DramaWatch: Alex Hurt, beyond father and son
The actor, son of Oscar winner William Hurt, co-stars at 21ten theater in “A Number,” Caryl Churchill’s play about a father/son relationship. But he’s carving his own path.
The actor, son of Oscar winner William Hurt, co-stars at 21ten theater in “A Number,” Caryl Churchill’s play about a father/son relationship. But he’s carving his own path.
Portland Center Stage sinks its teeth into “What the Constitution Means to Me”; The Old Church’s “Moon Series” goes musical; Chapel Theatre hosts 10 new works; a Wilde “Earnest” & more.
A taut, terrific staging of Caryl Churchill’s speculative drama kicks off Portland theater’s “second season.” Plus: OSF Ashland stars on a new stage; how companies weathered the weather.
A fond farewell (and hopes for next year) as the show nears its end. Plus: Dickens and other Christmas quickies, “Dracula” and more last chances, national notes.
Director Isabel McTighe and creator/star Elsa Dougherty make sure nothing bad will ever happen. Plus: Portland Revels’ “Emerald Odyssey,” openings, last chances.
Imago’s playful costumed critters return for a welcome holiday run, this time with some zebras joining the menagerie. Plus Fuse’s “Great White,” Bridgetown’s “Orphan Boy,” a national look at OSF’s leadership switch, last chances & more.
Portland Center Stage sinks its teeth into a “Dracula” with feminist flair. Plus: It’s open (holiday) season with a musical “Wonderful Life,” a visit to Whoville, a comic Christmas tea.
21ten’s “Taking Care of Animals” is a big show in a small space. Plus: a snowflurry of holiday shows, from Scrooge to Rudolph to “Black Nativity” and more.
Four humans huddle in a farmhouse against a storm as the wild beasts roam outside in “Taking Care of Animals.” Plus some grand celebrity impersonation, openings, and last chances.
Profile keeps rolling with its trio of plays by christopher oscar peña, this one about the aftermath of a spasm of violence. Plus openings, last chances, and a billboard campaign.
The Guild, founded in 1958 to support a legendary company that began in the 1920s, is closing and passing its assets to other theaters. Plus: This week’s openings and last chances.
After postponing its season and laying off its artistic leader, the company concentrates on getting its building open. Plus: this week’s new shows and last chances.
Third Rail Rep bellies up to the Irish writer’s “Two Pints.” Plus: A Lebanese solo show, an annotated “Merchant of Venice,” openings and last chances.
The puppeteers of Kettlehead Studios, the instrumentalists of Musica Universalis, an adventurous director and a skilled actress create a myth-driven seasonal show.
Shaking the Tree takes on the bitter beauty of Lorca’s poetic tale. Plus: “California” returns, Milagro celebrates women warriors, Triangle heads for the Big Apple.
As the theater season shifts into high gear, Center Stage’s “Hair” marches to the beat of 1968’s drum and a host of other shows hit the stage.
The festival’s just-announced 2024 season suggests a return to the kind of lineup that’s excited audiences in the past. Plus: Fats Waller and the joint are jumpin’ at Broadway Rose.
Bag & Baggage’s “Our Utopia” riffs on themes from Thornton Wilder’s classic. Plus openings, closings, and Bill Rauch’s debut with the new Perelman Center in New York.
The heady shuffle of “52 Pick-Up” extends its winning hand. Plus: Good news/bad news in Oregon theater, CoHo Clown Festival, a little Sondheim music, openings and closings.
Why everyone’s flocking to an old Victoria’s Secret to see a Beckett play. Plus: “Tina” on tour, the joys of a kids’ backyard theater camp, and a question: Must the show go on?
In a tiny Southeast Portland space, a lean and lively actors’ theater is emerging. Up next, “52 Pick-up.” Also: openings and last chances.
“The fundamentals of the economy are getting stronger, but people are still skittish” – and theater companies are suffering for it. Plus: Anonymous Theatre plays Pirate.
Financial problems stemming in part from the pandemic, an expensive construction project, lack of expected state funding and a national slump in theater attendance force a drastic step.
With fresh productions opening of The Scottish Play and the lost-slipper musical, we’re one leg off a tantalizing theatrical trifecta.
As Bag & Baggage performs “Red Velvet,” his first directing show as the theater’s artistic director, the Omaha and New York transplant creates a tight bond with his new home town.
The former Artists Rep artistic leader is the new artistic director of Seattle’s much larger flagship theater, and JAW keeps faith with the theatrical tradition of the new.
Henry VIII’s wives take the stage in Portland in the musical “Six”; Bag&Baggage’s “Red Velvet,” Box of Clowns, stinky cheese, Shakespeare in Elgin, time out for kids’ shows, more.
CoHo’s clowns tie a twister by the tail. Plus: a jukebox musical at Lakewood, a sketch comedy festival, Astoria’s “performathon,” seasons’ greetings, throwing the dice on “Six.”
The troubled festival calls on a favored prince to be its new artistic director. Plus: A new Josie Seid play, 76 trombones in Eugene, last call for gothic cabaret, and more.
Clackamas Rep brings the ancients romping into the present. Plus: Broadway Rose’s “Dreamcoat,” new leader at Artists Rep, farewell to Book-It Rep and Sheldon Harnick, more.
From the Cocteau Twins to the Cure, a splashy cabaret celebrates goth culture with playful spookiness. Plus: Last call for some good shows, a shutdown in L.A.
A little razzle-dazzle from “Shazam!,” PlayWrite’s 24-hour play fest, circus for Cutie, Cheryl Strayed in Astoria, Bill Rauch’s big adventure, last chance for a fistful of good shows.
Profile’s “How to Make an American Son” tells a generational family tale. Plus: Duffy Epstein & friends head for “California,” openings, closings.
Lee Blessing life-and-death drama, Shakespeare’s Puck & the gang, “Full Monty,” and last chance for the fine “Mary Jane” and “True Story.”
The premiere of a fresh Kabuki adaptation of a 1685 Japanese puppet play is Laurence Kominz’ swan song. Plus “Afropolitical Movement,” openings, closings.
Endurance, warmth and strength in Amy Herzog’s play; clawing the walls at Shaking the Tree; the casting controversy; is “who wrote Shakespeare” the wrong question?
Premieres from E.M. Lewis and Carol Triffle top the theater week. Plus: Trying to break down the breakdown at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
At Profile, a gathering of contemporary voices. Plus: Clowning around at Milagro, Corrib’s gritty solo show, last days for “Come From Away,” Portland Playhouse’s new season and more.
A busy stage week also brings a pair of promising kids’ shows, the opening of “The Judy,” a Shakespeare parody, and the Broadway opening of the born-in-Portland “Thanksgiving Play.”
The world premiere of “Great Wide Open” holds court as a big, sweet, charmingly clumsy, passionate kiss of a show.
Long-delayed remodel is moving ahead at the home of Portland’s second-biggest theater company. Doors are expected to open for audiences in 10 months.
The venerable Ashland festival’s effort to save the 2023 season follows years of wildfires, pandemic shutdowns, and staff turnover. Plus, openings, closings, and this weekend’s shows.
Matthew Lopez’ two-part drama reimagines “Howards End” as a gay New York saga. Plus openings, closings, a big theater bash, and a new leader for Oregon Children’s Theatre.
With a fine production of John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” at Lakewood Theatre, director Antonio Sonera says he’s calling it a career. Plus: Last chance for a few good shows.
Shaking the Tree adds a bright new expansion, Le Salon Rouge takes a bow, cheerleader werewolves land on Earth, “Hairspray” hits town, and more.
PassinArt dives into the musicality of the great American playwright. Also: Black & blue, Borges & Neruda, Bill Wadhams’ musical memoir, Red Door’s “Evolve.”
The devil gets his due in Conor McPherson’s gripping play “The Seafarer.” Plus: openings, closings, Center Stage’s new season.
A busy theater week also features a Hand2Mouth devised show, Milagro’s “Ardiente Paciencia,” and a few more performances of “My Fair Lady.”
Fuse’s “Ronald Reagan Murdered My Mentors” explores the loss of a gay generation; Corrib’s “Trade” tells a sensitive personal queer tale; Henry Higgins hits the road.
Lauren Yee’s “Young Americans” at Center Stage takes on the issues of immigration and belonging. Plus: Corrib’s Irish “Trade,” openings and closings.
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