And you thought the holiday season was over.
Not for Live Theatre Workshop, which is staging the Christmas-themed comedy "Inspecting Carol."
The play within a play, written by Daniel Sullivan and the Seattle Repertory Theatre, is about a cash-strapped theater company frantically rehearsing its annual production of "A Christmas Carol."
The small theater company is in jeopardy when the National Endowment for the Arts threatens to take away its grant.
With the NEA inspector due to show up at any moment, the theater company is working at a frantic pace.
The show is about people who love theater, said director Leslie J. Miller.
"It's a physical comedy. My objective was to keep the characters human," Miller said.
People are also reading…
"I didn't want them to become a cartoon of themselves."
The show is not interactive, but at certain points characters can be found sitting in the audience.
Miller, who is a big fan of the show, said that she loves the characters.
"I think it's a smart show written sort of like an inside joke about theater people," said Miller.
She said that the show is like being on a roller-coaster ride with lots of loops and dips.
"It's physical, funny, and it hits you."
And there are surprises in store, she added.
Sort of like a Christmas present — even if it is a bit late.
If you go
"Inspecting Carol"
• By: Daniel Sullivan and the Seattle Repertory Theatre.
• Director: Leslie J. Miller.
• When: Previews 7:30 p.m. Friday; opening night 7:30 p.m. Saturday; regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays through April 19.
• Where: Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway.
• Tickets: $17-$14.
• Reservations/Information: 327-4242.
• Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes, with one intermission.
