Lisa Koch News

Washington DC may have the Koch brothers, but we have a Koch brother and sister, specifically David and Lisa Koch. Two of the funniest humans out there, they've brought their delicious satire to Seattle and abroad for years. In fact, 20 years ago their 70's pop duo parody a?oeThe Carpetersa?? were all the rage at Cabaret de Paris. Well, they've reunited that delightful original cast, and brought in some new friends, to make The Carpeters live once again in a concert of their original show, a?oeThe Carpeters: Uncomfortably Close to Youa??. And with the insane laughter and applause, the roof of the Triple Door may never be the same.

It is with a very heavy heart that I pass along the news that Peggy Platt, the beloved Seattle comedian and actress, passed away Monday night at the age of 58. Peggy, a staple of the Seattle entertainment community, was known for her brash humor and take no prisoners attitude.

Most people have that thing every year that signals the beginning of the Holiday season; seeing the lights downtown, that first pumpkin spice whatever, or braving the crowds on Black Friday. For me, the Holidays don't really begin until I get to enjoy my favorite annual show from Seattle treasures Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch, Ham for the Holidays . And their current incarnation, The Hamchurian Candidate currently playing at ACT certainly rang in the holiday season with a bang and a chainsaw and some aerobicize videos that I can never un-see.

This fall, the talent performing at New Hope's RRazz Room at The Clarion is a diverse mix of world class artists. From legendary mentalist The Amazing Kreskin,to the comedy of Judy Gold, Jackie 'The Joke Man' Martling, Jessica Kirson & Jennie McNulty, 2-Time TONY Award Nominated & American Idol Finalist Constantine Maroulis, TV's Carson Kressley along with Dance Music Artist Kristine W, Philadelphia Resident & Salsoul Records Multi Platinum Recording Aritst Denise Montana (Merry Christmas All), show business royalty Marty Allen (Celebrating His 96th Birthday), there is something for all tastes at the intimate and comfortable Rrazz Room located withing the newly renovated Clarion Hotel & Suites in New Hope. There is nothing quite like the connection between the performers and their audience in a cabaret setting. It is an opportunity to see your favorite artists up close and personal.

This fall, the talent performing at New Hope's RRazz Room at The Clarion is a diverse mix of world class artists. From legendary mentalist The Amazing Kreskin,to the comedy of Judy Gold, Jackie 'The Joke Man' Martling, Jessica Kirson & Jennie McNulty, 2-Time TONY Award Nominated & American Idol Finalist Constantine Maroulis, TV's Carson Kressley along with Dance Music Artist Kristine W, Philadelphia Resident & Salsoul Records Multi Platinum Recording Aritst Denise Montana (Merry Christmas All), show business royalty Marty Allen (Celebrating His 96th Birthday), there is something for all tastes at the intimate and comfortable Rrazz Room located withing the newly renovated Clarion Hotel & Suites in New Hope. There is nothing quite like the connection between the performers and their audience in a cabaret setting. It is an opportunity to see your favorite artists up close and personal.

In these chaotic and somewhat disturbing times, we can all use a good laugh as a release valve. I know I could. This is why I was so excited that last night I was going to get to partake in my favorite annual holiday tradition. No, not getting to beat some old lady to the last Tickle-Me Pokemon (or whatever) on Black Friday or sipping eggnog with your co-workers until the inappropriate conversations begin. It's my annual trip to ACT to catch the latest installment of Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt's 'Ham for the Holidays' and this year's offering 'Jurassic Pork' was certainly not a letdown, in fact I think this may be one of their best. With their liberal dose of liberal humor and more gay than you can shake a glitter and jewel encrusted stick at, Koch and Platt have the cure for any Grinch-like holiday moods.

A NEW HOPE WOMEN'S COMEDY EVENT DOUBLE HEADER at The RRazz Room At The Raven will feature Jennie McNulty & Lisa Koch and Special Guest Comedian Karen Faber on August 6 at 7:30 pm. For Tickets & Information: 888-596-1027 or www.TheRRazzRoom.com.

Sioux Empire Community Theatre presents MARY POPPINS, May 6 - 22, 2016. Fri. & Sat. at 7 p.m. & Sun. at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $25 each.  

Sioux Empire Community Theatre presents MARY POPPINS, May 6 - 22, 2016. Fri. & Sat. at 7 p.m. & Sun. at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $25 each.  

Seattle Women's Chorus (SWC) takes audiences on a hilarious romp back in time to the trials and trails of summer camp adventures.

Seattle Women's Chorus (SWC) takes audiences on a hilarious romp back in time to the trials and trails of summer camp adventures.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre announces the winter shows that will close out its 50th year and carry over into the debut season of Artistic Director John Langs. In December, ACT presents the 40th Anniversary Production of A Christmas Carol and the merry Ham for the Holidays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? by Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt. Also in December, ACT celebrates the achievements of all the playwrights in the 2015 Young Playwrights Program and presents As You Like It, directed by ACT's Kenan Directing Fellow Wiley Basho Gorn.

Everyone has their own personal hallmarks that the holiday season has arrived. For some it's catching that favorite movie on TV such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Sound of Music", for others it might be heading downtown to see the lights and carolers. But for me in my own warped and twisted way, the holidays cannot begin until I get to see the latest irreverent collection of insanity from Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt (a.k.a. Dos Fallopia). And while this year's offering of "Ham for the Holidays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham?" currently at ACT is a bit light on the holiday themes, it doesn't mean it's at all light on the comedy.

Merry. Mirthful. Mad. Seattle comedians Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt (aka Dos Fallopia) return to ACT with their wackadoodle, gender-bending holiday sketch series, Ham for the Holidays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? Directed by David Hunter Koch, the long-running cult series has found a hammy holiday home at ACT's Falls Theatre, in collaboration with ACTLab. Platt and Koch take you on a holiday outing packed with devilish social satire, cockeyed musical parodies, and more wigs than Lady Gaga.

A Contemporary Theatre announces a wide range of dynamic shows to close out its 50th year.

A Contemporary Theatre announces a wide range of dynamic shows to close out its 50th year.

Strengthen up those smiling and laughing muscles because the insanity of one of my favorite holiday show alternatives is back with "Ham for the Holidays: Fear the Bacon" over at ACT. And let me tell you, they have upped their game and outdone themselves. My cheeks are still aching from all the laughter as they turned in one of their best holiday shows to date.

Let me start by saying that "The Rocky Horror Show", on its own, is not a very good show. What makes the show fun and worthwhile is the audience participation. So when that is lacking, as it was at the recent Seattle Musical Theatre production I saw, it only serves to spotlight how mediocre a show it is. So I must encourage all you Rocky fans who know what to yell at the stage to go and lend the final piece to the show for its own sake. But lack of audience interaction aside (seriously there were only about five of us participating in a full house and getting people to do the Time Warp was like pulling teeth) this circus burlesque reimagining of the show works on some levels but lacks focus on others making the evening feel … well … rocky.

The new performance/rehearsal/training space in town launched last night with their inaugural performance by hosting an evening of the works of local musical theater composer Richard Gray with "Here's to the Ladies". Gray and some of the most talented women in town got together to explore Gray's work and send off this new space with a bang. And all those in attendance knew they were watching something extra special.

Seattle Musical Theatre is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the American premiere of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, music, lyrics, and book by Richard O'Brien. With Director Steven Fogell at the helm and with music direction by Kim Dare, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW runs today, October 9-18, 2014 at Magnuson Park.