Stage Review - Oddballs and Outlaws (Play Me Off)
Stage Review - Oddballs and Outlaws
Presented By: Play Me Off - Seattle, WA
Performance Date: October 14, 2024
Performance Venue: The Royal Room, Seattle, WA
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman
This past Monday, I had the opportunity last night to attend a very special event. Organized by Morgan Claire Roberts and Zachary Kellogg, Play Me Off’s cabaret concert Oddballs and Outlaws was something that the Seattle theatre scene needs more of. The event took place at The Royal Room in Seattle and featured performances by some of the area’s best known talents in musical theatre, folks you will most definitely have seen if you’ve been to any shows at some of the local professional theaters. The theme, of course, is Oddballs and Outlaws, meaning that the performers had to choose a song (or songs) that fit into either of these categories. This included songs from Shrek, Only Murders in the Building, Bonnie and Clyde, Dogfight, Beetlejuice, Heathers, and the list goes on.
Something like this is a win-win, meaning that not only is it good for the audience, it’s clearly good for the performers as well. A concert like this provides a way for actors to reach back and reconnect with the reasons that they do what they do, in a forum that is relaxing, fun, and non-judgmental. Nobody cared if a line was forgotten or if there was the odd musical trip-up. In fact, it made everyone relax that much more. The artists were clearly having fun, and the audience was right there with them. Everyone there is a friend, whether they’ve met or not, the atmosphere was like a family reunion, right along the lines of what we’re trying to build here at The Sound on Stage, a feeling of community where everyone is welcome. And the theme is perfect. I’ve always thought that the theatre is a collection of oddballs, and that’s what brings us together. It’s a family that welcomes everyone with open arms, regardless of race, gender, or affiliation. We’re all linked, and nights like this just drive that home.
For me, every performance was a highlight, from the opening performances from Morgan’s and Zachary’s students Jolee Zamira and Sadie Peterson all the way through the end to Cassi Q Kohl’s amazing multi-faceted performance from Only Murders in the Building. Between, there was Casey Raiha’s performances from Shrek and (of all things) the Super Mario Bros. Movie (Peaches!), Caitlin Sarwono’s heart wrenching When He Sees Me from Waitress, Keoni Dilay’s Out There from Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Noah Fletcher’s wonderful Mister Cellophane from Chicago. Other performances from Jordan Roche, Olivia Bentley, a hilarious number from Rebecca Cort (Dead Girl Walking from Heathers), Arika Matoba (Pulled from The Addams Family), and a duet between Arika and Keoni of Suddenly Seymour were some other highlights, as was another favorite of mine, Mister Snow from Carousel performed by Morgan Roberts. I’m probably missing someone, but every performance was so energetic and fun.
I’d love to see more of these events, a chance to sit with a drink (or a meal) and just enjoying watching some of Seattle’s extraordinary talent do what they do best. If Morgan and Zachary (so talented on their own) put up another one of these cabaret concerts, clear your schedule and make sure to attend. You won’t regret it!!
For more information about Play Me Off, head to their website at https://www.playmeoffmusic.com.
Photo credit: Jace Tucker, Morgan Claire Roberts, Kylie Cordero
