For:Give

Insight Out
May 1 - 17, 2008

Review by peanutduck

Arresting, complex, messy. Tempest as modern day metaphor for corporate greed, population dis/re-placement, manipulation, powerlust by both Prospero (Priscilla/abused) and Antonio (Tanya/abuser), mostly works; some choices questionable. Allison Tigard, mythical; soundscape haunting; Ensemble as Ariel, predatory. Use of Tempest text detracts, cross-casting intentions confusing. Ending rushed, forgiveness theme lost, unearned.

January's Fill

On the chance we can’t cover these …

Junie B. Jones - Northwest Children's
Froggy Went A’Courtin’ – Ladybug Theatre
Miss Nelson is Missing! – Oregon Children’s Theatre
Where’s Charley? – Lakewood Theatre
The Yellow Boat – Insight Out Theatre Collective
If You Take One Elf Off the Shelf – The Twelve 14 Group

Comments, anyone?

Leni

Insight Out Theatre Collective
October 20, 2006; closes November 11, 2006

Proficient performances share stage with too-few extraordinary film clips. I left wanting steeper (re-organized?) dramatic arc to biograph subject so remarkable, relevant. Instead of self-eulogy, perhaps shifting play’s point-of-view would add tension, raise stakes, make us want to know what happens, why. What is the conflict, journey to be taken?

A Thought About Raya

Insight Out Theatre Collective
April 14, 2006; closes April 29, 2006

Refreshingly different. Not sure quite what to make of appealing nonsequiterness as whole, but among this enjoyable series of individual absurdities were brilliant moments of rational clarity. Hannah Bos modeled duo’s on-point, energetic and crisp physical comedy, though some of show’s prop-based gimmicks seemed somewhat incongruous with surrounding textual burlesque.

Kindred

Insight Out Theatre Collective
February 4, 2006; closes February 18, 2006

Gripping, provocative, explosive and painfully funny script. A clear, concentrated no-shit production both tense, yet tender; intimate, yet claustrophobic — like a painful embrace you don’t let go of. Mesmerizing lifer Lamont Stephens was genuinely outstanding. Careful, discerning direction by Bruce Hostetler amid suggestively straightforward set design by Kate Kauffman.

Goodbye Oscar

Readers Theatre Repertory
Theatre Vertigo
Insight Out Theatre Collective
November 9, 2005 (one reading only)

To be honest, I’m not fond of this quicksand script nor the weak-brewed genre of readers theatre, both out-of-place in noisy PNCA gallery environs. That said, moments when characters literally touched each other were moments that touched me — without words — completely to credit of Neal Starbird, Wade McCollum, James Sharinghousen.

One: The Musical

Insight Out Theatre Collective
September 23, 2005; closes October 1, 2005

Simple story could be told more simply. Muddled, bloated, often confusing book, score lost innocence, naïve charm from earlier incarnations. Needs to distill its message. Unhelpful staging, cluttered choreography. Fervent ensemble had conviction; Baladi band fine; Mars top-notch; Waller naturally charming even without acting; Jaffe underutilized powerhouse. Interesting new space.

Live at the Rose Garden

Insight Out Theatre Collective
May 21, 2005

Ensemble creation explored “time,” “self” through nonlinear tri-cast story of two sisters’ rock-and-roll career. Hour-long idea was good and made effective use of awkward performance space, but too little story, too little music. Felt like a play still in development. Good start, but could be more. Live band was hot.

ONE: A Revolution Has Begun (preview)

Insight Out Theatre Collective
February 17, 2005

Charismatic Wade McCollum surrounds himself with fellow “imaginal cells” that share as much talent as idealism. Whether you buy his mysticism, song sampler fund-raiser proved again that McCollum is One to watch when his re-worked adaptation of Siddhartha returns to Portland in September prior to Los Angeles, then New York.

On the Verge

Insight Out Theatre Collective
January 28, 2005

Aptly subtitled “Geography of Yearning,” deceptively complex language play covers ground that’s, paraphrasing playwright (former Portlander) Eric Overmyer’s characters, intoxicating but ultimately unsatiating. Usually inventive Wade McCollum, cleverly cross-cast as intrepid Mary, was considerably subdued. Presence of manipulative stagehands “Kiss,” “Mets” was untapped brilliance. Go, but sit in center section.

Cornered in the Dark

Insight Out Theatre Collective
November 5, 2004

Emotionally raw staged poetry about sexual abuse drew mixed reaction. To some, woo-woo therapy theater. To others, a visceral connection of what would otherwise remain painfully buried. Either way, the performances were pronounced, and it’d be interesting to see what director/playwright/medium/performer Lenelle N. Moise’s could do with a conventional piece.