MONDAY, JULY 13, 2009

'Last Magician' conjures up lots of laughs for not much money in Burien

By Aya Hashiguchi Clark

Attention Burienites: If you've never been out to the E.B. Foote Winery to experience an evening of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and Breeders Theater comedy, there is no better time than now.

In these tough economic times, we all could use entertainment that is liberal with the laughter and conservative in the pocketbook. Luckily, BT's latest adventure, "The Last Magician" scores big on both counts.

Need to be convinced? Here are some good reasons to put away that video game controller, television remote or computer mouse and come on over to Burien's very own winery and theater.

First, "The Last Magician" will entertain and amuse. Here is a story of an unflappable Princess (Adrienne Grieco) who is kidnapped by a band of demons (Brenan Grant, Laura Smith) lead by a "Master" demon Carbuncle (Nathan Hicks).

The King (Michael Brunk) calls upon the magicians of the land, who include the royal wizard Crowley (Doug Knoop), the powerful and conniving Sleath (Eric Hartley), and the confident and alluring witch Allendra (Kelly Johnson), to find his daughter and bring her back from the demon world.

But, there is only one known wizard experienced in demonology, Silly Sylvanus (J Howard Boyd), who, unfortunately, is also known as "The Worst Wizard in the Kingdom." However, it looks as though the King has no choice but to use the services of Sylvanus and his trusty assistant Trump (Steve Scheide).

Can Sylvanus rise to the occasion? Will the demons be defeated? I think you have already guessed the answers to these questions, but throw in some fun songs by BT music director Nancy Warren and choreography by director Teresa Widner, and a good time will be had by all.

Second, a terrific cast and crew perform "The Last Magician." BT regulars J Howard Boyd, Eric Hartley, Kelly Johnson and Doug Knoop turn in their usual fine work as the magical personnel in the kingdom. Boyd nicely carries the show and is thoroughly enjoyable as the good-hearted failure Sylvanus. BT newcomers Nathan Hicks, Brenan Grant and Laura Smith out-do themselves as the wily demons from the "17th Plane of Existence."

Warren's peppy music is delightfully out-of-place in a magical kingdom of wizards and demons, reminding us to laugh and not take life (or the story) too seriously. Melissa Sell's wonderful costumes work their own magic throughout the show.

Third, an evening with the Breeders Theater always includes E.B. Foote wines and delicious hors d'oeuvres. At the top of the evening, their 2008 Chardonnay and award-winning ETC (a Zinfandel-Syrah-Merlot-Cabernet-Cab franc blend) is served. During intermission, look forward to tasting the 2006 Syrah and a 2004 Merlot. After the show, enjoy the Gold Medal 2006 Northwest Duet (a Cabernet-Merlot blend) and 2005 Perfect a Trois (a Cabernet-Merlot-Cab Franc blend).

The Sweet Sherrill VII and Founder's Red is also available for purchase by the glass.

Lastly, "The Last Magician" is easy on the pocketbook. This is BT's 16th production at E.B. Foote Winery, and the price for an evening's entertainment is still $20. To make matters even better, BT has announced Recession Wednesday, July 15. This means tickets for that evening are only $15. And parking, as always, is free.

So, we have run out of excuses. There is no reason why the summer of 2009 cannot be the time to visit the fine and funny folks with the Breeders Theater. Tickets are easy to come by. They are available at the winery at 127-B SW 153rd St. in Burien, or at Corky Cellars in Des Moines, or by calling 206-242-3852.

T.M. Sell's "The Last Magician" continues through July 26. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays. Come on out. You'll be glad you did.

A tale of morals within ‘The Last Magician’

ALEC CLAYTON
The Last Magician

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through July 26.

WHERE: E.B. Foote Winery, 127-B S.W. 153rd Street, Burien

TICKETS: $20 available at the winery and at Corky Cellars, 22511 Marine View Drive, Des Moines 206-824-9462.

INFORMATION: 206-242-3852

Local playwright T.M. Sell has once again penned an entertaining show for Breeders Theater in Burien. “The Last Magician” is the third of Sell’s plays I’ve seen. Each has been different – “Crazy Naked” a political farce, “Prairie Heart” a pioneer love story, and now this one a comedy about magicians, witches and demons – and yet subsumed in each has been a morality tale with topical humor and pop culture references.

In “The Last Magician” a demon (Nathan Hicks) kidnaps a beautiful young princess (Adrienne Grieco) – or, more accurately, kidnaps her soul and holds it ransom until the king agrees to send the magician Sylvanus, aka “Silly” (J Howard Boyd) to negotiate with the demons. And why Sylvanus, the most incompetent magician in the whole kingdom? Because he is the only person in the world who can empathize with the demons. What Sylvanus understands about the demons that no one else does is that they only look evil and frightening to “real people” and that, in fact, “real people” look evil and frightening to them.

Boyd plays Sylvanus as a lovable doofus who is very sweet and sincere.

Hicks is wonderful as the lead demon. Much taller than anyone else in the cast and wearing ripped punk clothing, long black hair in Rastafarian braids, with black lips and green teeth and tongue, his stage presence is imposing. He wears a little creature on his shoulder that he talks to – changing his voice to speak as the creature and speaking with weird, jerky pauses. And he has a terrific demonic laugh.

The lesser demons, played by Brenan Grant and Laura Smith, are also fun to watch as they prance about in punk clothes and spiked hair, cackling and shouting and going through all kinds of outlandish physical gyrations. Both Grant and Smith play multiple roles, but it is as the demons that they stand out.

Also outstanding are Kelly Johnson as Allendra the feminist witch, and Eric Hartley as Sleath, another magician who is arrogant, powerful, selfish and wealthy.

Grieco is marvelous as the willful little princess. Her range of facial expressions from anger to pouting to flirtatious is captivating. Grieco acts with her whole body. When the demon steals her soul, she goes limp so completely that it’s as if she’s not there; she’s left her body behind like a discarded rag doll.

On the downside, Michael Brunk brings nothing of note to the role of the king. There’s so little expression on his part that it seemed on opening night as if he were just not feeling very well. And Doug Knoop, a fine actor, had very little chance to shine as Crowley, another magician who was not fleshed out enough.

Interspersed throughout are songs with music by Nancy Warren, lyrics by Sell and choreography by Teresa Widner, who also directed. The songs and lyrics are clever, but with the exception of one rousing number by the demon chorus, the cast seemed to be listlessly going through the motions, and Widner’s choreography didn’t match the excellence of her directing.

Finally, there was an unnamed stagehand dressed as a court jester who was absolutely charming. She brought a magical touch to moving a stool.

Overall it’s a very entertaining show, plus wine samples are included in the cost of your ticket because the venue is inside the E.B. Foote Winery down under a strip mall in Burien.

Breeders Theater does not accept credit cards. You can reserve tickets with a credit card, but you will need to pay by cash or check at the door.

alec@alecclayton.com