‘Upright’ Islander writes, stars in one-woman show

Former Islander, Mercer Island High School graduate and Youth Theatre Northwest alumna, Kate Hess has written and stars in ‘Murder Abbey,’ a parody of PBS’s ‘Downton Abbey.’ If you look closely, you will see that the characters above all look strangely alike except one. - Contributed Photo
Contributed Photo
Former Islander, Mercer Island High School graduate and Youth Theatre Northwest alumna, Kate Hess has written and stars in ‘Murder Abbey,’ a parody of PBS’s ‘Downton Abbey.’ If you look closely, you will see that the characters above all look strangely alike except one.

December 12, 2012 · 10:26 AM

“Murder Abbey,” a solo costume drama parody written and performed by Upright Citizens Brigade member, Kate Hess, is being performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles.

Hess, a native of Mercer Island, graduated from Mercer Island High School and performed with Youth Theatre Northwest, Seattle Children’s Theatre and the MIHS Drama Club.

In New York, Hess performed improv and sketch regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. At UCB-NY, she wrote and starred in “The Palin Family All Star Revue & Election Spectacular” and “We Kate Shelly,” which Time Out NY called “silly, adroit, and unique all at once.”

The review described “Murder Abbey” as a take on all Masterpiece Theatre costume dramas: “[Hess] mashes together ‘Downton Abbey’ and an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery, paying homage not just to Downton but to the larger Masterpiece brand.”

An excerpt from Murder Abbey can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/47388543.

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.