From Deana's Desk, Mystery and Music at WICA

In the midst of the big winter freeze, I found myself hunkered down at an eerily quiet WICA looking across Healing Circle’s open lot to the water and dreaming, or questioning. Both really. Almost 30 years ago, Whidbey Island dreamed up and built a Center for the Arts that could and would hold artists and audiences—sharing humanities stories in multi-genres. Against all odds, in 2024, that dream continues and is building on itself. We keep examining and challenging how we create space, build teams, and keep our work embedded in community. There are more voices in the storytelling as we crack open in new ways. Yes we are almost 30 and...it feels like a beginning.  

In February, I'm very excited to be opening Sleuth, the Tony award-winning play...except we've knitted the inspired screenplay version by Harold Pinter with the heart-stopping final scene from the Anthony Shaffer play for a completely original take on this classic. Sleuth, the ultimate game of cat and mouse, is an elaborate revenge/power story full of style and cunning. If you like a good game, you’re going to love this play. Directed by David Churchill and starring local favorites David Mayer and Ethan Berkley.

Please check our website often for the most up-to-date information. Our programming is adjusted monthly as new events are added and changes are made. Don't hesitate to contact our Box Office staff at (360) 221-8268 or visit our event calendar at wicaonline.org. Or send me an email or swing by and have a cup of coffee!

It's a month of mystery and music at WICA and we're excited to share it with you!

Deana Duncan

Executive Artistic Director

Pictured above is the January 12 performance of National Guitar - A Paul Simon Tribute Band featuring Nathaniel Talbot

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PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

February 8-24, Sleuth Theatre Series

February 14, Whidbey Island String Trio Valentine's Concert

February 21, Thriving Communities and the Organic Farm School Host "Regenerative Ag Inspires Regenerative Communities"

February 29, Jayme Stone's Folklife

SOCIAL MEDIA SNAPSHOT

Whidbey Island Film Festival co-curators Deana Duncan and James Hinkley introducing 'Victor, Victoria' (set in Paris) on January 20.

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JANUARY STAGE NOTES

Whidbey Island Film Festival Brings Screwball Comedies to Langley

Inaugural Bluegrass Festival Comes to Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Updated COVID-19 Policy

Sleuth Debuts at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts

An elaborate game of cat and mouse is set to open on the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) mainstage with the February 8 premiere of Sleuth. A staged screenplay by Harold Pinter and based on the Tony Award Winning play by Anthony Shaffer, the WICA production is directed by David Churchill and coincides with the City of Langley’s Murder Mystery Weekend (February 24 and 25). With a three-week run (February 8-24), Sleuth is a “quick-witted [and] theatrical” play with numerous plot twists and homage to literary icons like Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

“Think of the perfect murder…then go one step further,” says Churchill. “Sleuth has been entertaining audiences for more than fifty years. WICA’s February production melds the original script with the screenplay by Harold Pinter, one of the most revered playwrights in the world of theater. The result is a fast paced, twisting thrill ride that is sure to keep audiences guessing until the final shocking moments.”

Set among the quaint English countryside in the house of celebrated mystery writer Andrew Wyke, the play pits Wyke against his young rival Milo Tindle in an elaborate revenge and power game. Originally premiering on Broadway in 1970, the 1972 film adaptation featured Laurence Olivier (Wyke) and Michael Caine (Tindle) and earned four Academy Award nominations. The second film adaptation in 2007, which was directed by Kenneth Branagh, starred Michael Caine (Wyke) and Jude Law (Tindle).

WICA’s adaptation of the play features Seattle-trained actor David Mayer as Andrew Wyke. Mayer is a veteran of other WICA performances, including his recent portrayal as the Duke of Aumerle and King Henry the Fourth in the December production of Scott Kaiser’s Falstaff in Love. He is joined by cousins Ethan Berkley and Jonathan Janus. Berkley, a Whidbey Island local who is no stranger to the WICA mainstage, will play Milo Tindle. His cousin Jonathan Janus, who is making his WICA debut, will be playing Inspector Black. 

“I’ve loved this script for years,” says Deana Duncan, WICA’s executive artistic director. “Sleuth won the Tony Award for best play in 1971…but I wasn’t sure it was ‘fresh’ enough for today. Then we stumbled upon the script to the 2007 Harold Pinter screenplay version, knitted it together with the original brilliant/heart stopping Shaffer ending and realized we had a new, original, and tantalizing revenge play. This clever, caustic game of deception escalates into psychological warfare; if you love games and mystery you won’t want to miss this production!”

Tickets for Sleuth are on sale now. To learn more about the production and to purchase tickets, visit www.wicaonline.org.

WHIDBEY ISLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS UPDATED COVID-19 POLICY

In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases nationally, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) is continuing its work to ensure the health and safety of all patrons, volunteers, and staff at our Langley facility. In accordance with state mandates, proof of vaccination or negative tests and masks are not required at WICA. These policies may be modified based on updated state and county health department guidelines.

We do ask that individuals who feel ill or who are showing symptoms known to be associated with COVID-19 or other infectious diseases do not attend in-person events. Please alert us if you have tested positive within a week after attending a WICA event so that we may notify other participants of a potential exposure. WICA will keep the identity of the person testing positive confidential.

WICA continues to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state, and county guidelines related to COVID-19. Although masks are not required, they are available onsite for anyone who would like one. Hand sanitizer stations are also in place in the lobby and restroom areas for easy use by visitors. WICA’s Health and Safety manual follows all COVID-19 cleaning procedures recommended by state and national agencies—adhering to federal safety standards—and WICA’s state-of-the-art HVAC system provides cleaner, safer air throughout the building. To learn more about this HVAC system, please watch the following video:

As always, the health and safety of our community is our highest priority. These policies may be modified to address any changes to national, state, and county guidelines. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the WICA team at info@wicaonline.org.

INAUGURAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL COMES TO WHIDBEY ISLAND

The soulful sounds of Bluegrass will fill the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) January 24 and 25 with the official launch of the inaugural Bluegrass Festival. The festival brings two Oregon-based trios to WICA, the Tony Furtado Acoustic Trio on January 24 and the Stephanie Schneiderman Trio on January 25. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful Pacific Northwest winter, the Bluegrass Festival will transport attendees to a bygone era while offering a new perspective on this quintessential American music.

“We love bringing new artists and programming to WICA,” says Deana Duncan, executive artistic director. “Over the years, our Bluegrass Jams have been a wonderful gathering opportunity for our community. We’ve been able to showcase the talents of our local Bluegrass artists and have created a space that connects and fosters a shared love of music. Now, as we launch our first Bluegrass Festival, I can’t wait to celebrate the talent that will be featured!”

The festival was inspired by the success of WICA’s Bluegrass Jams, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a part of WICA’s music education program—bringing local musicians together to meet and share music. Since then, the jams have grown to monthly events, consistently bringing people to WICA who are interested in learning more about Bluegrass.

The first day of the festival will kick off with the Tony Furtado Acoustic Trio performance at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Tony Furtado, John Reischman, and Luke Price, the trio’s soulful music and multi-instrumental talent will entertain audiences, perfectly embodying the roots of Bluegrass music.

The second day of the festival will feature a performance by the Stephanie Schneiderman Trio at 7:30 p.m. The trio includes award-winning singer-songwriter Stephanie Schneiderman, as well as keyboardist and accordionist Jenny Conlee and bassist Keith Brush. Their performance will offer an exploration of folk, Americana, trip hop, and pop, all while celebrating Bluegrass and its impact on music.

The Rusty Rails String Band, a Whidbey Island-based Bluegrass group, will play in the piano bar an hour before the performances and during the intermission on both festival days. With a repertoire that includes Bluegrass material as well as fiddle tunes, country music, and related songs, the group consists of Whidbey Island locals Michael McInerney (guitar, mandola, and vocals), Bev Heising (fiddle, mandolin, and vocals), David Auer (6 and 12 string guitars, 5 string banjo, and vocals), Bob Aldrich (bass and vocals), and Chip Hayward (sound system, and audio and video recording).

During the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in Whiskey tasting, which will occur in Zech Hall an hour before the mainstage performance each day.

“It’s going to be a great festival and we can’t wait to share it with our patrons,” says Duncan. “What better way to spend a winter day than with the upbeat tempos, soulful acoustics, and beautiful vocals that make Bluegrass such a beloved music genre.”

Tickets are on sale now. To learn more about the Bluegrass Festival and to purchase festival tickets, visit wicaonline.org.

January’s Whidbey Island Film Festival Brings Screwball Comedies to Langley

A celebration of nearly six decades of screwball comedy movie history will be on display during the 6th annual Whidbey Island Film Festival, January 17-21. Produced by the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), the festival promises participants seven movies, one concert, and countless laughs over the five-day event. With films featuring Hollywood icons from Cary Grant to Barbara Streisand, the festival offers an unforgettable cinematic journey through some of Hollywood’s most quintessential comedies—introducing audiences to beloved stories that have delighted generations of moviegoers.

“This year’s theme of screwball comedies really transcends the decades, and it’s wonderful to see how it still entertains,” says Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan, film festival co-curator. “Life has become so serious, and the new year seemed like a great time to kick off a journey through some of the best comedies of all time. With their witty banter and madcap antics, the goal is to have fun, together!”

Adds Duncan, “Really great comedy has this serious underbelly to it. Looking at the history, development and evolution of the screwball comedy film genre causes us to look at the social, economic, and political environment of the United States and Hollywood in particular. These films feature very farcical situations with a combination of slapstick and fast-paced repartee, but they also show the struggle between economic classes and generally feature a self-confident and often stubborn central female protagonist.”

With individual tickets and festival passes on sale, audience members can expect a diverse line-up of movie options over the five-day festival:

Wednesday, January 17 | 7:30 PM Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Thursday, January 18 | 7:30 PM His Girl Friday (1940)
Friday, January 19 | 7:30 PM Shall We Dance (1937)
Saturday, January 20 | 12:30 PM What’s Up Doc? (1972)
Saturday, January 20 | 7:30 PM Victor Victoria (1982)
Sunday, January 21 | 12:30 PM Adam’s Rib (1949)
Sunday, January 21 | 6:30 PM The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

In addition to the movie schedule, this year’s Art of The Score concert on Sunday, January 21 at 3:00 p.m., will feature Whidbey Island musicians Sheila Weidendorf, Gloria Ferry-Brennan, and James Hinkley.

“In this year's concert, we are focusing on the collaboration of filmmakers and composers that we’re calling A Game of Pairs,” says film festival co-curator James Hinkley, who will be performing in the concert. “We’ll be exploring partnerships like Hitchcock/Herrmann, Spielberg/Williams, Edwards/Mancini, and more. I think the audience will enjoy seeing how these directors work with their composers to create a new, unique world for every film they make together.”

Festivities will kick off on January 17 with an Opening Night Red Carpet Experience, complete with champagne, photos, and bottomless popcorn. Throughout the festival, specialty craft cocktails will be available for purchase in the Piano Bar an hour before each show. Attendees will also have the opportunity to buy tickets for other festival-themed programming—from dance lessons with a local choreographer to a film talk.

Each film showing will include a live introduction, with speakers discussing themes and reasons for why the film is still so relevant today. Pay What You Will tickets will be available for all films, as well as four Pay What You Will full festival passes.

“We aspire to make our programs accessible and inclusive for all,” says Duncan. “Movies are meant to be a community experience; they were made to be watched with others. Great art, classic film included, has the power to connect us. These stories and these artists can and will reach audiences in powerful ways. We need social experiences to enrich and impact our lives.”

For both Duncan and Hinkley, the film festival schedule is sure to entertain, and is the perfect addition to January programming on the island.

“You can stay home for the rest of the winter. Dress up a little, come see some great films, and eat the best popcorn in town,” says Duncan. “We can’t wait to roll out the red carpet!”

Adds Hinkley, “You will laugh! A LOT!”

To learn more about the Whidbey Island Film Festival and to purchase festival passes or tickets, visit www.whidbeyislandfilmfestival.org.