The tragic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice will get a new spin in Seattle -- literally. Seattle's House of Dames productions will be putting the two lovers on rollers skates in their new musical extravaganza, Rain City Rollers, running June 2-July 2 at Sand Point Naval Base's Hangar 2S.
Based loosely on the classical tale of two lovers separated by death and the underworld, Rollers is set in 1936, as roller derby first makes its debut as a sport. Two fallen angels arrive at such a marathon race where they must make two mortals fall in love in order to break a curse that binds them. To this end, they are hired by a derby promoter to recruit young women for the first Transcontinental Roller Derby Marathon. As the angels attempt to free themselves via true love, poisonous vipers, mistaken identities and a trip to the underworld all stand in the way.
Nikki Appino, Kevin Joyce and David Russell penned Rain City Rollers with music and lyrics by Joyce and Russell. Appino directs with Wace Madsen choreographing.
The Rain City Rollers are Monica Appleby, Barbi Beckett, Amelia Zirin Brown, Susanna Burney, Martha Enson, Sarah Harlett, Tina LaPadula, Amy Maguire, Christina Mastin, Marjorie Nelson and Naho Shioya.
Designing the show are Jeffrey Cook (sets), AJ Epstein (lighting) and Frances Kenny (costumes). Tickets are $20-$16. For tickets, call (206) 720-5252. House of Dames Productions is on the web at http://www.houseofdames.com.
-- By Christine Ehren
