For three hot nights in August, on the 12th, 13th & 14th, West of Lenin (WoL) will host a limited-run of ‘Das Barbecü’ In Concert, a two-hour retelling of the fourth opera of Wagner’s ‘Ring Cycle.’ Composed by Scott Warrender, this witty Texas fable is told through songs that run the gamut of Broadway, Texas swing, jazz, twangy country & western, etc., of a story complete with shotgun weddings, feuding families and a magic ring of power.
The cast of all-star Seattle performers that will bring to life this fast and furious love letter to Wagner’s epic includes Billie Wildrick – returning to the modest stages of Fremont from Broadway, and other, much loftier venues. “I love Das Barbecü,” she said, “I think Scott Warrender’s music… People should be begging him for his work. He’s not writing for theater right now, and that is a crime!”
‘Living The Dream’
She could have stayed in New York, selling the ‘Billie Wildrick’ package, but this established actress admitted, “My dream has never been to be a Broadway star. I’d rather have a Stranger Genius Award than a Tony, in some ways.”
Instead, she’s returned to Seattle and a schedule that may leave some on-lookers breathless, as she dashes from mainstream shows on big stages to smaller, more modest productions like ‘Das Barbecü,’ and back again. In early August, Wildrick will wrap up her part in ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at The 5th Avenue Theatre, but she will begin work on a new musical at the Balagan Theatre, another part in the Village Theatre Festival of New Works, and a revamp of ‘The Daffodils’ into the ‘Riveting Rosies.’ In her remaining time, she will teach a master class and collaborate on a song cycle with composer Anastasia Workman. “This is living the dream,” she said about working – and having work – seven days a week – after 12 years in the industry.
As to her success, and finding work as, “a blonde just out of being young,” Wildrick explained, “There is no THERE.” She hasn’t sat back and reveled in her arrival. Instead, she continues to work as work appears. “There is a difference between people who have truly pursued a dream,” she pointed out, “and those who sit back and say, ‘I could do that.’”
“I am definitely in love with theatre,” Wildrick explained, “I am desperately in love with the place where music and theatre meet. That intersection.” She seeks those opportunities to explore that intersection in works like ‘Das Barbecü’. “I’m interested in new roles,” she acknowledged, “I want to originate roles.” Yet, as Eve/Myrtle, she also originated a role – in ‘Saving Aimee’ at The 5th Avenue, and when the show went to Broadway, as ‘Scandalous.’
A Wealth Of Options
Wildrick does have more work lined up there, but for now, “I’m back from New York,” she said, and considering the options of being bi-coastal. She acknowledged, “There is only so much work,” in this market, but there are other opportunities here to create new ideas.
This fall, as Artistic Director, Wildrick plans a launch of the Cordless Moon Artist Collider Project, possibly in Fremont. The combination performance/collaboration/fundraising effort, is intended “to fund artists to do projects,” she explained. She wants to offer artists a place to collaborate with others, including strangers, for more creative collaborations and unexpected inspirations – and to “re-tribalize around our local artists.”
In addition, she wants to find a place between performing the big, mainstream musicals and the independent, fringe productions, where we can be happy together. “Somewhere between the Musical Theater, where they want the audience to get off, and the smaller artistic theater where they perform and get off while we watch,” she said, “Somewhere in-between there must be a place of mutual orgasm.”
Provides Meaning
‘Das Barbecü’ can provide pleasure for all involved, although Wildrick acknowledged it isn’t effortless. Audiences do need to know something about ‘The Ring’ cycle, she said, although “you don’t need an in-depth knowledge.” A review of a Wikipedia entry before stepping into the theater would help. “
“I would challenge the audience to do something,” she said, “figure out what you are going to see,” and know a little before sitting down to be entertained. If audiences want intelligent entertainment, she challenged, they need to put effort into it like performers such as Wildrick do.
“This stuff means something to me,” Wildrick said, about music, theater and her latest work in Fremont. See what has her all hot and bothered at West of Lenin. Tickets for ‘Das Barbecü’ In Concert can be purchased on Brown Paper Tickets. With only three shows, it makes sense to plan ahead and get tickets today.
And stay tuned for more on Cordless Moon – and opportunities for more dedicated artists like Wildrick to live the dream!
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