BWW Spotlight: Icicle Creek Theatre Festival fosters new works at ACT

ACT is hosting a special two night only presentation of new works from the Fourth Annual Icicle Creek Theatre Festival on August 23^rd and 24^th with "An Uncorked Conversation: New Play Festival and Wine Tasting".  And not only will you be able to be a part of the development process of two new plays but (as the title suggests) the festival is prepared to ply you with wine as well.

In addition to the new works being presented over the two nights, ICTF is allowing the attendees to sample more than two dozen types of wine from six different Leavenworth area wineries.  So yes, you can get a wonderful buzz before catching these new shows.  But of course the new works are why we are here.  Right?

Actor and director Allen Fitzpatrick who created the festival says, "There is nothing in the Theatre World more important than a commitment to, and devoting resources to, new play development."  And he has devoted himself to making sure this is the case and in a supportive and positive environment.  Previous and current director for one of the Festival pieces Christine Sumption said, "What's ideal about Icicle Creek is that the playwright has professional support (actors, director, dramaturg) but is not up against an immediate production deadline or the  pressing needs of an opening night. And yet the play will be presented as a reading for audiences in Leavenworth and Seattle, so there's a drive to have it ready. That makes room for exploration and leads to thoughtful, meaningful rewriting."

But why put up these workshops in Seattle as opposed to somewhere like New York?  Fitzpatrick says, "Plays can workshop or tryout in Seattle without the potential scrutiny of New York critics, and therefore with a lot less pressure.  And Seattle is a less-expensive city than New York, so considerably less resources are required to produce those tryouts.  And yet, the Seattle acting and directing pool is large enough and talented enough to satisfy the casting needs of virtually every play."  And Sumption added, "Playwrights such as Wendy Wasserstein treasured Seattle because they could develop their plays without the shriveling glare of the New York press, and, over time, Seattle audiences became extraordinarily passionate about and supportive of new work."

The two plays being presented at this year's festival are ...

And When We Awoke There Was Light and Light by Laura Jacqmin.  Directed by Christine Sumption.

In And When We Awoke There Was Light and Light, 2008 Wasserstein Prize winner Laura Jacqmin relates the story of Katie, a student desperate to get into Harvard, who meets a new friend online, David, a teenaged soldier in Uganda. Katie becomes determined to help him escape to the U.S. and asks, "If I'm trying to do something good, then what's the harm in using his story for my application essay?" When she learns that David hasn't been completely honest about himself, she must decide whether to abandon her ideals or trust a virtual stranger.

Cast includes: Hana Lass (Katie); Brian Jones (David); Kay Nahm (Dawa); Shanga Parker (Mr. Dubey); Carol Roscoe (Mom); Todd Licea (Dad); Christine Calfas and Anthony Fuller as the Ensemble

And ...

Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World by Yussef El Guindi.  Directed by Anita Montgomery.

2009 winner of the Osborn Award by the American Theater Critics Association and 2008 winner of ACT's New Play Award, Yussef El Guindi will present his engagingly witty and romantic new play, Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World. Musa, a recent immigrant from the Middle East and NYC taxi driver, meets Sheri, an American waitress and woman with an unfortunate dating history. They fall head-over-heels in love, but their chances for making it are blocked by several skeletons in their respective closets.

Cast includes: Shanga Parker (Musa); Carol Roscoe (Sheri); Anthony Fuller (Abdallah); Sylvester Kamara (Tayyib); Christine Calfas (Gamilla)

So here's your chance to catch some new works and try out some local wines all at the same time.  Who can ask for more?   Well you get more too.  Attendees will also receive a commemorative wine glass.  Now that's a deal!

The Icicle Creek Theatre Festival's An Uncorked Conversation: New Play Festival and Wine Tasting performs at ACT on August 23^rd and 24^th.  For tickets or information contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre.org or www.iciclecreekact.com.

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