Richard II

Northwest Classical Theater Co. **Photo credit: Rio**
April 17 - May 24, 2009

Review by peanutduck

Surface: Amok with Shakespeare-acting voice (lovely tone, little meaning); muscle-cramping immobility; confusing cross-casting. Underbelly: Dramaturgical essay indicates gender-bender more than gimmickry; but intent doesn’t transpire. Instead, I saw women playing men, rather than exploration of how feminine power – divinely begotten or otherwise - in action differs (and/or doesn’t) from masculine.

An Afternoon with Anton Chekov

Northwest Classical Theatre
March 15, 22, and 29, 2009

Summary:

NWCTC continues their successful One Act Festival with An Afternoon with Anton Chekov. The company will perform The Boar (featuring company members Grant Turner, Nicole Turner, and Richard Reiten), and staged readings of The Proposal, Swan Song, or A Reluctant Tragic Hero (a different reading will be given each week).

The Merchant of Venice

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
January 30 - March 8, 2009

Summary:

Any production of play will be filtered through post-Holocaust political lens; the NWCTC aims to present the play as evenly and balanced as possible. Does Shylock go too far in his pursuit of revenge or, based on his treatment, does he have every right to demand his “pound of flesh”?

Sherlock Holmes: The Speckled Band

Northwest Classical Theatre Co. **Photo credit: Rio**
November 21 - December 28, 2008

Review by peanutduck

Sherlock Holmes: magnet for ably performed cornucopia of colorful characters. Chemistry between Chris Porter, returning as bemused, understated Watson, and Greg Alexander, a cheekily rapscallion Holmes, pushes forward this formlessly directed, Q&A structured play. Randy Patterson reminiscent of Mr. Hyde; confuses villainy with shouting. Seamlessly choreographed set changes; so-bad-it’s-good toupee.

Terrifying to the Macabre

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
October 17 - November 9, 2008

Summary:

Spend a dark autumn evening with the NWCTC as they proudly invite you to their Terrifying to the Macabre one-act festival. The company embarks on a 6 story tour comparing classic spooks to modern thrills. Featuring works such as The Monkey’s Paw, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Open Window, and more!

Troilus and Cressida

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
July 19 - August 10, 2008

Summary:

Director Grant Turner focuses on the flaws that prevent each character from wholly inhabiting the heroic or romantic ideal that he/she is meant to represent. These flaws tragically deconstruct their world of perfect heroes and lovers until nothing remains but a mirror of the world that we the audience inhabit

Much Ado About Nothing

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
May 23 - June 15, 2008

Summary:

Through their deadly wits, Beatrice and Benedick bring to life the strategies, impulses, and hilarious consequences of their all too human love. Set in 1960’s Messina, it's "La Dolce Vida" as jet setters Don Pedro and Count Claudio ramp up the amorous intrigue with provincial cousins Don Leonato and Hero.

Timon of Athens / Comedy of Errors

Northwest Classical Theater Co.
April 4 - April 20, 2008

Summary:


The plays have each been edited down to about 75 minutes apiece and will be played in tandem. Each night the audience will determine the order of plays and the company will perform one, break for intermission, then come back and perform the other. The same acting company performs both.

Krapp's Last Tape / The Sniper

Northwest Classical Theatre
March 9 - 30, 2008

Review by peanutduck

In the wrong hands, Krapp’s Last Tape could merely depress; however, Shaw, complemented by Erickson’s direction, presents a befuddled, startling, baboon-like man who still delights in the now (“spoooool!”) and bittersweet once-was. Chosen O’Neill plays are among his weaker, and performances lack connection with the characters, place, situation (exception: Whitney).

The Importance of Being Earnest

Northwest Classical Theatre
February 8 - March 2, 2008

Review by Thursday:

NWCTC's production confirms Wilde's classic still timely. Direction plays up overt comedy, sometimes at expense of subtler humor. Edwardian set, costumes appear slightly faded; mirrors reflecting audience somewhat distracting. Excellent acting, although Swartout difficult to understand at times. Hilarious rows between Simon, Godell, Walton, and Swartout not to be missed

A Scandal in Bohemia

Northwest Classical Theatre Company
December 12, 2007 - January 6, 2008

Posted by peanutduck

See this for Leif Norby (Holmes) and Chris Porter (Watson), and overall enjoyable cast; script adaptation of Doyle´s story is static, lacking hint of scandalous drama until final 25 minutes, awkward scene transitions aside; set is wonderfully detailed (though initially claustrophobic in Shoebox); music is lovely addition to certain moments.

Titus Andronicus

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
November 2 - November 18, 2007

November 17, 2007
Posted by Anton Ego

Uneven. Rachel Erickson, Kenichi Hillis, Grant Turner and newcomer Jon Sharpy are bright spots. Daniel Shaw's overacting is tiresome from the start. Joe Healy in the lead role comes and goes, but finishes strong. Badly blocked for arena seating - couldn't see some good moments. The pie was creepy as hell.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Photo: Carrie Farrar

Northwest Classical Theatre Company
September 30, 2007

Into the wild. Of love that is. Fast-paced and compact at two hours, NWCT’s show focuses on the physical action, hot potato turnovers and comedy of the moonlit Athenian woods. Effective use of small space, especially in streaming chase scenes. Play within a play delightfully off. Celebrating the near unseen.

Macbeth

Northwest Classical Theater Company
Posted by Frenchglen May 12, 2007; closes June 3, 2007

Solid rendering of the Scottish play. Lady Macbeth a chilling blood red, all desire and ambition run wild. Mac himself a little too handsome for true evil, but still holds darkening second half together, especially after the gloves “come on”. Beautiful, unearthly poetry of weird sisters partly lost beneath shrieking.

Northwest Classical Theatre Company's 2007-2008 Season

Northwest Classical Theatre Company

As You Like it
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Titus Andronicus
Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia
The Importance of Being Earnest
Timon of Athens/The Comedy of Errors
5th Annual Birthday Bash
Much Ado About Nothing

Henry V

Northwest Classical Theatre Company
Posted by Frenchglen February 10, 2007; closes March 11, 2007

Something from nothing. NWCTC gets mileage from this in-your-face (literally) performance at Shoe Box’s engaging, petrie dish-sized space. Bare stage setting showcases language, character, close-up nuance. More accessible than some other Shakespeare history plays. Distinctive ensemble ethic felt in show. A resplendent Leif Norby rides the waves of his kingdom.

And Then There Were None

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
Posted by Followspot December 23, 2006; closes January 14, 2007

A bit cramped, sometimes dry, occasionally fuddy, though not without some successful moments, especially in second act. Like Children's Hour, outdated artifice begs creative re-invention of suspense genre to (re)direct more engaging tension. Balanced cast ready to be taken to next level. Beautiful floor, effective lighting by candles, attractive wardrobe.

The Mousetrap

Northwest Classical Theatre Co.
December 22, 2005; closes January 14, 2005

Classic (read: dated) murder-mystery problematic to stage effectively for modern audiences — intrigue shallow as characters, creating grave directorial challenge: follow museum-piece reality? or find new, perhaps offbeat, style? Acting-by-stage-directions production didn’t unravel sufficient suspense to raise hackles, far less solve rewarding climax. Shoebox space, however, cozy addition to Portland venues.

Twelfth Night

Northwest Classical Theatre Company
February 25, 2005

Often the difficulty for contemporary audiences to connect with Shakespeare’s native voice is less vocabulary or voluminous oration, and more self-reverential poetic cadence. In other words, sing-song Shakespeare erases plot, motivation, conflict, humor. Luckily, this cast has Deirdre Atkinson, who offers clear, unaffected interpretation of Viola/Cesario that actually makes sense.

Julius Caesar

Northwest Classical Theatre Company
November 12, 2004

Hail a production as cold and empty as the theatre in which it performed. Full disclosure: I saw only one act and am no Shakespeare buff, but even Kevin Connell couldn’t generate sparks enough to fire this thriller. Crappy production elements, especially lighting that overshadowed (or thankfully hid) blind performances.