I'm terrifically proud of all the artists involved with this - come celebrate the end of our season with us!
for tickets - www.seattlepublictheater.org
to usher for FREE - sptbox@hotmail.comSeattle PI May 23, 2006
'The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow'"No one dreams in macro any more," laments a Russian professor of robotics, one of the likable hyperbolic characters in Rolin Jones' inventive play. Not so Mr. Jones, nor Seattle Public Theater, taking a risk with an offbeat production that pays off beautifully.
It's a funny, astute look at the struggle for real intimacy in a world of instant messages, satellite navigation and computer voice translation.
Jennifer Marcus (Kimber Lee) is a 22-year-old agoraphobic computer genius who dreams of finding her birth mother in China. Unable to leave her house, she engineers a robot (Kelly Mak) to send in her place.
Aiding Jennifer is an assortment of eccentric cyberfriends (all played by the versatile Patrick Scott) who span the globe from Shanghai to Yale. Closer to home is Todd (the dead-on Trick Danneker), a pizza delivery driver with dreams of Peru.
Jennifer is constantly at odds with shrewish mom Adele (Karen Nelsen, admirably shouldering a thankless role). The irony is clear: The distance between Shanghai and California is nothing compared to the chasm between mother and daughter.
With a sharp script, charismatic cast and adroit direction by Carol Roscoe, "The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow" is a winner.
"The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow" runs at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Drive N., through June 11. Tickets: $12-20;
www.seattlepublictheater.org or 206-524-1300.
-- Kelly Huffman
