RoboPop!

And the award for coolest idea for a birthday party goes to... Jenny Haight for her role in planning and executing Josh Windsor's Washington Ensemble Theatre birthday celebration!
Much thanks to both of them for making the theater exclusive to birthday guests and free of charge to all.
RoboPop! is the latest display of the Washington Ensemble Theatre's total awesomeness. You may remember me mentioning them before as the people that brought to Seattle a story of Sex, Death, and Meat in Hunter Gatherers. RoboPop! is a star crossed love story of the future and features music to jam to and glorious robotic dance moves.
The story begins by pointing out some obvious differences between humans and robots in a future where everyone seemingly gets along fine until order is disrupted and a war begins. The humans seek revenge after a robot dog kills one of their own and all are recruited to serve the queen who is larger than life and dons a dress made of teddy bears.
Hannah Victoria Franklin gives a Blade Runner-esq performance as the cold and beloved Teddy Bear Dress Queen who seems to be running out of time. And Libby Matthews is great as The Girl who must go against her own kind, mankind, for the sake of true love.
There are many highlights to this particular performance but I think my favorite came when the star robot had to be brought back to life and he (or she?) and The Girl were captured in a moment soundtracked by Spiritualized's Ladies and Gentlemen (see Playlist to the right).
For a production that had no verbal dialogue the themes of robot love and differences overcome shone through.
I won't ruin the end of the story but I will say that the ultimate conclusion was a Stripping Teddy Bear Dance Party Fight.
Happy Birthday Josh!
I love you Washington Ensemble Theatre!