Tag: Annette Toutonghi

Live Blogging Swing Time: Scot Augustson and Cousin Katie

June 16, 2014
I have known and loved Scot Augustson’s work as a playwright since I first saw one of his plays (about sex, of course) in the Seattle Fringe Festival in the mid 90’s. I have known the person, Scot, since the late 90’s, and I have known him well since the early Zeroes. To know Scot Augustson well is to, of course, love him, blahblahblah…but it is also to know that he nurses a secret, delightfully nasty side, which he does not necessarily share with mere acquaintances. With acquaintances, he’s a lot like Katie, title character in his ongoing serial “Cousin Katie” (brilliantly voiced by the incomparable Annette Toutonghi).
The plot of “Cousin Katie” contains all kinds of absurd turns, but it’s important to remember that the more absurd a particular plot point is, the more likely it is to have actually happened in Scot’s life.
Teaser highlights from “Cousin Katie”:
- A Cliff-Notes History of A-pod-ments in Seattle.
- “No smoking, but we haven’t made rules about vaping yet. It’s a gray area.
- A small-state/big-state between “Katie from Ketchikan” and “Rhonda from Rhode Island”.
- “Oh baby Jesus riding a pony in the circus parade!”
- “We in the pods have our own brand of justice.”
There are still a handful of seats left. Come on down and grab some.
Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time
“An Unexpected Twist” Exceeds as Expected

September 13, 2012

Sandbox Radio Live!: Episode 5, “An Unexpected Twist”

recorded at West of Lenin on July 23, 2012

Download here.

@2:35      “Markehim: Episode 5″ by Paul Mullin
@16:58     “A Work of Art” adapted from the story by Anton Chekhov
@ 26:00    PSA – Little Bit Theraputic Riding Center by Elizabeth Heffron
@ 28:25    “Sound Thieves” by Emily Conbere
@ 42:09    “Au Fond Du Temple Saint” by Georges Bizet
@ 47:08     PSA – World Arts Access by Scot Augustson
@ 50:56     “Rally” a poem by Reginald André Jackson
@ 58:21     “Lactar” by Elizabeth Heffron
@ 1:12:12 “A Sousa Salsa” arranged by John Engerman
@ 1:15:38 “The Bleak End of the Woods” by Scot Augustson
@ 1:30:36   Finale/Credits

Every time the podcast of a Sandbox Radio Live! episode drops, I write a little blog about it. And every time I do, I say something like, “This episode is the best one yet.” And every time I say it, I believe it. But I fear that you’ll stop believing me if I keep saying so. So… what’s the solution?
Unsure, I press ahead.
Well, here’s one pretty objective way we get better. Each episode we try to fold a new writer or two into the mix. This time, with our episode “An Unexpected Twist” we presented a new play by relative newcomer-to-Seattle, Emily Conbere, and a poem by long-time local actor Reginald André Jackson. Speaking as someone who has written for Sandbox Radio since its inception, it’s a little unnerving when a newbie like Emily so masterfully makes her debut. Her “Sound Thieves” leverages all the peculiarities, good and bad, of crafting stories for the fecund darkness of the mind. (I know, because our July show was completely sold-out. So without a single spare seat for a freeloading playwright, I sat under the risers, my view of the stage totally blocked by audience legs. I swear this is the very best way to experience radio theatre: live but blind.) My favorite moment: Annette Toutonghi as Gloria, a mom trying to convince a shopkeeper who illicitly fences stolen sounds, to sell her some zoo noise to cheer up her son.

SHOPKEEPER: Individual zoo animals are twenty-five. A cacophony is fifty.

GLORIA: I only got twenty dollars.

SHOPKEEPER: Prices are prices.

GLORIA: And I’ve… I’ve got my dignity.

SHOPKEEPER: I don’t know what that means.

GLORIA: I’ll give you my … (much huskier voice) dignity.

SHOPKEEPER: Ah! You don’t say!

Other favorite moments include Leslie Law and Heather Curtis Mullin singing “Au Fond Du Temple Saint” by Georges Bizet, Jim Gall as the title role in Elizabeth Heffron’s “Lactar”, and of course, Scot Auguston, gift-wrapping the evening with the final offering, “The Bleak End of the Woods”, a stark noir detective story for forest animals. (See if you can spot my wife’s radio acting debut cameo as Charday the Squirrel’s mom.) As always, I listened with unbridled envy as Scot tossed off comic brilliance as easily as peeling bananas.

CHARDAY THE SQUIRREL: So, who’s missing?

JOE THE POSSOM: Clementine.

CHARDAY: Clementine? Let that old windbag stay missing.

JOE: Charday!

CHARDAY: She’ll turn up like the bad penny she is.

JOE: I went to look for her and she wasn’t home.

CHARDAY: Wasn’t home?

JOE: Was not home.

CHARDAY: That doesn’t make sense. She’s a turtle. She’s always home.

So how do I convince you that while each episode is great in its own right, each one is better than the ones that precede it?
Aha! I know the solution! Go listen to the podcasts and decide for yourself.
PS: Advance reservations for our next episode, “Something Wicked this Way” become available tomorrow, September 14, at Brown Paper Tickets. Click here.
PPS: Per my tradition, I’m posting the transcript of Markheim: Episode 5 below the fold.
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Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time
An Unexpected Twist

June 28, 2012

I’m a Markheim. A sort of angel. But not the sort with wings and a harp and a halo.

Markheims are the black ops. We do things other angels can’t… or won’t. Upstairs pulled me outta retirement for a mission down in this soggy town. But when it was done I didn’t go back. I had questions. And the answers weren’t up above.

Now I’m walking neutral, half-fallen, in what we angels call the Show. But I gotta watch my back. ‘Cuz things can always get uglier.

Make your reservations here.
Can you believe Sandbox Radio Live! has been broadcasting for a year now?
Neither can we. That’s why we’re calling our upcoming fifth(!) episode “An Unexpected Twist”. The Sandbox Artists Collective will be recording our latest offering before a live audience on Monday, July 23 at 7:30 at Fremont’s newest theatre, West of Lenin.
Entirely new, fresh and locally grown, Sandbox Radio Live! is written, produced and performed by some of Seattle’s hottest stage talent. This latest episode, An Unexpected Twist will include new short plays by Scot Augustson, Emily Conbere, and Elizabeth Heffron, plus Episode 5 of Paul Mullin‘s noir-angel serial Markheim, plus an original poem by Reggie Jackson, and special musical guests John Engerman and Heather Curtis Mullin.
Members of the Sandbox Artist Collective currently scheduled to appear include: Megan Ahiers, Eric Ray Anderson, Gin Hammond, Tracy Hyland, Kelly Kitchens, Charles Leggett, Peter O’Connor, Larry Paulsen, Annette Toutonghi, Kathryn Van Meter, Cynthia Whalen and guest Jim Gall.
Original music will be provided by Jose Gonzales and The Sandbox Radio Orchestra: Charles Leggett, Dave Pascal, Dan Tierney and Rob Witmer.
You won’t want to miss this, and you won’t want to wait until the podcast gets posted.
Plus! Before the show and during intermission enjoy our newly added bonus feature from last episode, The Sandbox Bar! Featuring beer, wine, mixed drinks and other refreshments.
Come see it LIVE! on Monday, July 23.
Who:      The Sandbox Artists Collective
What:     SANDBOX RADIO LIVE!: An Unexpected Twist
Where:   West of Lenin (Located at 203 N. 36th Street, a few blocks west of the Statue of Lenin in the center of the universe,Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood.)
When:     Monday, July 23, Sandbox Bar opens at 7:00, house opens at 7:30 with a live music set, show starts at 8:00pm
How much: Donations gratefully accepted at the door. Reservations recommended and Available through brownpapertickets.com by clicking here starting Monday, July 2.

Sandbox Radio is conceived, produced and directed by Leslie Law.

Subscribe to the podcast of Sandbox Radio and listen to past episodes at the iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sandbox-radio-live/id452830642

Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time
A Delicious Sampler of Sandbox Radio Live

March 7, 2012

Sandbox Radio Live from Sandbox Radio on Vimeo.

Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time
The Blessings of Getting Better: Sandbox Radio Live!

February 21, 2012

Like any good theatre town, Seattle tends to lavish plenty of hype on the inaugural production of a new company when that company is made up of talented veterans who have proven themselves on other stages around town. Pressure mounts on the new ensemble to make their kick-off show one of the best audiences have ever seen, thus assuring crucial momentum for the future. Of course, the inherent danger lies in forgetting that no matter how earth-shatteringly brilliant your first play is, the primary law of show business remains as immutable as gravity: you are only as good as your last gig. A company that can never live up to the promise of its premiere production is a company destined to be loved like a first crush: fondly, but weakly, and with an ardor that fades even as the intervening years serve to burnish or blur the memory of love-at-first-sight’s luster.
Happily, through luck, hard work and great leadership, the Sandbox Artists Collective has managed to escape that fate with its quarterly audio offering, Sandbox Radio Live. Don’t get me wrong. We had a great initial outing, back in July of last year with our first show. And lots of delicious hype to go with it. But I don’t know anyone who would argue we couldn’t do better. And better we did, with the second iteration, a horror-themed show turned out just in time for Halloween.
With this third episode, however, every member of the team— writers, actors, musicians and production crew — stretched out into strong new strides: going beyond what we had done before with a confidence that surely grew out of our prior successes and failures. Everyone seems to agree that Episode Three, “To Hell With Love” was our best show yet. And best of all, now that the podcast is ready, you can listen and decide for yourself by clicking here.
For me, the evening did not contain a single clunker. I loved every segment, from Anita Montgomery’s hilarious plumbing of the particular hell that is on-line dating in “F- You, Cupid!” to Elizabeth Heffron and Leslie Law’s stirring tribute to the great radio drama talent, Norman Corwin, in the show’s finale, “Corwin on Corwin.” And I will never forget when Elizabeth Heffron’s delightful sex romp in space “T-Minus” gloriously dissolved into an Offenbach duet sung by Law and the shimmering soprano Heather Curtis Mullin. As Heather herself will tell, you it’s no great accomplishment that this brought me to tears. I’ll cry at a cell phone commercial. But that doesn’t diminish the welling of awe I felt witnessing that unrecoverable moment of live theatre.
Wait! What did I just say? “Unrecoverable?” Bullcrap! Due to the greater glory of Sandbox Radio you can go and recover it right now, here! (Act I, 52:50).
And here’s a list of all the evening’s pieces:

Episode 3, “To Hell With Love”
recorded at West of Lenin on January 23, 2012

Act 1

@1:55 “F-You, Cupid!” by Anita Montgomery
@13:28 PSA-Coal Free Washington by Vincent Delaney
@16:45 “Lost Love Blues” by Charles Leggett
@22:53 “Markheim: Episode 3” by Paul Mullin
@37:30 “T-Minus” by Elizabeth Heffron

Act 2

@0:00 “Angry” by Charles Leggett
@2:48 “Charlotte Doesn’t Clean Here Anymore” by Scot Augustson
@17:55 PSA-Communities in Schools of Seattle by Vincent Delaney
@21:08 “Corwin by Corwin” by Elizabeth Heffron
@40:03 Finale/Credits

True to the night’s pattern, my own piece, the third installment of the noir angel series, Markheim, was the best one yet. If I can modestly say so, I am really starting to find the action of the story. And the actors, foley artists and musicians have modulated the series’ unique and tricky tone to pitch perfection. As always, I’m providing the script for Episode Three below the fold.
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Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time
To Hell With Love

January 11, 2012

Markheim’s just a half-fallen angel trying to keep his head down and walk neutral in The Show, but how long can that last with some other angel burning street kids on deserted Seattle stairways?

Sam ain’t gonna like it. And when Sam’s unhappy, nobody’s happy.

* * *
Come join Episode Three of SANDBOX RADIO LIVE! “To Hell With Love” as the Sandbox Artists Collective records it LIVE! before a hopped up audience of devout Sandbox Radioheads on Monday, January 23rd at 7:30 at Fremont’s newest theatre, West of Lenin!
Entirely new, fresh and certified locally grown, Sandbox Radio is written, produced and performed by some of Seattle’s hottest stage talent. This latest episode, “To Hell with Love” will include brand spanking new pieces by Scot Augustson, Vincent Delaney, Elizabeth Heffron and Anita Montgomery, plus Episode 3 of my noir-angel serial Markheim, poetry from Charles Leggett, and the sensationally seductive song stylings of our very special musical guest, Heather Curtis Mullin. As an added bonus, the evening will also include a special tribute to the “Poet Laureate of Radio” the late Norman Corwin.
Members of the Sandbox Artist Collective currently scheduled to appear include: Eric Ray Anderson, Rik Deskin, Ki Gottberg, Sarah Harlett, Tracy Hyland, Darragh Kennan, Mik Kuhlman, Charles Leggett, Larry Paulsen, Dan Tierney, Annette Toutonghi, Kathryn Van Meter. Original music will be provided by Jose Gonzales and the Sandbox Radio Orchestra: Charles Leggett, Dave Pascal, Dan Tierney and Rob Witmer.   You won’t want to miss this, and you won’t want to wait until the podcast gets posted. Come see it LIVE! on Monday, January 23.
The details!
Who:                The Sandbox Artists Collective
What:              Sandbox Radio Live! “To Hell with Love!”
Where:            West of Lenin (Located at 203 N. 36th Street, a few blocks west of the Statue of Lenin in the center of the universe, Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood.)
When:              Monday, January 23rd (house opens at 7:30 pm with a live music set, show starts at 8:00 pm)
How much:    $10 suggested donation at the door, Reservations recommended!
Available through brownpapertickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/218562
Sandbox Radio is conceived, produced and directed by Leslie Law.
Subscribe to the podcast of Sandbox Radio and listen to past episodes at the iTunes store by clicking here.

PS: Yes you read that correctly: our very special musical guest is the one– the only!– the fabulously gorgeous AND talented, Heather Curtis Mullin.

Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time
A Show You Don’t Have to Come See

September 28, 2011

How often do you get a plug for a show in which the plugger says he doesn’t really care if you come see it? Well, that’s exactly what I’m telling about this second edition of Sandbox Radio Live: The Halloween Episode.
Well, all right, hold on a second. Fact is, I really would like to see you there in the audience, but our seating at West of Lenin is extremely limited and we will sell out. So no matter what happens, some of you who show up without reservations will be frozen out, S.O.L, on the sidewalk outside, while the happy few who booked at Brown Paper Tickets early enough watch it live. (Book ahead here.) But do NOT despair. It’s Sandbox Radio remember? And the whole point of us doing it is to make a permanent recording. Our first episode is available for you to listen to right now, for free! at iTunes. (Listen here.)
The podcast of Episode One, at 90 minutes, is admittedly quite sizable. In future, perhaps The Sandbox might look at ways to create a table of contents with time-stamps so you can go to the sections of the show that most interest you. In the mean time, download it so that you have something to play the next time you’re stuck in traffic. You won’t regret it. (And after you have a listen, please consider posting a review of the show. It’s the best way for you to let us know what you do and don’t like, and it also raises Sandbox Radio’s profile on iTunes.)
And look for the podcast of Sandbox Radio Live: The Halloween Episode coming out shortly after the live performance on October 10!

Posted at 4:46 PM in Audio Play, Sandbox Artists Collective, Theatre | Comments (0)

Tags: Annette Toutonghi, Cousin Katie, Sandbox Radio Live, Scot Augustson, Swing Time

Tag: Annette Toutonghi

Live Blogging Swing Time: Scot Augustson and Cousin Katie

“An Unexpected Twist” Exceeds as Expected

An Unexpected Twist

A Delicious Sampler of Sandbox Radio Live

The Blessings of Getting Better: Sandbox Radio Live!

To Hell With Love

A Show You Don’t Have to Come See