Babylon's "Influence" sponsors Panel on Seattle Arts Coverage

[John Longenbaugh]

Theatre Babylon’s pleased to announce a special post-play panel discussion on local media arts coverage, following tonight’s performance of “Influence,” a new comedy by Tom Folger.

Tom is a theatre critic who’s decided to produce an autobiographical play that he’s written. That’s crazy. But is he any crazier than anyone else involved in theatre? How about his girlfriend Emma, played by an actress who can’t stop sleeping with her leading men? Or his best friend and editor Bryce, who’s played by an actor who’s considering quitting to become an audience member, “maybe even a subscriber?” Or the actor playing his younger, more charismatic self? Or the actress that has such a small part that she can’t shut up about how few lines she has?

Following the Friday March 11th performance “Influence” will be a special post-play discussion with former Seattle Weekly editors and writers, including newsman and columnist James Bush, arts editor Kathryn Koberg, art critic Sheila Farr, and founder and chief editor David Brewster, with the dramaturg John Longenbaugh (former Weekly theatre critic) moderating. The topic will be: “Alternative Papers, Alternative Arts: Are Either Fulfilling Their Mission?”

Come see the show that the PI  found “an intriguing, if brow-furrowing ramble,” the Weekly claims features “enough solid, well-paced narrative and top-tier acting to make these confessions of a burnt-out theatre snob appealing,” the Times admits features “a spree of amusing, opinionated, often barbed one-liners,” and the Stranger’s Amy Wagner found “deeply embittered.” (she also mistakenly used the word “distinguished” instead of “extinguished.” But what do you want from The Stranger?)

(well, what do you want from the critics?)

Who: Theatre Babylon presents:

What: Influence, A Sexy Comedy about Seattle Theatre

Where: Velocity MainSpace Theatre, 915 E Pine St, Second Floor

When: Friday and Saturday nights, March 4-26 at 8 p.m. Forum this Friday only.

How Much: $15, $13 in advance, $12 students and seniors. Go to brownpaperticket.com for advance tickets.

For more information on the show, go to theatrebabylon.org.