Editor’s note: The story has been updated to say the play has been extending to the last day in August.
Theatre Battery returns to Kent Station with the production of “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” a magical tale of growing up and finding acceptance.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 10-31, on stage at 444 Ramsay Way, Suite 107. There also is an 8 p.m. showing on Thursday, Aug. 29.
The latest play marks the seventh year in which Kent Station has opened the doors of its available retail space for the construction and presentation of pop-up style, summertime, community theater.
“We are delighted to be able to provide space to help promote theater and the arts in downtown Kent” says Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “From transforming donated space into an amazing theater atmosphere, all the way to delivering high quality productions, Theatre Battery is a premier production company that belongs in Kent long term.”
Theatre Battery produces new plays to nurture the audience’s understanding of the connection between theatre and relevant social issues through the presentation of contemporary works in nontraditional settings. As Kent’s only source of theatre operating outside of an educational institution, Theatre Battery tasks local artists to create socially testing and unapologetic work that ignites the community.
The showing in Kent will be the first American production of Jessica Siân’s live theatre adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s series of books.
Theatre Battery brings artists from around the country to create new plays in Kent each summer. Founded by graduates of Kent-Meridian and Kentridge high schools, the company aims to share socially pertinent contemporary plays with a diverse audience.
New to this season is the implementation of accessibility services for the deaf community, an effort which has been led in collaboration with actor Aimee Chou and with support from Deaf Spotlight. Saturday matinee performances will be (American Sign Language) interpreted.
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SHOWTIME
‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’
• Performances: Aug. 10-31, 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Preview showing: 8 p.m. Aug. 8.
• Stage: Theatre Battery at Kent Station, 444 Ramsay Way, Suite 107 (next to Gentle Dental).
• Synopsis: Kiki is a 13-year old witch who flies away from home on her broomstick to start her own small business. On the path to success in a strange new place, Kiki must learn to trust her magical powers and find the determination to change a community for the better. Based on a series of books by Eiko Kadono and later adapted into a hit anime film by Hayao Miazaki, this will be the first American production of Jessica Sian’s live theatre adaptation.
• Crew: Directed by Kathryn Stewart, the cast will feature Jessica Askew, Michael Cercado, Aimee Chou, Laura Dux, Shauntal Pyper, Malex Reed and Funa Tautala.
• Admission: All seats given to the public at no cost through Radical Hospitality. Sixty tickets for each performance can be reserved online through theatrebattery.strangertickets.com. The remaining 30 tickets will be released at the door to walkups, beginning one hour before each performance.
• Learn more: theatrebattery.org. Theatre Battery is supported by grants from the Seattle Foundation, 4Culture, the Kent Arts Commission, and the Washington State Arts Commission. Shunpike is Theatre Battery’s 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.
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