LAST YEAR’S KISSES

Musical Direction by Gretta Harley
Theatre Off Jackson

2006

Set Design: Patrick Rogers and Sam Elias
Mural: Susannah Anderson
Lighting Design: Patti West
Costumes by Charlie D’Amato

Backed by an all women band, the theatre was transported back to the days of Seattle’s infamous jazz scene on Jackson Street as Rudinoff sang and told stories of all the obsessions, lusts and heartbreaks of Last Year’s Kisses.

In this lush evening of kiss and tell live music, Rudinoff sang songs from singers as diverse as Mia Zapata, Judy Garland and Jeff Buckley.

She was backed by all all-star band: Music director Gretta Harley (Monstro, Eyefulls, Danger Gens) on piano and guitar, Nancy Wharton (The Walkabouts, Laura Veirs, Holly Figueroa) on bass and cello, Marchette DuBois (Ensemble Sub Masa, Operadesiac) on accordion and piano and Gina Mainwal (Sweet 75) rounding it out on drums.

In conjunction with the show, Theatre Off Jackson’s lobby was adorned with the fabulous Jackson Street After Hours exhibit. The exhibit was filled with historic photos of the jazz musicians that played on Jackson Street in Seattle. Curated by Paul de Barros and Gary Wingert, it was sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society.