What To Expect Next for PFP
PorkFilled Productions Joins Seattle Public Theater For a Limited Run Production of What to Expect
Pork Filled Productions takes over the Seattle Public Theater stage with a brand new play What to Expect, by Nabra Nelson, directed by Alanah Pascual, playing April 1- 8, 7:30 pm. This special limited run will take place on the off nights of Seattle Public Theater’s production of Hurricane Diane, both shows tackling the effects of climate change.
About the Play: Seattle 2080. In: Mixed race majorities and artificial pregnancies. Out: Car ownership, red meat, and suburban homes. Ongoing climate disasters…are just there. Candace’s “baby” bump seems to bring her closer to her dream life – a home in Canada and a nuclear family to settle down with. But while her husband Ahmed adopts a child in Egypt, she starts getting mysterious pains, and meets an intriguing new friend named JeeYoung. The clock ticks as the Big One approaches, but she is determined to fly away in time.
“If in 60 years, the world is burning…and flooding… and quaking. How will we react as a society when the end is constantly looming? Says producer and director Alanah Pasqual. “Maybe we will focus on what we can control, we will make a plan and stick to it, even if our own bodies are railing against us. What to Expect reminds me that there is no time to live dishonestly. To be authentically lost, messy, and trying is surviving.”
“This is our first foray into science fiction, akin to Nebula award winner Lois McMasters Bujold’s work”, says Executive Director of PorkFilled Productions, Roger Tang. “Moreover, it’s our first show to include Middle Eastern/North African folks, so working with that community is very cool, especially as it touches on a common topic of mixed-race identity.”
“This is an experiment in programming,” says Amy Poisson, Producing Artistic Director, “I am interested in giving plays, and directors, a chance to shine without the pressure and commitment of a mainstage subscriber show. I’m so excited that this play is getting a small, yet mighty production. This play was programmed to run with Hurricane Diane as they share the common topic of climate change, but from two very different perspectives. I recommend seeing Hurricane Diane first, and then imagine it’s 25 years later and see What to Expect!”
What to Expect features actors Stephanie Royer-Artuso, Hisam Goueli and Karissa Chin, Salem Salma Wahab as the understudy. Michael Latham is stage manager, Alex Parr is sound designer, Tianxing Yan is costume designer, and Robin Macartney is props designer. Alex Chester-Iwata is a cultural consultant.
Press: For tickets and information about reviewing, and interviews with the artists and creative team, contact Director of Communications Nick Bringhurst at nick@seattlepublictheater.org
Tickets: Tickets for What to Expect are available on a sliding scale from $10 to $100, and can be purchased at https://www.seattlepublictheater.org/special-presentations or arranged through the box office at boxoffice@seattlepublictheater.org
ABOUT PORKFILLED PRODUCTIONS: The oldest Asian American theatre group in the Pacific Northwest, Pork Filled Productions is an award-winner theatre company that centers Asian American artists to imagine fantastical, inclusive and FUN universes. Through genres of science fiction, noir, fantasy, steampunk and more, PFP envisions bright universes informed by diverse experiences and perspectives, with larger-than-life characters. Pork Filled Productions is fiscally sponsored by Shunpike, the 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that provides independent arts groups in Washington with the services, resources and opportunities they need to forge their own paths to sustainable success.
ABOUT SEATTLE PUBLIC THEATER: For over three decades, actors, directors, and audiences passionate about exceptional theater have found a home at Seattle Public Theater. On the shores of Green Lake in the historic Bathhouse Theater, Seattle Public Theater is one of Seattle’s leading mid-sized professional theater companies. Established as a 501(c)(3), Seattle Public Theater strives to create an inclusive community that actively engages with ideas and people.