By Diane Urbani de la Paz
Peninsula Spotlight
PORT ANGELES — Sarah Tucker is ready to pull the curtain back again.
An artist, filmmaker and cheerleader for all things sassy and creative, Tucker is now the mother who invented a performance venue called the Allé Stage.
Allé is the German word for “all,” and that’s who’s welcome here, Tucker says.
You could also call this a stage of evolution, since it’s the latest thing on the downtown Port Angeles artscape.
This venue, inside the Studio Bob gallery and event space at 1181/2 E. Front St., is a place for local people to reveal their musical, comedic and theatrical abilities.
This Saturday, Tucker promises a “big night, a big show and a suggested donation of $5,” with short sets and a movie to run from 7 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. And since it’s not a bar, the Allé Stage is open to artists and audience members of every age bracket.
To wit, Sequim’s Carson Lewis, 17, is one of the performers appearing Saturday in the Allé Stage “Open Curtain.” He’ll offer acoustic folk music, while Thom Catts, another local artist and musician, will play his Touch Guitar, a single instrument that sounds like many.
Dance troupe
Also on Saturday’s bill are the Shula Azhar dance troupe with a mashup of tribal bellydance and cabaret that is known as triberet.
Tying it all together: Shannon Cosgrove, a vocalist and comedian, as mistress of ceremonies.
“She is amazing,” Tucker said. “She’s going to do ‘theater sports,’ where she gets members of the audience involved” in a comedic, improvisational experience.
Tucker herself will portray Antoinette, a highly irreverent character who frolics with a Chris Angel impersonator in a mock magic act.
“I will be the unhelpful assistant,” Tucker predicted.
To cap the evening, Tucker has chosen a vintage movie, “The Amazing Adventure,” starring a young, Cary Grant. In this 1937 film, Grant plays a rich man unable to enjoy his wealth, having not earned it himself, so he makes a bet with his family that he can support himself for one year.
“Adventure” has gorgeous deco style and a glowing black-and-white texture, Tucker said, adding that the film will be shown on the Allé Stage’s new screen, complete with popcorn.
“I’m hoping people will come and see how cool the stage looks, get excited about it and wish they were doing something up there,” added Tucker.
Performers interested in appearing at the venue can contact Tucker via the Allé Stage’s Facebook page or by phoning Studio Bob owner Bob Stokes at 415-990-0457.
Cosgrove and Tucker have worked together previously with the Girdle Scouts, the Port Angeles burlesque troupe. Cosgrove said she jumped at the chance to be part of Tucker’s latest project.
“Sarah does experimental theater on a shoestring budget,” she added.
“[Studio] Bob’s stage is a fantastic space for anyone looking to entertain,” Cosgrove said.
“I share Sarah’s opinion that there is plenty of local talent out there, waiting to be coaxed into the spotlight. The more venues offering something a little different, the better.”
Cosgrove, when not serving as mistress of ceremonies, is an elections administrator at the Clallam County Courthouse. She met Tucker at Hamilton Elementary, where their children go to school.
“I know two things about working with her: it will never be boring, and I will be amazed at what she dreams up,” Cosgrove said.