Tag: play

Little Women at the Armory

After singing at the tree lighting, I went home, changed, and headed back to the Pearl for Portland Center Stage’s production of Little Women. The story begins at Christmas, so why not have this be an early winter production?

It was an interesting framing with Beasley playing the role of both Louisa May Alcott and Jo. Louisa would show up now and again to transition us between scenes and periods.

I don’t really like the Little Women story, but enough people do that it has been drilled into me. This production incorporated a lot of shrieking and yelling in the first part. This worked conceptually (the March girls would not be children that were counseled to be seen and not heard), but was a lot, sonically.

Things quieted down after the intermission, and I grimly awaited Jo’s capitulation to Friedrich, played by Kieran Cronin, who also played John, Mr. Laurence, and Mr. March.

Overall, a good, if loud, night at the theater.

She Kills Monsters at Clackamas Community College

We’ve got a nice group of young square dancers in lessons, young enough to be in college productions. Orion was one of the monster/puppeteers in this production, that the director sums up as “It’s a sword-and-sorcery story of sisterhood, grief, and resilience—plus monsters.” Matt was all in because of the D&D. I thought it sounded interesting too.

We inadvertently attended on an informal friends and family night, and the crowd was enthusiastic, clapping after nearly every scene. The performers carried out their roles ably, and Matt and I had a good discussion on the way home.

Third Rail’s Recent Tragic Events

Friend Danielle gifted me a membership to Third Rail Repertory Theatre. It’s part of their Rail it Forward program where during the third year of your membership, you can gift someone a membership. Kind of genius, as it gets people in.

So far, I’ve gone to a Sunday Salon, which happen on Sunday mornings at 10, and is a reading of a play with a talkback. They also have National Theater Live performances, and then full productions. Recent tragic events was the first full production I attended.

As noted by the 20 in the logo, this is Third Rail’s 20th anniversary. This play was one from their first season, and it was interesting to see it in the mid 2020s, but for different reasons than it would have been in 2005: It takes place on 9/11.

It’s basically the worst first date, but with much hilarity underscoring the horror of the moment. It’s for sure a play for Joyce Carol Oates fans to see, as she is much appreciated. (And might make an appearance.)

Altogether, my first full production at Third Rail has me wanting more.

Plus, this is the most genius theater survey document I’ve ever seen. You tear the squares that apply to you! No writing utensils required.

JAW New Play Festival: Fires, Ohio

My frugal self loves the JAW festival because the readings are free. But I also love plays and have enjoyed our previous outing.

Fires, Ohio was another good night at the theater. Trapped by poor air quality from a nearby fire, a family has a dinner together to celebrate an old friend’s visit. And then so many other things happen.

As the play progressed, each character searched the internet for information. I thought this was a particularly brilliant way to get insight about the characters.

What the Constitution Means to Me

Portland Center Stage gave us a great show with What the Constitution Means to Me.

Rebecca Lingafelter was excellent as Heidi Schreck, the young woman who participated in Veterans of Foreign Wars speaking competitions.

As Marissa Wolf, PCS artistic director, says in the program, “Immediately, we’re lifted into a powerful world in which she maps legal rights and history onto her own body and invites the audience into this crucible through emotions, sometimes thriller-esque storytelling.”

I also really liked the set, which had a pieced together diorama quality. In this rather dark photo, you can see the large paperclip that is holding the eagle to the curtain.

Alas, we caught the penultimate show, so we couldn’t spread the word. But if this show should appear in your town, do make time for it.

Liberace and Liza Holiday at the Mansion

Cat interlude. Matt came back from his trip and Antares immediately settled on his suitcase, something that doesn’t happen much with Matt’s things. I correctly diagnosed the cause. Matt’s swimsuit was sitting at the top of the pile of clothing, and Antares loves him some chlorine scented swimsuits.

I made time for this Portland Center Stage tribute, and was I glad I did. David Saffert and Jillian Snow were very funny as the titular characters, and the show was full of Christmas fun.

It was amusing watching the interplay between two large egos who both enjoyed each other’s company while also being annoyed at what large-ego thing the opposite person was doing.

And look at this fun set!

Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Broadway Rose Theater

I attended a matinee performance with my mother and aunt.

This featured the music of Fats Waller and I especially appreciated Antonia Darlene, Troy A. Jackson, and Jai Shane’s singing.

I didn’t, however, love the song “Fat and Greasy.” It was also the song in the play where they encouraged the audience to sing along. There were a lot of fat people in the audience. I wonder how it sat with them?

Portland Center Stage: Hair

Matt and I attended PCS’s production of the iconic 60s musical. I had only seen the movie, and that was a late night viewing that I didn’t retain too much of.

The production was well acted and the musical numbers were great. However, the discussion we had in the car going home was why we found the musical itself so annoying.

We concluded that what we mostly felt about the hippies was that they were annoying and that perhaps they needed to be annoying to throw off the dominant paradigm. While we enjoy the fruits of their actions, that doesn’t make them any less annoying.

I most identified with one of the tourists (played in a delightful scenery-chewing fashion) who, when looking at the group said, “Where are your shoes????”

Shoes are needed sometimes, Like in New York in the fall, winter, and spring.

Also, I saw a backstage photo, and all the actors put on flipflops when they come off stage.

Happy Days by NWCTC

Matt and I went to see the NWCTC perform Happy Days in the Lloyd Center Mall. It took place in the former Victoria’s Secret as it did last year, when I saw The Fever.

It’s not quite as easy to see the layout of VS because of the curtains, but you can see the iconic black and white stripes on the walls.

While I deeply loved last year’s production, I found Samuel Beckett’s play to be tedious. I’m not so much into absurdist plays. Neither was the guy next to me who looked at his Apple watch more than four times.

The program says about the play, “It is considered a ‘summit role’ for female actors, presenting a unique opportunity of intense theatricality.”

Diane Kondrat (Winnie) and Chris Porter (Willie) were very good in their roles.

What I Learned in Paris at the Portland Playhouse

I attended a Thursday night showing and by the time I got there I was a bit grumbly because (1) Thursday is a school night and I don’t love being out on school nights any more than I am due to square dancing and (2) I rode my bike and it was cold and kind of drizzly.

But, but, but! This play was so funny and so well acted I was extremely happy I attended. It takes place in 1973 after a successful campaign for J.P. Madison, who will be Atlanta’s first Black Mayor. Things become complicated when his ex-wife Eve (the hilarious Cycerli Ash) comes back to town.

Like all plays that have ended their run, this production isn’t available to you, but I encourage you to attend if it is produced in your area. You can read about it here or watch a production video on You Tube here.