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Harlequin prepares for annual gala, season reveal

Harlequin Productions in Olympia marks the changing of its seasons with its September stagings of the play “This Flat Earth,” followed by its annual gala and the season announcement for 2023.

“This Flat Earth,” a 2018 play by Lindsey Ferrentino, depicts students and parents navigating the aftermath of a fictional middle school shooting in a seaside town. Admission to the play, which runs today through Saturday and starts at 7:30 p.m., is $35 for general audiences, $32 for seniors and military, and $20 for students and youths.

Pay-what-you-choose tickets can be purchased at the State Theater, 202 4th Ave. E., Olympia when the theater opens, which is two hours before showtime on the day of the performance. Tickets are limited to four per person.

The play’s lead role of 13-year-old Julie will be played by two local child actors, alternating performances. The recommended age to see the play is no younger than 11 years old due to scenes that include what Harlequin Productions describes as “disturbing concepts, including gun violence and death.”

During the run of “This Flat Earth,” the State Theater lobby will display photos of schools where gun violence or other incidents involving guns occurred from Jan. 1 to May 24 this year. Schools in seventeen states will be represented, where 48 injuries and 26 deaths were recorded.

Saturday is the date for Harlequin’s annual gala and season announcement for 2023, starting under Harlequin’s event canopy behind the theater. It starts at 6 p.m., before continuing inside at 7:30 p.m. for the season announcement.

Under the event canopy, attendees will find hors d’oeuvres and gelato provided by Octapas and Sofie’s Scoops, among others, while wine, beer and cocktails will be provided by Rumors Wine Bar, Cheeky Martini Lounge and Wild Man Brewing, along with live music by Keys and Chords, and a silent auction.

Inside the theater, attendees will receive a glass of champagne upon arrival and be treated to the 2023 season announcement presentation with Harlequin Artistic Director Aaron Lamb, featuring performances from select productions. A live auction will be hosted by Aleksa Manila, a genderqueer performer and multiple drag pageant winner.

Tickets are $100 each, to cover $60 worth of food and drinks, and a $40 donation to Harlequin Productions. Attendees must be 21 years or older.

For more on showings of “This Flat Earth” and to learn more about pay-what-you-choose tickets, go to http://www.harlequinproductions.org.

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

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Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
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