Hello, readers! We are Zoë and Lauren, the writers behind Can Can’s blog. From interviews to listicles, we are the purveyors of pulling back the red, velvety curtain of all things Can Can, satisfying the curiosities of any audience member who has thought to themselves, “Gee, I wonder what Jonny thinks about in that handsome, hunky head of his!” 

This month, we’ve decided to throw something new into the mix! Introducing: Writers’ Review, where we share our very first looks into Can Can productions. Since we’re usually tip-tapping behind our keyboards and not anywhere near the nitty gritty of putting a show together, we bear the eyes of patrons–just like you! We’re going to share what had us hootin’ and hollerin’, fanning ourselves with our menus, and dabbing our tears dry. We’ll try not to give too much away; we’re simply here to deliver a little bit more intrigue beyond the posters and teasers. In other words, we’re pulling the skirt just a tantalizing tad bit further up the thigh. 

Just last week, we were lucky enough to see This is Halloween for the very first time on opening night! While big fans of Tim Burton’s original, neither of us had previously seen This is Halloween. In a few words: it was INCREDIBLE. To be more specific, though, here are a handful of moments that we can’t stop thinking about. 

As the cobwebs take over the stage and ghoulish glee fills the air, it’s clear that This is Halloween is here. 

Meet Sari Breznau, the musical director and instrumentalist behind so much of everyone’s favorite spooky spectacular’s unprecedented sound. From the unique cacophony of an all-brass band to the nearly indescribable Balkan influences intertwined with Danny Elfman’s iconic, original work, Sari has been an integral part of This is Halloween’s musical conception since the “dawn of time.” 

If you’ve ever wondered what makes this beloved production scratch a melodic itch you didn’t even know you had, it’s more than likely thanks to Sari. 

Read on to learn more about Sari’s musical history and get a sneak peek behind the curtain for This is Halloween. Plus, discover where you can find Sari and her sound when This is Halloween is hiding in the shadows all other months of the year. 

While they often say the stories write themselves, Chris Pink and Jonathan Betchtel put endless hours into creating the most beloved, hilarious, and ridiculously charming Can Can shows from mere paper-bound ideas. 

With a creative partnership spanning over 18 years, plus a sense of limitless silliness, an impressively deep-cut trove of inspirations, and the fine-tuned ability to value authenticity and not take oneself too seriously all at once, these two have found a collaborative process that is truly unmatched.

And, with how devilishly delightful Crimson and Clover is, it’s undoubtedly a process that just keeps getting better and better. 

Dive into Pink and Betchtel’s creative minds, as they give us a peek behind the curtain and into writing a Can Can show. 

We are over the moon with excitement for the upcoming release of Live at Can Can: Can Can’s Essential Music Collection, a series of songs made and recorded by our in-house music creators and producers, culminating in a compilation of some of the most iconic, beloved songs from Can Can productions over the years.

Chris Pink and Dave Pezzner, the duo behind the brilliant music duo Pink & Pezzner, sat down with the Can Can Blog to chat about the unique, live recording process, the future of bringing Can Can home with you, and how nearly impossible it is to pick a favorite track.

Read on to get the behind-the-mix scoop on Can Can’s inaugural Essential Music Collection, and head to our website on August 1st to get your hands on the tunes.

While Can Can is proud to be a haven of acceptance, support, and connection for all members of our family, we cannot ignore the intensity of the industry we experience day in and day out. Just beneath the surface of the glimmering world of the guest-facing hospitality industry and the captivating allure of the performing arts, there is an ongoing battle to put well-being and mental health at the forefront when it is far too often shoved into the shadows.

Recognizing the vital need for a healthy and mindful working environment, Can Can has embarked on a journey to prioritize the mental health of our employees both on and off the stage. At the helm of this transformative initiative is Deborah Friend Wilson, a distinguished mental health leadership and wellness coach.

In this exclusive interview, Deborah shares her insights, experiences, and strategies in supporting mental health awareness within the performing arts and hospitality industries, shedding light on the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and empowering individuals to navigate the unique challenges they face daily.

Pride is a celebration, but it also shines a spotlight on the many challenges and barriers that the LGBTQ+ community faces every single day. 

While still growing, Seattle is thankfully home to many organizations and efforts to support LGBTQ+ folks in both the darkest and brightest of moments. Can Can is, itself, a welcoming home for any and all who need it; we embrace difference and advocate for fierce joy. 

Keep reading to learn more about five other wellsprings of endless hope, accessible resources, and opportunities to continue growing. Whether it be food insecurity, a struggle with addiction, or a desire to pursue education, these organizations are dedicated to helping you pave your path to a better and brighter tomorrow that we all deserve. Happy Pride! 

If you’re reading this on an empty tummy, prepare to be hit with an intense wave of cravings. We’re here to break down some of the most scrumptious dishes and most irresistible drinks on our brand new Spring 2023 menu for the Dressing Room and Can Can Theatre. 

Our kitchen full of talented flavor connoisseurs and our bar of craft cocktail magicians have designed a food and drink menu that truly gives us the taste of the season. This spring, we’re indulging in freshness, bursts of flavor, and oh-so-satisfying textures. 

Keep reading to feed your soul (and your tummy). 

To celebrate this year’s Pride, Can Can is absolutely honored to be partnering with Pride Foundation, one of the organizations uniting and empowering the Northwest’s LGBTQ+ community.

Founded in the dire need for resilience, Pride Foundation has been serving the five-state region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington since 1985, and their ability to support both individuals and entire communities of folks fighting for inclusivity, safety, and hope has only grown since.

We were able to sit down with Katie Carter, Pride Foundation’s CEO, to learn about the perennial foundation’s beginnings, goals, and how, every day, it embodies the values of courage, integrity, innovation, and hope in everything they do.

Keep reading to join the fight for a world in which every LGBTQ+ individual can live as their full, authentic selves, safely and proudly, no matter where they call home.

NOIR brings Can Can and all of its guests into a world of sultry hypnosis and irresistible revelry. The latest show also brings us Rey Rodriguez, a brand new face on the Can Can stage hailing all the way from Cuba.

Born and blossomed in a culture of dance, Rodriguez has never stopped moving to the rhythm of his life’s unique song in all of its ups, downs, and perfect pivots. From countless auditions to teaching ballroom lessons in downtown Seattle – a style he had never explored before stepping foot in the studio – Rodriguez has truly mastered the universal language of dance.

Despite being far from where his journey initially began, Rodriguez feels as if he is finally “at home” here at Can Can.

Read on to hear all the dreams come true, details, and more.

We’re still riding the high of celebrating Can Can’s 18th Can Canniversary, and we’re delighted to throw even more confetti for a dear, dear friend of ours. This month, we had the pleasure of interviewing Patricia Gray, the Director of Philanthropy for the Pike Place Market Foundation, about the growing impact of the foundation and how it's nurtured a healthy and thriving community within Seattle over the last 40 years.

What started out as a little cabaret theatre hosting traveling rock bands and local performers has now, 18 years later, turned into one of Seattle’s most unique and empowering havens of damn good entertainment, damn good food, and damn good friends.

We sat down with Chris Pink, the founder and owner of where we call home, to hear more about our tantalizing theatre’s first steps, how failure cultivates success, and what he’d tell himself way back when before embarking on the wildly wonderful, divinely drudging journey that is Can Can.

Read on to take a trip down memory lane and celebrate the good, the bad, and the sexy over 18 years of Can Can.