Kidshow! Third Floor
The Boys Next Door Public Playhouse (Vancouver)
The Long Voyage Home Arts Equity (Vancouver)
Cheeseburger Dinner Theatre Theatre Uber Alles
Sherlock's Last Case Slocum House (Vancouver)
Avi's Romeo and Juliet Together (and Alive!) At Last Northwest Children's Theater
Wonderbroads BroadArts Theatre
The Mail Order Bride Portland Actors Conservatory
The Pirates of Penzance The New Blue Parrot (Vancouver)
Medal of Honor Rag Passinart
Pushing Buttons and Saving Lives Fishbowl Catharsis
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Anonymous Theatre
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39 comments:
Ehhmmm . . . what happened to "Arcadia" at Lakewood? Is Followspot going to just pretend it never happened? Some of us went to see it.
Now, now, don't go jumping to conclusions. The reason it's not listed here is because I'm still trying to get out to see it. I believe it's playing for two more weekends. So hold yer horses and I'll try to get a thread up this next weekend.
just like Where's Charley?
Hey, now ... Despite what it may seem, I do have a life outside of this blog! :)
But seriously, I'm trying to keep up with y'all and Arcadia (among a few others) is on my short list to see before I, myself, am diverted into production.
Without diminishing in any way the work of the rest of the cast, I'd like to say that there is an "actor moment" in "The Boys Next Door" which ranks among the best I've ever seen... and I've been around a while on this earth and seen quite a bit.
The Avi R&J at NWCT is their student production running during spring break...please try to see Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet running from March 30th to April 15th.
Cheeseburger Dinner Theatre is extremely entertaining. Well written one-act followed by wonderfully tongue-in-cheek cabaret. Company name is a bit frightening, though...
The Blue Monkey is also putting on a limited performance of "The Wrestling Season" April 5-7th
I saw "Boys Next Door" - one of my favorite plays - and really thought their production was great. A few off moments and a few problem castings - but by and large, it was an extremely well done production. It was the best Lucien (Dave Hudkins) I have ever seen, and I've seen this show at least five times. Jack (Sean Kelly), too, deserves note.
Fred - I'm curious which moment caught your eye.
I would reccomend this show to anyone. It's an important play, very important subject matter - and an excellent performance. And did I mention it's riotiously funny?
followspot- please try your best to see the tragedy of romeo and juliet at NWCT- not the Avi version. I will be unable to attend and would like to hear what you thought.
Anonymous post for Anonymous Theatre's very funny production of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum.
It's a terrific concept and a lot of fun but the novelty is over once you have been introduced to all the characters (Act 1) there was nothing to look forward to in Act 2 which imploded during the chase sequence and at almost 3 hours the comedy became as DOA as Gusto the body snatcher.
...there was nothing to look forward to in Act 2 which imploded during the chase sequence...
That is just the kind of thing that I was looking forward to; not in a mean or malicious way, but just in a "how do you keep a stage full of actors and musicians on the same page when they have never even rehearsed together before" kind of way. I think the "novelty" of learning who the actors are is only half the fun of Anonymous Theatre.
The other half is watching a parade of people with more balls than most have a fun time on stage while simultaneously crapping themselves.
But in a good way.
-j
Anonymous missed some of the point of the the show. There's nothing else like it, that I'm aware of, in Portland, and maybe not around the world (although Sam Kusnetz mentioned that similar operations have copied Vertigo's example in Pittsburgh and -- I think -- Melbourne.) I found the Anonymous Theatre performance a hoot, a scream, a fabulously entertaining evening which only began with the introduction of characters and cast. Actually, it began way before that: long before "curtain," it was like a big cocktail party for the Portland acting community -- lots of people waving at everyone else they knew in the audience, and that never happens at regular shows. Then a huge cheer each time a new character popped out of the crowd to shout his or her first line. Sure, things fell apart during the climactic chase, but it was perfectly understandable, given the conditions, and most of the audience knew what that felt like (or at least got to enjoy one of their biggest fears). Nevertheless, most of the cast was surprisingly good at the songs, some of the acting, and some necessary ad-libbing. In sum, it was like watching bad community theater done by professionals, if that makes any sense. At evening's end, I'm sure dozens if not hundreds of people in the audience were wishing they had auditioned, had been cast, or could sing. Kudos to the excellent orchestra and PCS for providing an elegant space.
Saw the Fishbowl Catharsis sketch comedy show this weekend. This was the first time I've seen them (or even heard of them) and it was damn entertaining. Good cheap fun.
Besides, there was something else that Anonymous said that wasn't accurate: if Bruce Blanchard's "Miles Gloriousus" was introduced in the first act -- and I don't think he was -- his best work didn't happen until Act 2, and that was definitely worth waiting for! Though most of the characters were "appropriately" cast in age and gender terms, Julianna Jaffe was a fine exception as Pseudolus (one of her few calls for line got one of the biggest laughs of the evening, because it turned out to be "I just remembered..."). The Senex, Domina, Hero, Philia, Marcus Lycus, Erronius, and especially that Hysterium guy, were all terrific. Check the cast list at www.anonymoustheatre.org -- it's finally online!
Sorry, No, I am more than accurate. Bruce Blanchard bumbled on at the end of the 1st Act (it only FELT like it was the second act)and sang his big solo Bring Me My Bride just as he had rehearsed it (as if no one else was on stage with him)despite the monumental efforts of the Proteans to involve him in the scene. I'll stand behind my previous post. No production of Forum should be even 1 minute over 2 hours.
Well considering this was more of an EVENT rather than a production, I think ridiculing them for stepping over time boundaries is like critiquing their costumes.
The evening provided fun and laughs, and raised a heck of a lot of money.
If everything had gone smoothly, it would have seemed like dull community theater. And personally, that is not why I bought my ticket : )
Anonymous is on crack!!!
This was one of the most fun theater events I have been to in a long time. There was a great positive buzz throughout the whole of the evening.
Why spend time critiquing performances when that is not the purpose of the piece. Who cares how long it was, picking up cues is not what this was about it was about the joy of spontaneous performance.
Everyone did a tremendous job. Bruce's performance was top notch and dynamic. Miles Gloriousus would not give a care about the proteans...its the character...duh.
He had just walked on the damn stage and then performed a great number flawlessly. Everyone bumbled and we laughed and loved it.
anonymous has an egotistical chip on his/her shoulder that really isn't in the spirit of what everyone else seemed to experience that night.
well said
Congratulations Anonymous Theatre for creating what is now one of the landmark annual theatre events in Portland. The buzz and fun you generated were contagious, and the turnout shows that the crowds are there for the right events.
Well done.
I can assure you that no amount of private rehearsal can prepare you for this event! I was in one of these shows two years ago and believe me when I say that there is nothing like it. The "moment" becomes everything. You may have planned it all out in your head but so did everyone else and sometimes the two don't match or may even collide a bit. Now add to that the unknown and man are you suddenly alive with an energy that can not be described. And as for directing this event - I felt like I was having an affiar with 20 people all at the same time. Clindestine does not begin to describe this process. If you found any fault with the show blame me. The characterizations were dead on to my direction. And they ALL came through for me. I never understand why people blame actors seemlingly in total for performances that come off as "off". Please don't blame these actors unless you jump in next year or the year after - You have no idea what its like up there - the joy, the fear, the nightmare and dream that is this event. Just as fast as "that" its all gone in an insatnt almost as if it never happened.
How do you direct a musical without rehearsal? I asked them to play nice with each other, remeber as much as humanly possible and more than anything have fun. In fact over and over as their nerves shouted at them I asked, "Did I mention the fun part?" So if the show went a little longer than I hoped I feel that the "moments" held by these actors, the amazing musicians, myself and many in the audience countered the many moments that are laddened these days by the endless weariness that is the daily news. Yes that may seem heavy handed but thats what I was thinking as I did it. You may find that pretensious but it is my mind that our job is to make people think and feel. And the feeling I was headed for this time was joy. So to everyone I say - in a year I may find you and ask you then the same thing I asked my cast, "Did I mention ( and do you remeber)the fun part(s)?" I hope you remeber it well and don't regret the few extra moments. I'll remember every one of them for the rest of my life. Selfishly and with pride.
Please forgive my sloppy writing mechanics its very late and I'm kind of tired. I spent the last two months hiding 20 people from each other.
Arcadia was phenomanal (sp?) Yes it is an incredible play..because Tom Stoppard is a brilliant artist...but what an incredible show performed by such wonderful actors....I had no idea that there were actors of such caliber all living here in Portland!
Anonymous theatre- help me to recreate you work on the east coast. You've got something here.
debbo@yahoo.com
And NO! I don't work for them.
Hi Deb,
I just tried e-mailing you and it failed. Will you e-mail me at dariuspierce@hotmail.com. And we'll talk. Thanks!
Sorry to take everyone's time with this.
Darius
seeing as how anonymous theatre is a co-production with theatre vertigo, kudos to both!!
Margie Boule's column today in the Oregonian is about the Anonymous Theatre show.
Did anyone see the Wrestling Season this weekend?
yes, i thought it was amazingly powerful. especially the scene where all the characters are separated and going through their own problems (steroids, alcohol etc)
Has anyone seen the NWCT Romeo & Juliet? How does it compare?
With Wrestling Season or with Blue Monkey's R&J?
Well, I'm not sure how it could compare to Wrestling Season. But, yes, to clarify I mean how does it compare to the rest of the R&Js that have come and gone this season?
Regarding NWCT's Romeo and Juliet, it lacked the passion of the version I saw at Blue Monkey. I understand the choice to use very young actors as the leads, but a 14 year old Romeo left me with the impression of puppy-love-gone-bad, rather than passionate love at first sight. Also, the great age discrepancy between Mercutio and Romeo undermined their relationship, I felt. They couldn't be seen as peers when they're at least 20 years apart. The adult leads were wonderful, though, and the set and lighting were great. I found the costumes a little rag-tag and distracting (bright orange tights on Romeo and water socks). Overall, a perfectly safe production for young children to see, but not much of interest for the adults in the audience.
Romeo and Juliet at NWCT is a lovely production. The acting was great, and the age differences did not bother me a bit, though I thought it would, in looking at the program before curtain. A strong performance by Nick Sherbo as Benvolio, and a very likeable lead couple who adeptly illustrated the youthful passion which is as misguided as it is beautiful. Music was gorgeous (ah, Rody...). As an adult in the audience, I enjoyed myself and was moved. What more could I ask for?
Interesting. You must not have seen the same production I did.
The age discrepancy completely invalidated their relationship - it just made no sense. Mercutio is meant to be the attractive firebrand that we all want to be, not some oldster (sorry Darius!) trying to be cool by hanging out with the kids.
That said, Darius was fantastic - just not in the right production. I agree with the earlier post about it seeming more puppy-love than passion. The nurse was funny, the Prince was brilliant (they didn't have a better role for this guy?) and the friar was excellent, if untraditional. Tybalt, too, was magnificent. I don't share your love of Benvolio, however. He seemed lost to me.
Were the costumes an afterthought? They kinda looked like someone just piled a bunch of cloth on people the week before the show. They made sure it matched the color scheme, and that was about it.
And someone needs to tell Juliet to slow down.
I think the description of it as a "safe" production is very apt.
The age thing wasn't a problem as it just added another layer to that relationship. I don't remember, and I'm no Shakespeare scholar so maybe I just missed it, anyone mentioning how old or hot Mercutio was. I found Darius' work to bring out a different interpretation of Mercutio, which I appreciated. How many hot, young Mercutios does one town need? I can already hear this answer coming...
I mostly agree with the "puppy love" comment Frogger and Anonymous (not me, the other one) bring up. And what I liked about that was that it fit how young Romeo & Juliet are. My memory of my love at that age was passionate and world-ending, but I doubt anyone looking at it from the outside would have agreed. I liked that just as much as the feud between their houses was ridiculous, so too was the brash, quick love affair that this couple engages in.
Had they not [oh, sorry, SPOILER] died, would Romeo and Juliet have lasted a month together? This production makes me think not, which makes me think about something more than doomed love, which makes me actually think it worthwhile to sit through another production of this gem.
As far as safe goes, it's Romeo & Juliet. Unless they're performing it underwater or as Anonymous Theater in Latin triple-cast with blindfolds on, it's always going to be safe.
Well, as safe as Shakespeare with teenagers in the leads can be.
Oh, and Anonymous Theatre Vertigo folks, feel free to use that idea.
We (The Tragedies) just christened the new Crimson Theater at The Village Ballroom on NE 7th and Dekum with "Beyond the Fringe". Its was a modest audience but they were a warm and merry one and they all hung out at our new bar afterwards to mingle and chat about the show. Couldn't ask for a better premiere audience. Thanks for the consistent and occasionally unrestrained laughter! Thanks to all who attended and look forward to meeting more of you! Followspot should list it and maybe check it out schedule permitting (wink!). Thanks for the forum.
I think the best way to describe NWCT's production is with this:
"Romeo, Romeo! Whyfo-- whatfo--- WHEREfore art thou Romeo!"
Either that or, "O God! did TYBALT'S hand shed ROMEO'S blood?
...yeah
so juliet made a few line flunbs.... the question is: was the couple worth seeing? talent wise....
i think they were talented, and age should not be a variable.
Hey everybody! Cheeseburger Dinner Theatre is back with our burlesque of Macbeth. All the blood, all the laughs.... none of that boring part. 13 lesssons in bardolotry presented by the actors themselves followed by cake walk and cabaret. Look us up! hug and kisses, Theatre Uber Alles.
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