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’Madness & Mayhem at the Phoenix’

• On stage: The Phoenix Theatre launches their inaugural season with a trio of plays written by women: “From Paris to Main Street,” an unpublished play written in 1921, making its stage debut; “Suppressed Desires,” a satire of trendy psychoanalysis and what happens when lay people try to practice it; and “Fourteen,” a farce depicting a socialite who invites too many guests to dinner. The new theatre troupe makes their home in the former Edge of the World Theatre space at Firdale Village, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds. • Performances: Fridays & Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16- Feb. 1. • Tickets: $18 general, available through brownpapertickets.com; more information by calling 206-533-2000.

CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

The Phoenix rises

New theater in Edmonds picks up where Edge of the World left off

By Dale Burrows
For the Enterprise

Edge of the World Theatre's brothers Kelley, Michael and Roger, made a place for themselves producing a play a month for years, and audiences benefited. Sadly, the Kelleys packed their bags and moved on the end of last year. However, happily, one theater goes and another comes. The Phoenix also rises.

The Phoenix? The bird that rises out of ashes?

Ah, yes; and with symbolic meaning that the brothers Kelley would appreciate although they'd be too modest to say it.

The Phoenix is the new theater picking up where Edge left off in Firdale Village, Edmonds. They will lay out a pretty good idea of what they are about this weekend when they welcome the community with three one-acts: all written by women and produced by Phoenix co-founders, Melanie Calderwood and Debbie Palomera.

So what do we have to look forward to?

"Comedies and thrillers," says Calderwood, herself an actress who gained local popularity appearing for Edge for 12 years. "I learned what audiences like watching Michael and Roger." Calderwood also said, watching the Kelleys taught her a thing or two about the business end of theater and what it takes to put on a show. "It's a lot of work," she quipped.

On the other hand, "Opening up a whole new world to enrich cooperative behavior? is how Palomera describes Phoenix's purpose. "Programs for kids by summer," she said, "will help."

I can understand Calderwood's watching and learning. I watched her and Palomera, sleeves rolled up and hands on, with friends pitching in. They were refurbishing Old Edge's insides and having a whale of a good time. I learned and left convinced. These two inspirations call it success only when groups work together: actors and behind-the-scenes people, performers and audiences, theaters and communities.

Not a bad way to look at things, don't you think?

Farewell, Edge; what a legacy. Welcome, Phoenix, what promise. The Phoenix also rises.



Reactions? Comments? E-mail Dale Burrows at entopinion@heraldnet.com or grayghost7@comcast.net.