By Alia Sinclair

Burien Actors Theatre (BAT) has opened its sixth season of the Summer in the Parks series, bringing live theater free of admission to parks all throughout South King County.

This year BAT is performing an adaptation of the comedy “The Guardsman.” Originally set in 1900s Vienna by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár, BAT’s performance is a re-imagined version of the story adapted by Rachel Rene that sets the story in 1980s Seattle.

The story follows a newly married actor and actress. The Actor (Adrian Cerrato) is insecure about his wife’s (Olivia Robinson) reputation for changing lovers every 6 months and is convinced she is ready to leave him for someone new. With the aim of testing her love and loyalty, he disguises himself as a dashing guardsman and attempts to woo her. Will his ruse succeed? Will their marriage survive?

As a comedy, the success of the show depends on a strong, versatile energy to drive it forward and keep the audience engaged. Cerrato led the show with liveliness and animation, embodying the insecure actor with a sincere comical farce and believable timorousness.

His co-lead, Robinson, also played in to the satirical stereotype of the nature of entertainers with her flamboyant, emotional expressions and dramatic gesticulations. Though she seemed to struggle at times with keeping the same energy as Cerrato, the pair were the driving force of the show, each character playing off the other’s insecurities in hopes of finding a solid foundation for their own affection.

Cerrato and Robinson were surrounded by a strong supporting cast, most notably Carrie Sleeper-Bowers, who played the Actress’ easy going hippie mom with a vastly entertaining frivolity that created a delightful interplay between the characters.

Ultimately, “The Guardsman” is a fun, humorous peek into serious doubts that many face in relationships – am I enough? Can happiness last? If I exist as all that I am, will I still be loved? 

There are just four more shows of the “The Guardsman” through the month of August – be sure to catch one soon:

  • RENTON: Friday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. in Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N, Renton, WA 98057. NOTE: This performance will be in grassy field to the west (or left) of the small parking lot off Houser Way N. and just north of Skatepark sign. Houser Way N. is a one-way street heading north. For accessibility, patrons will be walking across a flat grassy field from the small Houser parking lot, and BAT’s stage area is maybe 60 feet into the field.
  • NORTH Burien: Sunday, Aug. 10, at 5 p.m. in Hilltop Park, 2600 S 128th St, Burien, WA 98168
  • NORMANDY PARK: Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. in Marvista Park, 19990 4th Ave SW, Normandy Park, WA 98166
  • SEATAC: Sunday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden at 13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98168

The show is family friendly, and admission is FREE.

For more details about the show and BAT’s upcoming season, visit The Burien Actors Theatre website here.

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