Arts picks include an improv musical, a Nikkei farmer tribute and a contemporary opera

As we do each Friday, we reached out for arts recommendations for events in the Puget Sound region. Today, our guide is Jerald Pierce, who covers arts and culture for the Seattle Times. He was previously an associate editor for American Theatre Magazine and a theatre critic for the Chicago Tribune.

Freestyle Love Supreme at Seattle Rep

It’s a really unique combination of hip hop and improvisation. What's so great about this particular show is, of course, improv comes with audience interaction and throwing out suggestions. There are moments where they'll take someone's full day, whether it's dancing with their cats, or going to meetings, and then act it out on stage and turn it into this Broadway musical with beatboxers and raps that are absolutely spectacular. I cannot imagine how quickly their minds come up with all of this.

Emerging Radiance: Honoring the Nikkei Farmers of Bellevue

Out of all the events that are commemorating the signing of Executive Order 9066 this weekend and this month, I would encourage people to see Michelle Kumata’s newest work at Bellevue Arts Museum. It's absolutely spectacular. What’s so great about what Michelle did is, using the Densho archives, she's actually incorporated augmented reality to bring the stories to life. You can use your smartphone and Instagram to actually listen to the voices of those who were there during this time and hear their stories, and see her artwork and their stories come to life right in front of you.

Seattle Opera’s production of Blue at McCaw Hall

Before the pandemic closed everything down, Blue was awarded Best New Musical and was highly anticipated around the country. I'm very excited to see that one opening this weekend. It's a story that centers on a black family suffering the loss of their son at the hands of the police. It takes a look at all the nuances both of that tragedy but also the love and community surrounding this family. The music is by Jeanine Tesori and the libretto by Tazewell Thompson. One of the unique things that Tazewell Thompson does is the father in the story is actually a police officer himself. The combination of those two telling such a powerful story, after everything that's happened in the country over the last two years, it seems timely yet again, and it should be absolutely brilliant.

Listen to the interview by clicking the play button above.