(L-R: Brian Dowell, Tony Boswell, Randy Liedtke, Andy Peters, Marcus, Gabriel Rutledge)
The Admiral Theater, sometimes referred to as the "Admiral Cinemas," has been a West Seattle landmark as far back at 1919. Stephen Garrett and company are lovingly and painstakingly restoring it to its Art Deco maritime-themed glory. It's current configuration includes the 1919-era lobby, all done up in red and white; and two screens ("Pier 1" and "Pier 2"). Pier 1 now includes a full-sized stage for live performance - of which this was the first ever in history. We're very proud.
This was our first theater show of the week after 3 nights in clubs. If you've ever seen stand up comedy in a theater, you know that it is an entirely different experience, for performers and audience alike. While alcohol is still available, you have to make an individual effort to get it rather than have it delivered directly to you. And without the distractions of kitchen and bar staff, the audience gets to focus on the performance in a way that does nothing but enhance it. Add the key technical elements for a great comedy show - good sound, good lights (performer bright, audience dark)- and voilá.
Oh, yeah, the show: well, one of the highlights certainly had to be St. Louis comic Brian Dowell's electric performance of original edgy material. Definitely had the biggest audience response of the night. It's taken him a couple of nights to find his groove, but he's definitely there now. The numbers put him in 4th for the evening, his first break into the Top 5. Randy Liedtke also placed - for the second time - by breaking out the Melodica ("a Casio beer bong" - host Gabriel Rutledge), playing along with a CD, and pausing for absurd one-liners followed by goofy dance steps. You gotta see it. The high energy comedy Salt Lake City resident Marcus, who has been consistently strong night after night, earned him second place, and top spot went to another high-energy guy, Seattle's Andy Peters, a former finalist, who has been coming on strong. In 5th place - the smooth, urbane and witty Chicagoan Tony Boswell, back in a comfy environment after the wilds of Pierce County.
1. Andy Peters 2. Marcus 3. Randy Liedtke, 4. Brian Dowell 5. Tony Boswell