The ReAct Media Section

Well | ReAct's 2008 Season | ReAct Opens Prima Vera Arts Center | ReAct Storage Unit Break-In

Press Release

Pull Date: June 1, 2008

ReAct Presents the Northwest Premiere of WELL, the affecting new play by Lisa Kron

Richard Hugo House, May 2 - June 1, 2008: ReAct Theatre, Seattle's only Multi-ethnic Philanthropic Theatre Company continues its 2008 fifteenth anniversary season with the regional premiere of touching and amusing new play, WELL by Lisa Kron, the award winning perfomance artist and member of the 5 Lesbian Brothers.

The hilarious new play by acclaimed writer and performer Lisa Kron, WELL is her fantastic and funny semi-autobiographical exploration into health, family, activism and community. Poor Lisa. All she wants to do is put on a nice, orderly little play about her family, growing up, and how she got cured of her illness. But her mother keeps interrupting, offering snacks to the audience and interjecting her own versions of Lisa's story. A terrific new show for anyone who's ever had a mother.

WELL received its world premiere at the Public Theatre on March 16th, 2004. It opened on Broadway two years later on March 30, 2006. WELL was anthologized in Best Plays of 2003-2004, listed among the year's best plays by the New York Times and received two Tony Award nominations. Lisa Kron is also the author of 2.5 Minute Ride.

WELL runs from May 2 - June 1, 2008, playing Friday nights at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm. (Note: there will be no 2pm matinee on Sunday, May 18th) All performances will be held at Richard Hugo House located at 1634 Eleventh Avenue, just north of the corner of 11th and Pine in Seattle on Capitol Hill. Free parking is available throughout the neighborhood. ReAct's opening night performance on May 2nd will be followed by a gala reception. Special door prizes are also raffled off at the start of every performance.

Ticket prices are $15 General Admission; $12 Students/Seniors/Military/Disabled; and $9 for Children, with a $3 discount when purchased in advance. Additionally, ReAct's two performances at 2pm and at 7pm on Sunday, May 4th are both "Pay-What-You-Can" performances. Mothers can also attend free accompanied by another on our performances on Mother's Day, May 11th. Once again, due to scheduling conflicts, there will be NO 2pm matinee on Sunday, May 18th. For more information and ticket reservations, please call the ReAct box office at (206) 364-3283 or visit online at www.reacttheatre.org. Advanced tickets are also available though the following outlets:
•Ticket Window: (206) 325-6500, www.ticketwindowonline.com, fax: (425)450-3839.
•Brown Paper Tickets: (800) 838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com.
•Elliott Bay Book Company: (206) 624-6600 or (800) 962-5311.

Co-directed by ReAct's Artistic Director, David Hsieh and by ShawnJ West, this Seattle and Northwest Premiere of WELL features the multi-ethnic talents of Marcel Davis, Ellen Dessler, Roberta Furst, Gordon Hendrickson, La'Chris Jordan and Walayn Sharples. Lighting is designed by Wendy Hammatt. ReAct's fifteenth anniverary season "Fantastic Fifteenth"—which opened with a new revival of the popular romatic fantasy PRELUDE TO A KISS, is also scheduled to include the epic masterpiece ANGELS IN AMERICA: PERESTROIKA by Tony Kushner opening at the Ethnic Cultural theatre in July, the Northwest premeire of DEFIANCE by John Patrick Shanley in September, and a revival production of the hit musical SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! in the fall and more!

Established in 1993, ReAct strives to provide affordable quality entertainment using primarily non-traditional and multi-ethnic casting. Its purpose is to give artists of all backgrounds the opportunity to work on mainstream projects they might not normally have access to due to ethnicity, gender, age or experience. A federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic company, ReAct also works to service our community by using its productions to raise money, awareness and supplies for other arts and humanitarian organizations. ReAct's production will benefit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Theatre Puget Sound and other charities, and a canned food drive will benefit Northwest Harvest. Our performance venue was made possible in cooperation with SIS Productions, in residence at Richard Hugo House.

Performance Fact Sheet:

WHO: The Repertory Actors Theatre (ReAct Theatre)

WHAT: WELL
by Lisa Kron

WHERE: Richard Hugo House
1634 11th Ave, Seattle

WHEN: May 2 - June 1, 2008
Playing Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, with no Sunday 2:00pm matinee show on May 18th.

HOW: Tickets/Reservations: Call (206) 364-3283 or visit http://www.reacttheatre.org
General Admission: $15
Students/Seniors/Military/Disabled: $12
Children (ages 4-11): $9
Save $3 off admission by purchasing tickets in advance. Save $1 Off admission with a foodbank donation presented at the ReAct Box Office.
Two "Pay-What-You-Can" performances at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 4th at 7:00pm on Sunday May 4th. Mothers also get in free with another paid admission for both performances on Mother's Day, May 11th.
Group Discount Rates are also available for parties of 10 or more.
Special ($6) Day of Show Rush Tickets for Theatre Artists are also available as space allows.

Advanced discounted tickets are also available through Ticket Window (206) 325-6500, http://www.ticketwindowonline.com ; Brown Paper Tickets (800) 838-3006, http://www.brownpapertickets.com ; and other fine outlets, including the Elliott Bay Book Company in Pioneer Square.

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PUBLICITY PHOTOS:

Please Click on thumbnail for Hi-Res image

Roberta Furst as Lisa in ReAct's Northwest Premiere of Well, by Lisa Kron. Photo: David Hsieh.

Additional images and graphics are available on our Box Office page or our Homepage.

Press Release

Pull Date: December 31, 2008

ReAct Announces Its 2008 Season: "Fantastic 15th"

Seattle, March 27 - December 31, 2008: ReAct Theatre, Seattle's only Multi-ethnic Philanthropic Theatre Company is pleased to announce it's 2008 Fifteenth Anniversary Season of Seattle Premieres and modern American Classics. ReAct's season, "Fantastic 15th" will play at various venues including the Theatre Off Jackson in the International District, the Broadway Performance Hall, Richard Hugo House on Capitol Hill and the Ethnic Cultural Theatre in the University District. ReAct's line-up includes:

PRELUDE TO A KISS by Criag Lucas
A new production of one of our biggest past hits...A whirlwind courtship. A storybook wedding. A kiss for the bride. And suddenly everything changes. When Peter and Rita’s newlywed marriage is strained by a magical twist of fate, true love will never be the same. Recently revived on Broadway, this Tony nominated play by Craig Lucas will enchant you. If you can't believe your eyes...trust your heart. - Theatre Off Jackson - March 27 - April 20, 2008. Sponsored in part by 4 Culture and the City of Seattle's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

WELL by Lisa Kron
ReAct is honored to present the Northwest Premiere of WELL, Lisa Kron's touching and wonderful, utterly original comedy about overcoming illness, the health of a community and the bond between mothers and daughters. Poor Lisa. All she wants to do is put on a nice, orderly little play about her family, growing up, and how she got cured of her illness. But her mother keeps interrupting, offering snacks to the audience and interjecting her own versions of Lisa's story.A recent Broadway hit named a New York Times "Top Ten Pick," you'll feel better after seeing this gratifying new hit. - Richard Hugo House - May 2 - June 1, 2008. Venue made possible thanks to SIS Productions, in residency at Richard Hugo House.

ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 2: PERESTROIKA by Tony Kushner
In conjuction around Absurd Reality Theatre's staging of ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 1: MILLENIUM APPROACHES, ReAct is excited to stage this award-winning gay fantastia on national themes. In this monumental play, Kushner tells the story of a handful of people trying to make sense of the world. Prior is a man living with AIDS whose lover Louis has left him and become involved with Joe, an ex-Mormon and political conservative whose wife, Harper, is slowly having a nervous breakdown. These stories are contrasted with that of Roy Cohn and his attempts to remain in the closet while trying to find some sort of personal salvation in his beliefs. - Ethnic Cultural Theatre - July 11 - August 10, 2008.

DEFIANCE by John Patrick Shanley
The second drama in John Patrick Shanley's trilogy which began with the Pulitzer Prize-winning theatrical smash DOUBT, DEFIANCE is set in 1971 at a military base where officers clash over issues of race and morality. As the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War divide the world outside, the struggle for power and authroity rages within the hallowed halls of America's Marine Corps. A timely and thought-provoking new play. - Ethnic Cultural Theatre - September 12 - October 5, 2008. Another Northwest Premiere!

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!
Conjuction Junction...What's your function? ReAct's definitive original and ever-popular staging returns for one final engagement, also celebrating the 35th anniversary of this cultural phenomena. Join Interplanet Janet, the Bill who wants to be a law, Lolly, Lolly & Lolly, and all your Schoolhouse Rock favorites in this nostalgic, fun and entertaining musical revue! - Broadway Performance Hall - October 30 - November 9, 2008.

And more!

Individual advanced tickets available through the ReAct box office at (206) 364-3283 or online. Advanced tickets are also available though the following outlets:
•Ticket Window: (206) 325-6500, www.ticketwindowonline.com, fax: (425)450-3839.
•Brown Paper Tickets: (800) 838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com.
•Elliott Bay Book Company: (206) 624-6600 or (800) 962-5311.

Money-saving Subscription Packages are also available. ReAct offers a 2-Show Season Sampler Pass and a 6-Show Multi-Season Flex Pass, each providing up to 60% off regular ticket prices.

Established in 1993, ReAct strives to provide affordable quality entertainment using primarily non-traditional and multi-ethnic casting. Its purpose is to give artists of all backgrounds the opportunity to work on mainstream projects they might not normally have access to due to ethnicity, gender, age or experience. A federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic company, ReAct also works to service our community by using its productions to raise money, awareness and supplies for other arts and humanitarian organizations.

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REACT'S 2008 MAINSTAGE SEASON:

Press Release

Pull Date: May 13, 2006

ReAct Opens the Prima Vera Arts Center

Seattle's only Multi-ethnic Philanthropic Theatre Company, ReAct, has great news to share - the launching of Prima Vera Arts Center. Located in the Seattle Center area at 112 5th Avenue North, 2nd Floor, the new center will be ReAct's primary rehearsal and meeting space.

ReAct has been prominently featured in the news this year as a result of a series of burglaries during three different productions at three different locations over the past three years. After hearing of ReAct's bad luck and upon seeing ReAct's most recent production of To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday, Vera and Joey Ing decided it was time to help ReAct turn their luck around. The 2nd Floor of their property across the street from KOMO-TV's Fisher Plaza was available, so the Seattle couple decided to donate the space for ReAct to use.

They are thrilled at the opportunity to create a gathering place for a multi-ethnic company like ReAct, and want to see the space come alive with and being utilized by artists. They adored not only the recent production, but also ReAct's original adaptation of The Joy Luck Club a few years ago and are looking forward to ReAct's fall premiere of Uncle Hideki and the Empty Nest written by their close friend and local author Jean Davies Okimoto.

Vera Ing serves on the Liquor Control Board and has been involved with many civic organizations such as Seattle Center, Mt. Baker Community Club, International District Improvement Association, International Rotary, and North Seattle Community College Foundation. She has also served on the executive boards of United Way, Asian American Management Association and the University of Washington Women Resource Center. Joey Ing, retired, was the principal architect with Ing & Associates. A few of his projects include the design for the International Children's Park in Seattle's International District and Anthony's at Pier 66.

ReAct will share the space with SIS Productions and Pork Filled Players. All three performing arts companies focus on developing the writing, acting, production and producing skills of local Asian American and multi-cultural talent.

The three groups celebrated the opening of the Prima Vera Arts Center, named after the space's benefactor, on Saturday, May 13 with a Ribbon Ceremony and Open House. "It's appropriate that a new space that will serve the Asian American performing arts groups in the area should open during May, which is recognized as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month," states David Hsieh, Managing Artistic Director of ReAct.

The building is located between 5th Ave N. & Taylor Ave N. just off of Denny Ave N. on the East side of the Seattle Center, right next to Fat City Auto, across the street from KOMO-TV, and down the street from McDonald's. The monorail track runs right in front of the building. The front of the building is painted red and is a small, 2-story store front. The entrance is on the back-side of the building (painted purple with gray trim) on the 2nd floor (above the body building studio).

The Repertory Actors Theatre strives to produce quality theatrical entertainment using primarily multi-ethnic and non-traditional casting, by:
• Giving theatre artists of all backgrounds and skill-levels the opportunity to work together on mainstream projects that they might not normally have access to due to race, sex, age, or experience.
• Using our productions to help raise awareness, supplies and financial support for humanitarian and theatre-related charities and organizations.
• Developing in the general public, an increased appreciation for the dramatic and performing arts.

SIS Productions is a production company that strives to create, develop and produce quality works that involve Asian American women, their themes, and Asian American issues. SIS Productions encourages opportunities and support for Asian American women to be involved in all aspects of the production of artistic endeavors.

The Pork Filed Players is Seattle second oldest sketch comedy group. Since 1997, PFP has been the Northwest's premiere Asian American sketch comedy group, touring from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, BC, racking up appearances at the very first two Seattle Sketchfests, Bumbershoot 2004 and SketchOff@%#?!, the first international Asian sketch comedy competition. Over the years, the Players have employed an ever changing cast of characters in their never-ending battle for truth, pursuit of justice and finding out whatever the hell they mean by the American way of life in the 21st Century.

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NEWS PHOTOS:

Please Click on thumbnail for Hi-Res image

The building owners and leaders from ReAct, SIS Productions and PFP, open the Prima Vera Arts Center with a Ribbon Ceremony. Photo: Roger Tang.

 

The entrance of ReAct's new Prima Vera Arts Center. Photo: Roger Tang.

 

Another photo of the Prima Vera Arts Center. Photo: Roger Tang.

Additional Color images and graphics are available on our Homepage.

Press Release

Pull Date: Indefinite

ReAct's Storage Facility Broken Into and Ransacked

Seattle, March 22, 2006: As the staff of ReAct Theatre was preparing for their 2006 season opener later this week, the poignant family drama TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY, they discovered that their south Seattle storage unit had been broken into, and thousands of dollars worth of irreplaceable costumes, props, set pieces and supplies had been stolen and ransacked.

The company's artistic director, David Hsieh, made the discovery yesterday afternoon when he visited their Public Storage rented facility on Martin Luther King Jr Way near Boeing Field, on Tuesday. He was stopping by to retrieve additional props, set dressings, lobby display tables and opening night party supplies. Hsieh was shocked and devastated. ReAct's storage unit was left in shambles, and even at first glance he could instantly tell that a lot of the company's assets, accumulated from nearly 15 years of production had been taken or damaged. The storage unit is located at 10020 M.L. King Way South.

For any company, this is a difficult hit to take... But this crime is particularly difficult for ReAct, a small non-profit theater company which donates its production proceeds to other arts and humanitarian charities, and works to provide opportunities for artists of color. This is unluckily the third theft crime that ReAct has had to endure in the past four years... A rash of theater break-ins by vagrants at the Bathhouse Theatre during the summer of 2003, cost the company an estimated $3000+ in pilfered period props and costumes, photographic equipment and concessions supplies when ReAct rented the space for their critically acclaimed production of the World War II drama, THE HASTY HEART. And just one year ago during ReAct's production of THE SHAPE OF THINGS by Neil LaBute, their locked dressing rooms at Richard Hugo House were accessed and the company lost $1500 worth of electronic projection equipment that was used in that show.

"I can't believe it! This sucks!" exclaimed ReAct Board member Angela DiMarco, yesterday when Hsieh contacted the company's board and supporters to inform them of the news. "It's just about all we have." The locking mechanism of ReAct's storage unit had been pulled completely off. There has reportedly been a string of recent break ins at that Public Storage facility in the past several months. Hsieh last visited the unit three weeks ago to grab some set pieces that needed to be repainted, and at that time, all was fine.

With ReAct's impending show opening tomorrow night, it will probably take the company's bare-bones staff and volunteers days just to even begin cleaning up and accessing the total loss. Sadly, other companies are also affected, as ReAct regularly loaned costumes, props and set pieces to other theater companies, including the Village Theatre, SiS Productions, and Theater Schmeater, just to name a recent few, as well as to many individual artists. If you have any information regarding these thefts, you are urged to please contact Officer Lee at the Seattle Police Department, case #06-116237. If you would like to help in any other way, please contact ReAct Theatre at (206)364-3283 or by email.

For ReAct, as always, the show must go on. The cast, crew and board has scampered to replace some of the lost stored items that were going to be used in their current show. Although many of the items taken or damaged may not have any high "street value"... to a theater company this size, they hold a great deal of monetary, intrinsic and not to mention historical and sentimental value, and the loss is a huge setback. ReAct's new Seattle production of TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY by Michael Brady, the heart-warming family drama ironically about a widowers struggle to overcome his loss and grief, opens tomorrow and plays at Richard Hugo House through April 9th.

If you would like to help, aside from making a tax-deductible donation, please just spread the word to everyone you know about the incident. Someone somewhere may knows something that could perhaps lead to the recovery of some of the stolen property, or the apprehension of the culprit(s). A list of the missing items will be posted on ReAct's website next week after total loss and damages are assessed this weekend. ReAct also encourages you to please come support their current show if you can...Tickets are very inexpensive. It won't bring back their loss, but it will certainly help the company survive and move forward.

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NEWS PHOTOS:

Please Click on thumbnail for Hi-Res image

To access ReAct's storage unit the cuplrits tore ReAct's lock clean through the gate locking mechanism. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

The ransackers left ReAct's storage unit in shambles after pilfering through everything. Photo: David Hsieh.