Spokane draws harsh criticism from movie reviewers
Wayne Wang’s movie “A Thousand Years of Good Prayers” has opened all over the country – except in Spokane, of course, where it was filmed.
A few reviewers have taken notice of its location, including one in Seattle, who made this remark in The Stranger, an alternative weekly: He said the main character lives in “soulless Spokane.”
An NPR reviewer was even harsher, calling it “colorless Spokane.” The Village Voice called it only “small town America.”
The New York Post called it “a boring Washington state suburb where Bible-thumping Mormons come knocking on your door.”
Sigh.
I found myself grateful to John Hartl of the Seattle Times, who mercifully refrains from making value judgments about the relative soul deficit in Spokane. He actually comments favorably on some of the locations.
The movie, by the way, has been getting mixed, but mainly positive reviews. It’s about a Chinese-American woman whose father comes to visit from China.
A ‘Phantom’ influx
Get ready for an influx of visitors from all over the region.
The national touring company of “The Phantom of the Opera” arrives at the INB Performing Arts Center for a three-week run, Oct. 8 through 25, and the tour buses will soon come flocking to town.
According to WestCoast Entertainment, which has booked this run, tickets have already been sold to playgoers in 17 states, including Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Canada.
That should come as no surprise to those who remember the 2000 visit of “Phantom.” Buses from all over the region arrived night after night to fill up the INB, or, as it was quaintly known at the time, the Spokane Opera House.
That run sold out. Tickets are still available for this one, through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).
‘Phantom’ cast
By the way, we have learned who will play the lead roles in the Spokane run:
•The Phantom – Richard Todd Adams, who has previously played Raoul in the national tour and has appeared on Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Woman in White.”
•Christine – Trista Moldovan, who has played Cosette in “Les Miserables.”
•Raoul – Greg Mills, who also appeared in “The Woman in White.”
In other key roles, Kim Stengel plays Carlotta and Jessi Ehrlich plays Meg.
Arts Awards on the way
The City of Spokane Arts Awards will be presented Oct. 6, 6 p.m., at the City Council Chambers at Spokane City Hall.
Who are the winners? We’re not going to spoil the surprise right now. Look for an announcement soon.
It’s a Disney world
In case there haven’t been enough live Disney events in Spokane already (Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney’s “Lion King,” etc.), we have two more coming to the Spokane Arena:
•“Disney Presents High School Musical, The Ice Tour,” Nov. 19-23. Yeah, it’s the ’tween musical phenomenon, except on skates.
•“Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh,” Feb. 13. Tigger and Piglet, live and in person.
Tickets should go on sale soon through TicketsWest outlets.
WSU theater lineup
Here’s the 2008-09 Washington State University theater lineup:
•STAGE One – A collection of student-written one-act plays, Tuesday-next Sundayand Oct. 9-11, 7: 30 p.m., Wadleigh Theatre, Daggy Hall.
•“Hedda Gabler” – The Ibsen classic, Oct. 23-25, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., Jones Theatre, Daggy Hall.
•“Transitions: A Dance Concert” – Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., Wadleigh Theatre, Daggy Hall.
•“Raised in Captivity” – A play by Nicky Silver, Jan. 29-31, Feb. 5-7, Jones Theatre, Daggy Hall.
•“Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” April 1-5, Wadleigh Theatre, Daggy Hall.
•“The Heidi Chronicles,” by Wendy Wasserstein, April 2-4 and 9-11, Jones Theatre, Daggy Hall.
•Dance Concert, May 1-2, Jones Theatre, Daggy Hall.
For tickets and information, call (509) 335-7236 or e-mail reservations@wsu.edu.