Brother Coyote and Sister Fox!

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Brother Coyote and Sister Fox!

WHAT: "Brother Coyote and Sister Fox" performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th Street, Seattle WA 98117, in Ballard, May 21 and 22 at 1 and 3 p.m.

BYT Ivanhoe Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, May 28 and 29 at 2 and 4 p.m.

Thistle Theatre Studio (The Puppet Kingdom), 6310 NE 74th St. Ste 131, Seattle, Building 30, Southeast Entrance under the blue Seattle Parks awning, June 18 and 19, at 1 and 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10 

TO BUY TICKETS: Visit thistletheatre.org, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2212579 (Sunset Hill), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2172873 (Bellevue), or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2213291 (Magnuson Park), or call 206-524-3388 or buy them at the door.

I am appearing in "Brother Coyote and Sister" with Thistle Theatre the next two weekends and one weekend in June.

Brother Coyote wants to eat Doña Conchita's plump chickens, but Sister Fox is always one step ahead of him.

This is the same show that delighted audiences in Atlanta, GA, at the Center for Puppetry Arts this January. I play the wily Sister Fox.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Andre Nelson and Zane Exactly. We use Japanese Bunraku-style puppets, rod puppets, and song to tell this humorous version of the beloved fairytale.

The script was written by Jean Enticknap and Stephanie Diaz Reppe. Sue Ennis wrote the songs, and Jean directed this lively production. 

The script is based on a set of Mexican folktales and incorporates Spanish and English in the storytelling. This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

The shows at Sunset Hill Community Club are on May 21 and 22 at 1 and 3 p.m. The community club is in Ballard at 3003 NW 66th Street.

The performances at BYT Ivanhoe Theatre are on May 28 and 29 at 2 and 4 p.m. The theater is in Bellevue at 16661 Northup Way.

Magnuson Park shows are on June 18 and 19 at 1 and 3 p.m. Thistle Theatre's studio is in Magnuson Park in building 30. The address is 6310 NE 74th St. Ste 131 in Seattle.

Please note that the Magnuson Park shows are in our studio, NOT in the theater building! This is different than most previous performances at Magnuson. This is a small, intimate space, and seating is VERY limited. Please buy tickets in advance or consider attending at one of our other venues.  

Come see this fun puppet show while you can!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Save "The Grinder!"

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Save "The Grinder!"

It's spring, and that means the networks are deciding what TV shows will be renewed for next season.

One of the shows "on the bubble," meaning it hasn't been canceled outright, but it COULD be, is Fox's delightful "The Grinder." This show is smart, funny, and fun, but has gotten criminally low ratings all season.



The series stars Rob Lowe as Dean Sanderson Jr, an actor who has just finished a long run playing a lawyer on a TV show, also called "The Grinder." With no show, he returns to Idaho to be near his father (William Devane, in his best role) and brother Stewart (Fred Savage, all growed up).

Dean Sr and Stewart run a law firm, and Dean Jr decides his experience playing a lawyer make him qualified to practice law. However, he can't stop being dramatic.

Very, very dramatic.

Excessively dramatic. 

Every episode features clips from Dean's TV shows (usually "The Grinder," but we've seen an early gig on a sitcom as well) shot in a different appropriate style.

There are also fun guest star shots, such as Jason Alexander as Dean's old director, Timothy Olyphant as himself, playing the replacement for The Grinder (Dean's character), Maya Rudolph as Dean's therapist/girlfriend, and Richard Schiff, from "The West Wing," as The Grinder's boss on the show-within-the-show.

Also, of course, the writing is fantastic. It doesn't take itself seriously, and it respects the intelligence of its audience. It lampoons actors and acting, TV shows in general and law shows in particular, and all your favorite TV tropes.

Oh, and Jake Kasdan is a producer (as is Rob Lowe). Like, produced "Freaks and Geeks" and wrote "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" Jake Kasdan! Son of Lawrence Kasdan Jake Kasdan!  That guy!

"The Grinder" (the show you and I can watch) airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on Fox. It plays this upcoming week on April 12. Watch it.

Write the network about how much you loved it (using positive terms, never threats). Play all the clips and episodes on the website. Vote for it at saveourshows.usatoday.com.

Save "The Grinder!"

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Merry Chris Mouse

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Merry Chris Mouse

WHAT: "Merry Chris Mouse" performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th Street, Seattle WA 98117, in Ballard, December 12 and 13, at 1 and 3 p.m.
 

BYT Ivanhoe Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, at 2 and 4 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10.

TO BUY TICKETS: Visit thistletheatre.org,

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2168916 (Sunset Hill), or
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2168925 (Bellevue Youth Theatre), or
call 206-524-3388 or buy them at the door

Thistle Theatre celebrates the holiday season with our original musical "Merry Chris Mouse" at various locations throughout the Seattle area.

This original play tells the story of a poor brown mouse family finding a new home in the walls of a child's playroom. When they meet a white mouse in a cage, it's time for a rescue.

I play the mother mouse and Christine, one of two brown mouse twins.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Amy Escobar. We use  tabletom Japanese Bunraku-style puppets to tell and sing this tale.

The script and songs were written by Jean Enticknap and Sue Ennis. The songs include the popular "Carving the Christmas Cheese."

It also features the song "It's Christmas Time," which would later be rewritten for the Lovemongers (a band made of Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and Sue Ennis).

Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

The shows are at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard at 1 and 3 p.m. on December 12 and 13. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.

Performances at BYT Ivanhoe Theatre are at 2 and 4 p.m. on December 19 and 20.  That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008

Be sure not to miss this action-packed show full of laughs and fun!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Seattle Actress

Seattle Actress

Hello, I'm Gina Wilhelm, Seattle Actress!

Right now I'm in tech rehearsals for my new puppet show, "Merry Chris Mouse," which opens on Wednesday. Public shows start this weekend, and run every weekend until Christmas throughout Seattle and Bellevue. This sweet show features skilled tabletop puppetry and a song that would later by sung by The Lovemongers (the group made of Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart, Sue Ennis, and Frank Cox)!

While performing that, I'm also in the final rehearsals for "Brother Coyote and Sister Fox," another puppet show, which we will be touring to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, in January. This will be my third trip to the Center, and my fourth tour with Thistle Theatre. I'm very excited!

In my spare time, I continue to study tap dance and voice as well as work on various side projects. I even have a murder mystery dinner coming up in a couple of weeks!

Stay tuned to this site to find out more about "Merry Chris Mouse" tickets and get more updates on my projects!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Jack and the Beanstalk

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Jack and the Beanstalk

WHAT: "Jack and the Beanstalk" performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: BYT Ivanhoe Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, at 2 and 4 p.m.

Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47 , October 17 and 18, at 1 and 3 p.m.

Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th Street, Seattle WA 98117, in Ballard, October 24 and 25, at 1 and 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10.

TO BUY TICKETS: Visit thistletheatre.org,

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2168135 (Bellevue Youth Theatre), or
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2168460 (Magnuson Park), or
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2168694 (Sunset Hill),
call 206-524-3388 or buy them at the door

Thistle Theatre opens our 2015-2016 season with "Jack and the Beanstalk" at various locations throughout the Seattle area.

The popular fairy tale is set in the English countryside with all the puppets dressed in traditional English costumes. Our version is based on Benjamin Tabart's 1807 The History of Jack and the Bean Stalk. 

When Jack sells the family cow for some magic beans, it leads to an adventure above the clouds with a Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum giant, a cyclops, a hen that lays golden eggs, and a magic harp.

In addition to the characters you remember, the story includes a green fairy, a butcher, and a merry fool.

I play Jack's mother, the green fairy, the giant's wife, the hen that lays golden eggs, and the magic harp.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Andre Nelson. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style puppets to tell and sing this take on the traditional tale.

There are also some rod puppets in this show. The cow is a hand puppet.

The script and songs were written by Jean Enticknap and Sue Ennis with incidental music by Michael Flint. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Performances at BYT Ivanhoe Theatre are at 2 and 4 p.m. on October 10 and 11.  That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008

Magnuson Park Theatre shows are on October 17 and 18 at 1 and 3 p.m. The theater is in Magnuson Park in building 47. The address is 7110 62nd Ave NE in Seattle.

The shows are at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard at 1 and 3 p.m. on October 24 and 25. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.

Be sure not to miss this action-packed show full of laughs and fun!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Little Red Riding Hood

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Little Red Riding Hood

WHAT: "Little Red Riding Hood" performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th Street, Seattle WA 98117, in Ballard, May 16 and 17, at 1 and 3 p.m.

 

Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, at 2 and 4 p.m.

Thistle Theatre Studio (The Puppet Kingdom), 6310 NE 74th St. Ste 131, Seattle, Building 30, Southeast Entrance under the blue Seattle Parks awning, June 13 and 14, at 1 and 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10.

TO BUY TICKETS: Visit thistletheatre.org,

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/829336 (Sunset Hill),

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/829340 (Bellevue Youth Theatre), or
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/829413 (Magnuson Park), or
call 206-524-3388 or buy them at the door

It's spring, time for Thistle Theatre to close our season with a popular story. This year we present "Little Red Riding Hood" at various locations throughout the Seattle area.

Our take on this fairy tale is set in Bavaria, with all the puppets dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes. I play Red's mother and grandmother as well as Greta, a woodland rabbit.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Amy Escobar. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style puppets to tell and sing this take on the traditional tale.

There are also some rod puppets in this show. This show features several German words and phrases.

The script and songs (aside from the folk song) were written by Jean Enticknap and Sue Ennis. Jean also directed this lively production.

This play includes intricate puppetry and the "Wolf's Aria," one of the most popular songs in the Thistle Theatre canon!

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

The shows are at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard at 1 and 3 p.m. on May 16 and 17. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.

Performances at Bellevue Youth Theatre  are at 2 and 4 p.m. on May 30 and 31.  That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008

Magnuson Park shows are on June 13 and 14  at 1 and 3 p.m. Thistle Theatre's studio is in Magnuson Park in building 30. The address is 6310 NE 74th St. Ste 131 in Seattle.

Please note that the Magnuson Park shows are in our studio, NOT in the theater building! This is different than previous performance at Magnuson. This is a small, intimate space, and seating is VERY limited. 

Be sure not to miss this action-packed show full of laughs and fun!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Momotaro (Peach Boy)

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Momotaro (Peach Boy)

WHAT: "Momotaro (Peach Boy)" performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, Saturday and Sunday, March 1 through 8, at 2 and 4 p.m.

Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th Street, Seattle WA 98117, in Ballard,March 14 and 15 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47, March 21 and 22 at 1 and 3 p.m. 

TICKET PRICE: $10.

TO BUY TICKETS: Visit thistletheatre.org,

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/829312 (Bellevue Youth Theatre),
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/829322 (Sunset Hill), or
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/829319 (Magnuson Park), or
call 206-524-3388 or buy them at the door.

It's late winter/early spring, a time for Thistle Theatre to present our annual Asian show. This year we present "Momotaro (Peach Boy)" at various locations throughout the Seattle area.

This is the most famous story in Japan. It tells the story of a young hero who, with the help of animal friends, goes to rescue the treasure that the oni (Japanese demons) have been stealing from the villagers. I play Obaasan (Momotaro's grandmother), a brave monkey, and one of the oni.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Zane Exactly. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style puppets to tell and sing this take on the traditional tale.

There are also several origami puppets in the show. In fact, one scene is done entirely with origami puppets.

In addition, the show features many Japanese words and phrases. It also features the famous "Momotaro" folk song in both English and Japanese.

The script and songs (aside from the folk song) were written by Jean Enticknap and Sue Ennis. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Performances at Bellevue Youth Theatre  are at 2 and 4 p.m. on March 1, 7, and 8.  That address is 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008

The shows are at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard at 1 and 3 p.m. on March 14 and 15. The address is 3003 NW 66th Street.

Magnuson Park Theatre shows are on March 21 and 22 at 1 and 3 p.m. The theater is in Magnuson Park in building 47. The address is 7110 62nd Ave NE in Seattle.

Be sure not to miss this action-packed show full of laughs and battle scenes

Gina Wilhelm Actress