THEATER
From a founder…
On paper, C. Bagley Wright was a manly cliche: a Princeton grad, Army veteran, New York City newsman, and real estate developer whose shrewd business acumen seemed a God-given gift. But in truth, Wright was a closeted thespian. When he moved to Seattle with his new wife Virginia in the late 1950s, his love of the arts fundamentally changed the culture of the city, starting with his patronage of Seattle Repertory Theatre. He served as its first president from 1963 to 1970—a make-or-break time for the city’s first regional theater company. “During those first five years, Bagley was the theater’s key emissary to the community,” Peter Donnelly, the Rep’s late producing director, told the Seattle P-I. “You’d see him at parties defending productions, defending actors, and assisting us in the formation of our image. It was a father-protector role.”
…To a Patron Saint
A shadow was cast on Seattle Rep’s 49th season when its father-protector, Bagley Wright, died of a heart attack on July 18, 2011, at the age of 87. Flags flew at half-staff across Seattle in honor of the game-changing arts patron and philanthropist, whose influence radiates from the top of the Space Needle (which he cofunded) to the depths of the modern art collection at Seattle Art Museum (which he and his wife Virginia supplied). And over at the House that Bagley Built, Seattle Rep has dedicated its current season to his memory.
But an even more fitting—if unintentional—tribute is the upcoming production of John Logan’s Red, a Tony-winning drama about abstract impressionist Mark Rothko and his young protege, Ken, in the midst of Rothko’s 1958 mural commission for the Four Seasons’ new restaurant. “I hope to paint something that will ruin the appetite of every son of a bitch who ever eats in that room,” Rothko famously said. He was both brilliant and irascible—words oft used to describe a certain Mr. Wright—and a man whose rage was the same shade of vermillion as his canvases. Rothko’s bold block paintings made people question their definition of art, and that extended debate plays out between mentor and mentee on stage.
Theater and art collide in the Bagley Wright Theatre, where Denis Arndt will star as Rothko, and rising Seattle actor Connor Toms makes his Seattle Rep main-stage debut as Ken. Though it’s exciting to see Arndt back on a local stage—stints on primetime TV have kept him busy lately—it’s Cornish alum Toms we’re keeping an eye on. Rep artistic director Jerry Manning handpicked Toms to play Ken after seeing him as Homer Wells in the grueling seven-hour stage adaptation of The Cider House Rules. Toms is both the fictional representation of the next generation of artists, and the future of Seattle theater itself. “It’s almost like when Monet took on Manet—[Manet] almost becomes the master,” Toms said of the relationship in Red. “At the end of the day, you have to shine on your own.” Red, Feb 24–Mar 18, Seattle Repertory Theatre, 206-443-2222; seattlerep.org
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Editor’s Picks
Pygmalion
Seattle Shakespeare Company takes its first crack at a George Bernard Shaw work—his much beloved, oft adapted story of Professor Henry Higgins and Cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle. Feb 23–Mar 11, Intiman Playhouse, 206-733-8222; seattleshakespeare.org
Help
Before they were the Beatles (insert high-pitched squeal here), they were just a few floppy-haired Liverpool teens. Dutch director Moniek Merkx tells the story of the days before their big break. Apr 12–May 13, Seattle Children’s Theatre, 206-441-3322; sct.org
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Myra Platt’s stage adaptation of Garth Stein’s best-selling novel presents a dog’s-eye view of life, love, and family. Apr 17–May 13, Center House Theatre, 206-216-0833; book-it.org
Million Dollar Quartet
Village Theatre hosted an early version of this Broadway musical about a legendary Sun Studio session with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. The show comes home a Tony winner. May 15–20, Paramount Theatre, 877-784-4849; stgpresents.org
Red, Black, and Green: A Blues
This multimedia performance brings a beatboxer, dancer, and visual artists Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Theaster Gates together to muse about environmental justice. May 31–June 3, Seattle Center, 206-323-4032; cdforum.org
Published: February 2012
Hey Mariel — The opening date for the Chihuly exhibit hasn’t been set yet, but there’s talk of late April/early May. Keep an eye on our site for updates.
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Latest news: Chihuly Garden and Glass anticipates opening in late May.
I’ve seen and admired Mr. Chihuly’s work all over the country. I need to come to the Seattle area in the next few months and would love to time my trip to see this. Do you have a date when the opening is planned?
cool!