Key City Public Theatre

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  Unfinished business, this review. So let me have a go at it right now. I've half an hour to kill before "doggy-dinner-time" anyhooo.
  
  There's always something magical going on in Port Townsend. Its the nature of the place.
  
  A brief glance at either the "PT Leader" or  "The Peninsula Daily News" will offer up many choices...
  
  Perhaps a movie? (Three venues plus an old-fashioned Drive-In movie theater.) Perhaps a show at the Upstage or Mondresa Castle? Perhaps a class or two out at Fort Worden. (Goddard has an extension here as does Peninsula College.)
  
  I could continue, but shall not. This is a review of the Key CIty Public Theatre which holds its own against every other possible choice of entertainment in town . It's rare that a KCPT performance is not sold out. It's rarer still if a KCPT is a flop.
  
  Just doesn't happen.
  
  'Twas early summer and I was in town. "MacBeth" was playing at Chetzemoka Park, and I thought to go. KCPT had pulled out the stops with this performance, staging it in a corner of the park.
  
  Now Chetzemoka Park is quite spectacular. Green grass and roses on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Boats of all sizes and shapes floating leisurely in an out of the harbor. Clouds floating in the sky. Eagles soaring.
  
  Against this backdrop, MacBeth would appear out of place. Too bloody. Too martial. So wisely,  KCPT chose a small green glen within the park, placed the audience with their backs to the Sound. Succeeded in transporting the whole audience back in time to a magical place,perhaps somewhere near Scotland, where Shakepeare's drama could realistically unfold.
  
  Success! Even though the lead actor had been injured the day before and the role was now played by the director.  A perfect five stars!
  
  The next day, I said to myself, why not try another KCPT production?
  
  "BARK: The Musical" was playing at the tiny KCPT playhouse on the waterfront. And of course, this production, too was five stars.
  
  Laughed a lot, cried a bit, as actors performed their doggishly funny routines.  Oh...and got the last seat in the house before the performance sold out. Front and center, first row. Perfect ! And under twenty dollars.
  
  Try getting to a Broadway show for that kinda chump change.
  
  KCPT has my vote. The actors are very good. (Sometimes appearing with permission from Actors Equity.) The plays are perfectly executed and appropriate to their settings. And...
  
  As a bonus...the audience. Intelligent. Interactive. Interesting.
  
  What's not to like?  A magical company for a magical town. But...gotta go now...
  
  My half-hour is up, the dogs are anxiously awaiting their repast. May start howling soon...
  
  Doggy dinnertime here at Casa Canine.
  
  Tonght we're having Hill's Science Diet.
                    Weight Loss Formula.
                                  You are most welcome to join us.
  
  If you lick your bowl clean. And guard it carefully. We don't stand on ceremony around here.
  
  Catch ya at KCPT next time I'm there. They tell me Dracula's going to be there for Hallowe'en....you might still be able to buy a ticket. Definitely worth sinking your teeth into that production. Give it a go.

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  Posted on 10.27.11 Dorothy C.

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