Post Opening Night

Hey! We have more stuff to say!


The run up to opening is a blur of last minute preparation. Props made, props discarded; new cues added, modified, modified again, re-re-remodified, blocking and lines tweaked here and there.


Here is what our set looks like, with final paint job:

With Opening Night comes a buzz of nervousness, but also an adrenaline shot of energy as the cast and crew FINALLY get to show off before a live audience. A fairly full house with a fistful of reviewers in the audience was very responsive and very lively,with energetic laughter and some actual hissing and booing of antagonists. 

(And this is the sort of thing that actors live for; many times you know, but don't REALLY know the rhythms and pulse of a script until you get it before its first audience. After the first titter from the first row, things click and the cast refines the pacing and expression even further, honing their performances even more for each subsequent performance).

What are some of the responses?

"One of the smartest comedies I've seen in Seattle in years!"

"It was clever, it was FUNNY! I've spent years in ethnic student groups and the play just nailed the feeling perfectly!"

"Go see YELLOW FACE at Richard Hugo House! Great show--fine performances all around!"

"HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Combining self-referential satire, racial politics commentary, showbiz comedy, and immigrant family story, "Yellow Face" is funny, intellectual, sharp, and thought-provoking. In the intimacy of Hugo House, this fast-paced production sizzled and crackled with a brilliant cast, several of which breezed through a demanding array of ensemble characters at dizzying speed. Catch it while you can!"

We'll see how the critics respond, but the word from the audience seems pretty positive.

On Saturday, in between the matinee and evening performances, cast and crew spent some time taking production photos (photos of cast in costume, under the exact same lighting conditions as in the play, with appropriate props), to have a visual record of the production, for use in promotions and for archival purposes. A sample:

There's more excitement on the way, as the author, David Henry Hwang, is on his way out to Seattle. He'll be with us for the Saturday evening performance, August 13, and participate in a talk back session after the show. He'll also be at Elliot Bay Books for a talk session, August 14, at 2 pm.

Performances continue. There are organizational discounts for AAJA and NAAAP Seattle.  YELLOW FACE is a production of both the Pork Filled Players and Repertory Actors Theatre. It opens on Friday, August 5 and runs through Saturday, September 3 at the Richard Hugo House (1634 11th Ave in Seattle’s Capitol Hill area). Shows are 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm. Admission is $15 General Admission, $12 Students/Seniors/Artists at the door; tickets can also be purchased in advance at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/181433) for $12 General, $9 Students/Seniors/Artists (Reservations recommended). Discounted group rates are also available for parties of 10 or more. For more information and ticket reservations, please call the ReAct Box Office at (206)364-3283 or visit online at http://www.reactheatre.org or go to the Pork Filled Players website.

We'll talk more, later.