Few sitcoms from the 1960s resonate today. Such hits from yesteryear as “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Munsters” are dated and predictable. The Addams Family, a fictional family created by American cartoonist Charles Addams, is an exception. The delightfully quirky, old money clan who revel in the macabre lasted only two seasons, 1964-66 on ABC. “The
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Creatives and cast discuss and perform songs from the Broadway black comedy Jayce Fortin, Mathias Oliver, Henry McNulty and Jake Schaefer joined E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio to talk about the Spokane Civic Theatre's upcoming season and its opening show, The Addams Family. The Broadway musical about the famously
Congratulations to the cast of DRACULA, Spokane Civic Theatre's 76th Studio Theatre Season-opening production. Thank you to all who auditioned! In this thrilling new adaptation that bounces between horror and humor, from Transylvania to England and then back again, playwright Kate Hamill boldly reimagines Bram Stoker’s classic tale of vampires and finds new monsters just
Congratulations to the cast of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Spokane Civic Theatre's 76th Main Stage Season opening production. Thank you to all who auditioned! That lovable family of creepy kooks is alive and well and living in their super-spooky mansion in Central Park. The Addams family, led by the elegantly gaunt and seemingly undead Morticia
Duncan Sheik never envisioned writing music for theater. That was so even after befriending playwright Steven Sater a quarter century ago. “I was anti-musical theater at that point,” Sheik said while calling from his Manhattan apartment. “The process of developing shows takes forever. I didn’t want to be part of that.” After achieving commercial success
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Cast members perform songs from the Alice in Wonderland-inspired musical Sarah Junette Dahmen, Henry McNulty, Jake Schaefer, Jonah Taylor and Taylor Wenglikowski joined E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio to talk about the Spokane Civic Theatre's new production of Alice by Heart ahead of its opening this weekend. Schaefer and Dahmen are
If "summer theater" conjures images of actors holding skulls aloft and waxing existential in a park, you're in luck. Because this summer's offerings both meet and defy those expectations. You can certainly catch Hamlet or Measure for Measure performed en plein air by Shakespeare pros, but you also have the option of kicking back in an air-conditioned theater and watching
Grab a D-I-C-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y and welcome to the spelling bee. This heartfelt musical comedy follows an eclectic group of tweens who compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear
Sixteen-year-old Jim Hawkins’ adventure begins when Billy Bones, the old sea-dog captain, appears one morning in the Admiral Benbow Inn. Billy Bones admits to Jim he was Flint the pirate’s first mate and that he holds Flint’s map that shows where his treasure is hidden. Bill’s got the shakes because the rest of Flint’s crew
This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village from an ancient curse and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies
Spokane Civic Theatre is proud to present the Pacific Northwest premiere of ALICE BY HEART, through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. From the Tony and Grammy award-winning creators of SPRING AWAKENING, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (WAITRESS), ALICE BY HEART is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s madcap
TA(P) this week profiles the making of the Civic's Charlie & the Chocolate Factory This week we at Spokane Public Radio are excited to present a special episode of the Thursday Arts (P)review. Instead of our usual multi-segment format featuring artists, authors, musicians and other creatives from across the Inland Northwest, we've teamed up with the Inlander to take
(Jerrod Phelps as Willy Wonka on the cover for the Inlander) Everyone knows the story of Charlie, the Golden Ticket and his fateful visit to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. And if you don't, well, I'm sorry. It's a great story. Good news is the Spokane Civic Theatre has the play on its main stage through June
When Connie Mack Overstreet’s pals are playing under the harsh sunlight on a baseball diamond, the child actor is on a different type of platform. Overstreet, 13, who was named after the legendary baseball manager with the most wins and losses in major league baseball history, is at home under the lights of a stage.
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Cast and creatives perform songs from the regional premiere and discuss its charms Jillian Kehne, Troy Nickerson, Connie Mack Overstreet and Jerrod Phelps joined E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio to give details on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The production, which is a regional premiere of the 2013 musical,
Spokane Civic Theatre is proud to present its celebrated Playwrights’ Forum Festival, which, since 1983, has showcased new one-acts by playwrights from across the region. The festival is performed in two separate sets on alternating days. In honor of his unflinching dedication and innumerable contributions, the festival has been named after Civic's Resident Playwright, Bryan
Glinda (Lacey Olson) and the Munchkins from a rehearsal for The Wizard of Oz, 2022 CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS Community theater is special, and in Spokane we're lucky to have multiple such establishments that produce consistently stellar shows, one of which is the SPOKANE CIVIC THEATRE. The Civic recently announced the first slate of shows for its fully loaded
Spokane Civic Theatre has renewed "National Pastime," a play from Spokane playwright Bryan Harnetiaux, which tells the story of Jackie Robinson, who made history as the first black athlete signed to a Major League Baseball team 75 years ago. Tickets are $10 for students, $25 for adults and can be purchased online at the Theatre's website! Spokane
Buck O’Neil nailed it while sitting in the KXLY studio in 2003 when he reminisced about Jackie Robinson breaking major league baseball’s color line in 1947. “When (Brooklyn Dodgers President) Branch (Rickey) signed Jackie to that contract, that was the beginning of the civil rights movement,” O’Neil said O’Neil, who became the first African-American coach
Spokane, Wash. - National Pastime, an award-winning play, is returning to Spokane this week for the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic MLB debut. As a part of the newly introduced Major League Baseball campaign, "The Nine", meant to celebrate and honor the impact of black baseball pioneers and further diversify the business of baseball, the
The very first scene that playwright Bryan Harnetiaux wrote for his play National Pastime was also its most severe. Although it's often referred to in euphemistic shorthand as "the office scene," the first-act finale depicts the real-life episode in which Branch Rickey, then club president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, met with a 26-year-old Black baseball
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE The director, playwright and cast members preview a play about Jackie Robinson Kimberly Ridgeway, Tré Terry and Bryan Harnetiaux entered the KPBX studio with E.J. Iannelli to talk about Harnetiaux's play National Pastime. The play recounts Jackie Robinson's historic breaking of the baseball color barrier and the toll that civil
Celebrate Spokane Civic Theatre's 75th Season with an evening of entertainment, dining, history, fundraising (live and silent auction), and community. SATURDAY, APRIL 29 NORTHERN QUEST CASINO DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 EVENT BEGINS AT 6:00 MENU OPTIONS 8oz Filet Mignon USDA Choice center cut tenderloin of beef with whiskey-sage gravy; medium-rare (can be gluten-free) Served with
Best Local Play of the Past Year NEWSIES, SPOKANE VALLEY SUMMER THEATRE "The dancing was phenomenal! So much energy from so many local young kids. Awesome!" (Jeanne F.); "It was a spectacular show with a killer Broadway set and fantastic dancing, singing and acting." (Erin W.) 2nd PLACE: The Rocky Horror Show, Stage Left Theater 3rd
Jukebox musicals have a reputation for flimsy narratives but are often buoyed by a hit parade of songs. But “Jersey Boys,” which opens this weekend and runs through March 26 at the Spokane Civic Theatre, has the tunes and the story, albeit an unlikely tale. There were a myriad of lads singing on the street
It's been over 50 years since four boys from Jersey formed the hit 1960s band The Four Seasons, but their story continues inspiring audiences around the globe. That story is being told once again as the four-time Tony-Award winning musical from Broadway comes to the Spokane Civic Theatre's main stage. It's rare for a community theater
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Creatives and cast members discuss the jukebox musical about the Four Seasons Jake Schaefer, Henry McNulty, Jonah Taylor and Jameson Elton talked to E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio about a new production of Jersey Boys. The jukebox musical about the Four Seasons opens this Friday on the Spokane Civic
No one needs to explain to Melody Deatherage and Kathie Doyle-Lipe how much heavy lifting is required to pull off “Parallel Lives.” The Spokane Civic Theatre veterans, who are the only actors in the production, are well aware that they will portray a myriad of characters since they starred in “Parallel Lives” six years ago
For Kathie Doyle-Lipe and Melody Deatherage, there's a whiff of déjà vu to their upcoming performance of Parallel Lives, opening this weekend on the Spokane Civic Theatre's main stage for a limited run. "We actually put this up six years ago for Lake City Playhouse as they were getting restarted. And then Civic approached us later about maybe
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE The director and cast members of a Bard showcase talk about its ASL component Kearney Jordan, director of the Spokane Civic Theatre Academy, came into the KPBX studio along with Audrey, Connie and Sadie Overstreet to talk with E.J. Iannelli about the academy's production of Shakespeare Beyond Words. More than
NATIONAL PASTIME follows the journeys of Jackie Robinson, the first black player in major league baseball, and Wesley Branch Rickey, the white President and General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, as they shatter the color barrier in 1947. While offering insight into each man's personal struggles, the play traces the evolution of race relations leading
Versatility is the key to making the parody of the Alfred Hitchcock classic “The 39 Steps” work. There are just four actors in the cast of “The 39 Steps,” which runs from Friday to February 12 at the Spokane Civic Theatre, in a show featuring more than 50 characters. “It’s a challenge,” 39 Steps director
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE The director and cast members discuss their reverent parody of Hitchcock's spy film Heather McHenry-Kroetch, Dana Sammond and Dallan Starks joined E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio to give listeners a taste of The 39 Steps, which opens at the Spokane Civic Theatre this Friday (Jan. 20). This 2005 adaptation
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE Talked to the director and some of the castmates of Photograph 51 – a humorous and moving portrait of Rosalind Franklin, one of the great female scientists of the twentieth century, and her fervid drive to map the contours of the DNA molecule. A chorus of physicists relives the
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Director Susan Hardie and her cast preview a play about an unsung science pioneer Susan Hardie, Joshua Baig, Ryan Wasson, Nicholas Roy Morgan III and Jeffrey Phillips Christiansen talked to E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio about Photograph 51, Anna Ziegler's semi-fictionalized play about the pioneering researcher Rosalind Franklin. Hardie
The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons unfolds in this behind-the-music story of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history will take you from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom. Follow the incredible journey of four guys bound by one dream—to make it to
Improv was the key to the lock that helped Spokane’s Michael Glatzmaier move forward while attending Rogers High School. The 2009 alum languished in special education classes while passing up most opportunities. “When I discovered improv, everything changed for me,” Glatzmaier said. “My problem was that I said no to everything. I had no confidence.
It’s often hard to know what to say in a given situation in our day-to-day lives, so why not ratchet up the difficulty of dealing with that feeling on a stage? Florida-based MGTeams seeks to improve the way people communicate by using improvisational comedy. The squad of performers both teaches and entertains with a spontaneous
The Spokane Civic Theatre's production of THE 39 STEPS, opening Jan. 20, promises to carry audiences through a rollicking tale of romance, espionage and murder. With just a handful of actors tackling more than a hundred parts, the show, which originated in London in 2006 and became one of the West End's longest-running shows, has since delighted
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Cast members preview Karen Zacharías' play about neighborly disputes Marlee Andrews and Deborah Marlowe, both of whom are performing in a new production of Native Gardens at the Spokane Civic Theatre, joined E.J. Iannelli in the KPBX studio to talk about Karen Zacharías' play. The play hinges on a clash between
LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE Co-directors and cast members on what's familiar and unexpected about this show Kearney Jordan, Bryan Durbin, Ruby Krajic, Bill Marlowe and Gary Pierce entered the KPBX studio with E.J. Iannelli to provide details on the Spokane Civic Theatre's new production of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol, which opens this
