In Theater News: Deja Vu & Capping The Year

Well, the 2011 production season is nearly at an end; there are a handful of shows currently running that will close at some point in the next week and a half -- a list of which will be provided later in the day. But otherwise, most production companies are shutting down for the holiday season, and a bit of relaxation before the madness begins once the new year commences.

There is one last bit of theatrical news to report while things are slowing down around town: After announcing their plans for a repertory Summer festival, the Intiman Theater recently announced a new fundraising campaign designed to fund their resurgence. This time through they are asking for pledges; pledges that would not be cashed unless they were able to meet their fundraising goals -- a step taken in an effort to assure donors that the mistakes of the past remain in the past.

They are hoping to raise $1million by the end of January; if they're unable to meet that goal, things will not proceed as planned. Seattlest wishes the best of luck in their campaign. Doesn't this seem somewhat familiar?

Meanwhile, the folks at One World Theater and Three-Card Monty's inaugural production of their Theater Anonymous project took place on Monday night, at a sold out performance at the Erickson Theater. The evening was a resounding success for all involved, and the experiment is fun to watch. The evening provided a new spin on the chaotic flavor that the producing companies' 14/48 usually brings to the table.

The conceit behind Anonymous, again, is that the cast of the play being produced (in this instance, the holiday classic It's A Wonderful Life) does not know who the other members of the cast are until they make their entrance on the night of the performance. It's a high-wire act fraught with danger, and while the results were at times imperfect, what else could one expect given the circumstances? What was lacking in polish was made up for in sheer guts and bravado, and the story still shone through in the end.

Fitting that this was the last show to open (and close) in 2011. Ambitious, flawed, full of talent, nailed some big moments while others could have used some finesse...This applies to both Theater Anonymous and the last 12 months in Seattle theater.

See you in the new year, and remember to Look to The Star.