The Children’s Hour

Portland Community College-Sylvania Theatre Department
Reviewed by Followspot November 17, 2006; closes November 19, 2006

Assumedly based on real-life 1810 incident, this 1930s shocker significantly weakens amid present-day sensibilities. What’s a director to do? Treat it a museum piece? Modernize the menace? Either extreme valid, but here middle-ground falls flat on more skeptical/cynical ears. Well-oiled student cast comfortable in spotlight, but characters’ discomfort drives story.

Raised in Captivity

Portland Community College
May 12, 2005

Dry wit of David Sedaris meets peculiarity of Augusten Burroughs in odd dark comedy by Nicky Silver. Choreographed set changes complemented quirky script, which seemingly evaporated in large auditorium. If in PCC’s studio, playful college cast -- including newcomers to stage -- surely would’ve edged closer if everything were closer in.