The Sneeze, two places

Theatre-goers should mark their calendars for August, when Saltfire Theatre plans to present Anton Chekhov’s “The Sneeze” with runs slated for Finnriver Farm and Cidery and Fort Worden State Park.

Shows are scheduled for Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 16-18 at Finnriver’s cider garden. Later in the month, Saltfire will present the play Aug. 23 to 25 at Fort Worden State Park. Showtimes vary. Details and tickets are available at
saltfiretheatre.org.

Directed by formerly local Saltfire colleague Connor Zaft, with “Sneezeographer” Kerry Christianson developing the physical comedy, the play, in Chekhov’s words, is a “mangy little vaudeville.”

The play was translated and adapted for the stage by Michael Frayn in 1988, and is a collection of four comedic short stories and four one-act plays.

“The Sneeze” features 15 local actors, including: Scott Bahlmann, Genevieve Barlow, Doug Caskey, Maude Eisele, Judd Farris, Ki Gottberg, Michelle Hensel, Suzanne McCree, Zach Nesmith, Francisca Ramirez, Leif Staley, Kait Tapia, Kristen Louise Webb, Dan Westerburg and Don White.

Saltfire Theatre is a community-based, non-profit theater company offering opportunities for local actors, designers and directors to create live theater for local audiences.

Darcie Chace retrospective

The Grover Gallery at 236 Taylor St. has a special show in the side room featuring the artwork of long-time Port Townsend resident Darcie Chace. The exhibit includes artwork created throughout her life.

Her mythical creatures, abstracts and illustrated poems will all be available for sale, with proceeds going to Olympic Neighbors. The nonprofit creates a “home” and “community” for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by providing access to safe and supportive housing in an adult family home, with opportunities and encouragement for residents to participate in meaningful, inclusive activities. Olympic Neighbors operates the only adult family home, Hamilton House, in Jefferson County exclusively for people with IDD.

Darcie’s family, Linda Landkammer and Daniella Chace, will be available during Gallery Walk on Aug. 3, from 5-8 p.m. to answer questions about the art. Claudia Coppola, executive director of Olympic Neighbors, will be available to answer questions about the fundraiser. Several of Darcie’s drawings will also be part of the Olympic Neighbors Auction at The Bishop Hotel on Sunday, Aug. 4.

To learn more about Darcie Chace, who was born with Down syndrome, tune into Larry Stein’s radio show to hear the Anna-Marie Brown interview all about Darcie’s life and work. It will be the featured topic of KPTZ’s public interest and interview show, “Attention Please!” on Monday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 17.

Jumping Mouse Soiree

Jumping Mouse Children’s Center will be hosting its third annual Sweet Summer Soiree at RainCoast Farms from 4-6 p.m. on  Saturday, Aug. 3. This year will include a talk by its new clinic director, Dr. Mel Rose, who joined in April. She will share her vision for the direction of the organization.

Jumping Mouse has offered expressive mental health therapy to children in Jefferson County since 1999. The event, at Raincoast Farms, on 12224 Airport Cutoff Road, will include hearty appetizers.

Rose Theatre asks for help replacing projectors

Digital projectors have about a 15-year lifespan, and the Rose Theatre purchased its projectors 13.5 years ago.

They almost made it, but after a slow summer season, during what the Rose touted as a “make-or-break” weekend, its oldest digital projector went dark.

According to the Rose, the first step to getting the theater open and running again is to purchase new servers for its projectors.

The cost, with labor, is estimated to be $25,000.

Since the Rose’s digital projectors are no longer being made, in the next year, its entire fleet of projectors will need to be replaced in full, and new projectors are estimated to cost more than $150,000.

The family that purchased the Rose in 2023 invested their life savings into it, and they don’t want to see it go dark again, like it did before being restored in 1992.

You can help support the Rose by looking up “The Rose Theatre Needs You” at gofundme.com.