Spotlight Briefs: January Arts News You Can Use
Local actress and producer Renata Friedman talks about her new one-woman show, "The K of D: An Urban
By Brangien Davis December 14, 2010
This article originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of Seattle magazine.
ARTIST: Renata Friedman, seattle actress, producer
CURRENTLY STARRING IN: The K of D: An Urban Legend, a one-woman show in which she plays multiple characters, including young Charlotte, whose twin brother may or may not have imbued her with lethal powers by way of a kiss just before his own death. Friedman has produced and starred in the play at theaters across the country, including at Seattle’s ACT Theatre, where it was first produced in 2005.
SEE IT: 1/14-2/20. Times and prices vary. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St.; 206.443.2222; seattlerep.org
B.D. What keeps drawing you back to this play?
R.F. A solo show is the most terrifying version of theatre I’ve experienced, which makes it highly seductive. I also know I can continue to make the show better. I’ve gone years between performing this play, and the perspective afforded by that time off is so valuable. An actor rarely gets the opportunity to keep fiddling with a role in that way…. This is the first time I’ll ever be working on The K of D exclusively as an actor. Before now, most of my brain was absorbed with working as the play’s producer as well. I hope the audience will see the tightest, funniest, most affecting version of the show we’ve done so far.
B.D. Of the many characters you embody, does one ring most true for you?
R.F. Ultimately my heart has always been with The Girl, the play’s narrator. She’s the most vocally and physically spare. Everything she undergoes in spinning her story is in sync with what I encounter when I head onstage alone, that mix of terror and pleasure and guts.
Angular Velocity
Two UW fine arts grads exhibit a gift for geometry
Though her BFA from the UW (1989) is in painting, Seattle artist Victoria Haven works with a variety of materials such as pencil, cut metal, rubber bands and tape. Her new show, Hit the North, includes spare geometric figures that appear simple, until you linger longer and realize your perspective has shifted out from under your feet. 1/6–2/19. Times vary. Free. (Artist talk: 1/8 at noon.) Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave. S.; 206.624.0770; gregkucera.com. >> Installation artist Eric Eley, who earned his MFA from the UW in 2005, weaves geometric nets that appear both structured and airy. He based his work for In Theater, a new installation at Suyama Space, on wartime camouflage techniques. A series of nets is suspended from the ceiling and interplays with slat structures on the ground—an exercise simultaneously covert and revealing. 1/24–4/8. Times vary. Free. (Artist talk: 1/22 at noon.) Suyama Space, 2324 Second Ave.; 206.256.0809; suyamapetersondeguchi.com/art/.
What to Wear
Seattle band Red Dress kicks off a new Art Zone music series
Just before grunge cloaked the city like a baggy grandpa cardigan, Seattle was swooning for local rock/funk/blues outfit Red Dress. Known for transcendent live performances, this influential band—Gary Minkler, John Olufs, Pete Pendras, Bill Shaw and Walt Singleman—recently played an intimate show at ACT Theatre. Lucky for us, the Seattle Channel’s Art Zone recorded the event as a pilot for a forthcoming music series. Similar to Austin City Limits, the new series (unnamed at press time) will feature high-caliber video recordings of local bands performing live in theater settings. The Red Dress show premieres 1/22 at 10 p.m. on Seattle Channel 21 (with repeats), and will also run on KCTS-9 on 1/27 at 11 p.m., and 1/31 at midnight. Don your jammies, tune in and rock out. For updates on the music series, visit seattlechannel.org/artzone.