Harlequin Productions — Attraction in Olympia

I saw the two-person show about Rosemary Clooney and the one-person show for the one about Billie Holliday. I would have given 5 stars but something actors did for both shows forces me to really lower my review. For both shows, a jazz trio sat on the stage for the entire show. Three people who had obviously spent their lives honing their musicianship and sat quietly through the entire productions, moving only to turn pages or play their instrument. They obviously had to have rapt attention for the entire show, so they could watch and listen for the actors' cues, and sometimes even when the actors' miss their cues, the musicians still have to come in on time and keep the production moving. At the very end, during the bows, for the actor(s) to stand there, bow, shrug their shoulders to feign humbleness, there was not one single or gesture to the musicians. They just bowed and exited. No turn of the head, no elegant elongation of the arm, showing and open palm and slowly turning to give a "ta dahhh" gesture towards the band. Really rude and unprofessional. Lots of people help with the production, and I can even understand if the musicians are in an orchestra pit, but even in those cases, the musicians are acknowledged. Let's get some people in these productions who acknowledge the other people who are unsung artists who were on the stage the entire time. In both cases, the noise level of everyone leaving made it impossible for me to cheer for the band. Oh well. It makes me question how they were treated during rehearsals. Lots of artists and artisans help put a production together. The actors are to be applauded for their ability to carry an entire show with just their personalities and singing abilities, which they did. Sad for one little...

Real. Live.Theater. Harlequin is a non-profit, semi-professional company dedicated to new works, neglected works of distinction, and unconventional interpretations of classics. The acting is top quality. The sets are spectacular. The productions far exceed what you would expect from a small theater in a small town. The productions are staged in The State Theater, formerly an upscale movie house, renovated for live performances. You don't have to dress up and make a night of it, but it wouldn't be out of place. Absolute gem of an experience. And oh, the truffles, cookies, beverages at the...

When you hear of intimate performances by masters of their craft, artists, this is the place you should think of. We stopped in to see 'Man of La Mancha' and the bar wasn't raised, it was replaced and set. The volunteers were courteous and professional yet warm and inviting. The cast was wonderfully delightful, very much in to character and drew the crowd in with their personas making us feel as if we were in the story. I'd recommend family and friends go or...