INSIDE OUT: Playlist Seattle – Women Who Rock

Photos provided by:  Juliann Itter-Jumay Designs

INSIDE OUT is a look from within the Seattle Music Industry.

Playlist Seattle is the brainchild of Director Kelly McMahon. McMahon is an avid fan of music and those who create it. She’s created a running show with an ensemble cast that creates thought-provoking vignettes inspired by some of her favorite local musical artists. Together they express and explore, using the connection of two different art forms. Housed at Ballard Homestead, the small hall setting provides an intimate setting for these performances.

Based around lyrics of select songs by a chosen artist, the vignettes performed are up for individual interpretation, according to McMahon’s vision. Created in a relatively short span of time, they are thought-provoking, humorous, and sometimes uncomfortable. Isn’t that what art should do, stir our emotions and make us feel something?

In this series, the cast was all female, and ran for three consecutive nights, with a different guest Singer/Songwriter as a focus for each night. The cast performed the same song titles each night but with a different vignette performance so you could literally see all 3 nights and no show would be the same. Each play was followed by a short acoustic set by the Singer/Songwriter.

Thursday’s April 14^th opening performance was with Singer/Songwriter Jamie Nova, Friday’s featured Whitney Monge’, and Saturday closed with Amanda Hardy.

Ballard Homestead’s starkness added to the ambiance of Playlist Seattle’s minimalist set and costumes, which put the focus on the acting. With no lavish set to distract, the actors’ words and actions painted pictures which at times stirred up rather dark uncomfortable feelings. Yet the performance was peppered with light moments, eliciting laughter at the ridiculousness of real life.

Some of the night’s favorites were:

“What’s Wrong with Me?” by Amanda Hardy. Impression: Angels walk among us and come to us in times of need. People too self-absorbed to smell the roses or even notice that others are hurting and in need. Things may not be what they seem.

“Kryptonite Couch,” by Jamie Nova. Impression: Pity, jealousy, stuck, self-sabotage, fear, and excuses are some of the paralyzing obstacles that keep us from moving forward. Bragging about big plans/dreams but never putting them into action for fear of failing. Excuses as to why success hasn’t happened but never taking responsibility. Blame and criticize others who were brave enough to implement and live their dream.

Whitney Monge’ – “Home” (solo musical performance)  https://youtu.be/c7Y5SC_yfbs

McMahon is in talks with other notable musicians, which will likely result in a possible late summer/early fall show. She did confirm that she’s developing a full length production based on a debut record by Martin Sepulveda, a local hip hop producer. Titled LV:SK FM (pronounced “Love Sick”), the performance is tentatively scheduled for Sept 30^th at Washington Hall. These LP (long play) projects are the next phase of programming.

View additional Playlist Seattle performances from Volume IV – Women Who Rock as well as past productions here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdm1fOiko7Gg5dZJ-GKIJw