Mike's adventures in art: Lydia & the Troll, Jeeves Takes a Bow, Tacoma Art Museum

If you're looking for tips on how to experience art in the Seattle area, you're in the right place. In this weekly post, KUOW arts reporter Mike Davis has suggestions for what to do around Seattle over the weekend so you can have your own adventures in arts and culture.

Theater

Lydia and the Troll is playing at the Seattle Rep. This is my pick of the week, and somehow, I almost missed out! But due to high demand, the run of this production was extended, and I got my chance to see why everyone in the theater community is so excited about playwright and composer Justin Huertas.

Everything in this production worked. So many components clicked into place to create this fulfilling theatrical experience. I loved the use of projections that went beyond the stage itself, also covering the walls of the balconies around the audience. I enjoyed the moments where characters entered behind the seated audience, and had conversations from the back rows that put audience members right in the middle of the action. This use of space kept my head on a swivel, but it was never overwhelming.

The puppetry was also a great touch. The use of shadow-puppets added a creative layer, and the live puppeteers added movement that heightened the action. In moments when a giant troll couldn’t literally run across the stage, the use of puppetry allowed for thrilling chase scenes. When we needed the size of the troll to be felt by characters, clever use of shadows created the necessary proportions. These elements were artistic in nature, but also helped push the plot.

And there is no way I can leave out the acting, especially Sarah Russell, who stars as Lydia. I remember her performance in 5th Ave’s “Into the Woods.” I was excited for the opportunity to see her in a smaller, more intimate setting, and she delivered. I was moved as I watched her sing about her black hair. The level of emotion she was able to convey was stunning. The complicated relationship between this Black woman and her hair took us back to her youth — the pain and self-loathing. The audience was frozen and as Russell sang, a tear streamed from her eye. It’s a moment that I won’t forget.

This play is being pitched as a story about Lydia trying to find her voice, but what I saw was a love story — the journey of a young Black woman who needed to discover a way to love herself. The script was excellent. I was so enamored by Lydia’s personal quest, that I almost overlooked the body-snatching troll! The depth of the story was impressive, but the lighter moments were delightful. Adam Standley, who played Lydia’s boyfriend, Pete, did a great job providing necessary comedic relief.

Lydia and the Troll, showing at Seattle Rep Extended until June 11.

Jeeves Takes a Bow is showing at Taproot Theater. I was so glad I got to see this play! An adaptation from the stories of British writer P.G. Wodehouse, this production was exactly what I expected — and what I needed.

I’ve talked a lot about how many heavy topics are being covered in Seattle theaters right now, which, considering everything happening in our society, makes perfect sense. Theater is the perfect vehicle to drive audiences toward the exploration and discussion of complex social issues. But sometimes, people need a break.

This story is fueled by multiple cases of misidentification, an unexpected arrival, and a love triangle that careens out of control. It is a total farce fueled by the hijinks of two well-to-do chaps from London who are in New York trying to escape any responsibilities that may creep into their lives as young adults.

I don’t want to give away too much. But I will say, if you want to have a good time, see an action-packed production, complete with a play-within-a-play, and have some time to just laugh, then this is the show for you.

Jeeves Takes a Bow, showing at Taproot Theater until June 17.

Visual Art

The Tacoma Art Museum, has so much great art right now! I visited recently, and deciding which exhibits to highlight was difficult. But in the spirit of encouraging folks to remember the importance of relaxation, I’ll go with The Current: Saying the Quiet Parts Out Loud.

There's a big, red, comfy couch underneath a sign that reads, “stay awhile.” And that is exactly what I did. Feet up, and scrolling through a photobook, I just took time to reflect. In the center of the exhibit, there's a floor-to-ceiling sculpture. It's made of window frames, but the glass in the frames is not transparent. They are semi-reflective mirrors. You have to get close to see that they are not actually transparent. It's the perfect piece for this space; it reminded me of self-reflection. Through the window frames, I looked into my own eyes, into the windows of my soul, and just experienced a few minutes with the art.

The Current: Saying the Quiet Parts out Loud, at the Tacoma Art Museum until October 15.