphic on-stage violence
Gore and body horror, including a creature transformation
A character in a mental health crisis, loneliness and self-isolation
Misogynist rhetoric from manosphere podcasts, presented critically
Strong language
Production elements:
Stage blood
Puppetry, sudden scares and loud sound effects
Performances
Thursday, Oct 14 at 7:30 pm
Preview
Sunday, Oct 17 at 2:00 pm
Matinee
Saturday, Oct 16 at 7:30 pm
Friday, Oct 15 at 7:30 pm
Opening
Thursday, Oct 21 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, Oct 23 at 7:30 pm
Friday, Oct 22 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, Oct 24 at 2:00 pm
Matinee
Industry Night
Monday, Oct 25 at 7:30 pm
Thursday, Oct 28 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, Oct 30 at 7:30 pm
Closing
Friday, Oct 29 at 7:30 pm
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Andrew Shanks
he/him
Playwright
Andrew Shanks (he/him) is a Seattle-based playwright, performer, producer and theatre punk. He can most likely be found haunting vinyl record stores or local karaoke bars.
Shanks' written work runs the gamut from family trauma, ghost-hunting punks, reincarnated cockroaches, big-tech gone amok, and professional wrestling. His play, “ACME: A Company that Makes Everything” - an Annex Theatre original - made its New York debut in 2019. Since 2020, his creative focus has been curating and producing the lo-fi late-night theatre anthology series, THE UGLY RADIO, which is available on all podcast streaming platforms and has featured over +110 artists, writers, voice actors and musicians. Shanks is quite sure that he is human, and not a hive-mind or tardigrades piloting a human suit… but how can anyone be sure these days?
Visit the void at theuglyradio.com
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Lucien Oberleitner
they/them
Director
Lucien (they/them) has been developing new work in Seattle for twelve years. Aside from being on Staff at Annex, they are a Teaching Artist with Freehold's Engaged Theatre Residency at Washington Corrections Center for Women and a proud alum of Parley Productions. They have had the pleasure of working in many capacities; as a performer, director, choreographer, dancer, writer, and producer. Lucien is a political artist, focusing on original work that undermines systems of oppression. They really, really believe in you and your right to a profound and complete life.