MING THE RUDE
By John Engerman,
Rex McDowell, Phill
Shallat and Bob
Wright
The Empty Space
2003
Directed by Lori Larsen
Music by John Engerman
Musical Direction by Rob Jones
Choreography by Jayne Muirhead
Set Design: Jenny Anderson
Costume Design: Melanie Burgess
Ming The Rude was a world premiere production at The Empty Space Theater in Seattle. Based on the much beloved “Park Shows” that the local theater put on in the 1970’s and 80’s, Ming was a spoof of outer space, Flash Gordonesque hero movies.
Within the Kingdom of Courtesy, an unsettling change is afoot. The cherished and unfailingly polite King Charm Glo Ming has departed this world, leaving behind a surprising heir in Prince Larry Ming, who has (shockingly) developed a rude demeanor. The musical delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, courage, and, above all, the importance of maintaining cleanliness and sanitation.
Cast
Larry Ming……………………………………………..Troy Fischnaller
Queen Bess………………………….…..…………Sarah Rudinoff
Sir Pendulous Dewlaps……………….Kevin Loomis
Lt. Betty Doris………………………….…………..Nicole Boote
Mad Scientist…………………………………….Michael Meyer
Eddie………………………………………………………..Bob Borwick
Ensemble……………………………………………..Margot Bordelon, Shawn Law, Jonathan David Martin
Reviews
“The endlessly inventive, stylish and brilliantly comic Sarah Rudinoff as Larry Ming's mum, Queen Bess, gets the kind of over-the-top style needed to make this show work. It bounds to life whenever she takes center stage, with the kind of comic flair that made the likes of Imogene Coca, Madeline Kahn, and Tracy Ullman comic icons of their respective eras.”
David Edward Hughes, Talking Broadway
“If anyone is fit to play an animated queen it’s La Rudinoff. The great Chuck Jones himself might have created her generously comic curves, and you could spend the whole show just watching her face explode.”
Steve Wiecking, Seattle Weekly
Gallery
Production Photos by Chris Bennion
