Staff Picks
Soak up a few more weeks of holiday theater coziness before heading into the new year, which starts off strong with a Lloyd Suh play at Seattle Rep.
‘Fellow Passengers’
Strawberry Theatre Workshop (aka Strawshop) presents Kiki Abba, Imogen Love and Heather Persinger in this slim version of “A Christmas Carol” adapted in a narrative literary style, i.e. pulling directly from the written text. “Fellow Passengers” debuted in 2004, adapted from Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella by Strawshop Artistic Director Greg Carter. Lamar Legend (who appeared as an actor in last year’s production) directs this year’s trio as they portray more than 50 characters in this story of “literature’s most famous haunted man and his joyful discovery that the people around him are ‘fellow passengers to the grave; not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.’ ”
Through Dec. 22; 12th Avenue Arts, 1620 12th Ave., Seattle; $9-$45; strawshop.org
‘Sugar Plum Gary’
“Does anyone have a question about Christmas?” That’s how local comedy treasure Emmett Montgomery begins his annual holiday performance as Sugar Plum Gary, a gentle, jolly “Santanist” who was forever changed by a run-in with the real, nightmarish Santa, lo these many years ago. Montgomery serves up keenly observed, warmhearted comedy all over town and co-hosts the monthly Joketellers Union comedy show at Clock-Out Lounge. Where each performance of “Sugar Plum Gary” will go depends entirely on that day’s Christmas questions, but here’s the recipe: “part improvisational stand-up, part holiday special and part group therapy session for anyone who’s ever wondered what lurks in the shadow of the Christmas tree.”
Dec. 12-24; Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., Seattle; $15-$100 for in-person and livestream tickets; 206-728-0933, annextheatre.org
‘O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy’
If you’re a fan of classic British comedies like Monty Python and Mr. Bean, this might be the holiday show for you. Comedy duo James and Jamesy (Aaron Malkin and Alastair Knowles) return to the Northwest with their signature brand of “tea-themed comedy” that is, according to press notes, “rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements.” But there’s bad news: A catastrophe at James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party has flooded the world with tea! So, if you enjoy a good, silly British panto at Christmastime (or you think you might), consider having some laughs as these two figure out how to stay afloat.
Through Dec. 14; various locations; $20-$137; ochristmastea.com
‘The Heart Sellers’
It’s Thanksgiving 1973, and strangers Luna and Jane are both relatively new to America, where their husbands are both medical residents at the same hospital. When they meet perusing frozen turkeys at the grocery store, they decide to celebrate the new holiday together. As they get to know one another, they discover how much they have in common, not least of which is their longing for home and their sacrifices made to immigrate to this country. Sunam Ellis directs the Seattle premiere of this two-person play by Lloyd Suh, which was one of the most-produced plays in America this year, according to American Theatre.
Jan. 2-Feb. 1; Seattle Rep, 155 Mercer St., Seattle; $52-$108; 206-443-2222, seattlerep.org
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