Stumptown Stages
September 10, 2006; closes October 7, 2006
Straight-arrow, pushy pacing runs a bit roughshod over camp-noir musical style, but Stumptown’s sensibilities still evident in talented principals (incorrigible Andrew Bray, wholesome Erin Charles, sardonic Jami Chatalas-Blanchard) who belt beautifully over Ben VanDeipen’s superb musicians. Out of the literal shadows, watch for Lisamarie Harrison, who really knows her stuff.
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9 comments:
Definitely some funny moments here.
If stealing a show were prosecutable, Nartan Woods would be facing grand larceny charges for his part as Jesus.
Those who attend student shows at PCC have known about Woods for some time. He is quite a talent and has lots of potential.
Significant sound problems the night I saw the show.
I'm curious why amplification (for singers) was needed in this small space. I thought of URINETOWN last year when Ms. Pennywise broke windows and blew the hats off audience members with her unaided voice.
It was easier to hear the words in the all natural URINETOWN production than in this electrified show.
Some solid performances from many others out there.
The show sits on the ensemble's shoulders and they do a wonderful job at doing so.
heh -- They do a wonderful job of sitting on the ensemble's shoulders?
Or do you mean the ensemble does a wonderful job ...
Question: Is this supposed to be a funny spoof? Or a spoof with an agenda of its own? Or both? And if both, can it / does it work as both?
Hey has anyone else heard that Stumptown is helping out the Oregon Food Bank by offering $10.00 tickets with two cans of food for this Thursday show?
$10 and two cans of food for Oregon Food Bank will get you a ticket for this Thursday's performance (10/5) as well.
I thought of URINETOWN last year when Ms. Pennywise broke windows and blew the hats off audience members with her unaided voice.
You are oversimplifying where Lori Paschall (Ms. Pennywise) is concerned - the song I assume you are referring to ends on a very high note, which of course can be heard by the audience. Lori also tends to belt things regardless of whether or not it is necessary (in this particular role, it worked). There were others in the cast of Urinetown who could at times barely be heard - most notably Corey Brunish (Caldwell B. Cladwell), who sang so many uncomfortably low notes which virtually disappeared by the time they hit the audience that I couldn't hear what he was singing half the time.
As an audience member, this has been really frustrating for me - I love the productions that Stumptown has done and the level of talent Kirk Mouser has assembled. However, sound has been a consistent problem with Stumptown productions and this space - the band almost always overshadows the singers. I found myself frustrated during both Reefer Madness and Urinetown, because while I knew the music and material were interesting and the singers were talented, the acoustics and the band level left me guessing as to what the lyrics were. I hope they solve this problem - it's definitely a space issue rather than a talent issue.
However, sound has been a consistent problem with Stumptown productions and this space - the band almost always overshadows the singers.
Oops, going to try this again...
I have to agree with the above statement. The shows they're doing at Stumptown are really great, but the sound isn't where it should be. I hope they can figure it out. The size of the space is challenging for musicals, since there's no good place to hide the band.
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