Oregon ArtsWatch

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Linda Ferguson

A nominee for six Pushcart awards, Linda Ferguson writes poetry, fiction, essays, and reviews. Her latest chapbook, "Not Me: Poems About Other Women," was published by Finishing Line Press. As a creative writing teacher, she has a passion for building community and helping students explore new territory.

‘Much Ado About Nothing’: Cranking up the color and charisma

December 9, 2025Linda Ferguson

Theater review: Salt and Sage offers a merry comedy of Shakespearean romantic mix-ups.

‘Oliver!’: An impoverished orphan finds love amidst rousing music

December 4, 2025Linda Ferguson

Stumptown Stages' colorful revival of Lionel Bart's classic 1960 musical version of Charles Dickens' novel of scoundrels and pickpockets is an exuberant delight.

DramaWatch: World premiere of ‘Death of a Drag Queen,’ holiday shows and more

December 2, 2025Linda Ferguson

Plus: Holiday shows, Northwest Theatre Workshop’s Founder’s Showcase, continuing shows, reading series celebrating William S. Gregory, theater news.

DramaWatch: Late fall shows, from Christmasy to classical … and beyond

November 18, 2025Linda Ferguson

“Little Women,” lots of musicals, and Recta the drag clown are among the offerings for this holiday season. Plus: Continuing shows and Rogue Theater Company’s new season.

A Grimm spin: ‘Stilt’ successfully turns a dark story into theatrical gold

November 17, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: Corrib Theatre’s world premiere production draws from the tale of Rumpelstiltskin to challenge the online narratives of today’s far right.

‘Recent Tragic Events’: Taking a trip back in time to better understand today

November 12, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Third Rail Rep’s pitch-perfect revival of its inaugural show sheds light on the events of 2025.

‘Madonna of the Cat’: Everyday emotions, abandoned child, and, oh – a talking bear 

November 6, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: The world premiere at 21ten Theatre of Sue Mach’s play filling in the 16-year gap in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" uses fantasy and whimsy to explore real-life woes.

DramaWatch: The Fertile Ground Connection

November 4, 2025Linda Ferguson

Former festival producers are spreading their roots and wings this month with new and revised productions. Plus: Season openers from Third Rail Rep and Corrib Theatre.

Wicked witchcraft, abundant comedy

October 22, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: Like an irresistible layer cake, Profile Theatre's staging of Jen Silverman's devilishly humorous "Witch" is a rich and tasty experience.

DramaWatch: Bring it on, from Bart Simpson to The Bard

October 21, 2025Linda Ferguson

Oregon's theaters are offering a host of innovative entertainment in the coming weeks. Plus, continuing shows, a peek at early November offerings, and theater news.

‘The Yeomen of the Guard’: A feast for the eyes as well as the ears

October 15, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: With delightful music and motion, Light Opera of Portland’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s tragicomedy is a perfect October treat.

Design for Living: Champagne bubbles with the hint of a brooding Bordeaux

October 14, 2025Linda Ferguson

In Imago Theatre’s production of Noël Coward’s 1933 play, a three-way affair is cause for comedy as well as angst for its characters.

Frothy fun: Artists Repertory’s sex farce ‘The Bed Trick’ proves people of all ages are bumblers when it comes to lust and love

October 8, 2025Linda Ferguson

Keiko Green’s contemporary Shakespearean riff of a play, set in a college dorm, keeps the mood mostly light in Artists Rep's entertaining season-opener.

DramaWatch: A spicy brew of new plays, season openers, and spooky thrills bubbles up in Oregon theaters

October 7, 2025Linda Ferguson

Mikki Gillette’s first musical premieres at Fuse Theatre Ensemble, while Shaking the Tree Theatre stages a dancing rebellion. Plus the Stage Fright Festival, other opening shows, continuing shows and theater news.

DramaWatch: ‘Triangle,’ Broadway Rose’s moving new musical, astounds with a powerful story and exquisite performances

September 24, 2025Linda Ferguson

Plus: Sunstone's "The Grown-Ups," Shake&Pop's "Midsummer Night's Dream," Stage Fright Queer Horror Fest, Fuse's "Magnetic Electric," Portland Playhouse's "Paradise Blue," more opening and continuing shows.

Lin-Manuel Miranda: Portrait of an artist

September 20, 2025Linda Ferguson

Interview: Oregon author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner talks about his new biography chronicling how the creator of the smash Broadway hit "Hamilton" reached impossible heights.

DramaWatch: Autumn’s abundance of theatrical riches

September 16, 2025Linda Ferguson

A spectacular season of new shows, musicals, and more looms as Portland Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, Experience Theatre Project and others inaugurate new seasons. Plus: The launch of 100 Lives Repertory, continuing shows, and theater news.

‘The Cake’: Making a meal of the gay-marriage debate

September 9, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: At Triangle Productions, a conservative baker must decide whether she’ll make the cake for a lesbian wedding.

‘Apple Season’: In an orchard, escaping the trauma of the past

September 4, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: In E.M. Lewis's moving and masterfully written new play at 21ten Theatre, a brother and sister return to the scene of their fraught childhood and face down the demons.

DramaWatch: Let the season begin! Fall shows are lighting up theaters

September 2, 2025Linda Ferguson

This weekend, Bag&Baggage’s reimagined "The Glass Menagerie" and Speculative Drama’s immersive "Pericles" are opening. Plus other new and continuing shows and theater news.

DramaWatch: New plays, new seasons – change is in the air

August 19, 2025Linda Ferguson

The Hatchery is introducing two shows at its festival of new works, and Milagro Theatre is premiering “Worry Dolls” by Portland native Maya Malan Gonzalez. Plus: Other opening plays, continuing shows, and news from Portland Center Stage and Broadway Rose.

‘Them’: Life in a city under siege

August 18, 2025Linda Ferguson

In the University of Oregon’s riveting production of Salmah Sabawi’s play at Portland Center Stage, characters still laugh and love in the midst of war.

‘Anything Goes’: So easy to love

August 6, 2025Linda Ferguson

Review: With sparkly costumes and snazzy performances, Broadway Rose stages a de-lovely production of the classic Cole Porter musical.

DramaWatch: Portand’s loss, Astoria’s gain

August 5, 2025Linda Ferguson

Danyelle Tinker, a co-founder of North Portland’s Twilight Theater Company, is bringing innovative and accessible shows to Oregon’s North Coast. Plus: Fresh openings, holdover shows.

21ten Theatre’s 2025 Summer Residency Program: Brand new stories, boldly told

July 29, 2025Linda Ferguson

This year’s shows have been a tapestry of storytelling forms, including Andrea Parson’s “The One,” Sofia Leonila Marks and Isabel Strongheart McTighe’s “La Mariposa,” erin rachel’s “un/seen,” and Ajai Tripathi’s “The Rainbow Passage.”

DramaWatch: A Palestinian playwright’s ‘Them’ brings the refugee crisis home

July 22, 2025Linda Ferguson

Also onstage: The Devil, a Greek muse,  and an Elvis-like character make appearances in musicals. Plus other openings, continuing shows, and theater news.

Just like home: A ‘Merchant of Venice’ that feels like here and now

July 15, 2025Linda Ferguson

Portland Shakespeare Project’s "Merchant" uses a new modern-verse translation by Elise Thoron to mirror contemporary American othering.

Never stop exploring: Stephanie Mulligan reminisces about her long career as a director and stage manager while looking forward to new theatrical adventures

July 13, 2025Linda Ferguson

Clackamas Rep's "Sherlock Holmes" is her last turn as a sought-after stage manager for more than 30 years, Mulligan says. But she'll still be busy in the director's chair.

DramaWatch: A Bard-a-licious summer of Shakespeare

July 1, 2025Linda Ferguson

The Bard’s work is on outdoor and indoor stages all over, with the return of Portland Actors Ensemble, shows by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and more. Plus: Other openings, continuing shows, upcoming season news.

‘Waitress’: A fresh recipe for a musical

June 30, 2025Linda Ferguson

Broadway Rose’s "Waitress" successfully blends music and magical realism with a strong message about female empowerment.